Farmers Insurance Open

The Farmers Insurance Open is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, played in San Diego, California at Torrey Pines Golf Course. The tournament is held in the early part of the season known as the "West Coast Swing". The event originated as the San Diego Open in 1952; it used the name in its title through 1985. The tournament is organized by The Century Club of San Diego.

Farmers Insurance Open
Tournament information
LocationSan Diego, California
Established1952[1]
Course(s)Torrey Pines Golf Course
(South Course)
(North Course)
Par72
Length7,765 yards (7,100 m) (S)
7,258 yards (6,637 m) (N)
Organized byCentury Club of San Diego
Tour(s)PGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$9,000,000
Month playedJanuary
Tournament record score
Aggregate266 George Burns (1987)
266 Tiger Woods (1999)
To par−22 as above
Current champion
France Matthieu Pavon
Location map
Torrey Pines is located in the United States
Torrey Pines
Torrey Pines
Location in the United States
Torrey Pines is located in California
Torrey Pines
Torrey Pines
Location in California

History edit

Founded 72 years ago in 1952, the first two editions were played at San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista.[2][3] In 1954, the San Diego Open was at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club,[4] which had hosted the Crosby Pro-Am prior to World War II.[5]

Although the San Diego Open began in 1952, the PGA Tour recognizes two earlier events of the same name: Leo Diegel won both events, in December 1927 and January 1929.[6][7][8] An autumn event in 1956 and 1957,[9][10] it was not held in 1958, then returned as a winter event in early 1959.[11] Since 2022, it has started on Wednesday and concluded on Saturday, a day prior to the conference championships of the NFL playoffs.[12]

The event was played at Mission Valley Country Club in 1955,[13] then went to Singing Hills Country Club in El Cajon in October 1956.[9] The tournament returned to Mission Valley C.C. in 1957,[10] where it stayed through 1963.[14] Mission Valley changed its name to Stardust Country Club in 1962 (now Riverwalk Golf Club). After one edition in 1964 at Rancho Bernardo Country Club (now Rancho Bernardo Inn) in San Diego,[15] it returned to Stardust for three years, through 1967.[16][17][18]

In 1968, the event began its present relationship with Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, a 36-hole public facility owned by the City of San Diego. During those early editions at Torrey Pines, the course length was under 6,850 yards (6,265 m).[19][20][21] Singer-actor Andy Williams was a celebrity host from 1968 through 1988.[22][23]

Title sponsors were added in 1981, first with Wickes for two years, then three with Isuzu. Shearson Lehman Brothers became the title sponsors in 1986, replaced by Buick in 1992 and Farmers Insurance in 2010.[24]

In the current tournament set-up, players split the first 36 holes between the North and South Courses, then play the final 36 holes on the South Course. The South Course has hosted the U.S. Open twice: Tiger Woods won in a playoff in 2008,[25] and Jon Rahm won in 2021.

