Farmers Insurance Open: Expert Picks

Tournament Information:

Farmers Insurance Open

Date: January 25^th – 28^th

Course: Torrey Pines Golf Course

Purse - $6.9MM

FedEx points – 500 to winner

2017 Winner: Jon Rahm (-13)

Course: Torrey Pines -€Created in 1957 by William F Bell and redesigned by Rees Jones in 2001, this 7,600 course (longest on PGA tour) runs right along the Pacific Ocean. They host canyons and thick grass along the perimeter, given the longevity, they require a long shot off the tee and while they are fairly open for the more inaccurate tee shots, there are traps placed throughout to trip up the golfers not prepared. The greens can run into the ocean and it’s best to fall short.

6 Golfers who I think would do well at the CareerBuilder Challenge

My Starting 4:

Martin Laird – Not the best start to this season (two missed cuts in four starts and no top 10 finishes) but he has a real good track record at Torrey Pines – 7^th in 2015 and 8^th in 2016. I have faith he will come in and turn some heads this week. 6^th in strokes gained around the green.

Brandt Snedeker – one of my favorite golfers, he has dipped a bit over the last two years but one thing remains constant – his finishes at the Farmers Insurance Open. Over the last 3 years he is one of two golfers to finish in the top 20 each year (19^th, 1^st, 9^th). His start to this season has been ok – two top 30 finishes and one missed cut. 18^th in strokes gained putting this season.

Charles Howell III – Remember when I said Brandt was one of two golfers with top 20 finishes here over the last 3 years? Well Charles is the other with a 5^th place, 16^thplace and 2^nd place finish last year. He has a respectable campaign with just one missed cut in 7 tournaments so far this season. 2^nd on the tour in strokes gained around the green.

Tony Finau – He gets better each year at Farmers Insurance Open. 24^th in 2015; 18^th in 2016 and 4^th last year, perhaps this means he wins this year? He has made the cut in each start this year and has 4 top 20 finishes in 6 events. 8^th on the tour in strokes gained approaching the green.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

My Bench 2:

Michael Thompson. He finished 11^th here in 2015 and 14^th here last year. He has a missed cut and a 20^th place finish so far this year. It’s a longer shot but he could be a sleeper.

Jhonattan Vegas – He is running the inverse direction of Tony – he finished 11^th here in 2015, 18^th in 2016 and 28^th in 2017. That is still a strong record of finishes at Torrey Pines. He has made the cut in all 6 starts including back to back top 15 finishes at Sentry Tournament of Champions and the CareerBuilder Challenge.

2017 Stats

Starting 4: Avg finish 27^th (25^th percentile)

Bench 2: Avg finish 23^rd (20^th percentile)