Fantasy Golf Tournament Preview- Genesis Open

OVERVIEW

Gimmicky course rotations and gimmick golfers (I’m looking at you Ho-Sung) take a back seat this week as we get back to the usual one course for 72 holes type of play. Pacific Palisades and Riviera Country Club hosts another edition of the Genesis Open in what will be the 93^rd year of the event and the 57^th year held at The Riv. This event has seen the same winner multiple times through that time, but since 2005 only Phil Mickelson (2) and Bubba Watson (3) have beaten the field more than once. The field: This field is absolutely STACKED! Six of the Top 10 in OWGR are here and fifteen of the Top 25. There are a lot of strong players to choose from at the top of the board, and if someone you like isn’t listed below it’s because I had to draw the line somewhere.  The course typically plays easy, with the exception of 2015 where we saw the winning score of 6-under claim the trophy. The primary reason for scores being so low is due to the nonexistent rough around the course. Players who are long off the tee can get away with most shots, and while the greens are small, if you’re on or near the putting surface you have a shot at making birdie. Speaking of the greens, they typically play firm and fast. The fairways are kikuya grass, so naturally the South Africans in the field will be talked up this week, but I think that type of grass gives everyone a slight bump on approaches as the grass props the ball up and allows players to hit more crisp iron shots. One & Done selections this week should be a bit more spread out with such a top-heavy field. My initial Top 5 this week includes DJ (probably been burned by most), Rory (who has been good to start the year, but has a “bad” course history), Bryson (bad CH), JT (strong form & getting better CH) and Cantlay (4^th last year, MC in 2014). Tony Finau should be a popular pick coming off last year’s runner-up finish, where had he putted somewhat decent he would’ve won (he has yet to show us he’s at the same level of play as last year).

 TOURNAMENT BACKGROUND

• The Course
• Riviera Country Club
• Par: 71
• Yardage: 7,300
• Greens: Poa Annua
• Location: Pacific Palisades, California
• Corollary Tournaments/Courses: Farmers (Torrey Pines), The Masters (Augusta), WGC Bridgestone (Firestone), THE PLAYERS (TPC Sawgrass), Dell Technologies (TPC Boston)
• Past Champions:
• 2018: Bubba Watson -12 over Kevin Na & Tony Finau
• 2017: Dustin Johnson -17 over Scott Brown & Thomas Pieters
• 2016: Bubba Watson -15 over Jason Kokrak & Adam Scott
• 2015: James Hahn -6 in a playoff over Paul Casey & Dustin Johnson
• 2014: Bubba Watson -15 over Dustin Johnson

KEY STATS TO TARGET

• Strong Emphasis – SG: APP, SG: T2G, Birdie or Better, Scrambling
• Important – P4 Scoring 400-450 & 450-500, P5 Scoring, Proximity 150+

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