This article is part of our FantasyDraft PGA series.
Farmers Insurance Open
La Jolla, California
Torrey Pines (South Course) - Par 72 - 7,698 yards
Torrey Pines (North Course) - Par 72 - 7,258 yards
Field - 156 entrants
Purse - $6.9M
The Preview
Jordan Spieth's No. 2 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking has officially been usurped by the Spaniard sensation that is Jon Rahm, who has done all he can in recent weeks to steal the headlines from Tiger Woods' return to Torrey Pines. The PGA Tour's West Coast Swing travels from La Quinta (site of the CareerBuilder Challenge) to La Jolla, California, where Torrey Pines will present one of the tougher challenges during the early portion of the 2017-18 season. Key statistics to focus on this week will lean more towards ball-striking numbers such as SG: Tee-to-Green and driving distance, rather than putting, for example. Temperatures in La Jolla will be mild for the first two rounds with no precipitation in the forecast, so don't expect a morning/afternoon tee-time advantage.
Past Champions
2017 - Jon Rahm
2016 - Brandt Snedeker
2015 - Jason Day
2014 - Scott Stallings
2013 - Tiger Woods
2012 - Brandt Snedeker
2011 - Bubba Watson
2010 - Ben Crane
FantasyDraft Value Picks - based on $100,000 salary cap
Cream of the Crop
Jon Rahm - $18,000
After notching a second victory in his last three starts at last week's CareerBuilder Challenge, Rahm is the betting favorite once again as he looks to defend his title at Torrey Pines. The Spaniard even has a chance to overtake Dustin Johnson's No. 1 spot in the OWGR, as if he needed any extra motivation.
Justin Rose - $17,200
A T22 at the European Tour's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship ended Rose's impressive streak of 10 consecutive top-10 finishes, and he also posted a trio of wins during that stretch. Rose placed fourth at the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open, and he heads into this year's edition in even better form.
Glue Guys
Ollie Schniederjans - $14,800
The 24-year-old, who most recently finished T7 at the Sony Open, owns four top-25 results in his five starts so far this season. Schniederjans also placed top-10 at Torrey Pines last year, so a combination of course history and recent form bodes well for his chances at a solid finish this week. He currently ranks fourth on Tour in total driving and 12th in birdie average.
Kyle Stanley - $14,500
Having finished his 2016-17 campaign at No. 2 on Tour in GIR percentage and 11th in SG: Tee-to-Green, Stanley's price this week creates intriguing value as one of the field's top ball strikers. He's coming off a T10 at the Sony Open and has placed top-25 at the Farmers Insurance Open in back-to-back years.
Jhonattan Vegas - $14,500
Vegas has reached 37th in the OWGR -- just two spots away from his career high of 35th -- following results of T11-T7 at the CareerBuilder Challenge and Sentry Tournament of Champions. He's made four consecutive cuts at the Farmers Insurance Open and currently ranks 20th on Tour in SG: Total.
Bargain Bin
Peter Uihlein - $13,800
The 56th-ranked golfer in the world has finished T17 or better in five of his last seven starts worldwide. Despite a missed cut at the Sony Open, Uihlein ranks 20th on Tour in birdie average this season after averaging just over six birdies per round at the CareerBuilder Challenge.
Andrew Landry - $13,000
Landry, who just lost in a playoff to Rahm at the CareerBuilder Challenge, has been boom or bust this season with three top-seven finishes to go along with two missed cuts and a withdrawal. He finished his 2017 campaign on the Web.com Tour ranked fifth in birdie average and 14th in ball striking, and he ranks 21st in proximity and 24th in par-four scoring average on The PGA Tour this season.
