The Genesis Invitational 2021: Tournament preview and picks

Bubba Watson +5000

I’ve gone to Bubba a couple of times recently and will do so again at a place he loves. The three-time champion of the Genesis Invitational has made just two starts in 2021, the first a missed cut at Torrey Pines and the second a 22nd in Phoenix his last time out.

Watson made a sluggish start to 2021 but there were signs that his game may be rounding into shape in his final round at the Waste Management Open two weeks ago when he posted a closing 65 that was good for a 6 under finish for his round.

Bubba gained over two strokes from both off the tee and with his irons for the event and only lost strokes with the putter as is often the case. He is traditionally a better putter on POA greens and with his incredible history at this event and the big number is well worth backing this week.

I’ll finish the card with two more at longer odds in Carlos Ortiz +9000 and Vaughn Taylor +27500 and will look to play both in the top 10 and top 20 markets as well.

Carlos has gone 14th, 29th, 4th, to start the year and has really been playing some great golf that dates back to last year when he won the Houston Open for his first PGA win. Ortiz has two top-twenty finishes in four starts at the Genesis Invitational including a 9th two years ago and that came at a time when he wasn’t nearly the player that he is now.

Taylor makes for the last addition to the card and is another with a good track record at this event especially the last couple of years.  Vaughn has three top twenty finishes in his last three starts at Riviera and he showed some signs of life last week when he posted a top 25 finish at Pebble Beach, so I’ll take a chance that his game is in a good place at this big number.

The Genesis Invitational Card

Bryson DeChambeau +1700

Tony Finau +2200

Bubba Watson +5000

Carlos Ortiz +9000

Vaughn Taylor +27500