The tee times are now available for the first two rounds of the Farmers Insurance Open, with several intriguing groups you should keep an eye on Thursday and Friday. (Click here for complete first-round tee times)
TIGER WOODS, ROCCO MEDIATE, ANTHONY KIM
Thursday: Noon ET off 10th tee (North Course); Friday: 1 p.m. ET off 1st tee (South Course)
Tiger and Rocco together again at Torrey Pines. Let’s hope they can match the entertainment value from their Monday duel that decided the 2008 U.S. Open. And let’s not overlook Kim, who’s seeking to rebound from an injury-filled 2010.
PHIL MICKELSON, DUSTIN JOHNSON, JUSTIN ROSE
Thursday: 1:10 p.m. ET off 1st tee (South Course); Friday: Noon ET off 10th tee (North Course)
Last September, Phil was asked about Johnson, one of his frequent practice partners. "He’s an incredible talent, and he’s got a lot of moxie to him," Mickelson said. "He’s got a real ability to take things head on, to try shots, to challenge himself. He’s not afraid of failure, and that’s going to lead to further success for him." Yes, that sounds like Phil describing, well, Phil.
DAVIS LOVE III, STEWART CINK, BUBBA WATSON
Thursday: 1 p.m. off 1st tee (South Course); Friday: 11:50 a.m. ET off 10th tee (North Course)
Davis was just named the 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup captain. Cink has been on five Ryder Cup teams. Watson has been on one. With Love wearing a microphone on Thursday for the Golf Channel, anybody want to go out on a limb and say these three guys might discuss something Ryder Cup-related?
JHONATTAN VEGAS, CHARLEY HOFFMAN, NICK WATNEY
Thursday: 11:50 a.m. off 10th tee (North Course); Friday: 12:50 p.m. ET off 1st tee (South Course) Hoffman is a San Diego native who has played this course often. "I have no clue the number of rounds I’ve played," he said. Watney won at Torrey Pines in 2009. Wonder if the rookie Vegas, last week’s winner of the Bob Hope Classic, might pick their brains a time or two.
RICKIE FOWLER, MARC LEISHMAN, CHARLES HOWELL III
Thursday: 1:10 p.m. off 10th tee (North Course); Friday: Noon ET off 1st tee (South Course)
Fowler was named the PGA TOUR’s Rookie of the Year in 2010. Leishman won the award the year before. And Howell won the award in 2001. Big things are expected from Fowler in his sophomore season, but Leishman played well at Torrey Pines last year (tied for second) and Howell usually plays well here.
