? COURSE: Torrey Pines GC (South), 7,698 yards, par 72. Laid out
by William Bell in 1957 along cliffs fronting the Pacific Ocean, Torrey
Pines has been home to the PGA TOUR's annual San Diego visit since 1968.
A 2001 upgrade by Rees Jones helped the course land the 2008 U.S. Open,
and it remains the longest layout for any major championship. The
format also calls for entrants to play Torrey Pines' North course
(7,045/72) in one of the first two rounds.
? FIELD WATCH: No. 1 Tiger Woods, whose win last year gave him
seven in this tournament, finally steps into the 2013-14 season on
familiar territory. No. 5 Phil Mickelson and 2013 Rookie of the Year
Jordan Spieth also are among 10 players among the current top 30 in the
world rankings. … France's Victor Dubuisson, a winner in Turkey with two
other top-5 finishes in Europe since November, makes his debut on U.S.
soil on a sponsor exemption.
? 72-HOLE RECORD: 266, George Burns (1987), Tiger Woods (1999).
? 18-HOLE RECORD: 61, Mark Brooks (2nd round, 1990) and Brandt
Snedeker (1st round, 2007) at Torrey Pines North. South course record:
62, Tiger Woods (3rd round, 1999).
? LAST YEAR: Tiger Woods ended a five-year victory drought at one
of his favorite courses, cruising to a four-shot win that wasn't as
close as the final margin indicated. Woods led by eight with five holes
to play, until two bogeys and a double bogey in the final hour. Woods
wound up with an even-par 72, still enough to post his 23rd career win
by at least four shots. Josh Teater (69) and defending champion Brandt
Snedeker (69) were next. It was Woods' eighth professional victory at
Torrey Pines, but his first since the epic 2008 U.S. Open playoff
against Rocco Mediate.
? STORYLINES: Woods takes aim at a ninth Torrey Pines triumph,
which again would rewrite his own PGA TOUR record for victories at one
venue. Woods actually is part of a three-way tie with himself, having
also won eight times at Bay Hill (Arnold Palmer Invitational presented
by MasterCard) and Firestone CC (World Golf Championships-Bridgestone
Invitational). … Though Mickelson is a three-time champion in his
hometown, his last victory came in 2001. His best finish since then was
runner-up in 2010 behind Ben Crane. … Snedeker is working on a streak of
four consecutive top-10 finishes at Torrey Pines, including his
improbable 2012 victory when Kyle Stanley blew a three-shot lead on the
final hole of regulation.
Last Week's Winner - Bobcat. Congrats!
Updated Standings
1. noles2952 - 862
2. Ed - 511
3. Bobcat - 493
4. NMT - 477
5. DFS - 460
6. Ocala - 450
7. Given2Fly - 440
8. Sea - 311
9. Bill - 268
10. 67810 - 224
11. Lizard - 155
12. NiA - 129
Good Luck!!
This post was edited on 1/26 8:58 PM by DFSNOLE
Field
