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

There are a handful of courses/tournaments on the PGA Tour that Tiger Woods has particularly dominated over the years. The Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines is one of them.

He debuted at this event with a third-place finish in 1998, and in 16 starts has seven wins and six more top-tens.

It makes sense his style has played well here. He’s always been one of the longest players on Tour and could gouge it out of the thick rough or dial in from the fairway. Plus, growing up in Southern California, this course and its poa annua greens are no mystery to Woods.

His last win here came in 2013 and his last start in 2018 was a T23, which he used as a springboard into his remarkable comeback season.

This will be Woods’ first start since he finished 17th at the Hero World Challenge in December. Prior to that, he hadn’t played competitively since the Ryder Cup. This schedule sequencing is common for the Big Cat, but at his age it’s a little dubious to assume he’ll come out and win his first start against a tough field at Torrey.

With that said, his health – both mental and physical – appears to be in as good of shape as it’s been in recent memory. He should come into 2019 firing as he knows his window to contend for world No. 1 and to win more majors is closing.

Statistically, Woods last season was third on Tour in strokes gained approach and eighth tee to green. This was all in spite of a tumultuous driver. He’s now more suited to play shorter courses that allow for less than driver, but course knowledge and good iron play should still allow him to have a good week.