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Farmers Insurance Open: Power ranking the top 10 at Torrey Pines

By Mike Randleman

SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 29: Alex Noren of Sweden walks up the fairway during the sixth playoff on the 18th hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 29, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 29: Alex Noren of Sweden walks up the fairway during the sixth playoff on the 18th hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 29, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /
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LAHAINA, HI – JANUARY 06: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club on January 6, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI – JANUARY 06: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club on January 6, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Rory McIlroy has been a card carrying European Tour member for much of his career alongside his PGA Tour membership. No more.

The 29-year-old Northern Irishman created waves a few weeks ago when he commented on his decision to play more stateside.

‘The European Tour is a stepping stone. That is the truth,’ McIlroy said. ‘It’s so one-sided. Look, you can talk about all these bigger events in Europe [brought in by Pelley] but you can go to America and play for more money and more world ranking points… Why would you play over there?’

While McIlroy had to have known he’d ruffle some feathers, it’s hard to refute anything he said. It doesn’t mean he wishes the European Tour had a better standing, he’s just calling it how he sees it.

Getting back to the topic at hand, one of the ripple effects of his decision is felt this week. This week runs concurrent with the European Tour’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic. McIlroy’s an Omega sponsored athlete and has two wins and a runner-up playing there just about every year of his career.

Now, he’s giving Torrey Pines a shot. And he does have the benefit of having played here as a junior.

McIlroy also played fairly well to open 2019, making the final pairing on Sunday and finishing T4 at the Tournament of Champions.

He’s kept from ascending higher in this week’s top 10 due to not only a lack of course history, but a lack of success in California. Save for his win at Harding Park in San Francisco at the 2015 WGC-Match Play, the other 19 of his top 20 wins based on world ranking points earned came either on the East Coast or on the European Tour.

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