Golf: PGA Tour – Farmers Insurance Open
Venue: Torrey Pines Golf Course, California
Dates: Thursday 23rd – Sunday 26th January 2020
Tournament Preview
One of the biggest events of the year gets under way at Torrey Pines as the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open takes centre stage once more. The event is now in its 68th year and is known for its links with famous celebrities from across a variety of genres and is often a place for the great and the good to assemble and enjoy golf in the sunshine. The prize pot has increased to over$7 million in 2020 and plenty of the biggest swingers in the world will be looking for a piece of the pie. Tiger Woods has won the event on no fewer than 7 occasions and he is in a stellar line up of previous winners that also includes Phil Mickelson, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. The Farmers Insurance Open is often a good indicator as to who is in form for the rest of the season and it promises to be fascinating viewing in California.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
The Farmers Insurance Open has attracted a very strong field to Torrey Pines and there will be plenty of household names wanting to take home the spoils:
Rory McIlroy could return to world number one with a win at Torrey Pines and he will be keen to break his duck at the event.
Spaniard Jon Rahm continues to blaze a trail on both the European and PGA Tours and his enthusiasm and ability to produce magic moments make him a crowd favourite the world over.
Seven-time Farmers winner Tiger Woods looks well placed to pick up an 8th triumph at Torrey Pines in 2020. He was in great form in the Presidents Cup at the back end of 2019 and always enjoys playing in California.
2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed finished second at the Tournament of Champions earlier this year and he will be eager to kick on and secure a Ryder Cup spot automatically this year.
Big hitting American Tony Finau couldn’t string together the run of wins many expected of him in 2019 but he has a game that is well suited to most courses and he looks overpriced here.
1st Round Leader
Getting off to a flyer in the Californian sun could be essential this week and there are plenty of big names that will be hoping to do just that:
Australian former world number one Jason Day struggled for form in 2019 and tumbled down the rankings but as a two-time winner of the event he will be a good shout to start well in 2020.
Fellow Australian Cameron Smith has been in fine form this season and already has the Sony Open in the bag. One to watch this week.
2015 runner up Harris English is a consistent performer on the PGA Tour and he will be keen to get off to a good start on a course well suited to his game at Torrey Pines.
Top 5 Finish
With so many quality players assembled here in California, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top 5 come Sunday:
Rickie Fowler finished in the top 5 at the American Express last weekend and looked in good form throughout without necessarily breaking his back, one to watch this week.
2019 US Open Gary Woodland needs a kick start to his 2020 season, and he could well get it here on a course well suited to his efficient game.
Two-time Famers Insurance Open runner up Marc Leishman will be keen to find form once more at Torrey Pines and a top 5 finish would represent an excellent week’s work for the Australian.
BetXChange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Rory McIlroy – 7.00
1st Round Leader: Jason Day – 30.00
Top Ten Finish: Rickie Fowler – 5.50
