{"id":13150,"date":"2025-01-21T15:31:05","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T15:31:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/?post_type=article&p=13150"},"modified":"2025-01-21T15:31:26","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T15:31:26","slug":"2025-farmers-insurance-open-noonans-outright-picks-and-preview","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/article\/2025-farmers-insurance-open-noonans-outright-picks-and-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Farmers Insurance Open- Noonan\u2019s Outright Picks and Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We typically start to see the best golfers in the world ramp up their schedule this week, but fewer stars than ever have made the trip to La Jolla, California, for the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open. For a variety of reasons, a few Californians, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and Patrick Cantlay, who typically tee it up here yearly, are skipping this year’s event. This is another spot where some of LIV Golf’s best would play annually, so we’re looking at a weaker top of the board than I can ever remember at Torrey Pines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reminder: This week’s schedule is a bit wonky. The Tour wisely moved the event into the Wednesday-Saturday window instead of competing with the NFL during Conference Championship Sunday. You’ll want to prepare your bets, one-and-done picks, and DFS lineups earlier this week.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week, the field will split the first two days between the North and South courses, with the final two rounds of golf being played on one of the Tour’s toughest tracks, the aforementioned South Course. After keeping some of the tee boxes and adjustments from the 2021 U.S. Open, it’s now the longest track on the Tour at 7,765 from the tips. It features thick, penial rough, narrow fairways and small Poa Annua greens, which are notoriously difficult to putt on, especially late in the day. Course history also matters here, as 16 of the last 19 winners of the Farmers Insurance Open have had a top-10 at this event prior to their win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other than the one round on the North Course, which plays at 7,200 yards and nearly two strokes under par on average, the scoring this week will be the complete opposite of the birdie-fests we have seen for the first three events of this year. The South Course is the seventh-most difficult layout on the Tour, with a -0.07 scoring average relative to par. It offers no respite, requiring players to utilize every club in their bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Torrey Pines poses a significant challenge to the field with its long layout, narrow fairways, and 4-inch rough. At just 28 yards wide on average, the fairways are the fifth-narrowest on Tour, making distance and carry off the tee crucial, especially with the cooler January air. Even though we see driver usage about 10% higher here versus the Tour average, the field averages only 293 yards in driving distance. The course will likely play firmer than it did last year, but you’re not getting much roll on these fairways and basically none at all in the rough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving accuracy is challenging, with only a 52% success rate, but hitting fairways isn’t crucial for success on this course. Many players often end up in the rough, giving longer hitters an advantage with shorter iron shots to reach the greens. The South Course generates the highest number of approach shots from over 200 yards on Tour. Approximately 55% of second shots are taken from distances greater than 175 yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thick rough and small undulating greens at Torrey Pines South make short-game skills and scrambling abilities crucial for gaining strokes. Most around-the-green shots come from the thick 4-inch rough. The South Course is the toughest on the PGA Tour for making putts within 5 to 15 feet \u2014there are no easy shots here. The greens run about 12.5 on the stimpmeter, which is faster than average, presenting a challenge due to their slick Poa surfaces. This California Poa can be inconsistent, especially later in the day, making it a struggle for many players who aren’t used to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For more course details, check out Ron’s<\/a> course preview<\/a>. It’s the best in the business, bar none. Also, don’t forget to check out our new research tools, The South Course stats page<\/a>, along with the Tournament Cheat Sheet.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Podcast: Apple<\/a> | Spotify<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

YouTube: Betsperts Golf<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Key Rabbit Hole<\/a> Stats This Week:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n