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.
Oak Hill Country Club - East Course
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.
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.
Royal Liverpool
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.
Torrey Pines - South
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.
Muirfield Village Golf Club
Muirfield, aka Jack’s Place, host of the Memorial Tournament, is a par 72 that played 1.522 strokes over par in 2023.
Augusta National Golf Club
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.
You cannot go left on the par-4 18th. For that reason, the finishing hole at TPC Sawgrass was the most challenging of them all in 2023, and it likely will hold this distinction again in 2024. It played 0.341 strokes above par and saw more bogies (117) than any other hole.
The course itself is a beast, playing 7,652 yards for the 2021 U.S. Open, with a slope and rating of 79.0 and 151 for the tournament, meaning a scratch golfer could expect to break 80 about 25% of the time in the U.S. Open setup.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course is rated one of the toughest courses in the world from the Championship tees, boasting a course rating of 75.5 and a slope rating of 144.
When it comes to the easiest holes, by number, on the PGA Tour last season, three courses – Kapalua's Plantation Course, TPC Scottsdale and PGA West's Nicklaus Tournament Course – featured two holes apiece on the list. Kapalua's par-5 fifth hole was easiest hole of them all at nearly a shot under par.
Both courses are renowned for hosting prestigious competitions, including the PGA Tour's Farmers Insurance Open. Known for its challenging layout and stunning ocean views, the South Course has gained international recognition as the venue for the 2008 U.S. Open, where Tiger Woods secured a memorable victory.
It offers two 18-hole Championship courses – Torrey Pines North and Torrey Pines South. Both golf courses are played by the PGA TOUR professionals during the Farmers Insurance Open held in late January or early February every year. The final two rounds of this tournament are played on the South Course.
The North Course record is 61, by Mark Brooks in 1990 (second round, nine birdies and one eagle) & by Brandt Snedecker in 2007 (first round, nine birdies and one eagle).
Torrey Pines Non-Resident 8– 90 Days In Advance Program: Torrey Pines does make a limited amount of tee times available for non-residents from 8–90 days in advance so there is a very good chance we can help you book a GUARANTEED tee time at Torrey Pines.
Torrey pine trees are the rarest native pines in the United States. If you take the Torrey pine growing in one small grove on Santa Rosa Island as being distinct, that tree could possibly be the rarest pine of all.
U.S. Open. Also known as The United States Open Championship, it's considered to be the most difficult tournament in the world. It's caused by very difficult conditions in the golf courses that are specifically prepared for the tournament.
However, the course isn't just a beauty to behold, it's also an incredibly difficult course. Of course, any club as historic as Augusta National is bound to have a few insane stories to go with it. That said, Augusta has some of the craziest tales and statistics of all.
Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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