Farmers Insurance Open History

By
, GolfLink Editor
Updated November 17, 2023
Patrick Reed wins Farmers Insurance Open
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    Patrick Reed with Farmers Insurance Open trophy
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    Donald Miralle/Getty Images Sport
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    Getty Image License

The Farmers Insurance Open has been contested since 1952, and since 1968, the tournament has been staged at the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course. In its history, it's held various names, including the Buick Invitational, and various combinations of titles including Shearson Lehman, Andy Williams, and San Diego Open.

The 2024 Farmers Insurance Open is Jan. 24-27, again at Torrey Pines (South Course), where Max Homa will look to defend his title.

Torrey Pines Golf Course

Torrey Pines Golf Course is a municipal facility owned by the city of San Diego and actually contains two separate courses: the North and South courses.

The entire facility used to be a functioning US Army training facility during World War II known as Camp Callan. In 1957, the land belonged to the city of San Diego, who hired William F. Bell to design both courses. Bell’s initial design remained until the 2000s, when both courses were eventually updated.

First, the South Course was updated by Rees Jones in 2001, while Tom Weiskopf redesigned the North Course in 2016.

The South Course’s 7,698 yards make it the longest course played on the regular PGA Tour calendar. Both courses are open to the public, making them one of the few mainstays on the Tour that any amateur can play. The courses offer panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean along with plenty of its namesake torrey pines. Locals suggest playing from your correct tees on these long courses to enjoy the experience.

In addition to the Farmers Insurance Open, Torrey Pines has also hosted the 2008 US Open (won by Torrey Pines’ favorite Tiger Woods) and the 2022 US Open where Jon Rahm won.

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Golfer putts on Torrey Pines South Course
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Farmers Insurance Open Tournament History

The Farmers Insurance Open began as the San Diego Open in 1952 at the San Diego Country Club. In the early years, the tournament was also played at the Rancho Santa Fe Country Club, Stardust Country Club, Singing Hill Country Club and one year at the Rancho Bernardo Country Club.

However, the tournament’s 1968 decision to relocate to Torrey Pines coupled with the beginning of a 20-year relationship with actor Andy Williams sparked the tournament’s rise to prominence.

Over the years, some of the games greatest players have won the Farmers Insurance Open, including Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson, who are both 2-time winners. Gary Player, Tom Weiskopf, Davis Love III and John Daly are also among the past champions, Phil Mickelson has won the tournament three times.

However, Tiger Woods, with his seven victories, is unrivaled, a career that includes a four-peat between 2005-2008.

The most significant milestone to occur at the Farmers Insurance Open had nothing to do with winning. In 1952, the recently retired heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis became the first African American to play a PGA Tour event when he was invited to play the event. Louis’ inclusion challenged the PGA’s whites-only restrictions, but ultimately he was allowed to play the event and make history. Unfortunately, the PGA would wait a further nine years to eradicate its prejudicial practices by unanimous vote November 10, 1961.

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Farmers Insurance Open All-Time Champions

