Torrey Pines provided a stern test at the 2024 Farmers Insurance Open, and the PGA Tour returns this week with a much stronger field.
With Riviera Country Club still recovering from the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, Torrey Pines was named the new host of the Genesis Invitational. There was also the prospect of Tiger Woods playing his first event of 2025. However, Tiger has withdrawn after the sad passing of his mother, Kultida.
Nevertheless, a strong field will tee it up in San Diego, including three-time major winner Jordan Spieth. The former Masters’ champ finished tied for fourth at the WM Phoenix Open in what was his second PGA Tour start of the season.
What Jordan Spieth said about rough at Torrey Pines before the 2021 US Open
Spieth is still recovering from wrist surgery, and his rehab could be tested to the limit this week with thick rough set to greet the PGA Tour’s best players in San Diego.
Interestingly, the three-time major winner highlighted Torrey’s challenging rough during the 2021 US Open.
“It’s tough anyway in January, right? Then it’s normally maybe some more moisture, but it’s obviously higher — around the greens, it’s wicked. Spotters are going to have to really be on their game because, around the greens, you can hit some shots five feet off the edge of the green and really have to look hard to find your ball,” Spieth said.
“Then the rough, it seems like there’s some graduated rough on some holes, and even that first cut on 12 and like 14 are the two that come to mind, even the first cut is mowed into you. So there’s not a whole lot you can do. You’re not really advancing more than a 7-iron for a lot of those lies; just trying to tumble it down the fairway.
“Here and there, I think they left it down in some certain places, like left of 12, and certain places it might be popular that you could hit a pretty good shot and end up being able to reach the green on some of the harder holes. But I think they’ve done a really good job from the looks of it so far.”
Jordan Spieth’s performance at the 2021 US Open
Jon Rahm won the 2021 US Open at Torrey Pines and was one of only 12 players who finished under par. The South Course’s firm greens and thick rough proved too much for some of golf’s biggest names.
Spieth finished in a tie for 19th and was left to rue a disappointing six-over 77 during the first round. The American’s opening round included a four-hole stretch where he made one double bogey and two bogeys.
However, Spieth bounced back with two sub-par rounds on Friday and Saturday before failing to mount a serious charge during the final round.
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