It’s no secret but the stats do bear out that Torrey Pines South is no joke.
One of two golf courses – along with the North – that hosts the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open, the South is proving once again to be one of the toughest tests in golf.
So far in 2024, the Farmers field was 3 under during the first round Wednesday. In Thursday’s second round, the field of 156 was a combined 18 over, according to the PGA Tour’s ShotLink.
The South is the lone course in play for the final two rounds of the Farmers, so whoever reaches the finish line first there has earned his stripes.
Looking at the entire course stats from last season, Torrey Pines South was the highest non-major venue on the most difficult courses list.
Fans watch the final round of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club. (Photo: Adam Cairns/USA TODAY Sports)
Host of the 2023 PGA Championship, Oak Hill led the way as the most difficult course a year ago. Playing as a par 70, Oak Hill had an average score of 2.722 strokes over par. It surrendered just six eagles over four days and induced 233 double bogeys, most all season.
Rickie Fowler putts on the fourth hole during the third round of the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. (Photo: George Walker IV/Associated Press)
The U.S. Open venues are always a difficult challenge, and LACC was no different. LACC was a par 70 that played 1.776 strokes over par.
Jordan Spieth at the 151st Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club on July 22, 2023 in Hoylake, England. (Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images)
The 2023 Open Championship venue checked in third on this list at 1.746 strokes over par. The par-71 layout was the only other course to produce more than 200 double bogeys over the four days.
Harris English plays his shot on the 14th hole during the third round of the 2024 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South Course in San Diego. (Photo: Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
The South course is markedly more challenging that its sister North course. In 2023, the South played to a cumulative total of 1.623 strokes over par. It was also the longest course on Tour at 7,765 yards.
Scottie Scheffler hits his tee shot on the 16th hole during the final round of the 2023 Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Muirfield, aka Jack’s Place, host of the Memorial Tournament, is a par 72 that played 1.522 strokes over par in 2023.
Viktor Hovland tees off on the third hole during the final round of the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Network)
Augusta National has to be on this list before too long, right? The par-72 course played at 7,545 yards in 2023 and was .960 strokes over par, good for sixth on the list.
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