The PGA continues this week with The Farmers Insurance at Torrey Pines North and South, La Jolla, San Diego, California.
The South will be a test especially since it has been modified for this year's US Open. This will not be the first US Open to be staged here, Tiger Woods won it here in 2008 defeating Rocco Mediate in a memorable Monday play-off .
This event formally known as The Buick Invitation will see the 156-field competing on these par 72 parkland courses for $7.5million prize money with $1.35million to the winner.
The weather is forecast as cloudy and cool with light to moderate breezes coming in from the Pacific Ocean with showers expected on Friday.
Mark Leishman returns to defend the title he won last year after a superb final round 65 saw him triumph by one shot from Jon Rahm.
The key attribute this week at Torrey Pines will be power in yer another big hitter's paradise. The greens are particularly tricky at this time of the year so a hot putter will be a definite advantage.
Tony Finau
So let’s get on with the selections, for my first pick I’m going to suggest Tony Finau, 22/1 each-way at Betfair.
The American has excellent form around here at Torrey Pines with his last five events here showing remarkable figures; Top 20 in them all including, 18th, 4th, 6th, 13th and another 6th. It’s fair to say Finau enjoys this tournament and finds his way around this lay out with ease.
On top of that, Finau has had five Top 25 finishes in his last seven starts finishing 4th in last week's American Express in California.
He is currently in the Top 10 on the PGA Tour stats analysis with probably putting being his only nemesis.
Finau makes a habit of putting himself in contention on a regular basis and is frequently on top of leaderboards, he just needs to hold out and find more consistency. It could well be this weekend he combines his skilful play with a winning mentality so I’m backing him to be in contention yet again come Sunday.
Harris English
For my next recommendation I’m going to suggest Harris English 25/1 each-way at Betfair.
I’m mainly trying to oppose the market leaders who include Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy and I feel that English could be the one to worry them most and represents much more value.
In the FedEx Cup play-offs the American finished runner up to none other than the No.1 golfer Dustin Johnson at the Northern Trust.
He was 4th at The US Open playing some stunning golf then finished off the season with a 5th place at The Mayakoba Classic then winning The QBE shootout when partnered with Matt Kuchar in the pairs event.
His start to this season has been even better, winning The Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii just a couple of weeks ago, beating Joaquin Niemann in a play-off.
I feel many more visits to the winner’s enclosure will follow and it could easily be here at Torrey Pines this weekend.
Will Zalatoris
For my next selection I’m going to look further up the field and look for some value so for this reason I’m going to include Will Zalatoris 60/1 eachway at bet365.
To think the American was ranked 1,925th in the world at this event two years ago to now be sitting at 62nd in the world rankings says it all really.
He won the TPC Colorado Championship in 2020 and had no less than twelve Top 5 finishes last season, it’s easy to see how this golfer has come so far in such a short time.
I just feel that 60/1 may be more than slightly overpriced and has been overlooked in the markets.
This excellent, consistent performer is on his way to good things and it would be no surprise to see Zalatoris competing here at the final stages come Sunday evening.
I’m also going to include him for a Top 20 finish at 3/1 bet 365.
Harris English to beat Patrick Reed
For my final selection I’m going to choose a 72-hole match bet and I’m going to stick with Harris English to beat Patrick Reed 10/11 NAP at bet365.
