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Tiger Woods returns to action next week at the Farmers Insurance Open. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
• COURSE: Torrey Pines GC (South), 7,698 yards, par 72. Opened in 1957, William Bell’s design meanders along cliffs fronting the Pacific Ocean once occupied by a World War II army base. It has been home to the PGA TOUR’s annual San Diego visit since 1968, along with the Junior Worlds each July. A 2001 upgrade by Rees Jones helped Torrey Pines land the 2008 U.S. Open, won by Tiger Woods in an epic playoff over Rocco Mediate, and it has been tabbed to host the event again in 2021. This week’s format also calls for entrants to play one of the first two rounds on Torrey Pines’ North course (7,258/72), where Tom Weiskopf just finished a $12 million redesign.
• FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 500 points.
• CHARITY: The Century Club of San Diego, which administers the Champions for Youth program to deliver primary support to 12 organizations helping at-risk and underserved youth in San Diego. Additional funds also have been targeted for more than 70 other local charities. The Century Club has raised more than $35 million for charity since its 1961 inception.
• FIELD WATCH: Tiger Woods returns for his first PGA TOUR start in 19 months, joined by world No.1 Jason Day, U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson and seven others from among the world’s top 25. … San Diego native Phil Mickelson is back for his 21st appearance, hoping his hometown course might allow him to end a dry spell dating back to the 2013 British Open. … Beau Hossler, last seen gutting out a match-play win for Texas in the NCAA semifinals despite a torn shoulder, is set for his first PGA TOUR start as a pro. He had surgery in June, turned pro in July and won a minitour start last month in his competitive return.
• 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 the old Torrey Pines North. South course record: 62, Tiger Woods (3rd round, 1999).
• LAST YEAR: Brandt Snedeker triumphed in a Monday finish in which he didn’t have to participate, posting his closing 69 on Sunday before powerful storms chased the final groups off the course. Snedeker still was one shot off the lead when play resumed amid a dozen toppled trees on the South course, but strong winds from the opposite direction were too much for K.J. Choi, Jimmy Walker and Kevin Streelman to overcome. Choi came closest, though his bogey at No.14 dropped him behind Snedeker and his only chance down the stretch was a birdie miss at the 18th. Snedeker’s eighth PGA TOUR victory came via a total of 6-under 282, the highest winning score at Torrey Pines since 1979. The average final-round score was 77.9, highest in a regular TOUR event since the circuit began keeping such statistics in 1983.
• STORYLINES: Woods, out all last season after back surgery, ends a 522-day absence from TOUR competition when he pegs it at a place he’s won eight times. He knocked off the rust at last month’s Hero World Challenge, where he went as low as 65 but placed 15th among 18 invitees. … Day makes just his second start after his own lengthy back-related layoff, seeking to build on a tie for 12th at the SBS Tournament of Champions. … Johnson, with just one top-20 at Torrey Pines since 2011, makes a quick transition after a week halfway around the world at the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi stop. … Though Mickelson is a three-time champ in his hometown, his last victory came in 2001. His best finish since then was runner-up in 2010 behind Ben Crane.
• SHORT CHIPS: Just once in the past 13 years has the 54-hole leader at Torrey Pines closed the deal. That was Woods, who fashioned an eight-shot romp in 2008. Kyle Stanley came oh-so-close in 2012, but a triple bogey at No.18 opened the door for Snedeker to win a playoff. … Barring a late WD, Spencer Levin and Peter Malnati will remain perfect in making every start for which they were eligible. Brian Stuard also is set to make his ninth start of 2016-17.
• TELEVISION: Thursday-Friday, 3-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Saturday, 1-2:30 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (CBS). Sunday, 1-2:30 p.m. (GC), 3-6:30 p.m. (CBS).
• PGA TOUR LIVE: Thursday-Friday, 11:45 a.m.-3 p.m. (featured groups), 3-7 p.m. (featured holes).
• RADIO: Thursday-Friday, 1-7 p.m. ET. Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday, 1-7 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com).
The PGSF rolls into Torrey Pines,
Big News this week, Tiger is playing , which is his first regular season tournament in almost two years
Congratulations to last weeks winner DFS,
Bobcat holds on to the lead going into week 4
good luck to everyone this week
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