Emiliano Grillo: 2021 FedEx Cup Contender or Pretender?
By Tim Letcher
Emiliano Grillo had his best FedEx Cup finish in his rookie season. Can he take it to another level this year, or is he destined to finish back in the pack?
With the 2020 portion of the PGA Tour schedule in the books, we at Pro Golf Now will be taking a look at the current top 50, and some selected others, in the current FedEx Cup standings and whether they are contenders or pretenders for the 2021 FedEx Cup. Our latest subject is the current No. 47, Emiliano Grillo.
More from Golf News
- Golf Rumors: LIV set to sign Masters Champion in stunning deal
- Brutal return leaves Will Zalatoris looking towards 2024
- Stars You Know at World Champions Cup Starts Thursday at Concession
- 2023 Hero World Challenge Predictions: The Return Of Tiger Woods?
- RSM Classic Brings the controversial 2023 PGA Tour Season to a close
Best career FedEx Cup finish: Ironically, Grillo had his best FedEx Cup finish in his rookie season on the PGA Tour. He earned what is, at this point, his only tour victory during that 2016 season when he claimed the title at the Frys.com Open. He made it into the playoffs, finished in a tie for second at the Barclays and tied for 10th at the Tour Championship. That left him in 11th place in the FedEx Cup standings.
So far this season: Grillo had a solid start to his season with a tie for 29th at the Safeway Open. He might have finished even better if not for a 73 on Sunday.
Two weeks later, he had a similar experience at the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship. He was in the mix for a Top 10 finish but a 73 on Sunday left him in a tie for 21st place.
Grillo would play the following two weeks, finishing in a tie for 35th place at the Sanderson Farms Championship and a tie for 34th at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Then, after three weeks off, he finished in a tie for 34th again, this time at the Bermuda Championship.
The next week, Grillo missed his only cut of the season so far after shooting 75-70 at the Houston Open.
However, Grillo bounced back very nicely just two weeks later. If not for a 71 on Sunday, he would have finished even better than he did. Still, he tied for 18th that week.
Next. Tony Finau Being Sued for Nearly $16 million. dark
In his final 2020 start, Grillo had his best finish of the season. He actually held the lead through 36 and 54 holes at the Mayakoba Golf Classic before slipping to a 72 in the final round. Still, it was a tie for eighth place.
The verdict: Grillo has shown signs this season but he will have to show a lot more the rest of the year in order to contend for the FedEx Cup. Consider him a pretender for the 2021 postseason.