The PGA Tour’s golf year might start in Hawaii, but for many, it doesn’t really gather attention until the final shot over the pond on the 18th at Torrey Pines. Yes, the Farmers Insurance Open, which typically draws one of the best fields of the year, is upon us.
With the Phoenix and Genesis Opens looming, PGA Tour superstars will look to fine-tune their games and secure a good finish on the two courses that make up the often majestic Torrey Pines facility outside San Diego. To be successful, the field must navigate the North and South course’s tight fairways, as well as the often debilitating gusts coming from the nearby Pacific. The winners at Torrey are often the best—think Tiger, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, and Jason Day.
Who will win it all at the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open?
Luke List:
No better place to start than the defending champ, who, last year, outlasted Will Zalatoris in playoff holes and took home his first PGA Tour victory. The 38-year-old is coming off a strong 11th-place finish at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and will look to become the first back-to-back winner at Torrey since Tiger Woods’ four straight victories between 2005 and 2008.
Jon Rahm:
Not many golfers can claim they dominate Torrey Pines. However, Jon Rahm is one of them. Rahm has emerged victorious at Torrey twice—once when it hosted the U.S. Open—and has finished in the top 10 at the Farmers Insurance Open every year since 2019. His 66.4 scoring average at the arduous South course is the best Torrey has seen in the last 30 years. He also happens to be red-hot, coming off a dramatic victory at the Sentry of Champions that saw him fire a 10-under final round. Watch for Rahm at the top of the leaderboard all weekend long.
Si-Woo Kim:
Coming off an impressive 67-67-64-64 victory at the Sony Open, Kim has vaulted himself to 8th in the FedEx Cup Rankings. The native of South Korea made some noise in last year’s Farmers Insurance Open, firing an 8-under 64 in the third round at Torrey and finishing tied in 11th for the tournament. Why not keep the hot streak going at the Farmers?
The Canadians:
Last year, there were nine Canadians in the field at Torrey Pines. The most at a PGA Tour event outside Canada since 1970. This year, the Farmers Insurance Open will feature three Canadians, Adam Hadwin, Adam Svensson, and Taylor Pendrith. Last year Pendrith finished 16th, making the Richmond Hill native the highest Canadian finisher at the 2022 Farmers Insurance Open.