Farmers Insurance Open Preview: Betting Tips and How to Watch
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Farmers Insurance Open Preview: Betting Tips, TV Times
The Farmers Insurance Open marks the first starts of 2019 for the likes of Tiger Woods, Tony Finau and Rickie Fowler, while Rory McIlroy is among the players making his debut at Torrey Pines.
Last year’s tournament ended in a Monday play-off between Jason Day and Alex Noren after the extra holes contest was suspended due to darkness, and Day needed just one hole in the morning to pick up his second Farmers title.
Both players return this week to the star-studded field, which includes the likes of Marc Leishman, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth and World No.1 Justin Rose. But who should you back, and how can you watch?
Previous winners in the field: Day (18,15), Rahm (17), Snedeker (16,12), Stallings (14), Woods (13,8,7,6,5, 3,99)
Course: Torrey Pines GC (North) & Torrey Pines GC (South)
Par: South (72), North (72)
How can I watch the PGA Tour on TV in the UK?
Thursday & Friday
Feature Groups: Live PGA Tour, Sky Sports Golf (16:15)
Live Coverage: Sky Sports Golf (20:00)
Saturday
Sky Sports Golf (19:00)
Sunday
Sky Sports Golf (18:00)
Farmers Insurance Open Feature Groups: Thursday/ Friday (Times GMT)
Brandt Snedeker, Jason Day, Jon Rahm — 17. 30 / 18.30 pm
Billy Horschel, Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth — 17. 40 / 18.40 pm
Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott — 18.30 / 17.20 pm
Tiger Woods, Xander Schauffele, Tony Finau — 18.40 / 17.30 pm
Farmers Insurance Open: Betting Tips
Jon Rahm: 10/1
2017 Champion and World no. 7 Jon Rahm is pegged as the bookies favourite this week thanks to a win at the Hero World Challenge and back-to-back top 10s in his first two starts of 2019. Before that, he’d finished T4 at the Race to Dubai’s season finale DP World Tour Championship. Two appearances at Torrey Pines (1-T29), and so far this year ranks 5th SG: Off the tee, 8th SG: Tee to green and 17th in birdie average.
Jason Day: 14/1
The two-time champion has two other top 10s and a handful of missed-cuts at Torrey Pines, and has been a consistent performer since claiming two titles in 2018, recording 10 top 20s (two top 10s) in his last 12 starts. T13 in his first start of the year at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, and ranked 9th for birdie average and 11th for scoring average last season.
Justin Rose: 14/1
The World No.1 posted back-to-back top 10s in his last two starts at Torrey Pines, and has been playing some of the best golf on the planet for the last few months that included a spell of six top 10s and a victory in 7 starts. Since then has gone T17-T34, the latter coming in the Desert Classic last week when he teed up for the first time with his new HONMA clubs and Gareth Lord on the bag while his regular caddie was undergoing heart surgery. So far this year ranks inside the top 10 on Tour for Scoring average, SG:Putting and SG: Around the green.
Tiger Woods: 14/1
Woods is an eight-time winner at Torrey Pins (including the 2008 US Open), and made the start of his successful return season here last year to end up T23. Ran out of steam after claiming the Tour Championship Woods last season, but is well rested to make his return. Ranked inside the top 10 last year for Scoring average, SG: Approach the green and SG: Tee to green.
Rory McIlroy: 14/1
Making his first ever trip to Torrey Pines after a T4 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions to start his 2019. Usually in the UAE at this time of year but putting a bigger focus on the PGA Tour this season. 5 top 10s in last 10 starts worldwide. Ranked inside the top 10 last year for SG: Off the tee, SG: Tee to green, Scoring average last season.
Tony Finau: 16/1
Back to back top 10s in his last two starts at Torrey Pines, and is making his 2019 debut at this event. Finau had five runner up finishes last season without managing to crack the winners circle, but the sheer number of close shaves indicate a win must be close. Ranks 2nd scoring average, 8th birdie average and 9th in SG: Around the green so far this season.
Xander Schauffele: 18/1
Schauffele is making his first start since claiming the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua in the first week of January, having made it two wins in just his last four starts. So far this season ranks 1st SG: Tee to green, 5th SG: Putting and 7th SG: Approach the green. Only potential drawback is 2/2 MC at Torrey Pines.
Marc Leishman: 20/1
Another player coming in hot, making it a surprise he’s not got lower odds. He’s had three top 5s in his last three starts, in addition to a win at the CIMB Classic to start the season. He’s also got strong form at Torrey Pines, with two runner-up finishes and two other top 10s here – including T8 last year.
Patrick Cantlay: 25/1
If four consecutive top 10s heading in to Torrey Pines doesn’t convince you Cantlay is one to watch this week as he searches for a 2nd PGA Tour title, I don’t know what will. T51-MC in two starts here but with current form that means little. Ranks 5th SG: Tee to green, 7th scoring average and 13th SG: Approach the green.
Charles Howell III: 28/1
Another place that Howell has a stellar record. Eight top 10s in 16 starts at Torrey Pines, including a T6 last year. Since winning the RSM Classic at the start of this season has gone T14-T8-T34, the latter at the Desert Classic where he led the field in GIR.
Alex Noren: 30/1
Runner up last year on his debut to Jason Day, defeated on the sixth play-off hole. Tees up for his first start of 2019 since a T8 finish at the Hero World Challenge – which was his second top 10 in a row. Ranked 3rd SG: Putting last year.
Brandt Snedeker: 40/1
Snedeker might not be the bookies favourite but he’s certainly not a man to be overlooked. He’s a two time Farmers Insurance Open winner and has three other top 10s here. Hasn’t missed a cut since July, claimed the Wyndham Championship in August and went T22-T16 in his first two starts of 2019.
