The Farmers Insurance Open is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, played in the San Diego, California, area in the early part of the season known as the "West Coast Swing".
The tournament was noted for having singer-actor Andy Williams as a celebrity host from 1968 to 1988. It originated as the San Diego Open in 1952 and used that name in its title through 1985. Title sponsors were added in 1981, first with Wickes for two years, then three with Isuzu. Shearson Lehman Brothers became the title sponsors in 1986, replaced by Buick in 1992 and Farmers Insurance in 2010.[2] The event is organized by The Century Club of San Diego.
Although the San Diego Open began in 1952, the PGA Tour recognizes two earlier events of the same name: Leo Diegel won both events, in 1927 and 1929.[3]
Course history
Upon its founding in 1952, the tournament was initially played at San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista for its first two years. In 1954, the tournament moved to Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe; that club had previously hosted the Crosby Pro-Am prior to World War II. The event was played at Mission Valley Country Club in San Diego in 1955 for one year, then went to Singing Hills Country Club in El Cajon in 1956. The tournament returned to Mission Valley C.C. in 1957 where it stayed through 1963. Mission Valley changed its name to Stardust Country Club in 1962 (and now is known as Riverwalk Golf Club). After one year in 1964 at Rancho Bernardo Country Club (now Rancho Bernardo Inn) in San Diego, it returned to Stardust C.C. for three years, through 1967.
In 1968, the event began its present relationship with Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, a 36-hole public facility owned by the City of San Diego. In the current tournament set-up, players split the first 36 holes between the North and South Courses, then play the final 36 holes on the South Course. In 2008, the South Course hosted the U.S. Open, won by Tiger Woods in a playoff.[4]
Winners
| Year | Player | Country | Score | To par | Margin
of victory | Runner(s)-up | 1st prize ($) | Purse ($) |
|---|
| Farmers Insurance Open |
| 2018 | Jason Day (2) |  Australia | 278 | −10 | Playoff |  Alexander Norén
 Ryan Palmer | 1,242,000 | 6,900,000 |
| 2017 | Jon Rahm |  Spain | 275 | −13 | 3 strokes | Charles Howell III
 Pan Cheng-tsung | 1,206,000 | 6,700,000 |
| 2016 | Brandt Snedeker (2) | United States | 282 | −6 | 1 stroke |  K. J. Choi | 1,170,000 | 6,500,000 |
| 2015 | Jason Day | Australia | 279 | −9 | Playoff | Harris English
J. B. Holmes
Scott Stallings | 1,134,000 | 6,300,000 |
| 2014 | Scott Stallings | United States | 279 | −9 | 1 stroke | K. J. Choi
Jason Day
 Graham DeLaet
Marc Leishman
Pat Perez | 1,098,000 | 6,100,000 |
| 2013 | Tiger Woods (7) | United States | 274 | −14 | 4 strokes | Brandt Snedeker
Josh Teater | 1,098,000 | 6,100,000 |
| 2012 | Brandt Snedeker | United States | 272 | −16 | Playoff | Kyle Stanley | 1,080,000 | 6,000,000 |
| 2011 | Bubba Watson | United States | 272 | −16 | 1 stroke | Phil Mickelson | 1,044,000 | 5,800,000 |
| 2010 | Ben Crane | United States | 275 | −13 | 1 stroke | Marc Leishman
Michael Sim
Brandt Snedeker | 954,000 | 5,300,000 |
| Buick Invitational |
| 2009 | Nick Watney | United States | 277 | −11 | 1 stroke | John Rollins | 954,000 | 5,300,000 |
| 2008 | Tiger Woods (6) | United States | 269 | −19 | 8 strokes |  Ryuji Imada | 936,000 | 5,200,000 |
| 2007 | Tiger Woods (5) | United States | 273 | −15 | 2 strokes | Charles Howell III | 936,000 | 5,200,000 |
| 2006 | Tiger Woods (4) | United States | 278 | −10 | Playoff | Nathan Green
José María Olazábal | 918,000 | 5,100,000 |
| 2005 | Tiger Woods (3) | United States | 272 | −16 | 3 strokes |  Luke Donald
Charles Howell III
Tom Lehman | 864,000 | 4,800,000 |
| 2004 | John Daly | United States | 278 | −10 | Playoff | Luke Donald
Chris Riley | 864,000 | 4,800,000 |
