The PGA Tour golf tournament calendar continues its West Coast Swing with one of the most demanding non-major events of the season: the Farmers Insurance Open. Set for January 29 – February 1, 2026, this historic tournament returns to Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California, offering a stark contrast to the low-scoring birdie fest that precedes it at The American Express.
Where last week rewarded aggressive scoring and hot putters, the Farmers Insurance Open is about survival. Long rough, firm Poa annua greens, coastal winds, and one of the longest courses on the PGA Tour turn this event into a true test of championship golf.
Event Overview
- Tournament: Farmers Insurance Open
- Dates: January 29 – February 1, 2026
- Location: La Jolla (San Diego), California
- Courses: Torrey Pines North & South Courses
- Field: 156 professionals
- Purse: $9,600,000
- Winner’s Share: $1,728,000
- FedExCup Points: 500
Originally founded in 1952 as the San Diego Open, the tournament has been played at Torrey Pines since 1968 and has built a reputation as one of the most physically and mentally demanding stops on the regular-season PGA Tour schedule.
Tournament Format
The Farmers Insurance Open uses a two-course rotation for the opening rounds:
- Rounds 1–2 (Thursday–Friday): Players rotate between the North and South Courses
- 36-hole cut: Top 65 players and ties advance
- Rounds 3–4 (Saturday–Sunday): Played exclusively on the South Course
Unlike pro-am events earlier in the season, this is a pure competition format, with scoring pressure increasing dramatically over the weekend.
Course Breakdown: Torrey Pines
Torrey Pines sits atop coastal cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and features kikuyu fairways overseeded with ryegrass and Poa annua greens running approximately 12 on the Stimpmeter.
South Course
- Designer: William F. Bell; redesigned by Rees Jones
- Yardage / Par: 7,802 yards, Par 72
- Scoring Average: ~73.5
The South Course is the longest course played on the PGA Tour and has hosted the U.S. Open twice (2008, 2021). Deep bunkers, thick rough, small greens, and ocean winds demand long, accurate driving and elite iron play. Bogeys are unavoidable, and patience is essential.
North Course
- Designer: William F. Bell; redesigned by Tom Weiskopf
- Yardage / Par: 7,258 yards, Par 72
- Scoring Average: ~71.5
More forgiving than the South, the North Course offers wider fairways and reachable par-5s. Contenders typically need to score here before heading into the grind of the weekend.
Field Strength: A Major-Caliber Lineup
The 2026 Farmers Insurance Open features one of the deepest fields outside the majors and signature events. Headlining the field is Scottie Scheffler, making his second start of the season after The American Express.
Other notable players include:
- Rory McIlroy
- Xander Schauffele (San Diego native)
- Collin Morikawa
- Brooks Koepka (returning after reinstatement)
- Max Homa (2023 champion)
- Harris English (defending champion)
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Ludvig Åberg
- Tony Finau
This is an event where elite ball-strikers consistently rise to the top.
History, Records, and Past Champions
Few PGA Tour golf tournaments boast a winner’s list like this one.
Multiple-time champions include:
- Tiger Woods (7 wins)
- Phil Mickelson (3 wins)
- Jason Day (2 wins)
- Brandt Snedeker (2 wins)
Recent winning scores illustrate the course’s difficulty:
| Year | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Harris English | -8 |
| 2024 | Matthieu Pavon | -13 |
| 2023 | Max Homa | -13 |
| 2022 | Luke List | -15 (Playoff) |
| 2021 | Patrick Reed | -14 |
Since the South Course redesign, winning totals typically fall between -8 and -15, heavily influenced by wind and firmness.
Key Performance Trends
Statistical trends strongly favor a specific player profile:
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (average winners gain ~+1.4 per round)
- Driving Distance with Accuracy
- Long-iron proximity
- Par-5 scoring
- Poa annua putting comfort
- Bogey avoidance
Course history matters here more than almost any other regular PGA Tour stop. Nine of the last twelve winners had five or more prior starts at Torrey Pines.
Betting Outlook
Opening odds reflect respect for elite players, but history shows this event can reward value.
Notable opening favorites:
- Scottie Scheffler: +550 / +600
- Rory McIlroy: +900 / +1000
- Xander Schauffele: +1000 / +1200
- Collin Morikawa: +1600 / +1800
Longshots have also succeeded:
- Matthieu Pavon (+12500 in 2024)
- Luke List (+6000 in 2022)
Experience at Torrey Pines and comfort on Poa greens are often more predictive than world ranking alone.
What to Expect This Week
Expect tougher scoring, slower pace, and fewer fireworks than the prior week. The Farmers Insurance Open rewards composure, patience, and physical endurance. The South Course will separate contenders from pretenders, and Sunday typically becomes a battle against conditions as much as the field.
Final Thought
The Farmers Insurance Open remains one of the purest tests on the PGA Tour. It strips away gimmicks and demands complete golf — power, precision, mental toughness, and patience. In a season filled with scoring races and spectacle, this tournament stands out as a reminder that sometimes the hardest wins are the most meaningful.
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