2023 Farmers Insurance Open: Top 10 Power Rankings at Torrey Pines

Jon Rahm is on top of the golf world. He’s still stuck at No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking, but there’s no doubt in this particular moment, and not the two-year rolling period the OWGR uses, that he’s the best player.

He won his second tournament in a row, firing 27-under to hang on to a one-shot victory last week at The American Express. It was his second title at PGA West.

He didn’t even have his ‘A’ game at times in the desert, but talent, execution in the clutch, and good decision-making helped him cross the finish line.

"“Body’s been feeling great. My swing’s been feeling really, really good. And it shows, right,” Rahm was transcribed by ASAP Sports. “Even when I’m saying I may not be as comfortable as I would like, I’m shooting 64s because everything is just firing when it needs to. I’m, in a weird way, glad that today went the way it went. I’ve enjoyed some runaway victories, I’ve enjoyed some comebacks, but today was certainly a struggle.”"

Rahm opened the tournament with an 8-under 64 at La Quinta Country Club, followed with an 8-under 64 at PGA West’s Nicklaus course, and played the weekend at PGA West Stadium in 7-under 65 and 68.

He co-led with Davis Thompson after 18 holes and outlasted the 23-year-old, in the end, thanks to a spectacular fairway bunker shot on the 72nd hole to set up an easy two-putt par after Thompson missed the green on his approach.

Based on his rounds at Stadium, he was sixth in the field in strokes gained tee to green (6.307) and seventh in SG approach (4.027). Rahm had birdie looks all the time, hitting 83.33% of greens in regulation (T-2nd).

This was the Spaniard’s second win of 2023 in as many starts. He also shot 27-under to win the Sentry Tournament of Champions a couple weeks prior.

As if he couldn’t feel any more comfortable with his game, he arrives to one of his top stops on the PGA Tour.

The Arizona State alum has won twice at Torrey Pines. Rahm earned his first PGA Tour win in stirring fashion at the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open when he drained a 61-foot eagle on the 72nd hole.

The only thing that could top that would be a major championship. More clutch putting on the last two holes at the South course with makes of 25 and 18 feet sealed the 2021 U.S. Open.

In total at Torrey Pines, Rahm has made the cut all seven times with six top-10s, and his worst result was a T-29th (68-66-75-77) at the 2018 Farmers. He took T-5th (62-72-68-72) in 2019, second (68-71-65-70) in 2020, T-7th (69-67-72-72) in 2021, and T-3rd (66-65-72-71) in 2022.

Rahm was a shot away from a playoff last year after settling for par on the par-5 18th that’s treated him well throughout his career.

For the season, the FedEx Cup points leader is tops on the PGA Tour in SG off the tee per round (1.071). He’s also first in GIR (81.02%) and birdie average (6.67).

Strength and skill to play out of the thick stuff is important this week. Rahm is 34th in proximity from the rough (41’2”).