No matter his health, age and competitive rust, if you’ve been predisposed to elevated expectations during any of Tiger Woods’ returns to official competition, you’re probably going to get what you want this week. Never mind the 42-year-old’s otherworldly record at the Farmers Insurance Open and at Torrey Pines overall – although it sure doesn’t hurt – he’s poised to prove that the uncertainty of the condition of his back is in the past. As it concerns what the field of 156 is facing at the Farmers, this is the second edition post-redesign of the North Course at Torrey Pines. Continue reading beneath the ranking for details on how it played last year, what might be a new narrative as it concerns both courses and other relevant nuggets. My goodness. Any concern over his first-time duties as a defending champion is mitigated by his perspective and maturity. He’s the total package performing at his highest level yet. Couldn’t ask for better form as he aims to avenge last year’s T4 after sitting atop the leaderboard at the midpoint. Three wins in the last three months baked into 10 straight top 10s. Essentially built for Torrey Pines where he’s gone T24-T18-T4 since 2015. Eighteen consecutive cuts made, has three top 20s this season and ranks ninth in adjusted scoring. First time in four years he hasn’t jetlagged from Abu Dhabi on eve of Farmers (T61-MC-MC since 2015). Rested since a T4 at Kapalua that chased a Mayakoba runner-up and Hero win. The two-time runner-up at Torrey Pines (2010, 2014) has a win among five top 10s worldwide in his last eight starts. Added a T20 here last year after sitting T5 through 54 holes. Doesn’t have the most inspiring record at the Farmers (2-for-4 with one top 30), but he’s a constant threat. This is evident in his recent form: four top fives in his last five starts. If there’s going to be a best time to push the reset button, it’s right now. First start since a solo fifth in Australia in late November. Went T9-T2-Win at Torrey Pines from 2013-2015. Launched into 2018 with a quietly strong T7 at Waialae that featured a balanced attack. He’s 8-for-8 at the Farmers with top 20s in three of the last four editions. First action since a solo eighth at the Hero World Challenge that capped a strong but winless 2017. One of only five with four red numbers in last year’s Farmers (T14). Fourth straight week on the road, but he’s used to it. Top-10 streak ended with a T20 at CareerBuilder, but he placed a personal-best T9 in is fifth appearance at last year’s Farmers. Making his season debut and probably as eager as ever. Since a T7 at the Wyndham in August, he added four top 15s, including a T2 at the DP World. Also 3-for-3 here with two top 15s. Already the 24-year-old’s fourth appearance; only cut made was a T33 last year. Power and precision off the tee have produced seven straight top 20s, including a win in December. First appearance since his debut in 2013. Has done nothing but impress since returning to action nearly 12 months ago. Has a win and a pair of T15s already this season. Might have some Swiss blood in him because he’s as reliable as the best timepiece. Perfect in 15 trips with three runners-up (2005, 2007, 2017) among seven top 10s. T20 last week. Still has unfinished business at Torrey Pines since the disappointing P2 in 2012, but he’s been performing well of late and where he has in the past. Top 25s here in 2016 and 2017. RANK PLAYER COMMENT POWER RANKINGS: FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN I’ll break from protocol and announce early that Tiger Woods will be the Wild Card. You’ll find my extended analysis on him, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Peter Uihlein, CareerBuilder Challenge runner-up Andrew Landry and other notables in the Fantasy Insider on Tuesday. Tipping at 7,698 yards, Torrey Pines South is the longest course on the PGA TOUR. Not surprisingly, it’s one of the hardest tracks that membership faces. It was the most difficult par 72 just two seasons ago. Tight fairways guarded by tough, rye-kikuyu rough no shorter than three inches inflicts damage on scorecards. However, an interesting thing happened last year. The South Course averaged “just” 72.766 to establish a four-year low. Meanwhile, in its first spin after Tom Weiskopf’s overhaul, the par-72 North Course yielded a stingy 71.277 for an eight-year high. That was in part due to unfamiliarity overall, weather (see below), 206 additional yards (for a total of 7,256) and brand-new bentgrass putting surfaces (albeit 40 percent larger). Torrey South features Poa annua greens. Every golfer plays one round on the North before the 36-hole cut. Only the South is used in the third and final rounds, but the difference of about one-and-a-half strokes between the two is more than two strokes lower than the 2016 Farmers (3.57). In fact, the gap ranged well over three strokes in each of the previous three editions. Gusty winds in the second round that inflated scoring a year ago can’t be ruled out during the first two rounds this week. Furthermore, heavy air created by chilly daytime temperatures will lengthen all 36 holes, so both courses will be well-defended by the elements. Still, the objective for would-be contenders remains to capitalize on the North. Jon Rahm carded a 69 on Torrey North in the second round en route to last year’s title. Interestingly and probably coincidentally, each of the last seven champions rotated to the North for the second round. Brandt Snedeker’s 70 in 2016 is the highest score on the easier test by a winner in any of the last 11 editions. ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Columnist Rob Bolton will be filing his usual staples leading up to this week’s event. Look for the following columns this week. MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Fantasy Insider, Facebook Live WEDNESDAY: One & Done * – Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO, which also publishes on Tuesdays.
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