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2021 Farmers Insurance Open: Top 10 power rankings at Torrey Pines

By Mike Randleman

Jan 23, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; Michael Block plays his second shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course - North Course. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; Michael Block plays his second shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course - North Course. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The PGA Tour remains in California for another week, heading south to the Farmers Insurance Open in Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California.

It’s one of the U.S.’ top public golf facilities. Its North and South courses are the hosts with the field playing the North once over the first two rounds and the South one of the first two rounds and on the weekend.

We’ve got a full field of 156 players. Only three of the world’s top 10 are present, but 12 of the top 25 helps salvage a field missing DJ, Bryson, Tiger, Morikawa, etc.

This tournament began as the San Diego Open in 1952 at San Diego Country Club. It bounced around courses until 1968 when it got to Torrey Pines.

The South course famously hosted the 2008 U.S. Open where Tiger Woods won on one leg in a playoff over Rocco Mediate.

Oh yeah, and did I mention the South course is hosting the U.S. Open again this June?

Here’s to hoping Tiger is back in good health to return to Torrey after undergoing yet another back surgery recently. He’s out of the field this week and for the Genesis Invitational in February.

Also, hopefully fans will be able to take in the glorious coastal views in June. They won’t be allowed in this week.

The North course measures 7,258 yards. It underwent a Tom Weiskopf renovation in 2016 that replaced every green and provides a more challenging test. But not that challenging for the pros. It yields an under-par scoring average compared to the South which is significantly over par.

The South is the longest regular Tour stop measuring 7,765 yards. There’s no elevation to inflate distance, so this is a true bomber’s layout.

All four par-5s are over 560 yards, half of the 12 par-4s are over 450 and three par-3s are over 200.

Strokes gained off the tee will be an obvious stat to keep in mind. Among those who are driving well, it will come down to a putting contest. Look for those who play well on poa annua, a common West Coast grass.

How thick the rough is and how the seaside breeze dictates scoring. Recent winning scores range from Brandt Snedeker grinding out 6-under for his second Farmers Insurance Open title to Justin Rose capitalizing on benign conditions to win at 21-under in 2019.

The rough will surely be longer in June, but expect it to provide more pushback than last week’s pillow fight in Palm Springs.

They’re not going to get Palm Springs’ weather, either. The early forecast hints a possibility of rain Thursday an Friday on the heels of a rainy weekend leading up. It’ll be chilly all week with highs scraping 60 and lows in the 40s with double-digit miles per hour winds.

Players must be longing to return to the Hawaii swing.

It could be a battle out there this week. Let’s see who can hang in there to contend for a prestigious PGA Tour title:

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