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Power Rankings: Farmers Insurance Open
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January 21, 2019
By Rob Bolton , PGATOUR.COM
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Inside the PGA TOUR
Farmers Insurance Open preview
It's impossible to think of Torrey Pines Golf Course without associating it with Tiger Woods in some way at any point in time dating all the way back to his days as a junior. The seven-time champion of the Farmers Insurance Open is making his 18th appearance on the site where he also claimed the most recent of his 14 victories in a major – the 2008 U.S. Open.
While he's made it look easy at times, the chase never ends. Just as every career evolves, so do courses and tournaments. The last two editions of the Farmers contested on the North and South Courses in La Jolla, California, have yielded a new normal for the 156-man fields that descend. Scroll beneath the ranking for more on this and why the test will change again in advance of next year's edition.
RANK PLAYER COMMENT 15 Emiliano Grillo While still up and down like most, his general trajectory has risen slowly in recent months. Only one finish outside the top 25 in the last three. Shared 12th place here last year.While still up and down like most, his general trajectory has risen slowly in recent months. Only one finish outside the top 25 in the last three. Shared 12th place here last year.14 Cameron Smith Steadily gaining comfort at Torrey Pines where he logged a personal-best T20 in last year's fourth appearance. Trending similarly ahead of this week after a surge to conclude 2018.Steadily gaining comfort at Torrey Pines where he logged a personal-best T20 in last year's fourth appearance. Trending similarly ahead of this week after a surge to conclude 2018.13 Charles Howell III Yet another spot where he's rock-solid. Perfect in 16 trips with a trio of runner-up finishes among eight top 10s. T6 here last year. Led the Desert Classic in greens in regulation.Yet another spot where he's rock-solid. Perfect in 16 trips with a trio of runner-up finishes among eight top 10s. T6 here last year. Led the Desert Classic in greens in regulation.12 Gary Woodland Looking to quickly update his record to eliminate the solo 80th/MDF at Waialae as his most recent result, he's in good shape. He's 9-for-9 at the Farmers with four top 20s since 2014.Looking to quickly update his record to eliminate the solo 80th/MDF at Waialae as his most recent result, he's in good shape. He's 9-for-9 at the Farmers with four top 20s since 2014.11 J.B. Holmes Shortcut to reasoning supporting long hitters with three top-six finishes in last four editions, but he all but swept the putting stats en route to last year's solo fourth. Three top 25s in 2018-19.Shortcut to reasoning supporting long hitters with three top-six finishes in last four editions, but he all but swept the putting stats en route to last year's solo fourth. Three top 25s in 2018-19.10 Patrick Cantlay A T9 at the Desert Classic (T2 in GIR) was third straight top 10 of 2018-19. Sprinkled in a T5 at the Hero as well. Sturdy attack for Torrey Pines includes the experience of last year's return.A T9 at the Desert Classic (T2 in GIR) was third straight top 10 of 2018-19. Sprinkled in a T5 at the Hero as well. Sturdy attack for Torrey Pines includes the experience of last year's return.9 Alex Noren First start since a T8 at the Hero. Back to avenge his playoff loss here last year after entering the final round with a one-stroke lead. Paced the field in GIR and finished T3 in par-5 scoring.First start since a T8 at the Hero. Back to avenge his playoff loss here last year after entering the final round with a one-stroke lead. Paced the field in GIR and finished T3 in par-5 scoring.8 Rory McIlroy In 2017, Jon Rahm proved that first-timers can prevail at Torrey Pines. Also, with a T4 at Kapalua just three weeks ago, McIlroy showed that debutants can contend where they so often don't.In 2017, Jon Rahm proved that first-timers can prevail at Torrey Pines. Also, with a T4 at Kapalua just three weeks ago, McIlroy showed that debutants can contend where they so often don't.7 Tiger Woods Tearing open the seal of the new season. His success at Torrey Pines demands respect, but he hasn't appeared healthy and rested in years, so he's poised for a turn-back-the-clock performance.Tearing open the seal of the new season. His success at Torrey Pines demands respect, but he hasn't appeared healthy and rested in years, so he's poised for a turn-back-the-clock performance.6 Jon Rahm The 2017 champ sat one off the 36-hole lead in his first-ever title defense on the PGA TOUR. He faded to T29. Last four starts worldwide: T4-Win-T8-6th. Co-led Desert Classic in par-3 scoring.The 2017 champ sat one off the 36-hole lead in his first-ever title defense on the PGA TOUR. He faded to T29. Last four starts worldwide: T4-Win-T8-6th. Co-led Desert Classic in par-3 scoring.5 Brandt Snedeker Because he's known primarily as a small-ball artist, his matchup with Torrey Pines speaks to how good it looks to his eye. Five podium finishes in 12 starts includes 2012 and 2016 titles.Because he's known primarily as a small-ball artist, his matchup with Torrey Pines speaks to how good it looks to his eye. Five podium finishes in 12 starts includes 2012 and 2016 titles.4 Tony Finau Picked the perfect spot to make 2019 debut. After opening at Torrey Pines with a pair of top 25s, he's gone T4-T6 in the last two editions. Grouped with Tiger Woods for the first time in his career.Picked the perfect spot to make 2019 debut. After opening at Torrey Pines with a pair of top 25s, he's gone T4-T6 in the last two editions. Grouped with Tiger Woods for the first time in his career.3 Jason Day Defending this title