Kerr leads by 1 shot in Kuala Lumpur

THE OVERVIEW He hasn’t won a PGA TOUR event in five years and hasn’t won a major in nearly 10 years. In the last 28 months, he’s made just four starts worldwide, as back injuries have kept him sidelined while conjecture about his future reached a crescendo. We haven’t seen him compete at a TOUR event in a year. And yet Tiger Woods is the dominant storyline entering this week’s Farmers Insurance Open. It’s easy to understand why. “He’s the most compelling story in golf – maybe in sports,â€� CBS analyst Nick Faldo said this week. The network is beginning its 49th year of PGA TOUR coverage at the Farmers, the first of 21 TOUR events it will broadcast in 2018. Just like a year ago, when Woods last played on TOUR, CBS will offer a heavy dose of all things Tiger. (In addition, PGA TOUR LIVE will also have extensive coverage of Woods – click here for the complete schedule).  The fascination with Woods – the 79-time TOUR winner with 14 majors – may never go away. Although he’s far removed from his last appearance in the winner’s circle (the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational in early August of 2013), he’s never really drifted from the consciousness of golf fans. The curiosity factor of whether he can successfully come back from his plethora of back injuries is the focal point now. “The world superstar sometimes doesn’t do justice to the superior superstars,â€� said CBS anchor Jim Nantz said when asked why we remain so drawn to Tiger. “There’s a level there that’s reserved for just a few – [Tom] Brady, [Michael] Jordan, Woods. I’m talking about contemporary superstars. Megastars. “Imagine if Tom Brady had taken a step away from the game and we didn’t really see him compete for five years. And I know it hasn’t been five years for Tiger, but it’s been five years since he won. And all of the sudden Tom Brady is going to go and throw the jersey on and No 12’s on the field again. What is that going to look like this Sunday? Man, I’m watching. “Like Jordan decides to come out of retirement after all these years and he’s going to play a real game again, not an exhibition. What will that look like? I gotta see that. My day is going to be scheduled around that. “That’s kind of where we’re at with Tiger.â€� Nantz, who has been a part of CBS’ golf coverage for more than three decades, said he has “not given upâ€� on Tiger making a successful comeback. But he has tempered expectations this week, saying that simply making the cut “would be for him a good start.â€� Faldo, meanwhile, not only will be focused on how Tiger navigates the Torrey Pines fairways – Woods missed eight consecutive fairways to end last year’s first round – but also wonders about the 42-year-old’s fatigue factor. Faldo said playing in the heat of TOUR competition is much different than the relaxed atmosphere at last month’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, when Tiger showed some encouraging signs. “Does he have the stamina for a tournament week, the consistency, because you’ve got to keep out of that lovely 4-inch rough,â€� Faldo said. However it turns out, Nantz and Faldo will be there to describe the action – and the rest of us no doubt will be captivated by Tiger’s latest return. A winner here last year. His last three worldwide starts: two wins and a runner-up. Hottest player in golf unless it’s … What’s he done since the last time we saw him on U.S. soil? Three wins and three more top 10s in seven starts. In terrific form but Torrey Pines hasn’t been kind to him lately – three MCs and a T61 in his last four appearances. PLAYER COMMENT THREE PLAYERS TO PONDER THE FLYOVER When Tom Weiskopf renovated Torrey Pines North prior to last year’s tournament, he reversed the nines, thus making the old 6th