The 2022 Farmers Insurance Open is beginning this week at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, Calif.
When the tournament took place last year, it was played without fans walking both the north and south courses.
This year, there is another quirk involving the tournament: it is starting on a different day.
Normally, PGA Tour tournaments start on Thursday and end on Sunday. However, due to the PGA’s TV deal with CBS, it decided to push the Farmers Insurance Open back one day, so viewers do not have to decide on watching the final day of the tournament or the NFL’s two Conference Championship games.
The first and second rounds will be televised on The Golf Channel, while Friday and Saturday action will be televised on CBS.
As a result, the Farmers Insurance Open is the only tournament this year to start on Wednesday and scheduled to end on Saturday.
PGA Tour golfers comment on 2022 Farmers Insurance Open
Jon Rahm, who won the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open and is currently No. 1 in the Official World Golf Rankings, said he is ready to go, but understands if other golfers are not quite prepared.
“To be honest, I’m so in my routine, it feels like a Wednesday,” Rahm told the media Tuesday. “Just not playing a pro-am, but it feels like a Wednesday. I drove in with my caddie Sunday night and we did some practice (Tuesday), so yeah, it almost feels like a Wednesday.
“I can see for some people if you get in Monday, especially if you run into some trouble in the travel, even though for the most of us it’s a two-hour drive, but if you have any added stress, you don’t have that extra day to settle down and get going. I wouldn’t say there’s much of a difference.”
Jon Rahm comments about changes to this year’s Farmers Insurance Open
Rahm, who won the last year’s U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, entered this week after finishing tied for 14th at The American Express tournament in La Quinta, Calif. last week.
Also playing in last week’s The American Express tournament was Patrick Reed, who finished 8-under.
Reed, who won last year’s Farmers Insurance Open by five strokes despite some possible controversy, said having the tournament be pushed up one day allows him to recenter his focus.
“With having the tournament start so quickly on that turnaround, it allowed me to forget about last week,” Reed said. “With coach being here, I’m able to get my mind really set on what we’re trying to do this week and focus on a place that when you look at both courses, north and south, it’s right out in front of you.
“It’s one of these you have to hit fairways, you have to hit greens and you hit solid putts that are going to go in. With having a short turnaround like that, you’re able to really get locked in this week. I tend to over prepare during tournament weeks and that being said, having one less day to do that just means hopefully I’ll be more fresh come (the weekend).”
Patrick Reed speaking about the 2022 Farmers Insurance Open
Unlike Rahm and Reed, Dustin Johnson did not play last week. Yet, Johnson has not played since The CJ Cup in Las Vegas last October.
So, preparation is a bit different for the fourth-ranked player in the world.
Johnson said the length of the tournament is still the same despite the tournament beginning a day early.
“Its four days. It doesn’t matter what day we start,” Johnson said. “Especially, I wasn’t playing last week, so it wasn’t like I was on a short turnaround or anything. Plus, I played the course quite a few times. It’s not like I’m coming to a new venue earlier. I was able to travel on Sunday. Got here on Sunday around lunch time. For me, it’s normal, just starts on a different day.”
Dustin Johnson reacts to 2022 Farmers Insurance Open
The 37-year-old Johnson, who is playing in one of two marquee groups with Rahm and Justin Thomas, has played at Torrey Pines in the past, including a handful of Farmers Insurance Opens.
Reed is in a featured group with Phil Mickelson and Marc Leishman.