Genesis Open Preview: DJ Aims to Defend Title

It seems like a while since I brought out the "back in my day" argument, but after Dustin Johnson's weekend performance at the AT&T and Jon Rahm's final 19 holes at the Farmers Insurance Open, the time is right. You see, back in my day, when the best golfer in the world had a lead on the weekend, he closed. By "best golfer in the world" I'm referring to Tiger Woods, which isn't fair, of course, because he might be the best who ever played, and, quite honestly, Woods had a mental edge over anyone with a set of clubs for more than a decade. But he was the best golfer then, and DJ is the best golfer now.

It's perhaps the reason that when I see a guy like DJ, or Spieth or even Rahm, take the Saturday lead, I get this feeling the tournament is over. After all, that's exactly how it was back in Tiger's day. When Tiger was right, he finished, plain and simple. Sure, he didn't always pull away from the field, but he found a way to win, almost each and every time.

I know what you are thinking. "But it's more entertaining when there is drama, when the leader takes a step back and let's others into the mix." I agree, but for my money, I want more than drama. I want greatness. I want drama and greatness. I want it all! There wasn't always drama during the Tiger-era, but there was always greatness.

It's been a long time since we had a guy on the PGA Tour who could be counted on to crush his weaker foes. At times, DJ has looked like that man, but he slipped last weekend. Maybe he's still the guy, maybe not, maybe the PGA Tour is too strong now and maybe these guys refuse to get crushed by anyone. Whatever the case, it sure would be nice to see someone, anyone, take the world of golf by the, you know what, and say, "come and get me." Like back in my day, when the best in the world won tournaments on Saturdays, not Sundays.

This week: Genesis Open - Riviera Country Club - Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Last Year: Dustin Johnson shot a final-round 71 on his way to a five-stroke victory over Thomas Pieters and Scott Brown.

PLAYERS TO CONSIDER

Dustin Johnson

DJ was a popular one-and-done pick last week, and that'll be the case again this week as he's the defending champion. He's also in good form after a runner-up showing last week at the AT&T. If you are wondering if last year's win was a fluke, it was not. DJ owns this event as well with four top-4s in in his last four starts here.

Phil Mickelson

Mickelson's game is exactly where it needs to be heading into this week and he's had a ton of success at this event, so this could be the week he breaks his winless streak. If this were say, five years ago, he'd be the co-favorite with DJ, but obviously with age comes unpredictability. Just because he played well last week, doesn't mean that will carry over to this week ... but I hope it does.

Paul Casey

Casey has a tendency of grouping his good finishes together and if that trend holds true, he should be on track for another good outing this week as he posted a T8 at the AT&T last week. Casey's had some success here as well, with five of six cuts made and a runner-up showing in 2015.

Bubba Watson

Watson won this event two of the last four years, but he's obviously not that golfer now. In fact, he hasn't been that golfer for the last couple years. But he obviously knows how to get around this track and if he's got anything close to his best, he could contend this week. Watson's game has fallen so much that even though he's a two-time winner here; he's considered a sleeper this week. At this point, Watson is a shot in the dark, a shot in the dark with a high upside.

Chez Reavie

This is a great test of form vs. track record, as Reavie's track record here leaves a lot to be desired but his form is strong. Reavie finished runner-up in his two most recent starts on the PGA Tour, which certainly qualifies as being "hot" entering this week. His track record here on the whole is bad, but he did crack the top 10 in 2016, so if his game is on, which it is, he can get around this track.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

Robert Streb

The further we get away from Streb's 2015 season, where he earned nearly $4 million, the more it seems like that effort was a fluke. Streb has earned more than $1 million in each of the last two seasons, but there's no extra gear anymore. He's off to a slow start this season and it's not going to get any better this week as he returns to an event where he's failed to make a single cut in four tries.

Ryan Blaum

Blaum was one of my sleepers heading into this season and while he's played well in spots, he's struggled for the most part. Blaum recorded a top-10 at the Sony Open last month, but he's followed that up with two missed cuts and a T73 at the AT&T. Blaum also missed the cut in his first start here last season.

John Merrick

If you take a look at a list of past winners, you'll see Merrick's name listed for 2013. What you won't see is that he's failed to make a cut here since winning five years ago. Not only has he failed to make the cut here since his win, but he's since lost his playing privileges on the PGA Tour and now resides on the Web.com Tour.

Kevin Streelman

Streelman is coming off a strong sixth-place effort last week at the AT&T, but I don't think his form will be enough to overcome his deficiencies on this course. Streelman played this event nine times and has missed the cut four times. Of the five times he's made it to the weekend, he's never finished better than T27.

Ted Potter Jr.

Google the term "lightning in a bottle" and you just might see an image of Potter Jr. That's not to say that Potter Jr. is not worthy of his title – he earned every bit of that victory last week – but prior to that performance, Potter Jr. had missed three cuts and finished 73rd in the four events leading up to the AT&T. Use the lightning in a bottle angle or use the hangover angle, either way, he's a solid fade this week.

ONE AND DONE GOLFER

Last week: Dustin Johnson (T2) - $488,400; Season - $2,022,091

This week: Phil Mickelson - A very tough call for me this week as I was determined not to go big, but that still left me with several solid choices. In the end, I went with Mickelson because this might be the best spot to use him all season. His form is solid and his track record here is strong as well. My only issue with this pick is that it will likely be popular.

PGATOUR.COM PICKS

This Week:

Starters: Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Paul Casey

Bench: Chez Reavie, Daniel Berger

SURVIVOR PICK

Last week: Phil Mickelson - (T2); Streak - 3

This week: K.J. Choi - I realize that Choi is not nearly the golfer he was even a few years ago, but you cannot argue with his track record here. Choi has played this event 17 times and has made the cut every single time. Further bolstering this pick is Choi's T26 last week at the AT&T.