and 7th holes (with ocean views) the new 15th and 16th holes. In addition, Weiskopf improved both holes. He reduced the green slope at the par-3 15th, and now thinks it can compete with the South course’s No. 3 hole as one of the most memorable at Torrey Pines. “No, I think it’s better than that one,â€� he told media members during a course preview. As for the par-4 16th, he lowered the green by 10-12 feet to create a bowl effect so that that approach shots might bounce their way onto the putting surface. “It was not a good hole in my estimation,â€� Weiskopf said. “We made it much better.â€�  THE LANDING ZONE Long and into the wind — that pretty much sums up the 504-yard par-4 12th at Torrey Pines South. No wonder it ranked as the toughest hole on the course last year and the fifth toughest of the 900 holes played on the PGA TOUR last season, with a stroke average of 4.435. Bunkers guard both the landing area and the green. Just 52 percent of all drives found the fairway last year, while 41 percent of all approach shots found the green. Here’s a look at where all drives landed in 2017. WEATHER CHECK From PGA TOUR meteorologist Stewart Williams: “A weak cold front will move across S. California on Thursday that will bring a strong on-shore flow. This will likely produce some low clouds and patchy marine layer fog Thursday morning before lifting for the afternoon. Can’t rule out a few sprinkles, but most areas should remain dry. It will be much cooler with highs in the upper 50s. High pressure returns Friday into the weekend providing moderate off-shore flow. This will lead to warmer temperatures Saturday and Sunday.â€� For the latest weather news from San Diego, California, check out PGATOUR.COM’s Weather Hub. SOUND CHECK The more attention you guys have on Tiger, the better for me, quite frankly … Hopefully I keep playing good and give you guys something to talk about, but it’s not bad that the attention’s on Tiger. It’s good for golf, it’s good for all of us. BY THE NUMBERS 7,698 – Scorecard yardage at Torrey Pines South, which made it the second-longest course on the PGA TOUR last season (behind Erin Hills/U.S. Open at 7,741 yards). 50.5 – Percentage of fairways hit at Torrey Pines North last season. Just three other courses had tougher fairways to hit. 8 – Wins by Tiger Woods at Torrey Pines – seven in the Farmers Insurance Open, along with his 2008 U.S. Open win. That ties for most wins by Tiger on any course on the PGA TOUR (also eight each at Bay Hill and Firestone). SCATTERSHOTS We’re now 10 weeks into the 40-week regular season of the FedExCup race.  Of the top 10 players entering this week, just four were in the top 10 at this time a year ago – Jon Rahm, Pat Perez, Brendan Steele and eventual champ Justin Thomas. Rahm, No. 2 in FedExCup points, is the highest ranked player in the field this week. … San Diego native Xander Schauffele made his PGA TOUR debut at the 2016 Farmers Insurance Open and also played in 2017, each time failing to make the cut. But now he’s a two-time TOUR winner and the reigning Rookie of the Year. “I’ve yet to play the weekend, so small goals set first,â€� Schauffele said about this week. “Can’t win a tournament unless you play Saturday, Sunday, so we’re looking forward to having a good week.â€� … Another player with San Diego ties is Charley Hoffman, who was born nearby. Hoffman is making his 21st start in the Farmers; he has two top-10 finishes and 11 made cuts. He’ll be one of Woods’ partners in the first two rounds along with Patrick Reed. … The first four times Rickie Fowler played the Farmers, he was a cumulative 33 under with 13 rounds under par and a best finish of T5 (in 2010). The last four times he’s played here, he’s a cumulative 10 over with 3 rounds under par and a best finish of T61.

