Farmers Insurance Open: Preview & Betting Tips

The PGA Tour stays in California this week for the latest event of the West Coast Swing, the Farmers Insurance Open, and another star-studded field will be vying for glory at Torrey Pines Resort, San Diego.

Played from Wednesday to Saturday, the first two rounds will see the entire field alternate between the North and South Course before the halfway cut is made.

The final 36 holes will then be contested over the South Course, which was the setting for Tiger Woods' memorable 2008 US Open victory and Jon Rahm's 2021 success in that same major.

Calm and dry conditions are forecast throughout the week and with a decent amount of rain softening the courses leading up to the tournament, there could be more birdie opportunities than usually seen at Torrey Pines.

DUNLAP SWERVES TORREY OUTING

Last week was all about Nick Dunlap, who became the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour in 33 years when edging out South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout by one stroke at the American Express.

The 20-year-old was initially down to compete at the Farmers Insurance Open but he confirmed his withdrawal on Monday, telling pgatour.com: "I plan to return home to Alabama to be with family, friends and teammates."

American sensation Dunlap may not be present at Torrey Pines but there is still a field packed full of quality that will be vying for glory, including 8/1 favourite Xander Schauffele and 9/1 Patrick Cantlay.

Defending champion Max Homa is 12/1 to become the first player since Tiger Wood to successfully retain the title, just a slightly bigger price than 11/1 Collin Morikawa.

TIP 1 - JASON DAY TO WIN (EACH-WAY) @ 25/1

Jason Day has been getting back to the kind of form that once had him top of the world rankings and he can continue on this upward trajectory at a tournament he loves.

The Australian is a two-time Farmers Insurance Open winner, having triumphed in 2015 and 2018, and another victory would put him alongside Tiger Woods (seven wins) and Phil Mickelson (three wins) as the only players to have lifted the trophy three or more times.

Along with his two victories, Day has also recorded notable finishes of second, third, fifth, seventh and ninth, highlighting how comfortable he is at one of the toughest tests around.

The 36-year-old has produced a couple of solid efforts to start off 2024 in a positive fashion, firstly going tied-10th at The Sentry before ending up in a share of 34th at the American Express last time out.

Day looks confident in all aspects of his game right now and he can be a big player this week.

TIP 2 - ADRIAN MERONK TO WIN (EACH-WAY) @ 60/1

Adrian Meronk's standing in the game has grown rapidly over the past couple of years and the four-time DP World Tour winner will be eager to make his mark in this PGA event.

The Polish ace, who was recently named the Euro tour's player of the year for 2023, warmed up for this California trip with a runner-up finish to Rory McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic.

Meronk's last three results read T8-10-2, showing just how well he is playing right now, and his superb ball-striking should prove to be a real asset on his second appearance at Torrey Pines.

The 30-year-old did miss the cut here in the 2021 US Open, but he is a much more accomplished player now and the extra confidence he has gained over the past few years should stand him in good stead.

Meronk ranks fourth in greens in regulation on the DP World Tour this season and 23rd in strokes gained: approach, two areas that have proved crucial to success at the Farmers.

TIP 3 - JUSTIN ROSE TO WIN (EACH-WAY) @ 55/1

Another player that has fond memories of Torrey Pines is Justin Rose, who claimed the spoils here in 2019 when holding off Australian Adam Scott by two strokes.

The Englishman also has a top-five and two top-10s in this event, highlighting his affinity for this type of test, and a return to one of his favourite parts of the country could spark an improvement.

Rose has made an average start to his PGA Tour season, recording T40 and T57 finishes, but his last win came in California in February last year at Pebble Beach and he clearly enjoys the West Coast Swing.

Always one of the finest ball-strikers around, the 43-year-old ranked 17th in strokes gained: approach on the PGA Tour last season and if he can start to replicate that kind of form this week, he can contend at juicy odds.