GOLF

The Genesis Invitational: Top PGA DFS Picks, Values, and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings

The PGA TOUR wraps up the West Coast swing with a second stop at Torrey Pines. Last week’s Super Bowl party in Phoenix at the WM Phoenix Open was dominated by Thomas Detry, who claimed his first PGA TOUR victory and will look to go back-to-back this week. It’s not quite back-to-back weeks at Torrey Pines, but it is the second stop in the last four weeks at the course, which also hosted the Farmers Insurance Open.

Normally, The Genesis Invitational is held at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, but the event had to be relocated to San Diego due to the wildfires in the area. Unlike the earlier event at this track, this week is a Signature Event, which means a limited field of 72 golfers will play this week, and only the South Course of Torrey Pines will be utilized. Since this is one of the three player invitationals in the Signature Events, there will be a cut to top-50 and ties along with anyone within 10 shots of the lead after Round 2.

For more info on the field, the course, the weather, and some key stats, check out this First Look from RotoGrinders.

The focus of this post is strong GPP options who have lower ownership projections than their potential performance.  Finding high-leverage plays is critical for GPP success, so the picks here go against the grain, looking for under-owned options.

All Strokes Gained metrics referenced are from the Rabbit Hole.

Usually, I rely heavily on the Stroked Gained Model in FantasyLabs, which is very predictive of results. I also tend to lean toward players who excel in Strokes Gained: Approach, which is more sustainable week-to-week than a hot putter.

Since these are GPP picks, we can accept more risk in exchange for getting a higher ceiling. High-risk, high-reward options with low ownership create the “boom-or-bust” style lineups that often lead to large-field success. To find guidance for all contest types, check out our full Daily Fantasy Golf coverage each week.

No matter what type of format you prefer, be sure to use the FantasyLabs PGA Models to help you make the best choices. These models use stats and simulations to highlight different players’ strengths and weaknesses. A few critical new stats for GPP play are Perfect% and SimLeverage, which are further explained here.

As you dig into the numbers, you can enjoy the many tools FantasyLabs offers, including the Lineup Optimizer, which effortlessly creates up to 300 lineups. Alternatively, you can use the Lineup Builder if you prefer a more hands-on approach.

Check out my top picks in each price range listed below.

Editor’s note: SimLeverage and Perfect% numbers may change after this piece is published. Be sure to check the PGA Models for any updates to the sims.

Become an All-Access Member Today

Lineup builder and optimizer

Real-time DFS models & projections

Data-driven analysis & tutorials
Become a PRO Member

High-Priced PGA DFS Picks

Note: FantasyLabs has partnered with Betsperts Golf and the Rabbit Hole! Sign up for the biggest database of golf stats available on the internet and get 25% off a yearly sub with our link! 

Unless otherwise noted, all Strokes Gained metrics referenced in this article come via the Rabbit Hole.

Tool Highlights

  • Build unlimited custom stat models with official PGA TOUR data.
  • Hundreds of filters to find the exact data split you’re looking for.
  • Save custom reports and run them again with next week’s field.
  • Download anything right to your computer with the click of a button.
  • See expert models each week.

Rory McIlroy $10,900

Scottie Scheffler is always a good play. This week, though, for tournament lineups, I prefer Rory. McIlroy’s ownership projection is the third-highest in the field and is less than half of Scottie’s ownership projection. He has positive SimLeverage and is tied for the most Pro Trends, neither of which is the case for Scheffler.

Rory has showcased excellent form in 2025 with a T4 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach in his first PGA TOUR event of the year. He also won the DP World Tour Championship last November after posting four top-25 finishes in his four previous events.

While he hasn’t played at Torrey Pines since 2021, when he did play at this course, he found plenty of success. He made the cut in all four of his career appearances, with three top 10s, including a T7 at the 2021 U.S. Open.

In his win two weeks ago, he made just one bogey all week and led the field with over 6.1 strokes off the tee. With less than ideal conditions in the forecast, McIlroy should have the game and experience to overcome whatever Torrey Pines throws at the field this week. If you’re paying up for a big star, Rory is my top choice.

Justin Thomas $10,100

Thomas has the highest SimLeverage in the field this week and continues to knock on the door of getting back into the win column. He has the fifth-highest Perfect% in the field but only the 16th-highest ownership projection. Vegas also gives him the fourth-highest odds to win the event and to finish in the top 10. His salary being so high among other popular options has reduced his ownership to the point that he stands out as an exceptional leverage option.

JT hasn’t won on the PGA TOUR since the 2022 PGA Championship, but he has been posting excellent results. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in 10 of his last 11 tournaments dating back to last summer with five top-10 finishes, including last week at the Phoenix Open, where he chipped in to close out the week and jump to T6.

Over the rounds played in the last six months, Thomas leads this impressive field in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green and Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green and ranks third in Total Strokes Gained and Strokes Gained: Approach.

Thomas didn’t play Torrey Pines in the last two years but posted T20 and T25 in his last two trips to the Farmers Insurance Open and also had a T19 at the 2021 U.S. Open. His game fits the track well, and he should be able to contend again this week, and his return to the winner’s circle seems very close.

Now available: our PGA DFS SimLabs Lineup Generator that creates advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation.

Mid-Priced PGA DFS Picks

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Shriners Children’s Open Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks and Conviction Plays for the American Express

The PGA TOUR wraps up the West Coast swing with a second stop at Torrey Pines. Last week’s Super Bowl party in Phoenix at the WM Phoenix Open was dominated by Thomas Detry, who claimed his first PGA TOUR victory and will look to go back-to-back this week. It’s not quite back-to-back weeks at Torrey Pines, but it is the second stop in the last four weeks at the course, which also hosted the Farmers Insurance Open.

