– Last Updated on November 20, 2022 10:10 pm
2017 PGA Farmers Insurance Open Preview and Picks
Ready to bet this week on the 2017 PGA Farmers Insurance Open Odds? The 2017 Farmers Insurance Open comes our way this week from the storied Torrey Pines – site of seven – count ’em seven of Tiger Woods’ PGA wins. He returns to competitive action this week along with a very good, full field of hopefuls.
2017 Farmers Insurance Open
When: January 26-29, 2017
Where: Torrey Pines Golf Club, San Diego, California
Format: 72 holes – Stroke Play
Purse: 6,700,000
Defending Champion: Brandt Snedeker
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
Two courses will be used – the North and the South – the South course that will be used the weekend measures 7,698 yards and is a par 72 – it is the longest course on TOUR meaning that the bombers have a distinct advantage.
Accuracy is also essential here – total driving stats will be key for success.
The fairways are somewhat unforgiving, the greens are small and the weather is unpredictable – every aspect of a players’ game will be tested this week.
So who should we keep an extra eye on this week? Let’s take a look.
2017 Farmers Insurance Open Favorites:
Jason Day +800
2015 Champ has been battling some back issues again but did manage a T12 on Maui to start his year. Rust was definitely a factor in that tournament – his putting was poor and his all-around game lacked just a bit.
But he should be back in full swing on a track he’s not only posted victory on but has also had a T2 in 2014 and a T9 in 2013.
If Day is healthy, he will be a factor!
Dustin Johnson +800
Shockingly Johnson’s track history isn’t all that great here – shocking because this course seems to suit his game to a tee – excuse the pun! He is six-for-eight with two top 10s on this track including a T3 in 2011 – he was T18 here last year.
DJ’s enters on the heels of three straight top 10s including a T3 at last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship – he leads the TOUR in adjusted scoring and is simply one of the best in the world tee-to-green.
If jet-lag doesn’t get him, Johnson will be in the hunt for sure.
Hideki Matsuyama +1200
The previous hottest player on the planet crashed down to earth in his last start with a T27 at the Sony Open – his putter was his downfall while the rest of his game was still top notch.
He hasn’t been great at Torrey Pines in the past – that along with his effort last time out has me shying away a tad this week.
2017 Farmers Insurance Open Contenders:
Brandt Snedeker +2500
Defending Champ and two-time winner of this event – he has been inside the top 10 six times in his 10 trips! Although he missed the cut at Waialea you have to give him the benefit of the doubt.
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His usually reliable putter was awful in that tournament. Torrey Pines is Sneds’ favorite track – expect him to bounce back this week.
Gary Woodland +4000
Seems to be peaking as we head into this week – he has two straight top 10 finishes ahead of the Farmers – a runner-up at Mayakoba and a T6 on Oahu.
In those starts he had only one round in the 70s – consistently good. Torrey Pines is a track that should suit his length well – he has three top 35s here including a T10 in 2014.
Woodland’s current form has him on my radar this week – his skillset on this track only furthers my intrigue.
J.B. Holmes +4500
Holmes hasn’t exactly been dominant as we head into this week but his track history is very good here – a T2 in 2015 and a T6 last year.
Torrey Pines will play long as per usual this week – right in Holmes’ wheel-house – he was tops on TOUR in driving distance and ranked sixth in strokes gained: off-the-tee in 2016.
Current form isn’t spectacular but course history is definitely on his side.
Charles Howell III +4500
Howell has been a “winter fixture” for the last few years and this year is no different. He has finished inside the top 15 in five straight starts ahead of this weekend and he has been inside the top 20 four of the last five years at Torrey Pines including a T5 in 2015.
If it’s winter Howell will contend.
Francesco Molinari +4500
Molinari is another player that has been terrific to start this season – five straight top 15 finishes including a T4 at the DP World Tour Championship and a T12 at last week’s CareerBuilder Challenge.
He is a premier ball-striker who is tough to stop when momentum is on his side.
2017 Farmers Insurance Open Sleepers (+5000 or higher):
Tony Finau +6000
Has finished inside the top 20 in his last two starts and with his length off the tee could open a few eyes this week. He is one of the biggest hitters around who has found the top 25 in the last two editions of this event.
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His current stats point to another good week – he is 10th on the new PGA Tour season in strokes gained: off-the-tee – perfect for this track.
Martin Laird +6000
Scotsman was terrific to end 2016 and kept up his fine play with a T9 last time out. His track history here makes him one of the best values on the board – he was T7 here in 2015 and T8 last year.
Hudson Swafford +6600
Hits it long and hits it straight and based on last week’s win at the Career Builders, he has to be in the conversation.
He is 11th on TOUR in Driving Distance, he finished T13 here last year and is a good bet to improve on that thanks to the momentum and confidence that he possesses right now.
2017 Farmers Insurance Open Picks:
The pick this week is Dustin Johnson at +800. He has finished T6 and T3 in his last two starts and is simply the best long hitter in the game.
With the rain experienced over this track the last couple of weeks, his length will be extra-important. DJ exorcises his Torrey Pines demons and gets the win this week.
My sleeper is Hudson Swafford at +6600. He’s a bomber as well and is as confident as any player on the planet right now. I usually warn against players that won the week prior but am going against my own advice here – call it a hunch.
Golf handicapper DAVE B weighs in each week with his top selections. Including top picks and sleepers!
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