I would like to express my gratitude to Dan Malin for graciously filling in for me during my absence as I took my family on a vacation to California. Witnessing my 6-year-old son's joy at Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood made the trip truly special. I extend my thanks to the entire Fantasy Alarm team for providing me with the opportunity to enjoy this memorable family time.

 

While immersed in the enchanting atmosphere of the "happiest place on earth," I, unfortunately, missed witnessing an extraordinary conclusion at the American Express, where amateur golfer Nick Dunlap secured victory—an achievement not seen since Phil Mickelson's triumph in 1991. Dunlap, now the second youngest winner on the PGA Tour in the last 90 years, holds the unique distinction of winning the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Amateur, and a PGA TOUR event as an amateur. His success marks a notable highlight in a new wave of talented young players making their mark on the PGA TOUR. Nick did unfortunately pull out of this event to go home and celebrate his win with the family.

Torrey Pines, a 36-hole municipal public golf facility owned by the city of San Diego, California, offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Hosting the 2008 and 2021 U.S. Open, it witnessed Jon Rahm's inaugural major championship victory on the south course. As Rahm tees up again this weekend, he undoubtedly stands out in my playbook.

This tournament, featuring a unique Wednesday through Saturday format introduced last year, strategically avoids competition with the NFL Conference Championship games. The PGA Tour aligns with CBS, which holds the rights to the Farmers Insurance coverage and also broadcasts one of the two football games on Sunday. Acknowledging the NFL's dominance, the PGA Playbook and Example Lineups are out today, because lineups lock for this event tomorrow at 12:00 PM Eastern.

Diving deeper into the event, played across two courses, participants navigate the North and South courses on Wednesday and Thursday, culminating in the last 36 holes on the championship South course. The challenging South Course, just 235 yards shy of 8,000, poses a formidable test for golfers. With seven of the 10 par-4s exceeding 450 yards and demanding features such as small greens, chipping from gnarly kikuyu grass, and the potential impact of water on the 570-yard 18th hole, the course demands precision and skill.

Despite its length, driving distance alone has not consistently correlated with success in recent years. Leaders often excel in approach play and tee-to-green performance. Noteworthy winners like Patrick Reed and Marc Leishman showcased the diversity of winning strategies, emphasizing short-game proficiency. The championship course's characteristics, including narrow fairways, small greens, and challenging poa annua surfaces, create a multifaceted test for competitors.

The weather forecast for the weekend indicates favorable conditions, with temperatures in the high 60s and low 70s, accompanied by light winds in the high single digits. While there's a slight chance of rain on Thursday, overall scoring conditions are expected to be favorable.

The 2024 PGA Tour season boasts an impressive field, including defending champion Max Homa, Patrick Cantlay, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Will Zalatoris, Jason Day, Tony Finau, Shane Lowry, Hideki Matsuyama, and Sungjae Im.

ONE AND DONE PICK: Sepp Straka

Pos
(Click to sort ascending)
Player
(Click to sort ascending)
DK
(Click to sort ascending)
Draft %
(Click to sort ascending)
FD
(Click to sort ascending)
Draft %
(Click to sort ascending)
GXander Schauffele1060012000

Xander Schauffele's track record at Torrey Pines might not impress at first glance, dealing with early hiccups and missing the cut in his initial tries. Even though he's a local guy with loads of experience on the course, he had his share of challenges, from family distractions to nervous moments. However, recent performances tell a different story, with strong showings like being the runner-up in the 2021 Farmers and securing a T7 in the U.S. Open at Torrey South. Schauffele holds this hometown event dearly, dubbing it a "fifth major." Overcoming the initial hurdles, he now heads into the tournament with boosted confidence, coming off a solid T3 at The American Express. While some might hesitate at his 9/1 favoritism, his upward trend suggests he's got the potential for success, making him an interesting pick for those keeping an eye on the odds.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GCollin Morikawa1020011800

