Adam Scott kicks off his 2017 PGA TOUR campaign at one of his favourite venues at this week’s Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club in California.

Scott is a former winner of the tournament and has twice finished runner-up, including last year when he was one shot behind winner Bubba Watson.

The course, known as Hogan’s Alley because the great Ben Hogan won a US Open and two Los Angeles Opens at the course over the course of 1947 and 1948, is one of the most revered on the Tour and always attracts a strong field.

While Scott’s record at the layout puts him among the pre-tournament favourites he will have to be at his best if he is to add a second title to his 2005 triumph.

Among those teeing up are last week’s winner Jordan Spieth, US Open champion  Dustin Johnson and Scott’s fellow Queenslander and World Number 1 Jason Day.

Day comes into the event off an unusual week at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am where he played three good rounds but turned in a Saturday 75.

While he righted the ship Sunday with a 67 he has the added concern this week of playing a course which historically hasn’t been kind to him.

Day makes his first appearance since 2012 where he posted his best finish in three appearances, a T62.

Having missed the cut in both 2010 and 2011 it is perhaps no surprise the tournament fell off his schedule but he is also a vastly improved player since his last appearance here.

Day and Scott spearhead a 10 strong Australian challenge including another former winner, Aaron Baddeley, Marc Leishman, Steven Bowditch, Greg Chalmers, Cameron Smith, John Senden, Geoff Ogivly and Cameron Percy.

Percy earns a start in the field courtesy of his top-10 finish last week and will be looking to make the most of the opportunity in a season where he has only limited status.

Of the rest there has been little in the way of good results although Marc Leishman turned around an indifferent run of results in the tournament with a T5 finish last year.