After a week off to decompress, the world's top golfers converge on Austin Country Club in Texas for a pressure-packed week at the 2021 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. The PGA Tour event tees off Wednesday with 64 of the top 69 players in the World Golf Ranking, and the winner will need to navigate seven matches to claim the title. Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas are listed as the 12-1 co-favorites in the latest 2021 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play odds at William Hill Sportsbook. Among the many big names also in the 2021 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play field are world No. 1 Dustin Johnson (14-1), Jon Rahm (14-1) and Rory McIlroy (20-1).
So, will top players like DeChambeau and Johnson make you a winner if you include them in your 2021 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Fantasy lineups? Or is it worth taking a talented young golfer like Collin Morikawa (22-1)? Before making any 2021 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Fantasy golf picks, check out the latest Fantasy golf rankings from data scientist Rick Gehman.
With his expansive database of golf statistics, course data and betting odds, Gehman creates advanced models and back-tests them constantly. These models have produced 12 outright winners in the past year -- including 30-1 Webb Simpson at the 2020 RBC Heritage.
In last week's Honda Classic, with the field limited by its placement between The Players and this event, Gehman still picked five golfers in his top 10 who tied for 13th or better. That includes Sungjae Im and Russell Henley, who tied for third at 6 under par as Matt Jones ran away with the event.
At The Players, three of Gehman's top seven picks made the top 10, including winner Justin Thomas, who came in at 22-1. "He feels close to breaking through again, and TPC Sawgrass just might be the place," Gehman said before the event.
Gehman has been on fire all season. At Pebble Beach, three of his top four picks finished in the top five. And the Farmers leaderboard looked like a who's who of Gehman's rankings, with five of his top nine picks finishing tied for seventh or better. Anyone who has followed his advice has cashed in huge.
Now, Gehman, co-host of "The First Cut" podcast on CBS Sports, has revealed his top 30 players for the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play 2021 over at SportsLine so you can crush your Fantasy golf picks.
2021 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Fantasy golf picks
Rahm didn't get out of his group in 2019, but he was very good in previous trips, so Gehman is banking on him to bounce back. The Spaniard is 7-4-2 in his career at the event, and his all-around game will put pressure on his opponents. He hits 72.5 percent of his greens in regulation (sixth on tour) and his scoring average is just over 69.9 (ninth). He has finished in the top 10 in six of his past eight events on tour, and he ranks second in strokes gained tee-to-green (1.671) and third off the tee (.774).
McIlroy also has been very good at the Match Play, going 16-6-2 over his five events, but Gehman is concerned about his recent play and is fading him this week. The 2015 Match Play winner has struggled in final rounds when wins are on the line, and they will be on the line from the start in Austin. He has not won an event since November 2019 and has missed the cut in two of his past four tournaments. Gehman also knows he has two top-10s in that span, but he is suggesting several better options this week.
How to set your 2021 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Fantasy golf lineups
Gehman is expecting a big week from a player who comes into the week at odds higher than 30-1. This international player has a strong all-around game that will pose problems for his opponents. He has three victories worldwide in just over a year and can definitely make some noise this week. Gehman is only sharing who it is, and his top 30 golfers in order, right here.
Who wins the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play 2021? Who are the top golfers to target? And which overlooked player can help you win your league this week? Visit SportsLine now to get Rick Gehman's Fantasy golf rankings, all from the data scientist who's called 12 outright winners in the past year.