Collin Morikawa, the champ of the 2020 PGA Championship, is on fire heading into the next golf showdown. He's been killing it on the PGA Tour lately, scoring top-seven finishes three times in a row, and even clinched a win at the 2023 ZOZO Championship last October. Not to mention, he made quite a mark at Torrey Pines, grabbing third place at the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open. Morikawa kicked off strong at The Sentry, showcasing his awesome tee-to-green game. Looking back at his last three runs at Torrey, he landed at T21, T4 (2021 U.S. Open), and a solid third place last year. Morikawa's dominance in strokes gained: Tee-to-Green at the South Course, averaging 2.41 strokes per round, puts him ahead of the pack. Despite a tough 2023, he's been impressively consistent, with five top-10 finishes in his last eight starts, shining in ball-striking and overall tee-to-green performance. With his knack for Poa greens, recent good form, and a solid track record, Morikawa is gearing up as a serious contender in the upcoming event, facing stiff competition.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GSungjae Im990011100

Sungjae Im's been killing it on the PGA Tour since August. In the last five tournaments, he landed in the top 25 every time, even grabbing a sweet fifth place at the 2024 Sentry. And that's not all—over seven events, he hit the top 12 four times, including another fifth place at the recent 2024 Sentry. Back in 2023, he rocked a third place at the Farmers Insurance Open and followed it up with a solid fourth place the next year. Seems like Im's on fire lately, making him a real contender on the course.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GJason Day950010700

Jason Day's got quite the track record at the Farmers Insurance Open – 8 out of 11 times he's been on fire, scoring two playoff wins and landing in the top 10 seven times. Even with a T34 at The American Express, he's been holding his own lately, notching two top-11 finishes in his last three PGA Tour gigs. This Aussie golfer, known for being a rock on the course and a wizard with the putter, made a serious comeback in 2023, going from outside the top 100 to inside the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Winning at Torrey Pines twice (2015, 2018) and landing in the top nine eight times since 2007, Day's basically the king of this turf. His secret sauce? Killer driving skills and a magic touch around the green, ranking fifth in SG: Around The Green and ninth in SG: Putting Poa among this week's competitors. So, as Day gears up for Torrey Pines, his past wins and recent game put him in a prime spot to rock the tournament once again.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GTony Finau930010800

Tony Finau, who had a somewhat low-key 2023 season following his standout 2022, is now gearing up for the Torrey Pines tournament with a chance to spice things up in his game. Despite a so-so start in 2024, landing at T38 in the Sentry and T25 in the AmEx, Finau has a solid track record at Torrey Pines. He's been impressively consistent, managing top-25 finishes in eight out of his nine starts, with half of them landing him in the T6 or better zone. Finau's known for his mix of power and precision, making him a good fit for Torrey. While he hasn't clinched a win in his nine starts, he did score a notable T2 in 2021 and has a total of five top-10 finishes. Despite a slight change in this year's author's pick, Finau still stands as a strong contender for a top-five finish, and his past performances hint that Torrey Pines might be the place for a breakout in the 2024 season.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GKeegan Bradley890010500

Keegan Bradley's gearing up for the next golf tournament with some good recent plays and a nice track record on the course. He nailed a solid T2 finish at the Sony last time, just missing out on the win, and at Torrey, he grabbed a solo second not too long ago. Despite some ups and downs in performance, Bradley's been holding his own, with a couple of top-19 finishes in his last three PGA Tour events, including a second place at the 2024 Sony Open. Stats-wise, he's been doing well in approach, gaining an average of +3.75 strokes, and his putting game is on point. Even though he hasn't snagged a win at the Farmers yet, Bradley's familiarity with the course and recent good form make him a strong contender, and who knows, he might even outdo his solo second from last year.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GSahith Theegala870010400

Theegala, repping Pepperdine and coming straight outta California, is a force on the West Coast. He bagged his first PGA Tour win at the Fortinet in September, and home turf seems to bring out the best in him with four of his 14 top-10 finishes going down in his home state. Last year's Farmers saw him rock a notable T4, and his scoring average of 69.75 in that tourney is the best in the field for those with at least two starts this week. Sure, he had a close call at the Sentry and faced a cut at the Sony, but Theegala's game is looking sharp for another top-10 run at Torrey Pines. He's 2-for-2 there, landing a T25 in 2022 and a T4 in 2023. Navigating Torrey Pines like a pro, Theegala's got that veteran-like feel, putting him in the running for success in this tough competition.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GSepp Straka86009800

