2026 Farmers Insurance Open Picks At Torrey Pines

LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 25: Harris English poses with the trophy after winning the Farmers Insurance Open 2025 at Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 25, 2025 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

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The PGA Tour remains in Southern California this week, heading to historic Torrey Pines for the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open. Much like last week at The American Express, the tournament features a multi-course rotation, with players seeing the North Course once and the South Course three times.

Unlike last week, however, Torrey Pines presents a far more demanding test. Winning scores tend to stay modest as Harris English captured the 2025 title at just eight under par. Penal rough, coastal winds, and poa annua greens combine to challenge even the game’s elite, placing a premium on ball-striking, patience, and scrambling over four demanding rounds.

So lets see who we think will pop up on the leaderboard.

Picks

Jason Day

Coming off a tie for second at The American Express, Jason Day looks to carry that momentum into a venue that has long suited his eye. Few players in the field can match his résumé at Torrey Pines with two victories and seven top-10 finishes have earned him true “horse for the course” status.

While poa annua greens can be problematic for many, they’ve never slowed down Day. If his putter cooperates the way it typically does on these surfaces, he once again figures to be a factor this week.

Maverick McNealy

Playing solid golf early in 2025 with two made cuts, Maverick McNealy returns to a venue where he came agonizingly close just a year ago. McNealy finished second to Ludvig Åberg at the 2025 Genesis Invitational, coincidentally held at Torrey Pines—after a closing-round 64 vaulted him firmly into contention.

He came up just short of the winner’s circle then, but Torrey clearly fits his eye. The question this week: can Mav rediscover that late-round magic and flip the script in 2026?

Max Homa

Looking for a resurgence after a frustrating 2025, there’s growing evidence that his game is trending in the right direction. A solid week in La Quinta where he posted scores of 69 or better in all four rounds—was backed up by an impressive fall stretch that included finishes of T-19, T-18, T-40, and T-9.

Add in the fact that he’s already proven he can win at Torrey Pines as the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open champion, and the picture becomes even clearer. With confidence building and form returning, are the stars starting to align once again this week?

Xander Schauffele

With no Rory McIlroy or Scottie Scheffler in the field this week, one of the heavy favorites is X. The two-time major champion endured what many would consider a down year in 2025, arriving at Torrey Pines motivated to reestablish himself among the game’s elite with a statement win.

Now fully healthy, and with the added comfort of a home-game feel at Torrey Pines—combined with the absence of the world’s top two players—the door appears wide open for him to seize the opportunity.

One to Watch

Brooks Koepka

Yes, it’s that Brooks Koepka. He’s back on the PGA Tour following a mutual parting with LIV, and all eyes will be on what version of Koepka shows up this week.

The competitor in him will want to make an immediate statement, but the real question is whether the game can match the bravado. If it does, Torrey Pines could be the perfect stage for a loud return.