Just five players won the PGA Tour event now known as the Farmers Insurance Open during the first decade of the new century, with Tiger Woods dominating around Torrey Pines at that time.
Tiger Woods won the tournament then known as the Buick Invitational six times between 1999 and 2008. He added a seventh title at the event in 2013.
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Five of those wins came in a six-year stretch. And of course, Torrey Pines was the site of perhaps his greatest major triumph, with Woods winning the 2008 US Open on one leg.
The only other player who won the event in San Diego during that run was John Daly.
Why John Daly said his 2004 Buick Invitational win was the greatest of his career
Daly’s talent has never been in question. He won two major titles in the 1990s, while he is one of those players the fans will never grow tired of watching.
Unfortunately, Daly had his fair share of problems away from the golf course over the years. And by 2004, he had gone nearly nine years without a win on the PGA Tour.
Wild Thing ended that run that February, however. He defeated Chris Riley and Luke Donald in a playoff after the trio had finished on 10 under par.
Daly got up and down from the bunker on the 18th hole to make a birdie and win. Understandably, he could not contain his emotions after getting across the line.
As reported by ESPN, he went on to explain why he put that victory above his two major titles.
“This is the greatest victory,” Daly said. “I won two majors. Nothing can take away from that. But I’ve never won a tournament that Tiger Woods has been in the field. That feels good.”
A brief Torrey Pines blip for Tiger Woods
Despite Daly’s claim, Woods was actually in the field for The Open Championship in 1995. However, he was an amateur at that time, making his debut in the event.
Woods ended up tied for 68th as Daly defeated Constantino Rocca in a playoff at St Andrews. So you can understand why he felt his 2004 win was so significant.
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Woods went on to win his first eight majors before Daly’s victory at Torrey Pines. He ended that particular week tied for 10th, just two shots back of the three men who contested the playoff.
The PGA Tour would then have to wait until 2009 for the next time someone not named Tiger Woods won at Torrey Pines, with Nick Watney getting the victory.
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