3. Justin Thomas
Quick peek behind the curtain: I originally wrote in Justin Thomas for my Farmers Insurance Open power rankings at the number 1 spot, somehow mixing up the Farmers field and the leaderboard for the AmEx because Justin Thomas was never even in the field for the first go around Torrey this year. Regardless, JT's swagger on the course seems to be back, as he has strung together a few solid starts to begin his year. It's starting to feel like Justin Thomas is back to his old ways (hopefully Jordan Spieth can follow his lead), and it really is a matter of when, not if his next win comes.
2. Rory McIlroy
The one winner I've hit on with my power rankings this year, it has become clear that Rory McIlroy's golf game is only suited for the real thing, and not for TGL. His first start since his win at Pebble Beach, McIlroy's length off the tee is a massive help for him getting around Torrey Pines, as his past success at Torrey has come mainly through his elite driving ability. We saw Rory put every piece of his game together at Pebble, and I don't see a reason why that won't continue at Torrey this week. He's performed well at Torrey in the past, the form is on point right now, and we're getting chippy Rory in interviews. He's looking freed up by not being a better PGA Tour commissioner than Jay Monahan anymore, and Rory is going to be red hot all season.
1. Collin Morikawa
If Morikawa had actually played at Farmers this year instead of withdrawing on Tuesday, I think he would have easily won. He's really the reason I started to add honorable mentions onto these rankings after I left him off the Pebble Beach power rankings, and I think Morikawa's form that he has shown his first couple of starts this year will continue at Torrey this week. As I've mentioned in prior rankings, my methodology for these rankings ends up utilizing finishes at similar courses, and one of the most similar courses to Torrey Pines is TPC Harding Park, and I don't need to remind anyone of Morikawa's feelings toward Harding Park (Morikawa also has played well at Torrey Pines in the past, with a 3rd place finish in 2023 and a T4 at the 2021 U.S. Open). The biggest thing that held Morikawa back was his putter but it appears that he has figured out how to putt the ball again. If he can take advantage of his great iron play, then Morikawa should be all over the leaderboard this week.