By Eric Cohen
Here’s an obvious admission: I’ve stunk with my golf picks to start
2021. Like not just bad…but downright horrendous. If you had
played my picks to the dollar each of the last three weeks, you’d
be cleaned out. So it’s time to take a new approach…find some
value plays and get back to my 2020 winning ways.
While I’ve never had a chance to play Torrey Pines, I’ve visited
the clubhouse (and gift shop) in the San Diego area several
times. It’s really a wonderful place, tree-lined, on the ocean, and
there’s no wonder why the stars come out to play this course
every year.
Being that the South Course is also the site of this year’s U.S.
Open in June, many players are hoping to gain experience on the
PGA Tour’s longest course, at over 76,00 yards, in advance of the
year’s 3 rd major.
While the South Course is daunting, the North, which plays host
to one of the first two rounds for each player, is their chance to
score low.
My philosophy this week is to take the bombers. I’m even taking
the guy I’ve sworn off, Tony Finau, who seemingly can’t close
when leading a tournament in the final round. Something tells me
he breaks through this weekend.
Will I be the only one taking a shot with Finau? And will anyone
finally get above the break even mark after this week?
Once again the rules: each picker will get a simulated $200 to bet;
$100 of which will be on win bets and another $100 on top-5, top-
10, and top-20 bets only. The kicker this time is that the money
can only be spent on a maximum of three golfers in each
category. Picking winners has never been so difficult.
Here are this week’s plays for the Farmers Insurance Open:
(Odds courtesy of Draft Kings Sportsbook)
The Parlay Kid
Last Week’s Results: +$62.50
Total ROI: -$47.50
Winners Picked in 2021: 0
$40 to WIN: Patrick Reed (+2500)
$40 to WIN: Marc Leishman (+4150)
$20 to WIN: Gary Woodland (+7000)
$50 on Top-10: Jason Day (+400)
$50 on Top-10: Marc Leishman (+450)
Harry
Last Week’s Results: +$125
Total ROI: -$75
Winners Picked in 2021: 0
$50 to WIN: Jon Rahm (+710)
$25 to WIN: Jason Day (+3500)
$25 to WIN: Billy Horschel (+4500)
$50 on Top-20: Francesco Molinari (+275)
$25 on Top-20: Jason Day (+188)
$25 on Top-20: Talor Gooch (+335)
Producer Michael
Last Week’s Results: -$200
Total ROI: -$225
Winners Picked in 2021: 0
$50 to WIN: Jon Rahm (+710)
$25 to WIN: Tony Finau (+1700)
$25 to WIN: Marc Leishman (+4150)
$50 on Top-10: Tony Finau (+250)
$50 on Top-10: Marc Leishman (+450)
Brother Bri
Last Week’s Results: -$200
Total ROI: -$343.75
Winners Picked in 2021: 0
$50 to WIN: Jon Rahm (+710)
$25 to WIN: Hideki Matsuyama (+2500)
$25 to WIN: Gary Woodland (+7000)
$50 on Top-5: Jon Rahm (+188)
$25 on Top-10: Xander Schauffele (+175)
$25 on Top-10: Ryan Palmer (+500)
Eric:
Last Week’s Results: -$200
Total ROI: -$400
Winners Picked in 2021: 0
$50 to WIN: Tony Finau (+1700)
$30 to WIN: Adam Scott (+4500)
$20 to WIN: Cameron Davis (+5500)
$50 on Top-10: Ryan Palmer (+500)
$50 on Top-10: Cameron Davis (+550)
Find more of Eric’s sports opinions and predictions on Twitter at
@CohensCornerAZ.