Farmers Insurance Open Odds: Max Homa Sensational on Home Turf

• Californian specialist Max Homa defends the trophy

• San Diego native Xander Schauffele is the tournament favorite

• LIV Golf-bound Jon Rahm misses the event for the first time

Farmers Insurance Open Odds

Odds from BetMGM Sportsbook. Bet $5, Get $158 in Bonus Bets with Code WSNMGM.

Farmers Insurance Open Picks and Predictions

• Sahith Theegala win at +3500 and top five at +800 with DraftKings Sportsbook

• Max Homa top 10 at +145 with bet365

• Lanto Griffin top 40 at +250 with bet365

Farmers Insurance Open Intro

For bettors, this is a great time of year because when the West Coast Swing hits the Californian coast, and the tricky Poa Annua greens which are typical there, some golfers enjoy the examination - and others absolutely hate it.

It’s a distinct test.

This week the field must take on the two courses at Torrey Pines which feature blustery sea breezes, traditional design principles, and those pesky putting surfaces.

Tiger Woods prevailed seven times, Phil Mickelson three times, Jason Day and Brandt Snedeker two times each - clearly all four of them loved playing there.

Many others have wilted, however.

Consider Keith Mitchell - good enough to win the Honda Classic but five starts at Torrey Pines have reaped four missed cuts and a best of just 63rd.

Who will take the honors this week? Local knowledge is crucial - in fact both Woods and Mickelson are Californian natives.

Torrey Pines GC Winners

Torrey Pines Course Notes

• Three rounds are played on the South Course and one (pre-cut) on the North

• The South Course is a par 72 at 7,765 yards and is very tough

• The North Course is a par 72 at 7,258 yards and is easier

• Beware the weather - the blustery sea breezes can impact scoring

• The Poa Annua grass on the greens can frustrate some golfers

• The test suits elite-level drivers of the ball - and often long ones

Favorites to Win the Farmers Insurance Open

Xander Schauffele (+900) at BetMGM

It’s 18 months since Schauffele’s last win but his consistency remains in place and he has opened 2024 with 10th place at The Sentry and third last week in The American Express. Although a native of San Diego he had early troubles at Torrey Pines but was second in this event in 2021, 13th last year, and also seventh in the 2021 U.S. Open on the South Course.

Collin Morikawa (+1000) at BetMGM

Another Californian and yet another who has really hit his straps in recent times in his home state. In fact, in his last four starts there he’s been fourth and third at Torrey Pines, and second and sixth at Riviera. He closed 2023 with a brilliant final round 63 to seal victory in the ZOZO Championship and opened 2024 with two 65s to land fifth in The Sentry.

Max Homa (+1100) at BetMGM

Yet another Californian and he boasts the best home state record of them all. Since the start of 2020, he has played 14 times there on Poa, only failing to make the top 20 on two occasions with 10 top 10 finishes, and four of those were victories, including in this event 12 months ago. He ended last year with victory in South Africa and opened the new year with 14th in Hawaii 

Coastal Vibes Suit Theegala 

The 26-year-old was born in Orange County and maintained his Californian connections by going to Pepperdine University in Los Angeles.

In 16 professional starts in the state he has missed only two cuts and last year, he was particularly brilliant there.

He was sixth at Riviera, 27th in the U.S. Open at L.A. Country Club, and then won the Fortinet Championship at Silverado in September.

He had also kicked off the year with fourth place in this tournament.

He finished second in The Sentry at the start of January and can end the month back at the right end of the leaderboard.

DraftKings Sportsbook are offering +3500 for the win and +800 for the top five. Snap it up.

Max at Homa in California

As we’ve already established, Max Homa is sensational on home turf.

Remember those numbers: he’s logged 10 top-10 finishes in his last 14 starts, eight in his last 10, and five in his last five.

He’s also recorded five top 10s in his last seven main tour starts anywhere. 

And in all of 2023, he had 12 top 10s in 23 starts.

Those numbers make the bet365 offer of +145 for another top 10 well worth taking.

Griffin Is in the Right State

Let’s make it a trio of Californians and complete the set with Lanto Griffin.

Born in Mount Shasta, his family actually moved away when he was young but he’s always enjoyed returning to his birthplace.

In all Californian starts, he has 16 top 40s in 25 starts.

When playing on Poa Annua greens in Cali he’s registered 11 top 40s in 18 starts.

At Torrey Pines itself, his numbers improve to five top 40s in six starts.

He carded a pair of 65s last week to finish 39th in The American Express (yes, California) and he can grab another this week.

Take the +250 at bet365.

How to Watch the Farmers Insurance Open

• Tournament: Farmers Insurance Open

• Location: North & South Courses, Torrey Pines GC, San Diego, California

• Date: Wednesday, Jan. 24 - Saturday, Jan. 27

• How to Watch: Wednesday & Thursday; 3 - 7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel), Friday 3 - 5 p.m. (Golf Channel), 5 - 8 p.m. (CBS). Sunday 2 - 4 p.m. (Golf Channel), 4 - 8 p.m. (CBS). And all four days on Sky Sports.