Normally, The Genesis Invitational is held at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, but the event had to be relocated to San Diego due to the wildfires in the area. Unlike the earlier event at this track, this week is a Signature Event, which means a limited field of 72 golfers will play this week, and only the South Course of Torrey Pines will be utilized. Since this is one of the three player invitationals in the Signature Events, there will be a cut to top-50 and ties along with anyone within 10 shots of the lead after Round 2.

For more info on the field, the course, the weather, and some key stats, check out this First Look from RotoGrinders.

The focus of this post is strong GPP options who have lower ownership projections than their potential performance.  Finding high-leverage plays is critical for GPP success, so the picks here go against the grain, looking for under-owned options.

All Strokes Gained metrics referenced are from the Rabbit Hole.

Usually, I rely heavily on the Stroked Gained Model in FantasyLabs, which is very predictive of results. I also tend to lean toward players who excel in Strokes Gained: Approach, which is more sustainable week-to-week than a hot putter.

Since these are GPP picks, we can accept more risk in exchange for getting a higher ceiling. High-risk, high-reward options with low ownership create the “boom-or-bust” style lineups that often lead to large-field success. To find guidance for all contest types, check out our full Daily Fantasy Golf coverage each week.

No matter what type of format you prefer, be sure to use the FantasyLabs PGA Models to help you make the best choices. These models use stats and simulations to highlight different players’ strengths and weaknesses. A few critical new stats for GPP play are Perfect% and SimLeverage, which are further explained here.

As you dig into the numbers, you can enjoy the many tools FantasyLabs offers, including the Lineup Optimizer, which effortlessly creates up to 300 lineups. Alternatively, you can use the Lineup Builder if you prefer a more hands-on approach.

Check out my top picks in each price range listed below.

Editor’s note: SimLeverage and Perfect% numbers may change after this piece is published. Be sure to check the PGA Models for any updates to the sims.

Become an All-Access Member Today

Lineup builder and optimizer

Real-time DFS models & projections

Data-driven analysis & tutorials
Become a PRO Member

High-Priced PGA DFS Picks

Note: FantasyLabs has partnered with Betsperts Golf and the Rabbit Hole! Sign up for the biggest database of golf stats available on the internet and get 25% off a yearly sub with our link! 

Unless otherwise noted, all Strokes Gained metrics referenced in this article come via the Rabbit Hole.

Tool Highlights

  • Build unlimited custom stat models with official PGA TOUR data.
  • Hundreds of filters to find the exact data split you’re looking for.
  • Save custom reports and run them again with next week’s field.
  • Download anything right to your computer with the click of a button.
  • See expert models each week.

Rory McIlroy $10,900

Scottie Scheffler is always a good play. This week, though, for tournament lineups, I prefer Rory. McIlroy’s ownership projection is the third-highest in the field and is less than half of Scottie’s ownership projection. He has positive SimLeverage and is tied for the most Pro Trends, neither of which is the case for Scheffler.

Rory has showcased excellent form in 2025 with a T4 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach in his first PGA TOUR event of the year. He also won the DP World Tour Championship last November after posting four top-25 finishes in his four previous events.

While he hasn’t played at Torrey Pines since 2021, when he did play at this course, he found plenty of success. He made the cut in all four of his career appearances, with three top 10s, including a T7 at the 2021 U.S. Open.

In his win two weeks ago, he made just one bogey all week and led the field with over 6.1 strokes off the tee. With less than ideal conditions in the forecast, McIlroy should have the game and experience to overcome whatever Torrey Pines throws at the field this week. If you’re paying up for a big star, Rory is my top choice.

Justin Thomas $10,100

Thomas has the highest SimLeverage in the field this week and continues to knock on the door of getting back into the win column. He has the fifth-highest Perfect% in the field but only the 16th-highest ownership projection. Vegas also gives him the fourth-highest odds to win the event and to finish in the top 10. His salary being so high among other popular options has reduced his ownership to the point that he stands out as an exceptional leverage option.

JT hasn’t won on the PGA TOUR since the 2022 PGA Championship, but he has been posting excellent results. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in 10 of his last 11 tournaments dating back to last summer with five top-10 finishes, including last week at the Phoenix Open, where he chipped in to close out the week and jump to T6.

Over the rounds played in the last six months, Thomas leads this impressive field in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green and Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green and ranks third in Total Strokes Gained and Strokes Gained: Approach.

Thomas didn’t play Torrey Pines in the last two years but posted T20 and T25 in his last two trips to the Farmers Insurance Open and also had a T19 at the 2021 U.S. Open. His game fits the track well, and he should be able to contend again this week, and his return to the winner’s circle seems very close.

Now available: our PGA DFS SimLabs Lineup Generator that creates advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation.

Mid-Priced PGA DFS Picks

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Shriners Children’s Open Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks and Conviction Plays for the American Express

About the Author

Zach Thompson writes NBA, MLB, NFL, golf and soccer content for Fantasy Labs. Zach's fantasy experience dates all the way back to high school when he would manually tabulate fantasy football scores using Tuesday morning's newspaper. Even though he was raised on the island of Guam on the opposite side of the world, Zach is a hardcore Boston sports fan who loves playing fantasy sports in almost any format. He's always in search of a great bargain play and keeps a close eye out for rising talent that can provide leverage. Zach joined the FantasyLabs team in 2022 and is also a contributor for DraftKings Network.