This week the PGA Tour makes the short trek to Torrey Pines for the Farmers Insurance Open. This event is held on two courses with players playing one round on the South and North courses before a cut is made. The South course is then used for the final 36 holes. The South course is the longest and one of the more difficult courses players will play all year, and any score under par is a great round. Due to the extreme length paired with smaller-than-average firm greens, we see an emphasis on a few key metrics this week. Driving distance, approach game with long irons, and short game around the green are paramount to success. We have seen players who bomb it have more success relative to the field here than almost any event on Tour. That makes sense when you are playing a 7,765-yard course at sea level. Let’s take a look at four players to target this week:

Will Zalatoris Top 30 -120

Zalatoris spent the offseason strengthening his body to stay healthy and increase his performance. His added distance will help his pedigree for Torrey Pines even more. Zalatoris is an elite ballstriker who has a better chance at contending on difficult tracks where pars mean more than the usual birdie fests we see week in and week out on Tour. He has finished 13th or better in three of the last four seasons at the Farmers, including a playoff loss in 2022.

Max Greyserman Top 30 +100

Greyserman is still a bit of an unknown to the average golf fan but won’t be for long. He finished seventh last week even after double bogeying the 18th hole. That was his sixth top-13 finish in his last nine events. He has finished 33rd or better in each of his last 13 events. He ranks 11th in driving distance and leads the field in approach with long irons. Seems like a good spot to buy some stock in Greyserman while we still can at an affordable price.

Jhonattan Vegas Top 40 +105

Vegas ranks third in driving distance and top 20 in approach with long irons. He has finished inside the top 40 in seven of his 14 appearances at this event. However, many of those starts were when he was in much worse form than he is right now. He finished fourth earlier this year at the Sentry on a course that does not suit his game that well.

Michael Thorbjornsen Top 40 +110

I’m wondering how long it will take the books to figure out that Thorbjornsen is a star in the making. He has all the raw talent needed to succeed on Tour and this week should be the perfect week to showcase it. He ranks fourth in driving distance and top 25 in approach with long irons and around the green.

Love golf? Our membership program, Club TFE, provides daily and weekly content to help you explore the game, as well as other member benefits like Pro Shop discounts and early event access. Find out more and join the Club here.