Straka's on fire lately, scoring big wins at the John Deere Classic and coming in second at the Open Championship. He's on a hot streak, never doing worse than T22 in his last five global starts. At Torrey Pines, he's got a solid 3-for-4 record with two top-20 finishes, and his total driving and SG: Approach stats are pretty impressive. Despite being the 17th-ranked golfer worldwide and grabbing two PGA TOUR victories, fantasy folks are still sleeping on Straka. Check out his recent feats, like being the runner-up at the Hero World Challenge and landing a T12 at The Sentry. He's killing it in SG: Ball-Striking and SG: Total, sitting at sixth place. With a cool track record at Torrey, making three cuts out of four and securing two top-16 finishes, Straka's current $8,600 price tag is a steal considering he could easily be worth more in this lineup.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GNicolai Hojgaard84009900

Hojgaard is making waves, scoring T25 and T7 in Dubai, and now he's gearing up for his 2024 PGA Tour debut at the Farmers Insurance Open—a course that suits his skills perfectly. Just like Aberg, Hojgaard is a ball-striking sensation, ranking fifth in driving distance and sixth in SG: Tee-to-Green on the DP World Tour last season. At a young age of 22, he's seen as a future top-15 player, and his current price is like an early investment opportunity. Even with a one-over 73 in round three, Hojgaard bounced back strong on Sunday, nailing four birdies and just one bogey, proving his resilience. His killer start to 2024 comes after a runner-up finish at the Nedbank Golf Challenge and a win at the DP World Tour Championship to wrap up 2023. Snagging a PGA Tour card with his stellar 2023 play, Hojgaard is all set to make a big impact in the upcoming PGA Tour season.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GAdrian Meronk82009900

The 30-year-old Polish golfer, Meronk, is stepping into the PGA Tour scene with a bang at the Farmers Insurance Open, holding the top spot among 2023 DP World Tour members. Crowned Player of the Year on the DP World Tour, Meronk is carrying his impressive form into 2024, grabbing a solo 10th and a solo second in his first two outings. Although he narrowly missed a playoff with Rory McIlroy, Meronk's stellar performance, marked by five birdies on Sunday, catapulted him to second place in the Race to Dubai standings. With four DP World Tour wins in under two years, Meronk looks set for success as he makes the transition to the PGA Tour, having earned his card through a standout performance in 2023. Update: Adrian Meronk has withdrawn from this tournament due to illness.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GWill Zalatoris800010200

Zalatoris is on the road to recovery after undergoing season-ending back surgery last year, and he's been giving us a peek into his form. After landing a 20th-place tie at the Hero World Challenge in December and facing a missed cut at the Sony Open, he pulled off a tie for 34th at The American Express, even though it's not exactly his favorite tournament. Interestingly, Zalatoris rocked a tie for sixth there two years ago. Now, when it comes to the Farmers Insurance Open, that's more up his alley. He had a close call with a playoff loss to List two years ago, and priced at $8,000, he might not need a similarly high finish, but Zalatoris seems to be on an upward trend, hinting at a potential improvement in his performance.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GLuke List78009500

List, known for his killer ball-striking game, is a Torrey Pines maestro. He's made the cut six years straight, scoring a win two years back and notching up four top-25 finishes. Globally recognized for his ball-striking prowess, he rocked the top-10 in both SG: Off-the-Tee and GIR percentage last season. This 39-year-old golfer is on fire, riding a hot streak with nine straight starts without missing a cut, including six top-25 finishes and a Sanderson Farms Championship victory. List showcased his ball-striking magic in his second PGA Tour win at the Sanderson Farms Championship in October, adding to his first win two years ago at Torrey Pines' Farmers event. Sure, putting might not be his strong suit, but List conquers Torrey Pines thanks to its layout that puts a premium on ball-striking over putting. His Torrey track record boasts a win in 2021 and three other top-25 finishes. With a killer Fall swing, including a triumphant win, List is showing off his consistent success, landing T25 or better in six of his last eight starts.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GMichael Kim73008400

