Farmers Insurance Open

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$9,300,000
Month playedJanuary
Tournament record score
Aggregate266 George Burns (1987)
266 Tiger Woods (1999)
To par−22 as above
Current champion
Harris English
Location map
Torrey Pines
Location in the United States
Torrey Pines
Location in California

The Farmers Insurance Open is an annual professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, held in San Diego, California. Founded in 1952, the tournament has been held at Torrey Pines Golf Course, a 36-hole municipal facility in La Jolla, since 1968. The tournament is held in the early part of the season known as the "West Coast Swing".

The tournament is organized by the Century Club of San Diego. In the current format, players split the first 36 holes between the North and South Course, 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,[2] and Jon Rahm won in 2021.

History

Founded in 1952 as the San Diego Open, the first two editions were played at San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista.[3][4] In 1954, the tournament was played at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club,[5] which had hosted the Crosby Pro-Am prior to World War II.[6]

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.[7][8][9] An autumn event in 1956 and 1957,[10][11] it was not held in 1958, then returned as a winter event in early 1959.[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.[10] The tournament returned to Mission Valley C.C. in 1957,[11] 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 the celebrity host for the first 21 editions at Torrey Pines, through 1988.[22][23]

Title sponsors were first added in 1955, with Convair added to the name for two years. In 1981, Wickes was the title sponsor for two years, followed by three with Isuzu. Shearson Lehman Brothers became the title sponsors in 1986, replaced by Buick in 1992 and Farmers Insurance in 2010.[24]

Since 2022, it has started on Wednesday and concluded on Saturday, a day prior to the conference championships of the NFL playoffs;[25] the event traditionally marks the beginning of CBS's PGA Tour season.

The South Course has hosted the U.S. Open twice: Tiger Woods won in a playoff in 2008,[2] and Jon Rahm birdied the final two holes to win by a stroke in 2021.

Winners

Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Purse
($)
Winner's
share ($)
Farmers Insurance Open
2025 Harris English 280 −8 1 stroke Sam Stevens 9,300,000 1,674,000
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:[7][26]

Records and milestones

  • 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

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

References

  1. ^ Media Guide Book p. 20
  2. ^ a b PGA Tour 2007 Official Guide. January 2007. pp. 1–5, 3–10, 11, 11–5.
  3. ^ "Ted Kroll's 276 wins San Diego tourney". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 21, 1952. p. 18 – via Google News Archive.
  4. ^ "Bolt suppresses temper for $2000". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. January 19, 1953. p. 21 – via Google News Archive.
  5. ^ "Littler beats pros, wins San Diego". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 25, 1954. p. 18 – via Google News Archive.
  6. ^ "John Dawson, amateur, wins Crosby golf". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. February 2, 1942 – via Google News Archive.
  7. ^ a b "Farmers Insurance Open – Past Winners & Runners-Up". PGA Tour.
  8. ^ "Diegel is winner of pro tourney". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. December 19, 1927. p. 18 – via Google News Archive.
  9. ^ "Leo Diegel wins San Diego Open". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. January 7, 1929. p. 11 – via Google News Archive.
  10. ^ a b "Rosburg wins golf tourney". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). United Press. October 8, 1956. p. 2B – via Google News Archive.
  11. ^ a b "Palmer wins golf tourney". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. November 4, 1957. p. 28 – via Google News Archive.
  12. ^ "Marty Furgol winner in San Diego Open". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. February 2, 1959. p. 21 – via Google News Archive.
  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. ^ 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.
  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.

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