for a second time. Can't do worse than the first when he missed the cut in 2016. Although dangerous, he hasn't posted a top 10 in a full field since a T5 at the 2018 PLAYERS.Defending this title for a second time. Can't do worse than the first when he missed the cut in 2016. Although dangerous, he hasn't posted a top 10 in a full field since a T5 at the 2018 PLAYERS.2 Marc Leishman Just keeps on rollin'. He's gone 2nd-T4-T3 in his last three starts. Also won the CIMB Classic to open his season. Two T2s among four top 10s in 10 appearances at Torrey Pines; T8 last year.Just keeps on rollin'. He's gone 2nd-T4-T3 in his last three starts. Also won the CIMB Classic to open his season. Two T2s among four top 10s in 10 appearances at Torrey Pines; T8 last year.1 Justin Rose The defending FedExCup champion returned to competitive action with a T34 in La Quinta last week. Now making his 10th appearance in La Jolla where he finished T4 in 2017 and T8 in 2018.The defending FedExCup champion returned to competitive action with a T34 in La Quinta last week. Now making his 10th appearance in La Jolla where he finished T4 in 2017 and T8 in 2018.Tuesday's Fantasy Insider will cover numerous notables who don't appear above, including Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama, Patrick Reed, Keegan Bradley and Desert Classic champion Adam Long.
It wouldn't be wrong to cite that this is Woods' first start at the Farmers all the way back from multiple back surgeries and proper recoveries. He tried, tried and tried again in 2014 (T80/MDF), 2015 (WD) and 2017 (MC), and last year's T23 served as a glimpse of what was in store for the remainder of the season than it was a gauge of his capability. Now, his expectations at Torrey Pines are aligned fairly with his history on the course. It's just that the vice versa isn't reflective.
Since the reveal of Tom Weiskopf's redesign of Torrey North in 2017 – his comprehensive update added 206 yards to reach its current length of 7,258 yards – the last three rounds on the North rank inside its top-seven highest of 24 in the FedExCup era. (All golfers alternate one round on the North and South Courses in the first two rounds. After the 36-hole cut falls, only Torrey South hosts the third and final rounds.)
Meanwhile, after 7,698-yard Torrey South played to its history as one of the most stringent tests found anywhere on the PGA TOUR in 2017 – which, to add another layer of perspective, was its easiest of a four-year stretch – both of last year's rounds slot inside its top-four easiest in the FedExCup era. Still, the overall scoring averages between the courses varied by only 1.49 and 1.40 strokes in 2017 and 2018, respectively. In each of the last three editions prior to Weiskopf's work, the difference was no lower than 3.29. (Four-round scoring is baked into Torrey South's averages contributing to those comparisons.)
The fairways on both courses have remained among the toughest to find, and distance off the tee continues to define contenders, but the bentgrass greens on Torrey North are measurably harder to hit in regulation despite the fact that they're 40 percent larger than pre-redesign. As they mature and with Mother Nature's assistance, GIR splits should rise from the 11.6-per-round clip, but Woods and Co. are still logging experience with the putter.
If the would-be winner wanted to target specific soft spots on both courses, it'd be the par 3s on the South and the par 5s on the North. Of course, since both are par 72s, proficiency in par-5 scoring overall will help characterize the champion. Aggressors on the North also are benefited because of the larger putting surfaces and the knowledge that they'll be able to salvage par three out of every five times on average. Rough on both tracks is allowed to grow to at least three inches.
In a strange trend that challenges the definition of phenomenon, each of the last eight winners of the Farmers Insurance Open rotated to the North Course in the second round. Beginning with Bubba Watson's 65 in 2011 and extending through Jason Day's 64 last year, the scoring average of the eight champs on Torrey North is 66.13. (Jon Rahm debuted the redesign with 69 in 2017.)
ShotLink is utilized on Torrey South throughout the tournament, but because it's not employed on the North, statistics that use lasered measurements apply only to rounds on the South. This includes distance of all drives, proximity to the hole and all strokes-gained data. For example, strokes-gained putting rankings will represent only golfers who log 54 holes on the Poa greens of the host course.
Downright dandy conditions are in store all week. Clouds will be evident, but wind might not be. Daytime temperatures will climb into the mid-to-upper 60s. Depending on atmospheric variables, a marine layer cannot be ruled out to make an appearance on any day, but if it does, the ocean view from atop the cliffs will pay off the patience after it burns off.
After the PGA TOUR leaves town, Torrey South will be the focus of numerous upgrades. Tees, bunkers and landing spots around greens will be modified in part for improvements in irrigation. The greens themselves won't be touched. All of the attention is necessary in advance of the 2021 U.S. Open scheduled to be contested on the course.
ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE
PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton recaps and previews every tournament from numerous angles. Look for his following contributions as scheduled.
MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings
TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Fantasy Insider
WEDNESDAY: One & Done
* - Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO, which also publishes on Tuesdays.
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