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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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LA JOLLA, CA – JANUARY 25: Marc Leishman hits his tee shot on the 17th hole during the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open on Torrey Pines South in La Jolla, California on January 25, 2014 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LA JOLLA, CA – JANUARY 25: Marc Leishman hits his tee shot on the 17th hole during the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open on Torrey Pines South in La Jolla, California on January 25, 2014 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

The time could be ripe for Marc Leishman to break through at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Let’s start with his course form.

In nine starts, Big Leish has two runner-ups (including in his 2010 debut) and four top-10s. Last year he finished tied for eighth, just four shots out of a playoff despite a Sunday 73.

“I’ve finished second here couple times. Certainly had chances to win, but hopefully I can go one better and knock this one off,” Leishman was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald in 2017. “Torrey brings back a lot of good memories; my first ever trip overseas was here for the junior world championship in 2001. It was an eye opener.”

Jumping ahead to the here and now, Leishman’s been on a tear. The 35-year-old Aussie began 2019 with a fourth-place tie at the Tournament of Champions and T-3 effort at the Sony Open. That came after he ended the year with a runaway win at the CIMB Classic, a top-20 the next week at the CJ Cup and a solo second at the Australian PGA Championship only behind talented countryman Cameron Smith.

Leishman’s not known as a bomber but has enough length to get by here. Accuracy’s the issue. He found just 33.93 percent of his fairways but putted great (over 1.126 strokes gained per round) and was excellent around the greens.

In the early going this season, he’s third on Tour in proximity from the rough.

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