Phil Mickelson Headlines Field At Farmers Insurance Open

Sports News - January 27th, 2010 - Written By Bryan

The West Coast Swing on the PGA Tour continues this week, at Torrey Pines Country Club in San Diego, for the Farmers Insurance Open. The 2009 edition of the tournament saw Nick Watney claim the title . Torrey Pines is one of the most revered courses on the Tour. In addition to holding the annual tournament on the west coast swing, the golf course was also the site of the 2008 United States Open, won by Tiger Woods in an 18-hole playoff over Rocco Mediate.

The tournament will take place on the two courses (North and South) featured at Torrey Pines on Thursday and Friday, before commencing the final two rounds on the South course. The courses at Torrey Pines earmark both aesthetics, and challenges. Historically, the North course has played to a lower stroke average. It is shorter in length, has bigger greens, and is more dependent on the shifts in weather. The South course will force players to pick where they want to be aggressive. The player who uses the best course management throughout the duration of the week, will likely claim the championship. The last three holes on the South course have set the stage for many dramatic, and exciting finishes in years past. The reachable, par-five 18th hole, provides the ultimate risk-reward scenario, and will be the critical hole in deciding a winner.

Of the 51 courses played on the 2009 PGA Tour, the South course at Torrey Pines ranked fifth in difficulty.

Second ranked player in the world Phil Mickelson headlines the field this week, but in addition to him, several of the games' top players will make an appearance at one of the gems on the PGA Tour.

Mickelson is the leading favorite to claim the Farmers Insurance Open this week. The lefty has won this event four times prior, and makes his residence within driving distance of Torrey Pines. Golf Betting Lines have installed him as an 11/2 favorite to claim his fifth title at this tournament, according to Bodog Sportsbook. This is Mickelson's first appearance on the 2010 season, and a win would spearhead his campaign for the no.1 ranking.

Australian Robert Allenby is the second favorite to win at Torrey Pines this week. He is coming off several nice finishes in Hawaii, that includes a runner-up at the Sony Open in mid-January. Allenby has been hitting the golf ball beautifully, and his name will appear on the leader-board should he continue to do so. He suffered an ankle injury earlier this month, but that did not stop him from competing, and playing well. Allenby has been a streaky putter this year, but if he is able to get is going on the putting surface, it would not be a surprise to see him hoisting the trophy at the conclusion of Sunday. Allenby is listed as a 14/1 favorite entering this week.

Defending champion Nick Watney will have fond memories of Torrey Pines heading into this week. The 28 year old took advantage of both the North and South courses last year, en route to his victory. This year, Watney performed well at the SBS Championship in Hawaii, compiling a 16th place finish. The 32nd ranked player in the world is a very good off the tee. Fairways will be a key statistic at Torrey Pines, and if Watney is able to mirror last year, he will give himself a great chance at winning. Oddsmakers have set him as a 16/1 favorite to win the tournament.

Ryan Moore is another leading favorite in the Farmers Insurance Open. He has already played twice this year, which includes a sixth place finish at the opening SBS Championship. He is one of the most accurate drivers on the PGA Tour, hitting over 75 percent of the fairways. Combine that with his 83 percent greens in regulation, and Moore gives himself plenty of looks at birdie. His Achilles heel has been putting, for which he averages close to 30 per round. If he is able to convert putts this week, expect Moore to be on the first page of the leader-board. Oddsmakers have placed Moore as a 22/1 favorite to claim the Farmers Insurance Open.

Rounding out the top-five favorites coming into this week, is Ernie Els. Els has played once during 2010, and finished in 12th place at the Sony Open in Hawaii. He has been a mere shadow of his former self in recent years, but he possesses the skill-set to win any tournament in which he enters. The field is not very deep with the world's top-ranked players, which is why Els is given the odds he has. He has been solid from tee to green this season, as well as on the putting green. It would be great to see the major champion in contention this week. Els has been installed as a 25/1 favorite to win.

Full Field Odds To Win The Farmers Insurance Open-

Phil Mickelson 13/2
Robert Allenby 14/1
Ernie Els 25/1
Nick Watney 16/1
Dustin Johnson 28/1
Hunter Mahan 28/1
Ryan Moore 22/1
Luke Donald 33/1
Lucas Glover 28/1
John Rollins 33/1
Brandt Snedeker 33/1
Stephen Ames 40/1
Charles Howell III 25/1
Pat Perez 50/1
Bubba Watson 40/1
Chad Campbell 40/1
Carl Pettersson 50/1
Jason Dufner 50/1
Justin Rose 40/1
Bill Haas 50/1
Martin Laird 50/1
K.J. Choi 50/1
Charley Hoffman 50/1
Marc Leishman 50/1
Steve Marino 50/1
Troy Matteson 50/1
Nick O'Hern 66/1
John Senden 66/1
Kevin Sutherland 66/1
Mark Wilson 66/1
Michael Sim 66/1
Ryan Palmer 66/1
Rod Pampling 66/1
Stuart Appleby 80/1
Ben Crane 80/1
Nathan Green 80/1
Ryui Imada 80/1
Matt Jones 80/1
Jeff Klauk 80/1
John Merrick 80/1
Jeff Quinney 80/1
Andres Romero 80/1
Aaron Baddeley 80/1
Jonathan Byrd 100/1
Chad Collins 100/1
Jason Day 100/1
Fredrik Jacobson 100/1
Bryce Molder 100/1
Kevin Streelman 100/1
Boo Weekley 100/1
Ben Curtis 100/1
Rickie Fowler 100/1
Spencer Levin 100/1
George Mcneill 100/1
Jeff Overton 100/1
Matthew Goggin 100/1
Michael Allen 125/1
Graham Delaet 125/1
Paul Goydos 125/1
James Nitties 125/1
Kevin Stadler 125/1
Greg Chalmers 125/1
Joe Ogilvie 125/1
Greg Owen 125/1
Mark Calcavecchia 125/1
Tom Gillis 125/1
J.J. Henry 125/1
J.B. Holmes 125/1
Bill Lunde 150/1
John Mallinger 150/1
Scott McCarron 150/1
Rocco Mediate 150/1
Cameron Percy 150/1
Brett Quigley 150/1
Chris Riley 150/1
Omar Uresti 150/1
Charlie Wi 150/1
Garrett Willis 150/1
The Field ( Any Other Golfer) 10/1