PGA TOUR - Farmers Insurance Open

The PGA Tour stops at Torrey Pines this week for the event formerly known as the Buick Invitational. Nick Watney won the event last year. The defending champion has had great success in this event over the last decade. Of course, many years, that defending champion was Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson - eight of the last 11 years, either Tiger or Phil has won this tournament. In the last 11 years, when neither Tiger nor Phil was the defending champion – that player has not fared well. In 2005, John Daly finished T-72^nd, and in 2003, Jose Maria Olazabal missed the cut.

Phil Mickelson tees it up for the first time in 2010 this week, at an event he’s won three times in his career. Lefty struggled here last year, though, shooting 73-75 on the weekend to finish tied for 42^nd.

Phil Mickelson – Career in this event

Starts      20

Wins        3<<

Top-3’s     5

Top-10’s    9

Cuts made   16

>>Won in 1993, 2000, 2001

Phil’s had some success in his first event of the season in his career. After all, it was January of 1991 when he won his first career PGA Tour event in Arizona. Possible credit for this could be the Tour’s early-season inhabitance out West, where Mickelson grew up (California) and went to school (Arizona State). In his 18 career ‘first-starts-of-the-season’ as a pro, Phil has won 4 times, and missed just 1 cut. That came last year at the FBR Open, when Phil opened up with a 5-over 76 and never recovered.

Phil Mickelson – 1^st PGA TOUR Start of Year, Professional Career

Events      18

Wins        4

Top-10’s    8

Cuts made   17<<

>>Only missed cut was last year (FBR Open)