For many fans, golf season begins in April when they tee off for the season’s first major, the Masters. For the more dedicated fan, it begins in January, with the kickoff of the West Coast Swing. This year, even the casual fan may be tuning in a little earlier than normal because Tiger Woods is back in action this week, getting his 2019 season started at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif.
It has been a traditional starting point for Woods for many seasons of his professional career, but this time is different. He will begin an encore performance to what was a thrilling ride in 2018 — at a golf course where he’s won at before, eight times, including his last major championship victory, the U.S. Open in 2008.
Woods is 14/1 but there’s very little to go on as far as current form. My bet would be he makes the cut but finishes worse than his tie for 23rd last year here.
The Farmers is played on both the North and South courses at Torrey Pines. Each track is a beast of a par 72 that each player will test before the 36-hole cut on Friday. The weekend will be played solely on the South Course, which stretches to nearly 7,700-yards in length.
Driving the golf ball is a key statistic this week. One must be long and straight. The fairways are on the narrow side and the rough is very penal. Ball striking and hitting greens in regulation will be crucial. Finally, touch around the greens will be required for success as well as we have seen some of the top scramblers in the game fare well here in the past and also those that can negotiate the tricky Poa Annua surface.
The Plays
Favorite
Jon Rahm (10/1) — Yes, it is a short price but that’s what you get with one of the best players in the world who won here in 2017, his first time seeing the courses. He finished 29th here last year in his title defense. Grew up putting on Poa Annua. Won the Hero World Challenge back in December and is coming off a sixth-place finish at the Desert Classic.
Contender
Emiliano Grillo (35/1) — Grillo has played here three times and has gone from missing the cut to 33rd to 12th place last year. He ranks 11th on Tour in total driving and third in strokes gained/approach the green. He should be in contention and if he gets hot on and around the greens, he could win it.
Long shot
Kyle Stanley (60/1) — Like Grillo, Stanley always has been known as an excellent ball striker who hits greens in regulation. He ranks 13th on Tour in total driving, fifth in scrambling, and his putting has improved. He’s made the cut here in four straight
trips and finished second in 2012.