| 2003 | Tiger Woods (2) | United States | 272 | −16 | 4 strokes | Carl Pettersson | 810,000 | 4,500,000 |
| 2002 | José María Olazábal | Spain | 275 | −13 | 1 stroke | J. L. Lewis
Mark O'Meara | 648,000 | 3,600,000 |
| 2001 | Phil Mickelson (3) | United States | 269 | −19 | Playoff | Frank Lickliter
Davis Love III | 630,000 | 3,500,000 |
| 2000 | Phil Mickelson (2) | United States | 270 | −18 | 4 strokes | Shigeki Maruyama
Tiger Woods | 540,000 | 3,000,000 |
| 1999 | Tiger Woods | United States | 266 | −22 | 2 strokes | Billy Ray Brown | 486,000 | 2,700,000 |
| 1998 | Scott Simpson | United States | 204* | −12 | Playoff | Skip Kendall | 378,000 | 2,100,000 |
| 1997 | Mark O'Meara | United States | 275 | −13 | 2 strokes | Donnie Hammond
Mike Hulbert
Lee Janzen
David Ogrin
Jesper Parnevik
Craig Stadler
Duffy Waldorf | 270,000 | 1,500,000 |
| 1996 | Davis Love III | United States | 269 | −19 | 2 strokes | Phil Mickelson | 216,000 | 1,200,000 |
| Buick Invitational of California |
| 1995 | Peter Jacobsen | United States | 269 | −19 | 4 strokes | Mark Calcavecchia
Mike Hulbert
Hal Sutton
Kirk Triplett | 216,000 | 1,200,000 |
| 1994 | Craig Stadler | United States | 268 | −20 | 1 stroke | Steve Lowery | 198,000 | 1,100,000 |
| 1993 | Phil Mickelson | United States | 278 | −10 | 4 strokes | Dave Rummells | 180,000 | 1,000,000 |
| 1992 | Steve Pate (2) | United States | 200* | −16 | 1 stroke | Chip Beck | 180,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Shearson Lehman Brothers Open |
| 1991 | Jay Don Blake | United States | 268 | −20 | 2 strokes | Bill Sander | 180,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Shearson Lehman Hutton Open |
| 1990 | Dan Forsman | United States | 275 | −13 | 2 strokes | Tommy Armour III | 162,000 | 900,000 |
| 1989 | Greg Twiggs | United States | 271 | −17 | 2 strokes | Steve Elkington
Brad Faxon
Mark O'Meara
Mark Wiebe | 126,000 | 700,000 |
| Shearson Lehman Hutton Andy Williams Open |
| 1988 | Steve Pate | United States | 269 | −19 | 1 stroke | Jay Haas | 117,000 | 650,000 |
| Shearson Lehman Brothers Andy Williams Open |
| 1987 | George Burns | United States | 266 | −22 | 4 strokes | J. C. Snead
Bobby Wadkins | 90,000 | 500,000 |
| 1986 | Bob Tway | United States | 204* | −12 | Playoff |  Bernhard Langer | 81,000 | 450,000 |
| Isuzu-Andy Williams San Diego Open |
| 1985 | Woody Blackburn | United States | 269 | −19 | Playoff | Ron Streck | 72,000 | 400,000 |
| 1984 | Gary Koch | United States | 272 | −16 | Playoff | Gary Hallberg | 72,000 | 400,000 |
| 1983 | Gary Hallberg | United States | 271 | −17 | 1 stroke | Tom Kite | 54,000 | 300,000 |
| Wickes-Andy Williams San Diego Open |
| 1982 | Johnny Miller | United States | 270 | −18 | 1 stroke | Jack Nicklaus | 54,000 | 300,000 |
| 1981 | Bruce Lietzke | United States | 278 | −10 | Playoff | Raymond Floyd
Tom Jenkins | 45,000 | 250,000 |
| Andy Williams-San Diego Open Invitational |
| 1980 | Tom Watson (2) | United States | 275 | −13 | Playoff | D. A. Weibring | 45,000 | 250,000 |
| 1979 | Fuzzy Zoeller | United States | 282 | −6 | 5 strokes | Billy Kratzert
Wayne Levi
Artie McNickle
Tom Watson | 45,000 | 250,000 |
| 1978 | Jay Haas | United States | 278 | −10 | 3 strokes | Andy Bean
Gene Littler
John Schroeder | 40,000 | 200,000 |
| 1977 | Tom Watson | United States | 269 | −19 | 5 strokes | Larry Nelson
John Schroeder | 36,000 | 180,000 |
| 1976 | J. C. Snead (2) | United States | 272 | −16 | 1 stroke | Don Bies | 36,000 | 180,000 |
| 1975 | J. C. Snead | United States | 279 | −9 | Playoff | Raymond Floyd
Bobby Nichols | 34,000 | 170,000 |
| 1974 | Bobby Nichols | United States | 275 | −13 | 1 stroke | Rod Curl
Gene Littler | 34,000 | 170,000 |
| 1973 | Bob Dickson | United States | 278 | −10 | 1 stroke | Billy Casper
Bruce Crampton
Grier Jones
Phil Rodgers | 34,000 | 170,000 |
| 1972 | Paul Harney | United States | 275 | −13 | 1 stroke | Hale Irwin | 30,000 | 150,000 |
| 1971 | George Archer | United States | 272 | −16 | 3 strokes | Dave Eichelberger | 30,000 | 150,000 |