At 5-11 and 165 pounds, Kim is not a big guy. But he's a sneaky long hitter, having ranked in the top-60 on Tour in driving distance last year. He's made the cut here five of his past six visits, with one top-25. And he's made six straight cuts overall going back to last year, the best finish being last week's T6 at the Amex. That moved Kim into the top-100 OWGR for the first time, right at No. 100. Michael Kim has been a mainstay in this column over the first few weeks of the season, and I’m already on record that it’s only a matter of time before we come to know the San Diego native for more than just his social media presence. Kim is coming off an impressive sixth-place finish last week at The American Express, and as a graduate of Torrey Pines high school, he now returns to his home-town track playing some of the best golf of his career.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GAustin Eckroat71008300

If you're on the lookout for a dark horse in the upcoming tournament, consider Austin Eckroat. Although he didn't make the cut in the same event last year, Eckroat has been showing promise lately with a decent T42 and T25 in his last two outings. Known for leading the PGA Tour in Total Driving, his strengths lie in how he handles shots off the tee and gets close to the hole. Despite a rough patch in the later part of the last season, he's bounced back strong, clinching top-25 finishes in three of his last four starts, including the recent desert tournament. With odds in the triple digits, acknowledging some vulnerabilities, Eckroat presents an interesting choice for those willing to roll the dice on an underdog.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GCameron Champ68008000

Champ is dealing with some early-season hiccups, missing cuts at the Sony Open and the American Express. Yet, knowing his history of ups and downs, these setbacks might not be cause for major concern. Even in the struggles, there's a silver lining—check out the 4.4 strokes he gained off the tee at the Sony Open, proving his driving skills are on point. While tight courses like Waialae might not be his forte, Torrey Pines is a different story. In 2020, he snagged a 16th place there, showcasing how his driving prowess can seriously impact the game. Champ's Torrey Pines record is a bit mixed, but a T10 finish at TPC Harding Park in 2020, a place similar to Torrey, suggests promise. His fall results, with a top-10 at the Sanderson Farms and five consecutive made cuts in October and November, give hope that his top game is still in reach despite recent challenges, making it a bit tricky to predict where he's headed right now.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GRyo Hisatsune75008900

Hisatsune is on the upswing early in the season, locking in a 30th-place finish in the Sony Open and an impressive 11th-place finish in The American Express. Despite being considered a bit of a dark horse, he's making heads turn by currently ranking 32nd in total strokes gained and an outstanding 2nd in SG: putting. The 21-year-old Japanese sensation, who rocked a solid tie for 11th last week, is taking on the challenge of mastering the two Torrey Pines tracks in his first go. While Japanese players are often linked with shorter hitters on smaller courses, Hisatsune sits comfortably in the middle of the driving distance in this field. With a promising start to the season, Hisatsune is proving that he's got the game to compete at a high level.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GChris Gotterup65007700

Gotterup faced some challenges at the AmEx, a tournament that didn't quite play to his strengths, especially on shorter courses that put a premium on putting. However, the formidable Torrey Pines South, with its undulating greens, aligns much better with Gotterup's skills. Boasting an average of nearly 325 yards off the tee on the Korn Ferry Tour last season, the 24-year-old has the power to navigate this challenging course. Despite a bit of a rocky start in his rookie PGA Tour campaign with two missed cuts, Gotterup showed significant potential in 2022 as a non-member, securing top-25 results in nine of his last 13 starts to close the season. Those in the know on the Korn Ferry Tour recognize Gotterup's substantial upside, and despite the initial setbacks, there's confidence that he can bounce back and showcase his true potential at Torrey Pines.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
10600
12000

Xander Schauffele's track record at Torrey Pines might not impress at first glance, dealing with early hiccups and missing the cut in his initial tries. Even though he's a local guy with loads of experience on the course, he had his share of challenges, from family distractions to nervous moments. However, recent performances tell a different story, with strong showings like being the runner-up in the 2021 Farmers and securing a T7 in the U.S. Open at Torrey South. Schauffele holds this hometown event dearly, dubbing it a "fifth major." Overcoming the initial hurdles, he now heads into the tournament with boosted confidence, coming off a solid T3 at The American Express. While some might hesitate at his 9/1 favoritism, his upward trend suggests he's got the potential for success, making him an interesting pick for those keeping an eye on the odds.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
10200
11800

