Genesis Invitational Expert Picks: Our Staff's Top Longshot Picks
Genesis Invitational Expert Picks: Our Staff's Top Longshot Picks
The longshots are back for this week's Genesis Invitational. We didn't hit a winner last week, but that's because Scottie Scheffler won the Waste Management Phoenix Open at +2500 odds. A nice payout but hardly a longshot.
This week, at the Genesis Invitational, if there is a longshot out there to take advantage of then the chances are one of our expert golf handicappers has found them and already backed them.
So, let's take a look at Geoff Fienberg, Rick Gehman, Andy Lack, Joe Idone, Tom Jacobs and Sam Eaton's longshot picks for the 2022 Genesis Invitational.
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Genesis Invitational Longshot Picks
Sam Eaton: Talor Gooch @ +5500 (Bet $100 to win $5,500)
Talor Gooch just scrapes in as a “longshot” this week thanks to the strength of the field heading to The Genesis Invitational. There’s a few key stats I’ve factored into this week’s PGA Tour event, including SG: T2G, Driving Distance, P4: 450-500 and Prox 150-200 plus a couple of others.
Gooch is the 6th in the field when it comes to shots gained tee to green, and ranks well for various other key assets needed. It’s also worth noting he hasn’t finished worse than 20th in this event, and recorded a 10th place finish in 2020. Course form will play a role at the Genesis with the fairly unique strain of grass used.
-- Sam Eaton (@SamEaton12)
Tom Jacobs: Joaquin Niemann @ +6000 (Bet $100 to win $6,000)
I love Joaquin Niemann here.
His course form figures of 44-MC-43 don’t stand out, but on closer inspection, he’s done some great work here.
On debut in 2019, Niemann shot a second-round 66 to sit 13th after 36 holes, and last year he was 2nd after round 1 and 4th going into the weekend, before blowing up on Saturday.
Niemann ranked 4th in SG Tee-to-Green at Torrey over three measured rounds at the South Course, and he finished the week 6th there, before finishing 8th at the Saudi International.
He has elite upside, and he's more than capable of breaking through at an event like this.
-- Tom Jacobs (@TomJacobs93)
Andy Lack: Kevin Na @ +7500 (Bet $100 to win $7,500)
I actually think that Kevin Na is an ideal fit for Riviera, and he has multiple top-5 finishes here to back that theory up. The reason for this is that Na has one of the best short games on Tour, ranking 1st in the field in strokes gained around the green, and 5th in this field in sand saves, over a considerable sample size. 27% of Riviera's approach shots also come from 150-175 yards, and Na ranks third in this field in proximity from that distance as well. I expect Na to be firmly in the mix come Sunday afternoon in the Pacific Palisades
-- Andy Lack (@adplacksports)
Rick Gehman: Thomas Pieters @ +8000 (Bet $100 to win $7,000)
Pieters snatched up a victory in Abu Dhabi to start his 2022, which marks two wins over his last five starts worldwide. With solid showings in Dubai (T12) and Saudi Arabia (T24), Pieters heads to Riviera this week where he finished T2 in 2017. He's in great form and headed to an event that he's contended at before, that's a great combination for someone this far down the betting board.
-- Rick Gehman (@RickRunGood)
Geoff Fienberg: Thomas Pieters @ +8000 (Bet $100 to win $7,000)
Comes into the week in outstanding worldwide form that includes two wins in his last 5 starts. He has a T2 and an NCAA individual championship victory at Riviera. Personally, I've bet Pieters to win the Masters this year at 125/1, so I guess I already decided I think he has potential to spike in golf's big events.
-- Geoff Fienberg (@gfienberg17)
Joe Idone: Adam Hadwin @ +14000 (Bet $100 to win $14,000)
The incoming form for Hadwin is trending is the right direction with 3 of his last 4 starts resulting in 26th or better finishes. The same can be applied to the last 4 years at Riviera Country Club for Hadwin. He can be a somewhat streaky putter but overall very positive with the flat stick. I love the fact that he outperforms his baseline stats around the green and putting at the Genesis vs. his PGA Tour averages. I’m happy to take the 140/1 in a smaller field and an event that pairs well with his strengths as a player.
-- Joe Idone (@TourPicks)