Winners edit

Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Purse
($)
Winner's
share ($)
Farmers Insurance Open
2024   Matthieu Pavon 275 −13 1 stroke   Nicolai Højgaard 9,000,000 1,620,000
2023   Max Homa 275 −13 2 strokes   Keegan Bradley 8,700,000 1,566,000
2022   Luke List 273 −15 Playoff   Will Zalatoris 8,400,000 1,512,000
2021   Patrick Reed 274 −14 5 strokes   Tony Finau
  Viktor Hovland
  Henrik Norlander
  Ryan Palmer
  Xander Schauffele
7,500,000 1,350,000
2020   Marc Leishman 273 −15 1 stroke   Jon Rahm 7,500,000 1,350,000
2019   Justin Rose 267 −21 2 strokes   Adam Scott 7,100,000 1,278,000
2018   Jason Day (2) 278 −10 Playoff   Alex Norén
  Ryan Palmer
6,900,000 1,242,000
2017   Jon Rahm 275 −13 3 strokes   Charles Howell III
  Pan Cheng-tsung
6,700,000 1,206,000
2016   Brandt Snedeker (2) 282 −6 1 stroke   K. J. Choi 6,500,000 1,170,000
2015   Jason Day 279 −9 Playoff   Harris English
  J. B. Holmes
  Scott Stallings
6,300,000 1,134,000
2014   Scott Stallings 279 −9 1 stroke   K. J. Choi
  Jason Day
  Graham DeLaet
  Marc Leishman
  Pat Perez
6,100,000 1,098,000
2013   Tiger Woods (7) 274 −14 4 strokes   Brandt Snedeker
  Josh Teater
6,100,000 1,098,000
2012   Brandt Snedeker 272 −16 Playoff   Kyle Stanley 6,000,000 1,080,000
2011   Bubba Watson 272 −16 1 stroke   Phil Mickelson 5,800,000 1,044,000
2010   Ben Crane 275 −13 1 stroke   Marc Leishman
  Michael Sim
  Brandt Snedeker
5,300,000 954,000
Buick Invitational
2009   Nick Watney 277 −11 1 stroke   John Rollins 5,300,000 954,000
2008   Tiger Woods (6) 269 −19 8 strokes   Ryuji Imada 5,200,000 936,000
2007   Tiger Woods (5) 273 −15 2 strokes   Charles Howell III 5,200,000 936,000
2006   Tiger Woods (4) 278 −10 Playoff   Nathan Green
  José María Olazábal
5,100,000 918,000
2005   Tiger Woods (3) 272 −16 3 strokes   Luke Donald
  Charles Howell III
  Tom Lehman
4,800,000 864,000
2004   John Daly 278 −10 Playoff   Luke Donald
  Chris Riley
4,800,000 864,000
2003   Tiger Woods (2) 272 −16 4 strokes   Carl Pettersson 4,500,000 810,000
2002   José María Olazábal 275 −13 1 stroke   J. L. Lewis
  Mark O'Meara
3,600,000 648,000
2001   Phil Mickelson (3) 269 −19 Playoff   Frank Lickliter
  Davis Love III
3,500,000 630,000
2000   Phil Mickelson (2) 270 −18 4 strokes   Shigeki Maruyama
  Tiger Woods
3,000,000 540,000
1999   Tiger Woods 266 −22 2 strokes   Billy Ray Brown 2,700,000 486,000
1998   Scott Simpson 204[a] −12 Playoff   Skip Kendall 2,100,000 378,000
1997   Mark O'Meara 275 −13 2 strokes   Donnie Hammond
  Mike Hulbert
  Lee Janzen
  David Ogrin
  Jesper Parnevik
  Craig Stadler
  Duffy Waldorf
1,500,000 270,000
1996   Davis Love III 269 −19 2 strokes   Phil Mickelson 1,200,000 216,000
Buick Invitational of California
1995   Peter Jacobsen 269 −19 4 strokes   Mark Calcavecchia
  Mike Hulbert
  Hal Sutton
  Kirk Triplett
1,200,000 216,000
1994   Craig Stadler 268 −20 1 stroke   Steve Lowery 1,100,000 198,000
1993   Phil Mickelson 278 −10 4 strokes   Dave Rummells 1,000,000 180,000
1992   Steve Pate (2) 200[a] −16 1 stroke   Chip Beck 1,000,000 180,000
Shearson Lehman Brothers Open
1991   Jay Don Blake 268 −20 2 strokes   Bill Sander 1,000,000 180,000