Collin Morikawa, the champ of the 2020 PGA Championship, is on fire heading into the next golf showdown. He's been killing it on the PGA Tour lately, scoring top-seven finishes three times in a row, and even clinched a win at the 2023 ZOZO Championship last October. Not to mention, he made quite a mark at Torrey Pines, grabbing third place at the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open. Morikawa kicked off strong at The Sentry, showcasing his awesome tee-to-green game. Looking back at his last three runs at Torrey, he landed at T21, T4 (2021 U.S. Open), and a solid third place last year. Morikawa's dominance in strokes gained: Tee-to-Green at the South Course, averaging 2.41 strokes per round, puts him ahead of the pack. Despite a tough 2023, he's been impressively consistent, with five top-10 finishes in his last eight starts, shining in ball-striking and overall tee-to-green performance. With his knack for Poa greens, recent good form, and a solid track record, Morikawa is gearing up as a serious contender in the upcoming event, facing stiff competition.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
9900
11100

Sungjae Im's been killing it on the PGA Tour since August. In the last five tournaments, he landed in the top 25 every time, even grabbing a sweet fifth place at the 2024 Sentry. And that's not all—over seven events, he hit the top 12 four times, including another fifth place at the recent 2024 Sentry. Back in 2023, he rocked a third place at the Farmers Insurance Open and followed it up with a solid fourth place the next year. Seems like Im's on fire lately, making him a real contender on the course.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
9500
10700

Jason Day's got quite the track record at the Farmers Insurance Open – 8 out of 11 times he's been on fire, scoring two playoff wins and landing in the top 10 seven times. Even with a T34 at The American Express, he's been holding his own lately, notching two top-11 finishes in his last three PGA Tour gigs. This Aussie golfer, known for being a rock on the course and a wizard with the putter, made a serious comeback in 2023, going from outside the top 100 to inside the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Winning at Torrey Pines twice (2015, 2018) and landing in the top nine eight times since 2007, Day's basically the king of this turf. His secret sauce? Killer driving skills and a magic touch around the green, ranking fifth in SG: Around The Green and ninth in SG: Putting Poa among this week's competitors. So, as Day gears up for Torrey Pines, his past wins and recent game put him in a prime spot to rock the tournament once again.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
9300
10800

Tony Finau, who had a somewhat low-key 2023 season following his standout 2022, is now gearing up for the Torrey Pines tournament with a chance to spice things up in his game. Despite a so-so start in 2024, landing at T38 in the Sentry and T25 in the AmEx, Finau has a solid track record at Torrey Pines. He's been impressively consistent, managing top-25 finishes in eight out of his nine starts, with half of them landing him in the T6 or better zone. Finau's known for his mix of power and precision, making him a good fit for Torrey. While he hasn't clinched a win in his nine starts, he did score a notable T2 in 2021 and has a total of five top-10 finishes. Despite a slight change in this year's author's pick, Finau still stands as a strong contender for a top-five finish, and his past performances hint that Torrey Pines might be the place for a breakout in the 2024 season.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
8900
10500

Keegan Bradley's gearing up for the next golf tournament with some good recent plays and a nice track record on the course. He nailed a solid T2 finish at the Sony last time, just missing out on the win, and at Torrey, he grabbed a solo second not too long ago. Despite some ups and downs in performance, Bradley's been holding his own, with a couple of top-19 finishes in his last three PGA Tour events, including a second place at the 2024 Sony Open. Stats-wise, he's been doing well in approach, gaining an average of +3.75 strokes, and his putting game is on point. Even though he hasn't snagged a win at the Farmers yet, Bradley's familiarity with the course and recent good form make him a strong contender, and who knows, he might even outdo his solo second from last year.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
8700
10400

