Farmers Insurance Open

Torrey Pines South(7,569, Par 72) and North (6,874, par 72) Courses (La Jolla, Californi

Purse: $6,100,000

Winners Share: $1,098,000

Fed Ex Cup Points: 500

Defending Champion: Eldrick Tiger Woods

TV: Today: Golf Channel: 3-7 PM ET/2-6 CT; Friday: Golf: 3-7 PM ET/2-6 CT; Saturday: Golf 1-2:30 PM ET;12-1:30 CT; CBS 3-6 ET/2-5 CT; Sunday:  Golf: 1-2:30 PM ET/12-1:30 CT; CBS: 3-6 ET/2-5 CT.

Weather: Today: Partly Cloudy, 68 high, 0 % rain, wind SSW 9 MPH; Friday: 69 high, cloudy, 20% rain, wind west 6 MPH; Saturday: 70 high, 0% rain, partly cloudy, wind NW 8 MPH; Sunday: 70 high, 0% rain, partly cloudy, wind WNW 8 MPH.

Featured groups: 12:2o PM ET/11:2o CT, 9:20 Pacific: Brandt Snedeker, Keegan Bradley and Hunter Mahan. 12:30 PM ET/11:30 AM CT/ 9:30 Pacific: Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Jason Day. 1:40 PM ET/12:40 CT/10:40 AM Pacific: Tiger Woods, Jimmy Walker and Jordan Spieth.

Key holes on South Course:

All par fives: That’s where some scoring occurs: No.6 is a 560 yard par five in which you carry the canyon on right with a draw. The challenge of the second shot is getting a long approach to land softly on the green.No.9 is a 613 par five which the longest players can reach, but most of the players will have to hit three shots and lay up in good shape to hit a good approach for a birdie opportunity. No.13 is a 541 yard par five in which the drive will carry the canyon on the left. The second shot calls for a 260 yard carry as the green is protected by bunkers and rough in the front. No.18 is the classic on the course. A 572 yard, par five, this hole has created plenty of drama throughout the years. Eldrick’s 2008 U.S. Open victory was punctuated on that Saturday in June when he chipped in from the bunker on 17 for birdie and then eagled 18 from 30 feet with a bad knee that would require surgery right after the tournament. Eldrick was really playing up the injury too. Grimacing dramatically after a lot of shots. He wanted to let everybody know he was hurt. Retief Goosen said later he was “faking.” He wasn’t, but it was funny because Eldrick likes the drama.

North course is a scoring course. The players will make a lot of birdies on this course.

The Contenders:

Eldrick:

He’s won eight times here, so he’s got a pretty good grip on Torrey. Can he get it done again. It’s hard to tell because he hasn’t played that much– been busy with Lindsey– but he’s definitely a factor. If the driver is accurate and the putter is clicking, he could win No.9 at Torrey Pines.

Sneee-deker, “yeah that’s the guy”:

Brandt won here two years ago and he’s got a good shot this year. Was second last year behind Tiger. If the putter is on, Sneds could win this thing.

Jordan Spieth:

I’m seeing greatness out of this 20 year old. Won last year at the John Deere and has all the tools to be a major winner  this year. See him possibly getting it done this weekend.

Jimmy Walker:

Already won twice this season at the Frys.com Open in October (the season started then with the new format) and at the Sony Open two weeks ago. Very solid player with an excellent short game and pretty long and accurate. Has a shot for sure. Finished tied fourth here last year.

Jason Day:

Finished tied ninth here last year. He’s ready for a major this year. Been so close the last two years almost winning the Masters and U.S. last year. Primed for a big 2014.

The winner:

Philip Alfred Mickelson:

Phil finished tied for second with Rory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship last week shooting 63-69 on Saturday and Sunday, losing by one shot to Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal. Phil just seems to keep getting better with age. I see him with a very good shot to capture the U.S. this year at Pinehurst 2 for his sixth major and a career slam. Phil gets it done with his length on Torrey and his putting which has really come on in the last two years. He’s always been a good putter, now he’s a great putter. Philip gets it done at Totrey.

Couple of other notes:

Pick to win in the NBA Finals:

Oklahoma City over Indiana Pacers in 7

Final Four this year at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (the house that Jerry built) April 5th and 7th:

Arizona, Florida, Kansas  and Louisville

NFL idea to change to taking out the extra point kick:

Don’t like it. Some traditions are sacred in football and I like the idea that if a team works hard and scores a touchdown they can have an automatic seven. Don’t like having to make them work some more after scoring a TD. Need to keep the kick in the game.

The college football playoff:

I’ll adjust, but it’s hard to imagine Florida State having to play another game after that war with Auburn in the national championship game. Injuries could be a factor in the final game after two brutal, hard fought semifinal games.

Bama Quarterback:

I like Jacob Coker. He can be a good quarterback for the Tide next year. His numbers as a senior starter at St. Paul’s in Mobile were impressive. He was 94-of-153 (61%) for 1,508 yards, 15 TDs and just two ints. He can do a good job as signal caller for the Tide. Blake Sims, Alec Morris, Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell will have a say in the competition.

AU quarterback:

Nick is the incumbent, but Jeremy Johnson is going to give him some major competition in the spring. Jeremy is 6’6″, 225 pounds and is a prototype qb. Jeremy can make all the throws and he’s a good decision-maker too. Will be interesting competition.

Early predictions:

Florida State, Auburn, Alabama and UCLA.

***Really like the hire of Bill Clark by UAB Athletics Director Brian Mackin. Well done there by BMac. Bill is an excellent football coach, who will recruit well, and bring some tough defense to the Southside. Bill has an excellent resume as he just took Jax State in his first year to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs, and was a very good defensive coordinator at South Alabama for Joey Jones. He was also highly successful at Prattville High School where he won a couple of Class 6A state championships and went 107-11 under him. Clark’s 2007 squad was ranked second nationally at the end of the season. He won his last 30 games at Prattville. Excellent hire by Brian Mackin.