Farmers Insurance Open preview: Get set for Torrey Pines
There may have already been three PGA TOUR events in 2022, but the annual stop at Torrey Pines for the Farmers Insurance Open is often treated as the unofficial start to the calendar year.
The views of the historic layout near San Diego are some of the best you see on TOUR, with cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean on a number of holes.
This year's event comes with a schedule change, as the tournament will run from Wednesday-Saturday instead of the traditional Thursday-Sunday dates to avoid a conflict with the NFL's conference championships.
When: Jan. 26-29
Where: La Jolla, California
How to watch
| DAY | TIME (ET) | CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Golf Channel |
| Thursday | 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Golf Channel |
| Friday | 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Golf Channel |
| 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | CBS | |
| Sunday | 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Golf Channel |
| 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | CBS |
Last year's result
Patrick Reed blew the field away with a five-shot win over a host of big names, but last year's event will likely be remembered more for yet another rules controversy involving the 2018 Masters champion.
During Saturday's round, television replays showed Reed's approach from the bunker on the par-4 10th bouncing before settling into the rough. Reed was unaware it had bounced and picked his ball up to see if it was embedded before waiting for an official.
Reed told the official once he arrived that nobody in the group or standing near the ball had seen it bounce and was eventually awarded a free drop.
Regardless of the incident, there's no doubt Reed was the best player of the week, from his first-round lead after a sizzling 64 to an impressive closing round of 68 on Sunday.
Previous Winners
2021: Patrick Reed (-14) by five shots over five players
2020: Marc Leishman (-15) over Jon Rahm
2019: Justin Rose (-21) over Adam Scott
2018: Jason Day (-10) in a playoff over Alex Noren, Ryan Palmer
2017: Jon Rahm (-13) over Charles Howell, C.T. Pan
2016: Brandt Snedeker (-6) over K.J. Choi
2015: Jason Day (-9) over three players
2014: Scott Stallings (-9) over four players
2013: Tiger Woods (-14) over Brandt Snedeker, Josh Teater
The field
Jon Rahm is back to continue his love affair with Torrey Pines, with the course providing the backdrop to some of the most significant moments in his life. The Spaniard won his first PGA TOUR event at the Farmers Insurance Open in 2017, his first major at last year's U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, and he got engaged near the picturesque layout.
The World No. 1 will be joined by top talent in defending champion Reed, Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau, and Phil Mickelson.
See the full field here.
Featured/Marquee groups (all times ET)
Group: Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, Marc Leishman
Wednesday - 12:30 p.m. (South Course)
Thursday - 1:30 p.m. (North Course)
Group: Hideki Matsuyama, Jason Day, Joaquin Niemann
Wednesday - 12:20 p.m. (South Course)
Thursday - 1:20 p.m. (North Course)
Group: Hudson Swafford, Xander Schauffele, Tony Finau
Wednesday - 1:40 p.m. (North Course)
Thursday - 12:30 p.m. (South Course)
Group: Daniel Berger, Brooks Koepka, Max Homa
Wednesday - 12:30 p.m. (North Course)
Thursday - 1:30 p.m. (South Course)
Group: Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas
Wednesday - 1:40 p.m. (South Course)
Thursday - 12:30 p.m. (North Course)
Group: Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Bryson DeChambeau
Wednesday - 12:40 p.m. (North Course)
Thursday - 1:40 p.m. (South Course)
The course
While the U.S. Open is only played on the South Course, the Farmers Insurance Open is played on both courses at the Torrey Pines property. The South Course - playing as a par 72 at 7,765 yards - will be used three times, and the North Course - a 7,258-yard par 72 - will be played by each golfer in only one of the two opening rounds.
The layout for the TOUR's annual stop is significantly easier than when it hosts a U.S. Open, with a premium on driving distance over accuracy. A strong short game is also vital at Torrey Pines due to small greens that are well-guarded throughout the 36 holes. That skill set makes it no surprise that names like Rahm, Tiger Woods, and Jason Day have experienced great success at Torrey Pines.
Betting corner
Jon Rahm +700
Justin Thomas +1,200
Xander Schauffele +1,400
Hideki Matsuyama +1,800
Bryson DeChambeau +2,000
Dustin Johnson +2,000
Daniel Berger +2,000
Sam Burns +2,000
Scottie Scheffler +2,500
Tony Finau +2,500
Sungjae Im +3,000
Will Zalatoris +3,000
Brooks Koepka +3,500
Jordan Spieth +3,500
Marc Leishman +3,500
Corey Conners +5,000
Patrick Reed +5,000
Matthew Wolff +5,000
Talor Gooch +5,000
Odds via ScoreBet