Theegala, repping Pepperdine and coming straight outta California, is a force on the West Coast. He bagged his first PGA Tour win at the Fortinet in September, and home turf seems to bring out the best in him with four of his 14 top-10 finishes going down in his home state. Last year's Farmers saw him rock a notable T4, and his scoring average of 69.75 in that tourney is the best in the field for those with at least two starts this week. Sure, he had a close call at the Sentry and faced a cut at the Sony, but Theegala's game is looking sharp for another top-10 run at Torrey Pines. He's 2-for-2 there, landing a T25 in 2022 and a T4 in 2023. Navigating Torrey Pines like a pro, Theegala's got that veteran-like feel, putting him in the running for success in this tough competition.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
8600
9800

Straka's on fire lately, scoring big wins at the John Deere Classic and coming in second at the Open Championship. He's on a hot streak, never doing worse than T22 in his last five global starts. At Torrey Pines, he's got a solid 3-for-4 record with two top-20 finishes, and his total driving and SG: Approach stats are pretty impressive. Despite being the 17th-ranked golfer worldwide and grabbing two PGA TOUR victories, fantasy folks are still sleeping on Straka. Check out his recent feats, like being the runner-up at the Hero World Challenge and landing a T12 at The Sentry. He's killing it in SG: Ball-Striking and SG: Total, sitting at sixth place. With a cool track record at Torrey, making three cuts out of four and securing two top-16 finishes, Straka's current $8,600 price tag is a steal considering he could easily be worth more in this lineup.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
8400
9900

Hojgaard is making waves, scoring T25 and T7 in Dubai, and now he's gearing up for his 2024 PGA Tour debut at the Farmers Insurance Open—a course that suits his skills perfectly. Just like Aberg, Hojgaard is a ball-striking sensation, ranking fifth in driving distance and sixth in SG: Tee-to-Green on the DP World Tour last season. At a young age of 22, he's seen as a future top-15 player, and his current price is like an early investment opportunity. Even with a one-over 73 in round three, Hojgaard bounced back strong on Sunday, nailing four birdies and just one bogey, proving his resilience. His killer start to 2024 comes after a runner-up finish at the Nedbank Golf Challenge and a win at the DP World Tour Championship to wrap up 2023. Snagging a PGA Tour card with his stellar 2023 play, Hojgaard is all set to make a big impact in the upcoming PGA Tour season.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
8200
9900

The 30-year-old Polish golfer, Meronk, is stepping into the PGA Tour scene with a bang at the Farmers Insurance Open, holding the top spot among 2023 DP World Tour members. Crowned Player of the Year on the DP World Tour, Meronk is carrying his impressive form into 2024, grabbing a solo 10th and a solo second in his first two outings. Although he narrowly missed a playoff with Rory McIlroy, Meronk's stellar performance, marked by five birdies on Sunday, catapulted him to second place in the Race to Dubai standings. With four DP World Tour wins in under two years, Meronk looks set for success as he makes the transition to the PGA Tour, having earned his card through a standout performance in 2023. Update: Adrian Meronk has withdrawn from this tournament due to illness.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
8000
10200

Zalatoris is on the road to recovery after undergoing season-ending back surgery last year, and he's been giving us a peek into his form. After landing a 20th-place tie at the Hero World Challenge in December and facing a missed cut at the Sony Open, he pulled off a tie for 34th at The American Express, even though it's not exactly his favorite tournament. Interestingly, Zalatoris rocked a tie for sixth there two years ago. Now, when it comes to the Farmers Insurance Open, that's more up his alley. He had a close call with a playoff loss to List two years ago, and priced at $8,000, he might not need a similarly high finish, but Zalatoris seems to be on an upward trend, hinting at a potential improvement in his performance.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
7800
9500

