2021 Farmers Insurance Open: Staff Picks to win at Torrey Pines

Next up on the PGA schedule is the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, the next event in the early West Coast Swing on the PGA Tour.

It shouldn’t be a surprise to see a lot of events down in California during this time of year. The weather isn’t great in many sections of the United States. Sticking all the players down in California for a month or so is a great way to make sure that we get to watch plenty of golf, without having to worry too much about the weather. It also cuts down on travel time.

We have plenty of things for you to check out this week relating to the Farmers Insurance Open. Power Rankings… Check. Fantasy Golf… Check. Interested in some great tee times? We have that too. Maybe you prefer to know who some of the dark horses could be. Yup, we have that, and much more throughout the week.

If I could make one comment about the picks this week, it would highlight the wealth of talent. There are so many good players here this week, it’s hard to pick a player without wanting to switch it to 3-4 others.

Here are the staff picks to win the 2021 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

Rory McIlroy

Mike Randleman – In an excerpt from my weekly power rankings…

“The 31-year-old Northern Irishman stormed out to 64-72-67 at an event he’d always played well at but never won. A closing 72 allowed champion Tyrrell Hatton to post 66 and cruise to victory.”

Tim Letcher – He was outdueled by Tyrrell Hatton last week on the European Tour, but McIlroy comes into the Farmers in fine form. Look for him to claim the title this week.

Matt Tizzard – Glimpses of Rory returning to his best last week on the European Tour. Eventually, he lumbered into 3rd place due to a closing 72 in the final round. This was a good start to Rory’s season against a strong field albeit he didn’t close the deal. He was 2nd in stroke gained off the Tee in Abu Dhabi, so he flys into California swinging well and with good memories of Torrey Pines, after finishing 3rd here last year. If the flat stick behaves, he will take some beating.

Jon Rahm

Doug Hoff – Not a huge surprise here when he’s the odds on betting favorite, but sometimes it pays to go chalk. He pulled out of the AmEx last week due to a back issue, but I have a theory that it was due to Rahm not wanting to play in that event. He’s won the AmEx in the past so I’m sure he feels an obligation to play in the event, and the back injury was his way to get out of it. He also got his breakout win here in 2017, finished 2nd last year, and his skill set fits the track. Look for the world number 2 to get win number six of his young, illustrious career.

Michael Ellis – What makes Rahm so appealing this week at the Farmers Insurance Open is his past success at Torrey Pines. Since 2017 Rahm has had some impressive finishes at this event: 1st, T29, T5, and 2nd. Rahm has historically played well in Southern California and this event couldn’t have come at a better time. After withdrawing from last week’s American Express due to a gym-related injury, Rahm will aim to win his second career Farmers Insurance Open championship this week.

Patrick Reed

Bill Felber – There is no form sheet that projects him as a contender at Torrey Pines, but Reed is the kind of contrary cuss who won’t care about the form sheet’s disrespect for his chances.

Tony Finau

Hans Geevers – He arrives at this event in great form and had played well at Farmers in the past.

Joey McCusker

West Valentine – At some point, Tony Finau has to win. Torrey is a tough course – a US Open course – and it favors better players. Finau is coming off a great showing at The American Express and his game is well suited to a course that tips out at 7,800 yards.

Viktor Hovland

Chris O’Day – It’s hard to tell who is going to be the next stud that comes out of this young group of talented golfers. It very well could be Viktor Hovland, who already has two wins, as well as a stellar showing in his two U.S. Opens. I’m calling for Hovland to get his third career win, this time at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Matthew Wolff

Josh Chandler – “Wolf was excellent with his irons last week gaining over three strokes in his first start of 2021. Matthew leads the field in strokes gained approach over the last 24 rounds and he is one of the longest drivers of the ball on tour, something that will be needed to compete at the Farmers Insurance Open this week. With a 20th in his debut at Torrey Pines last year, this is a course that should suit Matthew’s game very nicely.”

Jason Day

DJ Cadden – The Aussie is a two-time Farmers Insurance Open champion. This will be Day’s 2021 PGA Tour debut with a new coach and mixed bag. What better way to start out the season than a dominant victory?

Best of luck to everyone that is playing in the Farmers Insurance Open this week.