Pro Golf Now
Fansided

Farmers Insurance Open: Top 10 power rankings at Torrey Pines

By Mike Randleman

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 27: Jon Rahm of Spain plays his shot from the 15th tee on the South Course during the final round of the the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 27, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 27: Jon Rahm of Spain plays his shot from the 15th tee on the South Course during the final round of the the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 27, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 11
Next
LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 23: Xander Schauffele looks on with caddie during the Pro-Am for the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 23, 2019 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 23: Xander Schauffele looks on with caddie during the Pro-Am for the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 23, 2019 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /

Xander Schauffele is a good enough player to make my top-10 power rankings almost every tournament he plays in. Four wins in three-and-a-half years and a top-10 world ranking earns you that respect.

But I’m also a little dubious about the X Man’s chances at the Farmers Insurance Open. All signs point to the San Diego State University graduate and La Jolla native thriving at this event, right?

Wrong.

For some players, a home game can end up being more of a distraction than an aid. Schauffele missed the cut each year from 2016-2018. He finally played the weekend in 2019 where rounds of 69-70-70-70 netted him T-25.

Schauffele was incredibly steady, making just six bogeys and nothing worse. He finished 25th on Tour in birdie average (4.08) and sixth in par-5 scoring (4.5). The 25-year-old didn’t do well on the par-5s last year at Torrey, so I see room for him to build off his first bit of success.

In his post-round comments that Sunday, he also admitted to being sick. Assuming full health this week, that’s another notch in his favor.

Schauffele was nearly a winner in his last start. He lost to Justin Thomas in a three-man playoff with Patrick Reed at the Tournament of Champions a few weeks back.

He’s got three runner-ups in his last six starts (five top-10s). I think career win No. 5 is coming for Schauffele at some point on the West Coast swing. Now might be the time.

Home/Golf Power Rankings