Farmers Insurance Open Preview and Picks

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🏌️‍♂️ The Field Is Set

The Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines boasts an impressive lineup, with 15 players from the top 25 in the 2025 FedEx Cup standings. Headlining the group is #1 Hideki Matsuyama, followed by notables like Sungjae Im (#5), Jhonattan Vegas (#8), and Ludvig Aberg (#10). Among the field are seven past champions, including last year’s winner Matthieu Pavon, 2023 champion Max Homa, and two-time winner Jason Day.

Though the field features talent, the absence of marquee names like Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Collin Morikawa underscores the unique challenges of scheduling early in the PGA Tour season.

Our performance chart, listed by average finish, is a perfect way for fantasy golfers to check on the past performance of all the players in the Farmers Insurance Open field. Another way to check who is the best is through a special formula worked out in GolfStats that gives us the best average performances at the Farmers Insurance Open in the last five years, or check out our sortable 8-year glance at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Three events into the season, we’ve already seen three distinct winners: Hideki Matsuyama, Nick Taylor, and Sepp Straka. Of the trio, Matsuyama stands out this week, but he’s had a mixed history at Torrey Pines. While his ball-striking has been sharp and his health is finally improving, his best finish here remains a T-3 in 2019.

Breakout Candidates:

• Maverick McNealy: Fresh off an RSM win and a strong showing at the Sentry (T-8), McNealy’s game has matured, and despite lackluster past results at Torrey Pines, he’s primed to contend.

• Tony Finau: A perennial contender at Torrey Pines with six top-10s in 10 starts, Finau is still finding his rhythm post-knee surgery but remains a threat.

• Jason Day: The two-time Farmers champion is coming off a T-3 at the American Express. Day’s experience and current form make him a solid pick.

• Ludvig Aberg: The rising star impressed with a T-9 finish here last year and continues to show he belongs at the top level.

⚠️ Unique Schedule and Key Withdrawals

Mark Your Calendar! The Farmers Insurance Open starts on Wednesday this year, with the final round wrapping up Saturday to avoid clashing with the NFL. This shift could catch casual fans off guard, so adjust your fantasy lineups and betting tickets accordingly.

In other news, Scottie Scheffler’s extended absence continues to dominate conversations. The world #1 has not played since December due to a hand injury. While his camp hints at a return next week at Pebble Beach, details remain scarce. Similarly, Xander Schauffele, who grew up near Torrey Pines, and Collin Morikawa, a Los Angeles native, withdrew due to health concerns, further thinning the top-tier field.

This is the last year Farmers Insurance will sponsor the event, leaving the popular event looking for a new sponsor for 2026. Since the event is not a signature event, the field is weak, with only 16 of the top 50 world-ranked players in the field, the only top ten being #4 Hideki Matsuyama and #6 Ludvig Aberg.

❗️ UPDATE on the Genesis Invitational  being played at Torrey Pines

Torrey Pines will host next month’s Genesis Invitational, according to multiple reports, following a decision by the PGA Tour to relocate the event from The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. The move comes in response to the recent wildfires and resulting damage in the area, prompting the Tour to act “out of respect for the unfolding situation.” Although no official announcement has been made, sources indicate that negotiations to finalize Torrey Pines as the venue are nearly complete. See full article at the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The annual Farmers Insurance Open is already scheduled to begin its four-day run at Torrey Pines this week, while the relocated Genesis Invitational is slated for February 13–16. One of the Tour’s eight “signature” events, the Genesis Invitational offers a limited field of elite players and features a generous prize fund of $20 million—more than double this year’s $9.3 million purse for the Farmers.

Tiger Woods, who hosts the Genesis Invitational, has enjoyed a storied history at Torrey Pines. From multiple PGA Tour victories to his iconic 2008 U.S. Open triumph, Woods has consistently found success on the challenging cliffsides of La Jolla. As he returns in a hosting capacity, anticipation is high to see whether his past dominance at Torrey will inspire yet another memorable performance at this newly relocated event.

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⛳️ Torrey Pines: A Historic Challenge

South Course

• Par: 72

• Yardage: 7,765 (the longest on Tour)

North Course

• Par: 72

• Yardage: 7,258

Both courses were designed by Billy Bell Jr. and opened in 1957. Over the years, significant renovations, particularly by Rees Jones in 2001 and 2019, have transformed the South Course into a true championship test. Known for its length, deep bunkers, and coastal winds, it demands precision off the tee and strong iron play, especially on its lengthy par-4s.

The tournament has been a fixture at Torrey Pines since 1968, when it first gained prominence under the celebrity hosting of Andy Williams. It has remained a cornerstone of the West Coast swing ever since, beloved by players and fans alike for its dramatic views and challenging play. With Farmers Insurance stepping away as a title sponsor after this year, the event faces an uncertain but optimistic future.

Torrey Pines is a blend of history, innovation, and difficulty, making it a perfect stage for both seasoned champions and rising stars to make their mark. While the South Course and North Course both offer scenic beauty and challenges, their differences significantly impact player strategies.

The South Course, known for its length at 7,765 yards, is a beast that tests endurance and precision. Its deep bunkers, thick rough, and lengthy par-4s demand accurate tee shots and strong approach play. Meanwhile, the North Course, though shorter at 7,258 yards, is generally more forgiving. It boasts wider fairways and less penal rough, allowing players more scoring opportunities. However, its smaller greens place added emphasis on precision with iron play and putting.

These contrasts make the Farmers Insurance Open unique, as players must adapt to two distinctly different styles of play. Success hinges on navigating the strategic demands of both courses while maintaining consistency across the week.

📈 Critical Stats for Success at Torrey Pines

Torrey Pines, especially the South Course, demands a unique combination of skills to succeed. Based on data from the 2025 season and prior years, four critical statistics emerge as key predictors of success.

Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green is paramount due to the South Course's length and demanding layout. Players must consistently hit it far and straight, with narrow fairways and penalizing rough making accuracy essential. Winners like Max Homa and Justin Rose exemplify the importance of excelling in this category, blending distance with precision to gain an edge over the field.

Strokes Gained Approach-the-Green highlights the value of hitting greens in regulation. With a lower percentage of greens hit compared to other Tour stops, players who can consistently find the putting surface from the fairway or rough stand out. Last year’s winner, Matthieu Pavon, showcased this by ranking high in Greens in Regulation, proving the impact of strong approach play.

Putting Inside 10 Feet is another critical stat, given the notorious difficulty of Poa Annua greens at Torrey Pines. These greens become increasingly challenging throughout the day, making short putting a key determinant of success. Historically, winners have thrived in this area despite the tricky conditions.

Finally, Scrambling is vital due to the difficulty of consistently hitting greens. The ability to get up and down from missed approaches can turn potential bogeys into pars, preserving momentum. Strong scramblers like Marc Leishman and Patrick Reed have demonstrated the importance of this skill in securing victories.

Players who excel across these categories will have the best chance of taming the challenges of Torrey Pines and making a run for the title. Checkout our proprietary Composite Rankings tool to rank the top players in these 4 categories.

👀 Who to watch for at the Farmers Insurance Open

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