Hello Gents,

Happy to be your tour guide as we explore the (semi) deep roots of the Professional Golf Association. I’m thrilled to take you on this journey, sharing my Top 5s, Top 10s, Top 20s, and Dark Horse picks each week. While I won’t dive into every stat, I’ll give you my take as we follow the season alongside the powerhouses and crowd favorites.

This week’s tournament tees off Wednesday at 11:50 AM (ET) at the iconic Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California. The Farmers Insurance Open starts a day earlier than usual to avoid conflicting with Sunday’s NFL Championship. The first two rounds will be played on both the south and north courses, with the final two rounds exclusively on the south course.

The north course, playing at 7,258 yards from the pro tees, is known for its shorter par 4s, with 2-3 being driveable depending on how players feel that morning. It’s also about 1-3 strokes easier than the south course, giving golfers a chance to make an early move.

The south course, on the other hand, is the true test. Stretching 7,765 yards, it features narrower and longer fairways, favoring big hitters who can stay accurate. Success here demands a sharp game, especially as the final two rounds are played exclusively on this challenging layout.

To get into a strong position for moving day, players will need to capitalize on the scoring opportunities of the north course. Those who can maintain momentum on the south course will find themselves in contention come Sunday.

Favorites

Ludvig Åberg (+900)
The Swedish sensation is the favorite this week. A win would mark the fourth consecutive victory by an overseas player this PGA Tour season.

Keegan Bradley (+2200)
Bradley has notched three top-five finishes at this event since 2017, including a runner-up finish in 2023. His strong start to this season positions him as a serious contender.

Tony Finau (+2200)
Finau has been consistently strong at Torrey Pines, with six top-10 finishes in ten appearances. He’s a dependable choice for another solid performance this week.

Shane Lowry (+3300)
Lowry’s strong track record at Torrey Pines, combined with his drive for a successful start to the PGA Tour season, makes him a standout contender.

My Picks

Powerhouse Pick: Ludvig Åberg

Åberg is my go-to pick this week. The young star has the power and precision to dominate, coupled with the maturity and composure of a traditional senior tour member. He’s on the brink of becoming a household name in the PGA.

Straight-Up Winners to Watch:

• Max Greyserman
• Jason Day
  Both are coming off top-10 finishes at the Amex tournament and are in great form heading into this week.

Dark Horse: Aaron Rai (+6600)

The Englishman with his signature two-glove style had an impressive finish last season. He’s poised for a breakout year, and I’m kicking things off by naming him my first Dark Horse.

Top Picks:

• Top 5 (Including Ties): (+1550)
  Ludvig Åberg, Jason Day

• Top 10 (Including Ties): (+5102)
  Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Aaron Rai

• Top 20 (Including Ties): (+6483)
  Ludvig Åberg, Shane Lowry, Max Greyserman, Austin Eckroat, Justin Rose

Round 1: 3-Ball Parlays (FanDuel Odds):

Odds: +9065

• Gary Woodland
• Sungjae Im
• Chris Gotterup
• Max Greyserman
• Erik van Rooyen

Odds: +11723

• Aaron Rai
• Austin Eckroat
• Justin Rose
• Victor Perez
• Lee Hodges

Good luck, Gents, and hit ‘em straight!