List, known for his killer ball-striking game, is a Torrey Pines maestro. He's made the cut six years straight, scoring a win two years back and notching up four top-25 finishes. Globally recognized for his ball-striking prowess, he rocked the top-10 in both SG: Off-the-Tee and GIR percentage last season. This 39-year-old golfer is on fire, riding a hot streak with nine straight starts without missing a cut, including six top-25 finishes and a Sanderson Farms Championship victory. List showcased his ball-striking magic in his second PGA Tour win at the Sanderson Farms Championship in October, adding to his first win two years ago at Torrey Pines' Farmers event. Sure, putting might not be his strong suit, but List conquers Torrey Pines thanks to its layout that puts a premium on ball-striking over putting. His Torrey track record boasts a win in 2021 and three other top-25 finishes. With a killer Fall swing, including a triumphant win, List is showing off his consistent success, landing T25 or better in six of his last eight starts.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
7300
8400

At 5-11 and 165 pounds, Kim is not a big guy. But he's a sneaky long hitter, having ranked in the top-60 on Tour in driving distance last year. He's made the cut here five of his past six visits, with one top-25. And he's made six straight cuts overall going back to last year, the best finish being last week's T6 at the Amex. That moved Kim into the top-100 OWGR for the first time, right at No. 100. Michael Kim has been a mainstay in this column over the first few weeks of the season, and I’m already on record that it’s only a matter of time before we come to know the San Diego native for more than just his social media presence. Kim is coming off an impressive sixth-place finish last week at The American Express, and as a graduate of Torrey Pines high school, he now returns to his home-town track playing some of the best golf of his career.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
7100
8300

If you're on the lookout for a dark horse in the upcoming tournament, consider Austin Eckroat. Although he didn't make the cut in the same event last year, Eckroat has been showing promise lately with a decent T42 and T25 in his last two outings. Known for leading the PGA Tour in Total Driving, his strengths lie in how he handles shots off the tee and gets close to the hole. Despite a rough patch in the later part of the last season, he's bounced back strong, clinching top-25 finishes in three of his last four starts, including the recent desert tournament. With odds in the triple digits, acknowledging some vulnerabilities, Eckroat presents an interesting choice for those willing to roll the dice on an underdog.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
6800
8000

Champ is dealing with some early-season hiccups, missing cuts at the Sony Open and the American Express. Yet, knowing his history of ups and downs, these setbacks might not be cause for major concern. Even in the struggles, there's a silver lining—check out the 4.4 strokes he gained off the tee at the Sony Open, proving his driving skills are on point. While tight courses like Waialae might not be his forte, Torrey Pines is a different story. In 2020, he snagged a 16th place there, showcasing how his driving prowess can seriously impact the game. Champ's Torrey Pines record is a bit mixed, but a T10 finish at TPC Harding Park in 2020, a place similar to Torrey, suggests promise. His fall results, with a top-10 at the Sanderson Farms and five consecutive made cuts in October and November, give hope that his top game is still in reach despite recent challenges, making it a bit tricky to predict where he's headed right now.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
7500
8900

Hisatsune is on the upswing early in the season, locking in a 30th-place finish in the Sony Open and an impressive 11th-place finish in The American Express. Despite being considered a bit of a dark horse, he's making heads turn by currently ranking 32nd in total strokes gained and an outstanding 2nd in SG: putting. The 21-year-old Japanese sensation, who rocked a solid tie for 11th last week, is taking on the challenge of mastering the two Torrey Pines tracks in his first go. While Japanese players are often linked with shorter hitters on smaller courses, Hisatsune sits comfortably in the middle of the driving distance in this field. With a promising start to the season, Hisatsune is proving that he's got the game to compete at a high level.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
6500
7700

Gotterup faced some challenges at the AmEx, a tournament that didn't quite play to his strengths, especially on shorter courses that put a premium on putting. However, the formidable Torrey Pines South, with its undulating greens, aligns much better with Gotterup's skills. Boasting an average of nearly 325 yards off the tee on the Korn Ferry Tour last season, the 24-year-old has the power to navigate this challenging course. Despite a bit of a rocky start in his rookie PGA Tour campaign with two missed cuts, Gotterup showed significant potential in 2022 as a non-member, securing top-25 results in nine of his last 13 starts to close the season. Those in the know on the Korn Ferry Tour recognize Gotterup's substantial upside, and despite the initial setbacks, there's confidence that he can bounce back and showcase his true potential at Torrey Pines.

Game Type: CASH & GPP