Shearson Lehman Hutton Open
1990   Dan Forsman 275 −13 2 strokes   Tommy Armour III 900,000 162,000
1989   Greg Twiggs 271 −17 2 strokes   Steve Elkington
  Brad Faxon
  Mark O'Meara
  Mark Wiebe
700,000 126,000
Shearson Lehman Hutton Andy Williams Open
1988   Steve Pate 269 −19 1 stroke   Jay Haas 650,000 117,000
Shearson Lehman Brothers Andy Williams Open
1987   George Burns 266 −22 4 strokes   J. C. Snead
  Bobby Wadkins
500,000 90,000
1986   Bob Tway 204[a] −12 Playoff   Bernhard Langer 450,000 81,000
Isuzu-Andy Williams San Diego Open
1985   Woody Blackburn 269 −19 Playoff   Ron Streck 400,000 72,000
1984   Gary Koch 272 −16 Playoff   Gary Hallberg 400,000 72,000
1983   Gary Hallberg 271 −17 1 stroke   Tom Kite 300,000 54,000
Wickes-Andy Williams San Diego Open
1982   Johnny Miller 270 −18 1 stroke   Jack Nicklaus 300,000 54,000
1981   Bruce Lietzke 278 −10 Playoff   Raymond Floyd
  Tom Jenkins
250,000 45,000
Andy Williams-San Diego Open Invitational
1980   Tom Watson (2) 275 −13 Playoff   D. A. Weibring 250,000 45,000
1979   Fuzzy Zoeller 282 −6 5 strokes   Billy Kratzert
  Wayne Levi
  Artie McNickle
  Tom Watson
250,000 45,000
1978   Jay Haas 278 −10 3 strokes   Andy Bean
  Gene Littler
  John Schroeder
200,000 40,000
1977   Tom Watson 269 −19 5 strokes   Larry Nelson
  John Schroeder
180,000 36,000
1976   J. C. Snead (2) 272 −16 1 stroke   Don Bies 180,000 36,000
1975   J. C. Snead 279 −9 Playoff   Raymond Floyd
  Bobby Nichols
170,000 34,000
1974   Bobby Nichols 275 −13 1 stroke   Rod Curl
  Gene Littler
170,000 34,000
1973   Bob Dickson 278 −10 1 stroke   Billy Casper
  Bruce Crampton
  Grier Jones
  Phil Rodgers
170,000 34,000
1972   Paul Harney 275 −13 1 stroke   Hale Irwin 150,000 30,000
1971   George Archer 272 −16 3 strokes   Dave Eichelberger 150,000 30,000
1970   Pete Brown 275 −13 Playoff   Tony Jacklin 150,000 30,000
1969   Jack Nicklaus 284 −4 1 stroke   Gene Littler 150,000 30,000
1968   Tom Weiskopf 273 −15 1 stroke   Al Geiberger 150,000 30,000
San Diego Open Invitational
1967   Bob Goalby 269 −15 1 stroke   Gay Brewer 71,000 13,200
1966   Billy Casper 268 −16 4 strokes   Tommy Aaron
  Tom Weiskopf
45,000 5,800
1965   Wes Ellis 267 −17 Playoff   Billy Casper 39,000 4,850
1964   Art Wall Jr. 274 −6 2 strokes   Tony Lema
  Bob Rosburg
30,000 4,300
1963   Gary Player 270 −14 1 stroke   Tony Lema 25,000 3,500
1962   Tommy Jacobs 277 −7 Playoff   Johnny Pott 25,000 3,500
1961   Arnold Palmer (2) 271 −13 1 stroke   Al Balding 22,500 2,800
1960   Mike Souchak 269 −19 1 stroke   Johnny Pott 22,500 2,800
1959   Marty Furgol 274 −14 1 stroke   Joe Campbell
  Billy Casper
  Dave Ragan
  Mike Souchak
  Bo Wininger
20,000 2,800
1958: No tournament
1957   Arnold Palmer 271 −17 1 stroke   Al Balding 15,000 2,400
Convair-San Diego Open
1956   Bob Rosburg 270 −18 2 strokes   Dick Mayer 15,000 2,400
1955   Tommy Bolt (2) 274 −14 2 strokes   Johnny Palmer 15,000 2,400
San Diego Open
1954   Gene Littler (a) 274 −14 4 strokes   Dutch Harrison 15,000 2,400
1953   Tommy Bolt 274 −14 3 strokes   Doug Ford 10,000 2,000
1952   Ted Kroll 276 −12 3 strokes   Jimmy Demaret 10,000 2,000

Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Sources:[6][26]

Records and trivia edit

  • Tournament course record:
  • Tiger Woods is the only seven-time winner of the tournament, and Phil Mickelson the only other to win more than twice.
  • Hall of Famer and San Diego native Gene Littler is the only amateur winner, achieving the feat in 1954, and awarded a five-piece tea set.[27] Subsequently, as a professional, Littler was a runner-up three times (1969, 1974, 1978).
  • A memorable year in the tournament's history was 1982, when Johnny Miller outdueled Jack Nicklaus to win by one stroke.[28]
  • Tiger Woods (2005–08) won four straight years, then won his fifth consecutive Torrey Pines tournament at the 2008 U.S. Open on the South Course that June.
  • Heavyweight boxer Joe Louis was invited to play in the San Diego Open in 1952 on a sponsor's exemption;
    • Louis became the first African American ever to play in this PGA Tour event.[29]

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c Shortened to 54 holes due to rain.

References edit

  1. ^ Media Guide Book p. 20[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Ted Kroll's 276 wins San Diego tourney". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 21, 1952. p. 18 – via Google News Archive.
  3. ^ "Bolt suppresses temper for $2000". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. January 19, 1953. p. 21 – via Google News Archive.
  4. ^ "Littler beats pros, wins San Diego". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 25, 1954. p. 18 – via Google News Archive.
  5. ^ "John Dawson, amateur, wins Crosby golf". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. February 2, 1942 – via Google News Archive.
  6. ^ a b "Farmers Insurance Open – Past Winners & Runners-Up". PGA Tour.
  7. ^ "Diegel is winner of pro tourney". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. December 19, 1927. p. 18 – via Google News Archive.
  8. ^ "Leo Diegel wins San Diego Open". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. January 7, 1929. p. 11 – via Google News Archive.
  9. ^ a b "Rosburg wins golf tourney". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). United Press. October 8, 1956. p. 2B – via Google News Archive.
  10. ^ a b "Palmer wins golf tourney". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. November 4, 1957. p. 28 – via Google News Archive.
  11. ^ "Marty Furgol winner in San Diego Open". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. February 2, 1959. p. 21 – via Google News Archive.
  12. ^ Kenney, Kirk (January 24, 2022). "Farmers Insurance Open set to debut Wednesday-Saturday schedule at Torrey Pines". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  13. ^ "Bolt's 274 wins by two strokes". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 24, 1955. p. 18 – via Google News Archive.
  14. ^ "Player's clutch putt wins San Diego Open". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 14, 1963. p. 23 – via Google News Archive.
  15. ^ "Wall wins San Diego Open". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 13, 1964. p. 22 – via Google News Archive.
  16. ^ "Ellis beats Casper in golf playoff". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 18, 1965. p. 23 – via Google News Archive.
  17. ^ "Slim Casper carries weight in hometown". Pittsburgh Press. UPI. January 17, 1966. p. 31 – via Google News Archive.
  18. ^ "Goalby starts fast, ends long drought". Pittsburgh Press. UPI. January 16, 1967. p. 39 – via Google News Archive.
  19. ^ "Trio shares lead". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. February 11, 1968. p. 4B – via Google News Archive.
  20. ^ "Littler shoots 67, assumes golf lead". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. February 2, 1969. p. 2B – via Google News Archive.
  21. ^ "Nicklaus gains control as Jackline falls back". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. February 1, 1970. p. 3B – via Google News Archive.
  22. ^ "Weiskopf cops Williams Open". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. February 12, 1968. p. 4B – via Google News Archive.
  23. ^ "Pate makes key birdie for victory". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. February 22, 1988. p. 2B – via Google News Archive.
  24. ^ "Farmers Insurance to sponsor San Diego Tour event". PGA Tour. January 18, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  25. ^ PGA Tour 2007 Official Guide. January 2007. pp. 1–5, 3–10, 11, 11–5.
  26. ^ "2009 Buick Invitational Media Guide - Tournament History" (PDF). www.buickinvitational.com.
  27. ^ "Littler beats pros, wins San Diego". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 25, 1954. p. 18. Retrieved January 29, 2013 – via Google News Archive.
  28. ^ "Miller wins by 1 over on-rushing Nicklaus". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. February 1, 1982. p. 3C. Retrieved January 29, 2013 – via Google News Archive.
  29. ^ Myers, Bob (January 17, 1952). "Joe Louis among 132 starters in San Diego golf". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Associated Press. p. 22. Retrieved January 29, 2013 – via Google News Archive.

External links edit

32°54′11″N 117°14′42″W / 32.903°N 117.245°W / 32.903; -117.245