| 1970 | Pete Brown | United States | 275 | −13 | Playoff | Tony Jacklin | 30,000 | 150,000 |
| 1969 | Jack Nicklaus | United States | 284 | −4 | 1 stroke | Gene Littler | 30,000 | 150,000 |
| 1968 | Tom Weiskopf | United States | 273 | −15 | 1 stroke | Al Geiberger | 30,000 | 150,000 |
| San Diego Open Invitational |
| 1967 | Bob Goalby | United States | 269 | −15 | 1 stroke | Gay Brewer | 13,200 | 71,000 |
| 1966 | Billy Casper | United States | 268 | −16 | 4 strokes | Tommy Aaron
Tom Weiskopf | 5,800 | 45,000 |
| 1965 | Wes Ellis | United States | 267 | −17 | Playoff | Billy Casper | 4,850 | 39,000 |
| 1964 | Art Wall, Jr. | United States | 274 | −6 | 2 strokes | Tony Lema
Bob Rosburg | 4,300 | 30,000 |
| 1963 | Gary Player | .svg.png) South Africa | 270 | −14 | 1 stroke | Tony Lema | 3,500 | 25,000 |
| 1962 | Tommy Jacobs | United States | 277 | −7 | Playoff | Johnny Pott | 3,500 | 25,000 |
| 1961 | Arnold Palmer (2) | United States | 271 | −13 | 1 stroke | .svg.png) Al Balding | 2,800 | 22,500 |
| 1960 | Mike Souchak | .svg.png) United States | 269 | −19 | 1 stroke | Johnny Pott | 2,800 | 22,500 |
| 1959 | Marty Furgol | .svg.png) United States | 274 | −14 | 1 stroke | Joe Campbell
Billy Casper
Dave Ragan
Mike Souchak
Bo Wininger | 2,800 | 20,000 |
| 1958 | No tournament - moved from November to January |
| 1957 | Arnold Palmer | United States | 271 | −17 | 1 stroke | Al Balding | 2,400 | 15,000 |
| Convair-San Diego Open |
| 1956 | Bob Rosburg | United States | 270 | −18 | 2 strokes | Dick Mayer | 2,400 | 15,000 |
| 1955 | Tommy Bolt (2) | United States | 274 | −14 | 2 strokes | Johnny Palmer | 2,400 | 15,000 |
| San Diego Open |
| 1954 | Gene Littler (a) | United States | 274 | −14 | 4 strokes | E. J. Harrison | 2,400 | 15,000 |
| 1953 | Tommy Bolt | United States | 274 | −14 | 3 strokes | Doug Ford | 2,000 | 10,000 |
| 1952 | Ted Kroll | United States | 276 | −12 | 3 strokes | Jimmy Demaret | 2,000 | 10,000 |
- (a) - amateur
- * rain-shortened to 54 holes
- ^ scheduled 54 holes
Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Sources[3][5]
Multiple winners
Through 2018, nine players have won this tournament more than once:
Records and trivia
- Tournament course record:
- Tiger Woods is the only seven-time winner of the tournament, and Phil Mickelson the only other to win more than twice.
- Hall of Famer and San Diego native Gene Littler is the only amateur winner, achieving the feat in 1954, and awarded a five-piece tea set.[6] Subsequently as a professional, Littler was a runner-up three times (1969, 1974, 1978).
- A memorable year in the tournament's history was 1982, when Johnny Miller outdueled Jack Nicklaus to win by one stroke.[7]
- Tiger Woods (2005–08) won four straight years, then won the 2008 U.S. Open on the South Course in June.
- Heavyweight boxer Joe Louis was invited to play in the San Diego Open in 1952 on a sponsor's exemption;
- Louis became the first African American ever to play in this PGA Tour event.[8]
References
- ↑ Media Guide Book p. 20
- ↑ "Farmers Insurance to sponsor San Diego Tour event". PGA Tour. January 18, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
- 1 2 Farmers Insurance Open - Winners - at www.pgatour.com
- ↑ PGA Tour 2007 Official Guide - January 2007, pages 1-5, 3-10,11, 11-5.
- ↑ 2009 Buick Invitational Media Guide - Tournament History - at www.buickinvitational.com
- ↑ "Littler beats pros, wins San Diego". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 25, 1954. p. 18. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
- ↑ "Miller wins by 1 over on-rushing Nicklaus". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. February 1, 1982. p. 3C. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
- ↑ Myers, Bob (January 17, 1952). "Joe Louis among 132 starters in San Diego golf". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Associated Press. p. 22. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
