• 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, eventually won by Tiger Woods in an epic playoff over Rocco
Mediate, and it remains the longest layout ever to stage a major
championship. This week's format also calls for entrants to play one of
the first two rounds on Torrey Pines' North course (7,052/72).
• FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 500 points.
• FIELD WATCH: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, both still
trying to knock off winter rust, come together again at a place where
they've combined for 12 victories. Woods has eight wins in this event,
plus one when the 2008 U.S. Open came to Torrey Pines. … World No.5
Justin Rose, making his U.S. start of 2015, heads a group of 13 players
among the current top 25 in the world rankings. … Dustin Johnson ends
his six-month hiatus from competition, since stepping away in August to
deal with personal issues. He's a father now, too, as fiancée Paulina
Gretzky gave birth to a boy two weeks ago. Click here to see the complete field.
• 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: Stallings shook free from a five-way tie with his
birdie at the par-5 18th, then watched as those behind stumbled down
the stretch to walk away with his third PGA TOUR victory. Stallings'
4-iron second shot barely cleared the water at "Devlin's Billabong,"
setting up a two-putt from 40 feet to take the lead. Gary Woodland had
the best chance to catch Stallings, but double-bogeyed No.17 after
hooking his drive into a canyon. K.J. Choi and Jason Day also bogeyed
No.17 to render closing birdies futile, joining a five-way tie for
second with Pat Perez, Marc Leishman and Graeme DeLaet. Neither Woods
nor Mickelson made it to the final day - Woods missed the Saturday cut;
Mickelson withdrew after Round 2 (back spasms).
• STORYLINES: Curiosity surrounds Johnson's comeback, not seen
competitively since missing the cut at last summer's Canadian Open. He
broke Tiger Woods' course record at Sherwood CC with a 61 during a
casual round in October, with future father-in-law Wayne Gretzky to
attest. … Woods and Mickelson seek to rebound after rough Fridays at the
Waste Management Phoenix Open, both missing the cut. Woods last was
seen carding an 82 that was his worst as a pro; Mickelson went home
after a 76. … FedExCup points leader Jimmy Walker and Humana Challenge
winner Bill Haas are among five men seeking to become the season's first
two-time winner.
• SHORT CHIPS: Horschel, Fowler, Keegan Bradley and Ben Crane
return after Friday's round for the University Day Challenge, taking aim
at a glass wall adorned with their alma maters' logos. The winner will
see $10,000 donated to his school's golf team. … 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. …
Nicholas Thompson is set for his 10th start of the young season, still
yet to miss one that he's been eligible to play.
• TELEVISION: Thursday-Friday, 3-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Saturday-Sunday, 1-2:30 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (CBS).
Last Week's Winner Bobcat. Congrats!
Updated Standings
1. Sea - 2007
2. Ed - 1955
3. DL - 1839
4. Bobcat - 1760
5. dfs - 1680
6. Liz - 1622
7. 2952 - 1619
8. 67810 - 1390
9. NiA - 1288
10. Ocala - 1109
11. NMT - 905
12. Baldy - 864
13. Bill - 530
14. KT - 123
Good Luck!
This post was edited on 2/4 1:27 PM by DFSNOLE
This post was edited on 2/10 7:28 PM by DFSNOLE
Field
