The Farmers Insurance Open Picks and Preview

After a few birdiefests to open up the year, the PGA Tour heads to the revered Torrey Pines golf courses in La Jolla, CA for The Farmers Insurance Open.

The former U.S. Open host venue (South Course) will present a true test to the entire field. After 3 weeks of fairy-tale endings, we tend to see the cream rise to the top come Saturday (yes, this tournament runs Wednesday – Saturday).

Recap of Last Week

Amateur Nick Dunlap cashed everyone’s 350-1 longshot tickets last week at The American Express, becoming the first Amateur to win on TOUR since Phil Mickelson prevailed at the Bob Hope Classic in 1991.

Talk about excitement. Even though the courses/tournament itself are nothing special, Nick Dunlap staring down JT and Burns to clutch it out on 18 will highlight a week of golf we will remember forever. Congrats Nick and RTR.

Si Woo Kim was fully in contention all week, but a disastrous finish gave us pennies for what was a much better play than we got credit for.

What to Know About The Farmers Insurance Open

Despite this being the beginning of a month and a half stretch of golf that sees 3 elevated events plus The Players, the sheer history of Torrey Pines allows the Farmers Insurance Open to see quality fields year after year.

Over the course of the first two rounds, each player will play the North Course and the South Course once. Top 65 and ties will advance to play Friday and Saturday at the much more challenging South Course.

Measuring as the longest course on the PGA Tour, Torrey Pines South is home to some of the most breathtaking views, as well as some of the most challenging conditions these guys will see all year.

In order to contend the players will need to score well at the easy North course, and jockey for position using a combination of SG:Tee-to-Green, experience, and patience. Whether it’s the tough conditions and approach shots or Poa Annua greens, course history plays here.

Note: Of the last 10 winners, 9 have had a previous top 10 finish (Jon Rahm won in his first time).

Players With Good Course History

Things are going to go a little different for me this week. In fact, I am placing so much emphasis on players who have finished well here before that I’ll make this easy; I will not be talking about anyone seriously for my picks who has not finished well here in the past.

All of the following players have come across my feed due to course history at The Farmers Insurance Open: Max Homa, Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, Jason Day, Keegan Bradley, Justin Rose, Sungaje Im, Sam Ryder, Will Zalatoris, Luke List, and Sahith Theegala.

Players Who Stick Out to Me

Sungjae Im is in the best form we have seen from him in over a year, coming off good performances at the Sentry and AmEx. Not to mention t3 and t5 he last two years at Torrey. A big time cash-checker.

Ludvig Aberg perfectly fits the mold of the players I want this week despite never having played an event here before. He is the best driver on Tour, measures out very well in SG:ATG, and can win wherever he wants. Lack of major experience is a concern.

Justin Rose – The former World No. 1 has not played great golf after his win at Pebble a year ago. I had him here last year, and a disastrous Triple and some bad putting took him out of it. Former winner at The Farmers Insurance Open at 65-1 is a bargain, especially compared to the names around him.

Austin Eckroat – If you’re looking for a longshot here’s your dude. A bomber who was everyone’s darling last summer in the dog days. He will win on TOUR this year.

Players I am Fading this Week

Keegan Bradley – He will be an extremely popular one-and-done play this week due to his good course history and putting splits, coupled with a t2 at the Sony. When everyone is on Keegan, that’s when you jump off.

Tony Finau originally was someone I was very high on until I remembered one thing – I am high on him every year here. Would a t8 surprise me? Not at all. I’m going for big time winners only, and Tony is NOT one of those.

Eric Cole – I worry about his poor driving statistics at a course like this. His inability to hit fairways may come back to bite him, especially if the putter does not cooperate on one of the days.

My One-and-Done Pick for The Farmers Insurance Open

This week had my head spinning. I was in between a very low-owned and risky Justin Rose, a popular but safe choice in Sungjae Im. My first thought on Monday was Ludvig Aberg but I want him for later on in the year at a course he has played before.

This leads me back to the guy that could be the chalkiest of them all. I hope that this talked-about range of players saturates the ownership. Jason Day 28-1.

Last Week: Si Woo Kim 25th – $63,980

YTD Winnings: $747,115

2024 Farmers Insurance Open Picks and Preview