Layman’s Draftkings Picks for 2021 Genesis Invitational
BY LOGAN RIPLEY
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. - One of the highlights of every PGA Tour regular season is the week at Riveria Country Club, the host of the Genesis Invitational. While most of us are shoveling out of our shacks, pros are walking down illustrious fairways with green around every corner. Most notably the climb up the 18th where tournaments are won and lost on this daring 475 yard par 4.
The 18th at Riviera Country Club, host of the 2021 Genesis Invitational. (Photo by golfcoursegurus.com)
The Genesis, which was one of the final tournaments before quarantine last spring, displayed winner Adam Scott in full swing. Posting an 11-under (273) tournament score, besting three others tied at 9-under (275).
There is a chance we see more of the same for Scott this week but fading is my best bet in this stacked field. With groups featuring names like Mcilroy, Reed, DeChambeau, and Johnson, Southern California will be sure to provide some fireworks down the stretch.
Here are my layman’s looks and best bets for your Draftkings lineup:
The Horse - RORY MCILROY ($10.5K)
Having finished T5 last year, only three shots off of Scott, I have McIlroy as a lock this week. A T8 at the U.S. Open in July, T5 at the Masters in November and most recently a T13 at the Waste Management, Rory shows up on the big stage. With one of the best fields we will see outside of a major this year, Rory will command the top of the leaderboard at some point in the four rounds.
2nd Tiers - Joaquín Niemann ($8.8K) / Viktor Hovland ($8.7K) / MAX HOMA ($8.2K)
There’s not much to say about this trio, other than they’ve shown up week in and week out.
Niemann’s 2nd at Sentry and T2 at Sony speaks for itself. He’s at the top of his game and should show out this week.
Hovland found something at the Farmers in the end of January. After his underwhelming performance at Sentry, he turned around that T31 with a T2. Consistency at the top means a lot in DK and that’s what I'm banking on.
Homa is the definition of streaky. But if you catch a heater at the right time it pays, so you need to play. I thought his bounce back from a rough hole or two in the final round at Pebble upped his confidence and also mine in picking him this week. A bogey or double hurts but Homa has shown he can rebound with a flurry of birds and eagles.
Layman’s Duo Finish - MAVRICK MCNEALY ($7.3K) / JIM FURYK ($6.4K)
Well here we are, the big names are off the board and this is where you can gain a little back on the field.
Does a butter club twirl mean more or less than a solo 2nd at Pebble last week to golf fans? I’m going to go with the former. His style down the finish, candid interview and under the radar performance made him pop into my lineup this week for a low $7k figure.
Jim is a cut making machine and he continues that this week. Four T10s and 9/9 on cuts, I need a budget player and he fits the bill. Who knows… there’s always a chance!
Hopefully we catch a little magic this week and turn $5 into $50k!
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