Fantasy Golf Predictions

Fantasy Golf Predictions – 2014 Farmers Insurance Open

Published

12 years ago

January 21, 2014

Fantasy-Golf-Predictions-2014-Farmers-Insurance-Open

Fantasy Golf Predictions for the 2014 Farmers Insurance Open Jan. 23-26, 2014

Tournament Preview

The big names are back in full force this week as Tiger, Phil, Bubba, Hunter Mahan, and many others make their 2014 PGA TOUR debut at Torrey Pines. Tiger Woods has been dominant at this event, winning at this venue seven times in his career including last year when he held the record for almost every stat on the course. Not only has Tiger won the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines seven times, he also has another five top 10s and a US Open victory here as well (he owns the record at the South course (62) to boot).

With zero percent chance of rain in the forecast, players can anticipate a drier course; however, Torrey is known to produce a marine layer that can cause the ground to be much softer during morning rounds. All players will play at least one round on the Torrey North track before playing the South course the rest of the way. The scoring average on the South course in 2013 was 72.655 while the north produced a scoring average of 70.667 last year.

The Course

Torrey Pines GC (South), where most of the tournament will be played, measures in at whopping 7,698 yards and plays as a par 72 (did we mention Tiger shot a 62 here?). The track was designed by William Bell in 1957 along cliffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean and the beautiful Torrey Pines has been home to the PGA TOUR’s annual San Diego stop since 1968. In 2001, Rees Jones upgraded the course and it still plays host to the longest (yardage) major championship in history.

All players will also take a shot at the Torrey Pines’ North course (7,045/72) in at least one of the first two rounds.

Weather forecast for Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Ca (from weather.com)

Round 1: Thursday (Jan 23) 70 degrees, 0% chance of rain, mostly sunny.
Round 2: Friday (Jan 24) 74 degrees, 0% chance of rain, mostly cloudy.
Round 3: Saturday (Jan 25) 77 degrees, 0% chance of rain, sunny.
Round 4: Sunday (Jan 26) 76 degrees, 0% chance of rain, mostly sunny.

2013 Results

With his win last year, Tiger ended what was a five-year victory drought by coasting to a four-shot win. Leading by eight strokes with five holes to play Woods certainly appeared to be running away with the tournament, but he made things interesting by carding two bogeys and a double in the final few holes. Even though he closed with a “disappointing” even-par 72, ultimately Woods still had enough of a lead to notch the victory, making it the 23rd time in his impressive career when he won by at least four shots. It was also Woods’ eighth professional victory at Torrey Pines, but his first since the historic 2008 U.S. Open playoff victory over Rocco Mediate.

Also of note were Josh Teater (69) and defending champ Brandt Snedeker (69) who both came up just short of Tiger.

Final Round Recap: 2013 Farmers Insurance Open

In the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open from Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, Calif., Tiger Woods shot even par, but managed to win his 7th title at the event by 4 strokes. . SUBSCRIBE to PGA TOUR now: http://pgat.us/vBxcZSh Welcome to the official YouTube channel of the PGA TOUR.

Notes

Woods is going for number 9 at Torrey Pines this week which would allow him to rewrite his own PGA TOUR record for victories at one location. Although Mickelson is a three-time champion here, his last victory at Torrey Pines came way back in 2001. Phil’s best finish since then was a runner-up nod in 2010 behind winner Ben Crane.

Keep an eye on Brandt Snedeker as well who has three consecutive top-10 here and will try to make that 4, hopefully with a victory.

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Our Top 5 (and Top 2 Sleeper) Picks/Odds to Win the 2014 Farmers Insurance Open

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Top 5 Picks/Odds to Win the 2014 Farmers Insurance Open

Tiger Woods (Golficity Odds 5/2): Certainly no big surprise here. Tiger knows victory on this track better than anyone else on TOUR, winning here at total of 8 times, including one major. In addition to his victories here, Tiger has another five top 10s and owns South course’s record (62). Woods is our clear cut favorite this week – we don’t like to bet against a guy with that much dominance at one venue.
Phil Mickelson (Golficity Odds 10/1): This will be Lefty’s 25th go around at Torrey Pines, which is located right in his hometown neighborhood. He made his TOUR debut as an amateur on this course back in 1988 and is the three-time champion of this event. Last week, he finished T2 in Abu Dhabi, and looks primed to take on the field this week.
Jordan Spieth (Golficity Odds 22/1): Torrey Pines is where Jordan made his pro debut last year. Although he missed cut, the 2013 Rookie of the Year has never looked back. Through 2013 and now into 2014 Spieth has continued to play great golf. With one win already under his belt, the young star continues to make a name for himself on TOUR. Jordan finished solo second at Kapalua three weeks ago and his game certainly has what it takes to hang with the big guns.
Jimmy Walker (Golficity Odds 26/1): Walker is the TOUR’s only multiple winner this season. He also finished T8 at Torrey Pines in 2012 and T4 last year. A quick glance at his stats will tell you that he knows the course quite well and plays with confidence here in La Jolla. Walker took a brief rest after the win at Waialae two weeks ago and he’s proven to be dangerous when his game is on, so look out for more Jimmy Walker.
Brandt Snedeker (Golficity Odds 33/1): Snedeker gets a look by us this week due primarily to his past performances on this course. Sneds won once here in 2012 and has a pair of runners-ups, a solo third, and a T9 at Torrey Pines. Brandt also shares the course record at the Torrey North Course after carding a 61 in 2007.

Sleeper Picks/Odds to Win the 2014 Humana Challenge

Bill Haas (Golficity Odds 50/1): The 2011 FedExCup Champion has a great record at Torrey Pines which includes top 10s in his last three appearances. Haas tied for sixth at last week’s Humana Challenge and quietly continues to grow stronger. The past champ is usually good for win during the season, but he’s a sleeper pick in our eyes this week.
Brian Stuard (Golficity Odds 50/1): If you want a true dark horse, take a look at this guy. Sitting at ninth in FedExCup points, Stuard has racked up the most points among non-winners this season. He’s been playing some solid golf as of late and was able to notch a solo fifth at Humana last week, making it his third consecutive top-six finish.

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