The Genesis Invitational
Oh, just when we thought we were done with the non-traditional tournaments, we are back in California (the capital state of “weird”…yes, I know several other states are vying for the title). We do have a cut! But, it’s Top 50 and ties. We only have 70 participants and it’s an Elevated Event. However, worst case will be slightly more than 70% of the field playing the weekend. Of all the strange events, I think I like this style the best. Better than no cut because you can still get 5/6 or 6/6 to the weekend and gain an advantage.
Last week ended better than I thought. I closed out on Sunday in the money – thanks again in part to the Showdowns. How many of you were rooting for Charley Hoffman? I know I was!
We only have four guys priced at $10K or higher this week. All of them have great history at Riviera. This is a week where you can take more risk with a stars-and-scrubs lineup because of the percentage of the field making the cut. Still, I’m more in favor of a balanced lineup given the quality of the field.
Highlights: Riviera Country Club – Par 71, 7300 yards
Par 4s (7 of them) are longer at 450-500 yards.
Kikuyu grass rough which is can be tougher than most and the length of it has varied over the years.
Despite narrow fairways and finicky rough, Bombers will be able to take advantage of the course because it’s not long by Tour standards. Smaller greens will make it harder to hold shots from outside the fairway which means short game is a positive.
NOTE: All pricing is based on DraftKings
** are my favorites in each category – could be pricing or the fact I think they play best.
$10,000 and Above
Play any of them that you like. When I say I’m going balanced, I don’t mean every lineup. With the Top four guys, you get:
- Scottie Scheffler ($11,500) – the names enough. 3 straight Top 20s here and four of his last five events at 6th place or better.
- Rory McIlroy ($11,200) – Honestly, I’ll probably play him the least. He’ll probably win if I don’t play him, but I’m just not feeing it with him right now.
- Xander Schauffele ($10,100) – withdrew last week and I’m not sure why. He’s been Top 15 in four of the six times he’s entered this event.
- Viktor Hovland ($10,000) – short game has been his kryptonite historically but that’s vastly improved. Three times at Riviera: T20-T4-T5
$9,000 to $9,900
- Ludvig Aberg ($9,200)** – No history at Riviera but I just love this guy! Coming off two straight Top 10s.
- Collin Morikawa ($9,500) – T6 and T2 in last two years
- Max Homa ($9,800)** – “West Coast” Homa! How did he miss the cut last week? You sometimes need a short memory in PGA DFS. History: 2nd – T10 – Win -T5-T37.
- Justin Thomas ($9,100) & Jordan Spieth ($9,000) – I find these two interchangeable if you are going stars-and-scrubs. Teammates if you go balanced.
- Patrick Cantlay ($9,300) – 3rd-T33-T15-T17-T15-T4
Yes, that’s all the guys in this Tier. If I could rule one out, I would.
$8,000 to $8,900
- Sam Burns ($8,700)** – Missed the cut the last two years, but T3-T10-T6 in his last three events…I’ll bite!
- Adam Scott ($8,200)** – Anyone that’s followed me over the years knows…I never get Adam Scott right! But, I’m diving in again. His game, when it’s on, fits well here. Right now, I think it’s on!
- Cameron Young ($8,500) – Did you ever have a pick that you just felt, “yeah, that’s the right one”? It’s Cam, not Carson Young this week!
- Tony Finau ($8,900) – He’s the highest priced guy in this tier, but he has the length and the touch to play Riviera! Plus, three Top 25s (two Top 10s) in his last five events doesn’t hurt either.
$7,000 to $7,900
Oh yeah! This is the sweet spot this week!
- Will Zalatoris ($7,900)** – One of my favorites every week if he’s healthy. I think he is and I know he loves this course.
- J.T. Poston ($7,800) – Not sure what happened last week, but he’s pretty hot so far this year
- Nicolai Hojgaard ($7,800)** – I’m not sure the average fan realizes how good this guy is or can be. I didn’t realize it either until I saw him play on the World Tour. Like Aberg, no experience, but he has a game that plays anywhere.
- Eric Cole ($7,700)
- Harris English ($7,000)
- Denny McCarthy ($7,500) & Hideki Matsuyama ($7,400) – C’mon! Really? These prices are ridiculous.
Under $7,000
- Emiliano Grillo ($6,900)** – Four straight Top 25s for under $7K? Hell yes!
- Tom Hoge ($6,700)** – T17-T6-T56-T17 in last four events
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout ($6,700) – Again, c’mon! Which AI tool is doing this pricing? Apparently one that doesn’t watch actual golf!
- Ben Griffin ($6,400)
Longshot(s)
- Kurt Kitayama ($6,900) – I’ll take a Top 10 at this price.
CORE PLAYS (Listing 6 – Maybe play 3):
- Scottie Scheffler ($11,500)
- Ludvig Aberg ($9,200) – probably my overall favorite this week
- Sam Burns ($8,700)
- Will Zalatoris ($7,900)
- Hideki Matsuyama ($7,400)
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout ($6,700)
Hell! That only exceeds the salary cap by $1,400!
Ask questions on Discord if you have them. Make sure to tag me so I don’t miss it!
GOOD LUCK!!