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He is the golfer who holds the course record at Torrey Pines after course changes made in 2002

Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
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Torrey Pines promises to provide a stern test of the world’s best golfers at this week’s Genesis Invitational.

With Riviera Country Club still recovering from the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, the San Diego venue was selected as the new host just weeks after the Farmers Insurance Open was played at the course.

During the Farmers Insurance, which Harris English won, high winds made life challenging and even resulted in play being suspended during the second round.

This week, however, thick rough is set to test the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa as the PGA Tour’s elite tackle what will probably be the hardest test of the season thus far.

It’s highly unlikely anyone will beat Tiger Woods’ course record of 62, which he carded during the 1999 Buick Invitational.

Greg Chalmers’ ‘new’ course record at Torrey Pines

Charles Schwab Cup Championship 2024 - Round One
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Interestingly, there are actually two course records for the South Course at Torrey Pines after the venue changed in 2002. Therefore, Woods’ course record is for the ‘old’ version of the layout.

Aussie Greg Chalmers holds the ‘new’ course record, which he set during the 2002 Buick.

Chalmers’ round included ten birdies and one bogey. The Aussie, however, couldn’t fend off Woods. The 27-year-old would go on to seal his second win at Torrey Pines.

Chalmers, now 51, famously beat Woods at the 2011 Australian Open but struggled on the PGA Tour and picked up his maiden win at the 2016 Barracuda Championship.

What changes were made to Torrey Pines’ South Course

The 2002 changes to Torrey Pines were primarily made to prepare for the 2008 US Open, which Woods famously won after a 19-hole playoff against Rocco Mediate.

Architect Rees Jones opted to make major changes to the greens, which involved reshaping and repositioning the putting surfaces.

Meanwhile, existing bunkers were rebuilt, and new traps were added to the course, particularly around the greens, to make the layout more penal.

Elsewhere, some fairways were widened whilst others narrowed. Finally, length was added to ensure Torrey Pines’ South remained a test for the world’s best players.

Now, ahead of the Genesis, the course will be one of the longest on the PGA Tour.