Adam Scott has had a stable begin to his 2024 season.

The Brisbane, Australia native has two top-10 finishes in Dubai and Phoenix, and he tied for twentieth on the AT&T Pebble Seashore Professional-Am.

Now, Scott returns to Riviera Nation Membership—the place he has gained twice and has recorded seven high 10s throughout his illustrious profession.

“It’s all the time a spotlight of my yr enjoying right here. I really like this monitor, and I really like this occasion,” Scott mentioned Tuesday forward of the Genesis Invitational.

“It’s my favourite occasion I play on tour, so I’m so grateful to be a sponsor’s invite this week and get the possibility to have one other go round Riviera.”

Scott believes Riviera has extra to supply than its iconic George C. Thomas-designed course.

Photograph by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR through Getty Pictures.

He feels at dwelling there, as Southern California and Australia share quite a few similarities.

“The eucalyptus timber scent like they do in Australia; the grass is comparable, and the climate will be related as nicely. There may be good climate right here,” Scott mentioned.

“I simply have this sure stage of consolation. There’s extra than simply purely an amazing golf course for me.”

The Kikuyu grass that strains Riviera’s fairways provides loads of gamers hassle. This thick, crabby grass typically seizes management of a participant’s membership face, turning it over and thus forcing errant pictures.

And but, Kikuyu is commonly present in Australia, so Scott has loads of expertise with the sort of turf. Maybe this helps clarify why Scott has had a lot success at Riviera.

However he has lengthy been an outstanding ball striker, a requirement for any participant to thrive on this course. Moreover, stable ball putting requires good positioning off the tee.

Scott does this routinely at Riviera.

When he gained in 2020, the Aussie ranked third in strokes gained approaching the inexperienced. Two years in the past, when he tied for fourth, Scott ranked fourth on this regard.

4 of the final 5 winners at Riviera have completed among the many high 6 in strokes gained approaching the inexperienced. It’s the key to success.

Photograph by Ben Jared/PGA Tour through Getty Pictures

This yr, Scott ranks fifth on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approaching the inexperienced. He additionally ranks third in proximity to the outlet, that means he’s discovering placing surfaces and sticking it near the flagstick. That recipe interprets to success on any course, not to mention at Riviera.

“I usually like how my sport is feeling,” Scott mentioned when requested to debate the state of his sport.

“Hopefully, a very good week this week, and I can hold the nice momentum with my golf sport going.”

Scott wouldn’t have been in a position to maintain momentum had he not obtained a sponsor’s exemption this week.

As a result of Scott didn’t qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs in 2023, he didn’t initially make it into this restricted discipline—the third Signature Occasion of the season. Solely 70 gamers comprise this week’s Genesis Invitational, 50 of which certified by making final yr’s BMW Championship.

“I can’t bear in mind precisely when my final sponsor’s invite was. I most likely have been invited to a event in Asia or one thing like that all through the years, however on the PGA Tour, it’s been some time, that’s for certain,” Scott mentioned.

“I really feel fortunate that I’ve received one among them. If I didn’t, then, I didn’t qualify. In order that’s the way it goes. I don’t count on to be invited to each event I ask for both, however I’m very glad to be right here. As I mentioned, that is an occasion I look ahead to very a lot. It’s my favourite monitor of the yr, and hopefully, I take advantage of it.”

Contemplating his consolation and expertise at Riviera, coupled together with his present type, Scott contending this weekend ought to shock nobody.

Maybe we discover the Aussie within the winner’s circle late Sunday afternoon.

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. You’ll want to try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.