Farmers Insurance Open Preview, Tips & Analysis

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

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WILL he, or won't he?  Tiger Woods has entered for this week's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines and, as of right now, he is still scheduled to be on the first tee on Thursday, but after his shocking performance in Phoenix, will he be there?

There may be some comfort for him in the knowledge that Dustin Johnson's return to the PGA Tour for the first time since July last year will be the focus of attention. But will Woods want to put himself through another possible public humiliation, or would it be better for him to keep working on his game in private with his new coach, Chris Como? He is a proud man and hates to play competitively unless he has a chance to win, but I expect him to be there and to miss another 36-hole cut. For the record, if you fancy a flutter, you can get him at 46/1.

So can Johnson win? Absolutely not. His every move will be scrutinised and it will be a huge achievement for the big American simply to make the cut. He will have no choice but to face the media and there will be intense pressure on him to answer questions honestly about his alleged drug problems. How can he possibly focus on his game?

So we have told you who won't win it, but who might be in the shakedown on Sunday night? Torrey Pines tends to be a horses for courses venue.

Scott Stallings won it 12 months ago, but it is a couple of men who chased him down the stretch that I like the look of. Jason Day and Graham DeLaet both missed out by a shot. Day, from Australia, is a class act who has few weaknesses in his game. He has had some injury problems but reports that he is fully fit, and he has already shown glimpses of form even this early in the season.

He will defend his WGC Accenture Matchplay title soon, but I believe he will already have picked up his first win by then, and I expect it to come at Torrey Pines.

DeLaet has been an awfully good player for a long time, but is still looking for that elusive first victory on the PGA Tour. He will probably still be looking for it at the end of this week, but I strongly fancy his chances of a top-five finish, so he is one of my two each-way selections. The other is Rickie Fowler - the American is set for a big year in 2015, and will surely win his maiden major. He also has an excellent record at Torrey Pines. Horses for courses.

Betting picks

To win: Jason Day 18/1 The Australian did well here in 2014 and is a class act

Each-way: Rickie Fowler 25/1 Destined for a breakthrough year in which he will win several times

Graham Delaet 33/1 Too good a player not to break his duck soon

Fantasy picks:

Jason Day 18/1 Is there a better swinger of the club anywhere?

Martin Laird 40/1 The Scot is a streaky player but he tends to put two or three good weeks together

Graham DeLaet 33/1 An increasing number of experts are predicting big things for the Canadian

Rickie Fowler 25/1 It's time for Fowler to prove he can win as well as contend

Gary Woodland 40/1 Torrey Pines is a monster - Woodland can bring it to its knees

Jimmy Walker 16/1 Has made an astonishing start to the season, and loves Torrey Pines

Jordan Spieth 14/1 The most consistent player on the PGA Tour. There must surely be a mistake on that birth certificate

Chris Kirk 33/1 Unlucky not to make the US Ryder Cup team, Kirk has become a genuine contender

Billy Horschel 40/1 There have been flashes of the form that won him the FedEx Cup

Harris English 40/1 Tends to perform at his best early in the season. Wonderful technique and temperament

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