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The deepest field in golf will be challenged by the longest track in major championship history this week at The Ocean Course at Kiawah to decide the 103rd PGA Championship. Kiawah Island, South Carolina, will host 99 of the top 100 players in the world and they will be challenged by arguably Pete and Alice Dye’s toughest test. Stretching to 7,876 yards (Par-72), the Ocean Course at Kiawah overtakes Erin Hills as the longest major championship set-up in history. RELATED: Power Rankings | Expert Picks The PGA Championship was hosted here in 2012 and became the first major championship contested on Seashore Paspalum grass from tee thru green. The putting surfaces average 6,000 square feet and will run at tournament speed and there are 28 acres of fairway to swing at off the tee. Conversely there are 30 acres of sandy areas running along, behind and in front of most holes. The rough is Bermuda but will be over-seeded with ryegrass (up to three inches) to thicken and green it up. The 2021 edition will play 200 yards longer and in the month of May, not August like 2012. Springtime in the Carolinas will bring cooler temperatures and more consistent breezes to add to this already difficult Dye challenge. When the wind blows, the fairways and greens will shrink so controlling the golf ball in the breeze is required. While there will be spectators, there won’t be any grandstands to obstruct views or knock down errant shots. Closely mown areas around the sandy areas greenside will provide more decisions to be made to get it close. Getting up and down to grind out pars will be paramount. For more on the course design and history read THIS from our Sean Martin. As with any major championship examination mental toughness will also factor this week. While not many races have been run on Kiawah Island, there are many Pete Dye examples to examine, especially Whistling Straits, host of three previous PGA Championships. Those who have embraced the Dye designs and have found past successes on these layouts will feel they have a leg up on the rest of the field. The field of 156 players was completed with KH Lee after his win last week at AT&T Byron Nelson. Also, 20 PGA Professionals are entered this week along with any former champions. The purse for the event in 2020 was $11 million with $1.98 million plus 600 FedExCup points and a five year exemption on TOUR to the winner. Recent Event Winners Stats Recent Winners and Notables Recent Winner and Notables 2012: Rory McIlroy (-13, 275) Fired a bogey-free 66 to win his second major championship. … Set the PGA Championship record for margin of victory as he won by eight shots. … Only needed 24 putts in the final round. … Carded 67 in Round 3 to lead by three after 54 holes. … Signed for 75 in Round 2, three shots better than the average that day, to sit two back after 36 holes (-2). … Opened with 67, one of four players one off the lead. … One of three players to card less than 10 total bogeys. … Second major win and second by eight shots. … First top 10 in a major since his 2011 U.S. Open triumph. … Hits the podium for the third time in four starts (Win-T40-T3-T3) at the PGA Championship. … 2012 majors finishes: T40 (Masters), MC (US Open defense) and T60 (Royal Lytham & St Annes). … Played the week before (T5) WGC-FESJC (WGC-Bridgestone at the time), his seventh top five of the season. … Won Honda in March. Notables Entered This Week: Defending champion Keegan Bradley (T3) was playing in just his second PGA Championship. … Ian Poulter (T3) picked up his best PGA Championship check to this day. … Justin Rose (T3) led the field in GIR and was T2 Birdies (18). … Steve Stricker (T7) was one of nine players who played both weekend rounds in the red. … Adam Scott (T11) ranked T2 Putting. … Bubba Watson (T11) made nothing but was T8 GIR. … Louis Oosthuizen (T21) also circled 18 birdies (T2). … McIlroy and Rose both posted 66 on Sunday, one off the best round of the week. … Perfect weather in Round 1 saw 44 players break par. … Round 2 scoring average was 78.1 and only four golfers broke par (49-year old Vijay Singh 69, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter, 71). … Cut was +6 and only 10 players were under par after 36 holes. … Round 3 had eight rounds in the 60s as a thunderstorm halted play in the afternoon. … Round 4 had 18 rounds in the 60s. … 74.6 scoring average for the week. Of 72 players making the cut, 24 hit 71 percent or better Fairways. … Rose was one of only seven players to hit 50 or more GIR. … There were only six Americans in the top 17. … Others playing in 2021: T18 John Daly (1991 winner) T18 Padraig Harrington (2007, 2008 winner) T21 Jimmy Walker (2016 winner) T27 Jason Dufner (2013 winner, 2011 runner up) T27 Marc Leishman T36 Rich Beem (2002 winner) T36 Phil Mickelson (2005 winner) T36 Vijay Singh (1998, 2004 winner) T36 YE Yang (2009 winner) T42 Martin Laird (led the field in Total Driving) T42 Gary Woodland T48 Dustin Johnson T54 Francesco Molinari T59 Charl Schwartzel T62 Chez Reavie T66 Alex Noren 70 Zach Johnson 72 Cameron Tringale Missed Cut: George Coetzee Sergio Garcia Webb Simpson Bernd Wiesberger Stewart Cink Jason Day Lee Westwood Branden Grace Rickie Fowler Matt Kuchar Shaun Micheel (2003 winner) Charley Hoffman Ryan Palmer Martin Kaymer (2010 winner) Paul Case Kevin Na (DQ) Key stat leaders Top golfers in each statistic on the 2020-2021 PGA TOUR are listed only if they are scheduled to compete this week. Horses for Courses

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