Farmers Insurance Open Preview: Tiger Woods Y'All

Tiger Woods y'all, Tiger Woods y'all, Tiger Tiger Tiger Tiger Tiger Woods y'all!

The year was 2001 and Tiger Woods was at the peak of his powers. Chris Rock was also at his peak and starring in a movie called "Down to Earth." Little did either of them know at the time, a burgeoning golf writer named Greg Vara would take notice of Rock's little "Tiger Woods" ditty and use it to start an article some 16 years later. I have to admit, that little ditty has been in my head all week, because for the first time since ... well, it's been a long time since we've seen Tiger Woods in a real event, not some contrived event held after the season is over, but a real event.

This is an exciting week for many reasons, however, as it marks the true start to the PGA Tour season. It's the first event on the mainland with an abundance of big names. Not only is Tiger Woods in the field, but Jason Day and Dustin Johnson are, as well, along with Dominic Bozzelli -- last week's first-round leader. Willy Wilcox is here; you may remember him as Will Wilcox. Phil Mickelson is on hand as well as Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele, the first Xander on the PGA Tour ... I think.

There's so much to look at this week, but the story is Tiger Woods. Expectations are not all that high for Woods this week -- he enters with 30-1 odds -- but with a good performance, the entire outlook of his 2017 season changes and visions of Chris Rock dancing and singing "Tiger Woods y'all" will run through our heads on a constant loop.

This week: Farmers Insurance Open - Torrey Pines, San Diego

Last Year: Brandt Snedeker shot a final-round 76 on his way to a one-stroke victory over K.J. Choi.

PLAYERS TO CONSIDER

Brandt Snedeker

With all the firepower in the field this week, this isn't the best time to go with a sleeper, but it's a bit early to pull the trigger on a top-tier guy. Enter Brandt Snedeker, the defending champion who just so happens to have a stellar track record at this event. Snedeker finished in the top 3 here in five of his 10 starts.

Tiger Woods

Nobody knows the best time to use Tiger this season because we have no idea how he'll play. If he's back on form, then it would be nice to have him later in the season, but if he's not, then maybe this will end up being the best spot to use him all season. It's certainly a risk to pull the trigger here, but you can't argue with his track record.

Jason Day

Not only is the field loaded with big names this week, but there are more than a few with impressive track records, as well. Day falls into both categories as he's one of the best in the world and finished in the top 2 in two of his last three starts here. It's a little early to pull the trigger on him in one-and-done leagues, but certainly a must-start everywhere else.

Jimmy Walker

If you were one of the few who avoided bitter disappointment by fading Walker at the Sony Open, then this might be a good spot to use him. Walker is certainly not in the best form, but that can change in an instant. His track record here trumps his recent form as he posted four top-10s in his last five starts at this event.

Scott Stallings

If you are looking for a deep sleeper this week, then Stallings is your guy. After a brutal start to the 2016-17 season, Stallings righted the ship last week at the CareerBuilder Challenge with a top 10. His track record at this event is solid, as well. He won here in 2014, followed that up with a runner-up showing in 2015 and finished in the top-25 last year.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

Phil Mickelson

Mickelson has played well at Torrey Pines on a few occasions, but for the most part, he's struggled at this event ... recently, at least. Mickelson missed the cut here in three of his last five starts and hasn't finished inside the top 50 since 2011. Definitely not a one-and-done pick this week and probably not a good start in other formats, either.

Justin Rose

With all the big names in the field this week, there are bound to be a few on the "Avoid" list. Rose simply has yet to find any success at this event. He made the cut in four of his seven starts but has never finished inside the top 20. Rose missed the cut here the last two years and hasn't played the weekend at his event since 2012.

Ben Crane

Crane won this event in 2010 but struggled to find that form at Torrey Pines in the years that followed. His results at this event since his win mirror his results overall on the PGA Tour. Crane has battled to find his top form the last five years, but there are no signs he's found it.

Pat Perez

Perez is known for playing well early in the year, and he lived up to that reputation a few weeks ago at the Hyundai, where he finished T3. That said, even though this event is always held early in the year, he's rarely found success here. In 15 starts at Torrey Pines, he finished inside the top 10 just twice.

Geoff Ogilvy

Even in his prime, Ogilvy struggled to compete at this event. He's played here eight times and never cracked the top 10. He made only two cuts in those eight starts and hasn't seen the weekend since 2012. If Ogilvy is to find his old form this season, it won't be at Torrey Pines.

ONE AND DONE GOLFER

Last week: Bill Haas (T17) - $84,100; Season - $585,374

This week: Scott Stallings - I really struggled with this pick, and I realize I am going against my own advice of taking a big name this week, but this looks like a great spot to gain on the field. Snedeker will be a popular choice, but defending the title can do strange things to people. Stallings is not a safe pick, it's completely contrarian, but he has the form and the track record to justify the selection.

YAHOO PICKS

Points: 455
Rank: 9,876

This Week:

Group A: Jason Day, Dustin Johnson

Group B: Brandt Snedeker, Jimmy Walker, Hideki Matsuyama, Charles Howell III

Group C: Scott Stallings, Tiger Woods

SURVIVOR PICK

Last week: Bill Haas - (T17); Streak - 1

This week: Charles Howell III - With all the big names in the field this week, Howell III is certainly not someone that "pops," but the fact that he's never missed a cut here in 14 starts is impressive, if not amazing. Even Tiger has missed a cut here.