Once again we only have one golf tournament this week but what an exciting event it should be!
With The Australian Championship on the European Tour cancelled we focus all our attention on The Genesis Invitational, at the Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California.
The world’s top 10 ranked golfers will all be in attendance apart from World No.10 Patrick Reed. The 120-strong field will be competing for the $9.3million prize money with $1.67million to the winner.
Adam Scott returns to defend the title he won last year which saw the final round leaderboard change hands on so many occasions before the Australian finally triumphed by two shots over the field.
This par 71 Riviera parkland course shouldn’t pose too many problems especially with so much talent on show.
The key attribute this week will be power and accuracy with any extra advantage going to those who are experts at fading the ball.
The weather is forecast to be clear and pleasant throughout the four days with only light breezes.
Last week I suggested Partick Cantlay 8/1 each-way to win at Pebble Beach, whilst he was in contention all the way he just fell short and had to settle for 3rd place but still collected the each-way place money as did my other pick Jason Day at 25/1 EW so well done to everyone who collected.
Dustin Johnson
So let’s get on with the selections for this week , for my first pick I’m looking no further than World No.1, Dustin Johnson at 6/1 each-way with Betfair for my main selection.
As much as I want to oppose DJ and look for value, the fact of the matter is I simply cannot advise otherwise at the moment. This guy has everything, hence the reason why he is the best golfer on the planet.
I was actually going to oppose DJ last week at Pebble Beach but my reasoning behind that, as explained, was that DJ had just returned home from a long week with a victory in Saudi Arabia at The Saudi International in a different time zone.
I reckoned it may have caught up with him especially in the final rounds hence the reason he decided to withdraw from the tournament to spend time at home with the family. Now that DJ has had time to recuperate and charge the batteries I feel he will only start off from where he left off with yet another victory here in California.
The hard-hitting, big humble American has won no less than five of his last 13 tournaments. I mentioned earlier that a good fader of the ball will definitely gain some advantage this week and there is no one better at fading the ball than DJ.
I predicted he would carve up the course at The Saudi International and come up trumps and I will predict him to do the same again at Riviera.
Just check his form at this event on this course; 2nd-2nd-4th-1st-16th-9th-10th. When he won this event in 2017 he did Sony an impressive five shot margin. With an eleven shot success recently at The Northern Trust and a run away five shot victory at The Masters it’s no wonder Dustin Johnson is dominating the game just now.
The question is; How many victories including Majors can the World No.1 accumulate this season?
Bubba Watson
For my next selection I’m definitely going to look for a little more value and for that reason I’m going to include Bubba Watson 55/1 each-way with Betfair.
Experience on this course will be a major benefit and the fans’ favourite Bubba has certainly enjoyed his previous visits at this event over the years.
The popular American currently ranked No.50 in the world has won this trophy in 2014, 2016 and 2018 with a further five Top 20 finishes in between. He has also showed recent signs of improvement, finishing 22nd at The Phoenix Open last time out.
Bubba has started the season in fine fettle and his stats can back that up;
- 3rd on the PGA Tour in strokes gained tee to green
- 6th in strokes gained off the tee
- 11th in strokes gained approach to green
- 1st scrambling from the fringe
He is also 23rd in driving distance, these figures usually win tournaments and this could well be Bubba’s week with a return to form and a victory at a very attractive price.
Rory McIlroy
For my next selection I’m going to pick one of our very own for that added interest therefore I’m going to suggest Rory McIlroy 16/1 eah-way at Bet 365.
I just feel Rory is knocking on the door and will be in the winner’s enclosure sooner rather than later.
I feel the Irishman will be the main danger to world No.1 Dustin Johnson this week.
McIlroy has been distracted recently after becoming a father for the first time and as he adjusts to the joys of being a Dad I feel his golf will also improve.
If Rory can just find a little more consistency and eradicate the few holes he’s making bogeys and doubles then he will see himself at the top of leaderboards yet again.
He has been placed in his last two visits at Riviera and if he can let his driver do the talking and produce the putting figures that see him over his main rivals on this course then you simply cannot rule him out so I’m backing the Irishman to win here and certainly contending on the final round on Sunday evening.
Dustin Johnson vs Jon Rahm
For my final selection I’m going to pick that man again, Dustin Johnson to beat Jon Rahm in the 72 hole match bet at 10/11 NAP with Betfair.
Recommended Bets
- Dustin Johnson 6/1 EW Betfair
- Bubba Watson 55/1 EW Betfair
- Rory McIlroy 14/1 EW Bet 365
- Dustin Johnson to beat Jon Rahm 72 hole match bet 10/11 Nap Betfair
💬 Please leave your tips for The Genesis Invitational in the comments section below.
The post Golf Betting Picks: The Genesis Invitational Preview & Betting Tips appeared first on MrFixitsTips.