Year Winner Score Purse Winner's Share
2023 Max Homa 275 (-13) 8,700,000 1,566,000
2022 Luke List 273 (-15) 8,400,000 1,512,000
2021 Patrick Reed 274 (-14) 7,500,000 1,350,000
2020 Marc Leishman 273 (-15) 7,500,000 1,350,000
2019 Justin Rose 267 (-21) 7,100,000 1,278 (-10),000
2018 Jason Day (2) 278 (-10) 6,900,000 1,242,000
2017 Jon Rahm 275 (-13) 6,700,000 1,206,000
2016 Brandt Snedeker (2) 282 (-6) 6,500,000 1,170,000
2015 Jason Day 279 (-9) 6,300,000 1,134,000
2014 Scott Stallings 279 (-9) 6,100,000 1,098,000
2013 Tiger Woods (7) 274 (-14) 6,100,000 1,098,000
2012 Brandt Snedeker 272 (-16) 6,000,000 1,080,000
2011 Bubba Watson 272 (-16) 5,800,000 1,044,000
2010 Ben Crane 275 (-13) 5,300,000 954,000
2009 Nick Watney 277 (-11) 5,300,000 954,000
2008 Tiger Woods (6) 269 (-19) 5,200,000 936,000
2007 Tiger Woods (5) 273 (-15) 5,200,000 936,000
2006 Tiger Woods (4) 278 (-10) 5,100,000 918,000
2005 Tiger Woods (3) 272 (-16) 4,800,000 864,000
2004 John Daly 278 (-10) 4,800,000 864,000
2003 Tiger Woods (2) 272 (-16) 4,500,000 810,000
2002 José María Olazábal 275 (-13) 3,600,000 648,000
2001 Phil Mickelson (3) 269 (-19) 3,500,000 630,000
2000 Phil Mickelson (2) 270 (-18) 3,000,000 540,000
1999 Tiger Woods 266 (-22) 2,700,000 486,000
1998 Scott Simpson 204[a] (-12) 2,100,000 378,000
1997 Mark O'Meara 275 (-13) 1,500,000 270,000
1996 Davis Love III 269 (-19) 1,200,000 216,000
1995 Peter Jacobsen 269 (-19) 1,200,000 216,000
1994 Craig Stadler 268 (-20) 1,100,000 198,000
1993 Phil Mickelson 278 (-10) 1,000,000 180,000
1992 Steve Pate (2) 200[a] (-16) 1,000,000 180,000
1991 Jay Don Blake 268 (-20) 1,000,000 180,000
1990 Dan Forsman 275 (-13) 900,000 162,000
1989 Greg Twiggs 271 (-17) 700,000 126,000
1988 Steve Pate 269 (-19) 650,000 117,000
1987 George Burns 266 (-22) 500,000 90,000
1986 Bob Tway 204[a] (-12) 450,000 81,000
1985 Woody Blackburn 269 (-19) 400,000 72,000
1984 Gary Koch 272 (-16) 400,000 72,000
1983 Gary Hallberg 271 (-17) 300,000 54,000
1982 Johnny Miller 270 (-18) 300,000 54,000
1981 Bruce Lietzke 278 (-10) 250,000 45,000
1980 Tom Watson (2) 275 (-13) 250,000 45,000
1979 Fuzzy Zoeller 282 (-6) 250,000 45,000
1978 Jay Haas 278 (-10) 200,000 40,000
1977 Tom Watson 269 (-19) 180,000 36,000
1976 J. C. Snead (2) 272 (-16) 180,000 36,000
1975 J. C. Snead 279 (-9) 170,000 34,000
1974 Bobby Nichols 275 (-13) 170,000 34,000
1973 Bob Dickson 278 (-10) 170,000 34,000
1972 Paul Harney 275 (-13) 150,000 30,000
1971 George Archer 272 (-16) 150,000 30,000
1970 Pete Brown 275 (-13) 150,000 30,000
1969 Jack Nicklaus 284 (-4) 150,000 30,000
1968 Tom Weiskopf 273 (-15) 150,000 30,000
1967 Bob Goalby 269 (-15) 71,000 13,200
1966 Billy Casper 268 (-16) 45,000 5,800
1965 Wes Ellis 267 (-17) 39,000 4,850
1964 Art Wall Jr. 274 (-14) 30,000 4,300
1963 Gary Player 270 (-14) 25,000 3,500
1962 Tommy Jacobs 277 (-11) 25,000 3,500
1961 Arnold Palmer (2) 271 (-13) 22,500 2,800
1960 Mike Souchak 269 (-19) 22,500 2,800
1959 Marty Furgol 274 (-14) 20,000 2,800

1958

No Tournament      
1957 Arnold Palmer 271 (-17) 15,000 2,400
1956 Bob Rosburg 270 (-18) 15,000 2,400
1955 Tommy Bolt (2) 274 (-14) 15,000 2,400
1954 Gene Littler (a) 274 (-14) 15,000 2,400
1953 Tommy Bolt 274 (-14) 10,000 2,000
1952 Ted Kroll 276 (-12) 10,000 2,000
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Farmers Insurance Open Cut

The Farmers Insurance Open employs the standard 36-hole cut. After two rounds, the top 65 players, plus ties, make the cut, play the weekend, and earn a check. Meanwhile, the rest of the tournament field goes home empty-handed. Here's how the cut-line has trended at the Farmers Insurance Open in recent years.

Year Cutline Players to Make the Cut
2023 E 73
2022 -1 79
2021 -1 79
2020 -1 79
2019 -3 77
2018 -1 77
2017 E 79
2016 -1 72
2015 -1 74
2014 E 83