Two of the most intriguing relaunches of the season are set to occur simultaneously at this week’s Famers Insurance Open. The first is the official unveiling of the revamped North Course at Torrey Pines. The second is the return of 79-time PGA Tour winner, Tiger Woods.
It is fitting that both are occurring together given the history that Tiger has with the San Diego course. Not only has he won the Farmers Insurance Open an incredible seven times, he also bagged his last major championship there, although that win came solely on the South Course.
This week’s Famers Insurance Open will be split across both the venue’s courses. Everyone in the field will play once at the North and at the considerably tougher South Course before the halfway cut. From then on the action remains on the South Course’s 7,698 yard layout.
Brand Snedeker won last year’s renewal thanks to one of the rounds of the season. With the wind and rain battering down, Snedeker made the most of his prowess in tough conditions to card the only below par score of the final round. Although there is unlikely to be another Monday finish this time around, the weather forecast is not looking pretty so this could turn into another slog.
Day Can Justify Favouritism
The bookies are finding it very difficult to separate Dustin Johnson and Jason Day at the top of the betting. There’s no doubt that Johnson has the ability to win this event but he played in Abu Dhabi last weekend and does not exactly have the strongest record at Torrey Pines.
Day, on the other hand, won this tournament in 2015 and arrives nice and fresh having rested his back after finishing 12th at the Tournament of Champions. The Australian will have to be sensible off the tee to keep his ball in play but if his driving accuracy is up to scratch he can lead from the front to win at odds of 19/2 with BetVictor.
Rose to Build on Solid Start
Justin Rose will look back at last season and wonder what could have been. The Englishman won golfing gold for Team GB at the Olympics but fitness and form worked against him in his search for more titles.
Rose made it abundantly clear last week that he is going to use the slight disappointment of last season to fire him up for the months ahead. A combination of long driving, quality ball striking and the ability to avoid bogey saw him finish second at the Sony Open. If he follows that blueprint at Torrey Pines he should come good for an each way bet at 28/1 with Betfair.
About Time for Lowry to Shine Once Again
Shane Lowry has found golf to be very unforgiving since he blew his chance to win the U.S. Open. He’s struggled for form and confidence but Torrey Pines could be the perfect place for him to snap out of it. The Irishman loves a challenge and stood up to the venue in the last two years so is well worth an each way bet at 80/1 with Betfred.