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Todd McGill's DraftKings, FanDuel PGA DFS picks for the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Picks for daily fantasy golf based on course history
Well, it didn't take long for the world to witness another Scottie Scheffler victory on the PGA Tour, as the world's unequivocal top player dominated the AMEX field this past week. It was another stark reminder that everyone has a long mountain to climb to get to him. Interestingly, the transition from PGA West to this week's event at Torrey Pines couldn't be any further apart, in terms of length and course layout/difficulty.
The title sponsor, Farmers Insurance, is still mending its relationship with Southern California after last year's wildfires, which saw many top players withdraw from the event. Coincidentally, this will be the last event sponsored by the corporation on the PGA Tour. Regardless of the politics and legal jargon, this is an event of significant importance, at a venue rich in golf lore. There hasn't been an announcement for the plans after 2026, but I doubt this is the last time we see Torrey Pines on the tour stage.
Horse For The Course is an article highlighting players in this week's field with elite course history and is part of our free PGA DFS content here at RotoBaller. For some of the favorite DFS plays of the week, check out the Core Four article written by my buddy, Joe Nicely, here at RotoBaller every Wednesday. It's part of our amazing PGA Premium package that includes an all-new PGA Research Station, Lineup Builder & Optimizer, and some of the best articles in the PGA DFS industry! You can sign up now using the Promo Code TDG for an extra discount at checkout!
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The field at last week's AMEX Championship was the strength we had grown accustomed to seeing here. But, with only two of the top 10 players in the world making the trip to San Diego, it's evident this isn't the same tournament we saw before COVID and the arrival of LIV Golf.
The event itself has helped raise over $20 million in charitable donations over its 17-year history. So while the book is closing for the title sponsor, the tournament organizers will likely find their new money machine for continued societal impacts, if nothing else.
Xander Schauffele and J.J. Spaun headline this year's field. It will be interesting to see how both guys start this season after being the two players who took the biggest leap in play over the last two years. Schauffele dealt with injuries throughout the beginning of 2025 after winning two majors the year before, while Spaun flourished and became one of the best players in the world last season.
You can find out who the smart money is on by checking out Spencer Aguiar's PGA DFS: Vegas Report weekly. And be sure to read our other top-notch weekly PGA DFS articles and Player News/Matchup Outlook Posts to help you win big!
Torrey Pines Golf Course (North and South)
Par 72 - 7,258 & 7,765 | Greens: Bentgrass/Poa Annua | Designed By: William Bell
There isn't likely to be anything mentioned here that most aren't already aware of, regarding the South Course, especially. It's long and brutal test has been on display in some capacity since 1968, and has been the site of two historic U.S. Opens. However, the design lends itself to be more getable for longer hitters, especially in years where the score reaches double digits under par.
The North Course, while noticeably shorter, isn't a walk in the park either. A 2017 renovation by Tom Weiskopf added yards, enlarged greens, and made it a more strategic test for professionals. It hasn't exactly had the desired effect, as winning score totals have increased since.
Depending on the weather—more so the wind—there are a few statistics that are more important than others. However, one thing that is a must is that the approach game with long irons and woods has to be good. Over 33% of approach shots at Torrey are from 200 yards or more. Mixed with the par-3s, which are mostly all over that threshold as well, it narrows the field drastically. Outside of that, Par-5 scoring, Strokes gained putting (specifically on bentgrass or poa annua), and strokes gained around the green are also major contributors.
Recent FIO Winners
- 2025: Harris English
- 2024: Matthieu Pavon
- 2023: Max Homa
- 2022: Luke List
- 2021: Patrick Reed
The Horse
Xander Schauffele
- Notable Finishes: T2 ('21), T9 ('24), T13 ('23)
Given the rib injury he sustained in the 2024 off-season, Xander Schauffele missed last year's event. It's unclear whether he would have been among the players who opted out, but regardless, his local ties have made this an important stop on the schedule every year. While he's never won this event in his nine previous appearances, the 32-year-old has made his presence felt many times.
Even without his local ties, Schauffele's game shapes up well for Torrey Pines. He's second in the field in total strokes gained at this event over the last five seasons.
Even with a sluggish 2025, he still managed to rank 12th in strokes gained on approach (+0.578) and third in par-5 birdie-or-better percentage (56.77%) for the season. The long iron department is also a place he thrived, ranking 32nd in proximity over 200 yards. Even if he hasn't added his name to the trophy, all the signs point to that becoming an eventual reality.
The Ponies
Max Homa
- Notable Finishes: 1st ('23), T13 ('24)
"I felt so broken."
But if there's anything we know about @MaxHoma, who lost his PGA TOUR card twice before ascending into the world's top 10, he intends to fight back.
After finishing outside the top 100 on the 2025 #FedExCup, his comeback season begins this week @TheAmExGolf. pic.twitter.com/9c9xuo5TL7
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 21, 2026
As one of the guys who withdrew last year, Max Homa will return this week, hoping desperately for another good showing. It's been a real struggle for him over the last year or so, as his WD from this event last year was more due to illness and poor play rather than standing up to the title sponsor.
Regardless of how you feel about his play over the last little bit, he's still one of the more deserving players for this type of article. He's shown as much consistency here as one could expect at such a difficult test, boasting an average of +1.820 total strokes gained over his last 14 rounds in this event. And if you've seen him play recently, things are trending mightily in the right direction.
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Will Zalatoris
- Notable Finishes: 2nd ('22), T7 ('21), T13 ('24)
"The mental side of it was very tough, leaving the PGA (Championship) not knowing if that was going to be my last professional golf tournament."
After undergoing disc replacement surgery last May, @WillZalatoris makes his PGA TOUR return this week @TheAmExGolf.
An update ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LSd3a5kzmY
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 20, 2026
As one of the notable players who withdrew from this event last year, Will Zalatoris is back to continue his success at Torrey Pines. It's been feast or famine in his five previous starts in this event, as he's missed two cuts in addition to the three solid finishes. Putting and chipping have ultimately cost him from lifting a trophy here.
The ball-striking numbers are incredible, as he's averaged nearly an entire stroke between driving and approach play metrics over his last 14 rounds on the North and South courses. Given the start we've seen over his first two events of the new season (one being in December in Europe), expect more of the same from him this week. And if the putter happens to get hot... Watch out!
Sam Stevens
- Notable Finishes: 2nd ('25), T13 ('23)
The hole-in-one he never saw!
It's in from 196 yards for Sam Stevens @TheRSMClassic. pic.twitter.com/yz1zuZf0hh
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 23, 2025
It isn't every day that you see a guy like Sam Stevens making an article like this, especially at a place so rich in PGA Tour history. However, that goes to show the form he's displayed in his three previous appearances. He's longer than 75% of the guys on tour off the tee and has been known to get downright nasty with the putter from time to time. But it's his short game that is the most intriguing.
In 2025, Stevens ranked 36th in strokes gained around the green (+0.182). That stat has been even better at the two Torrey Pines courses, with an average of +0.615 over 12 competitive rounds. Maybe it's his length, or the boringness of every hole being dreadfully long and straight. Whatever the case, he has been a force here and could likely be so again this year.
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