Tee Time: What to Expect at 2018 Farmers Insurance Open
The four-day PGA Tour golf tournament in Torrey Pines will bring top-notch players to the links, plus many after-parties
By Monica Garske ••
NBC 7’s Audra Stafford talks with Suzie Elliott from Farmers Insurance and Nick Schuler with Cal Fire San Diego about the benefits of the annual golf tournament at Torrey Pines.
It's time for tee in San Diego: the 2018 Farmers Insurance Open is swinging into town, bringing the best of the PGA Tour to the links – plus plenty of opportunities for mixing and mingling.
The prestigious PGA Tour golf tournament runs from Jan. 25 to Jan. 28 at the scenic, seaside Torrey Pines Golf Course. Fans will be able to see their favorite players up close, including the world's most recognizable golfer, Tiger Woods.
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Woods will, once again, try to tame the Torrey tourney, making his 2018 PGA Tour debut at the course he knows well. Woods has won this tournament a record seven times (1999, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013). The last tournament he played on tour was the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open, when he missed the cut by four shots.
Woods also won his last major championship at Torrey Pines, at the 2008 U.S. Open. He loves the tracks on the San Diego coast and his appearance at the Farmers Insurance Open will certainly be a big draw for spectators.
NBC 7’s Todd Strain speaks with 2017 Farmers Insurance Open director Peter Ripa about the “Tiger Effect” – how Tiger Woods’ appearance at this year’s PGA Tour tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course has impacted attendance and ticket sales. Ripa also shares what’s coming up this weekend at the tourney for spectators heading to the links.
Also on the roster is San Diego-born Phil Mickelson and Poway High School alum and four-time PGA Tour winner Charley Hoffman. San Diego State University alums J.J. Spaun and Xander Schauffele will also take a swing at the tournament, as well as Torrey Pines High School graduate Michael Kim. Locals Pat Perez and Jamie Lovemark are also expected to play.
Spectators can purchase several ticket options for the tourney, depending on which day they want to head to the golf course and what they want to do when they get there. Basic one-day passes start around $50.
Several upgraded zones along the course will offer food, drinks, music and prime seating. This includes The Fringe presented by Harrah’s Resort SoCal, an area on the 15th green with a sports bar vibe. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, after the final hole, this area will host a post-party. Admission to The Fringe sets you back $85 daily. For details on these VIP zones, click here.
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 30: Scott Brown hits out of a bunker on the 15th hole during Round 3 of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 30, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 30: Martin Laird of Scotland tees off on the 17th hole during Round 3 of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 30, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 30: (L-R) Dustin Johnson shakes hands with K.J. Choi of South Korea on the 18th green during Round 3 of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 30, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 30: Billy Horschel reacts after a putt attempt on the 16th green during Round 3 of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 30, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 30: Martin Laird of Scotland lines up a putt on the 15th green during Round 3 of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 30, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 30: A view of the 18th green during Round 3 of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 30, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 30: K.J. Choi of South Korea reacts after a birdie putt on the 18th hole during Round 3 of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 30, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 30: Scott Brown approaches the 17th green during Round 3 of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 30, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 30: Martin Laird of Scotland hits a shot on the 17th hole during Round 3 of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 30, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Tiger Woods plays his shot from the 15th tee during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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The crowd at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Day 2 of the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open.
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Dustin Johnson and Tiger Woods wait to putt on the 12th green during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Justin Rose of England putts on the fourth hole during the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Phil Mickelson plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Phil Mickelson talks with his caddie Jim McKay on the second tee during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Gary Woodland plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Nick Watney plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Tiger Woods plays his shot from the 18th tee during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Tiger Woods reacts to his putt on the 17th hole during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Tiger Woods plays his shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Tiger Woods plays his shot out of the bunker on the 12th hole during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Jason Day of Australia lines up a putt on the 14th hole during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Tiger Woods plays a pitch shot on the 10th hole during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Billy Hurley III prepares to putt during the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Brandt Snedeker plays his shot out of the bunker on the fourth hole during the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: J.J. Spaun plays his shot from the fifth tee during the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Mackenzie Hughes of Canada plays his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Phil Mickelson putts on the fourth hole during the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 27: Charles Howell III plays his shot out of the bunker on the fourth hole during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 27, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Tiger Woods plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Phil Mickelson plays his shot from the 11th tee during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Justin Rose of England plays his shot out of the bunker on the 15th hole during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Dustin Johnson plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Marc Leishman of Australia reacts to his putt on the fourth green during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Adam Hadwin of Canada plays his second shot on the fourth hole during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Jason Day of Australia plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Jimmy Walker plays his shot from the 14th tee during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Tiger Woods plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Jason Day of Australia lines up a putt on the first green during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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LA JOLLA, CA - JANUARY 25: Phil Mickelson looks on at Farmers Insurance Open Preview Day 3 at Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 25, 2017 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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LA JOLLA, CA - JANUARY 25: Tiger Woods hits out of the rough during the Zurich Pro-Am, Farmers Insurance Open Preview Day 3 at Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 25, 2017 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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LA JOLLA, CA - JANUARY 25: Tiger Woods looks on during the Zurich Pro-Am, Farmers Insurance Open Preview Day 3 at Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 25, 2017 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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LA JOLLA, CA - JANUARY 25: Tiger Woods hits out of he bunker on the 6th hole during the Zurich Pro-Am, Farmers Insurance Open Preview Day 3 at Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 25, 2017 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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LA JOLLA, CA - JANUARY 25: A fan holds a "Go Tiger" sign for Tiger Woods during the Zurich Pro-Am, Farmers Insurance Open Preview Day 3 at Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 25, 2017 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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LA JOLLA, CA - JANUARY 25: Tiger Woods tees off the 11th hole during the Zurich Pro-Am, Farmers Insurance Open Preview Day 3 at Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 25, 2017 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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LA JOLLA, CA - JANUARY 25: A golfer hits off the fairway during the Zurich Pro-Am, Farmers Insurance Open Preview Day 3 at Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 25, 2017 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
SHUTTERSTOCK
It's a big weekend for golf in San Diego as the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open heads to Torrey Pines.
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The view from the UltraZone party area at the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open on Jan. 26.
As for parking, fans will have a few paid parking options throughout the weekend. On Thursday and Friday, attendees can park at either the Del Mar Fairgrounds ($20) or Sunrunner (5187 Pacific Highway) ($10). Each parking lot will offer free shuttle service to the main entrance at the Gliderport from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days.
On Saturday and Sunday, attendees can park at the Sanford Consortium (2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Dr.), which is a short walk to the entrance of the tournament, or Scripps A (10800 N. Torrey Pines Rd.), which is a three-tenths of a mile walk to the east entrance. A lot called Scripps B (3506 Cray Ct.) will also be available; that area is located about a half-mile from the east entrance. Parking prices at these three lots range between $25 and $30.
The 2017 Farmers Insurance Open isn’t just about golf — it’s about mixing, mingling and socializing. NBC 7’s Todd Strain takes a look at the party zones scattered at Torrey Pines Golf Course and how the tourney has turned into a seaside social event.
Of course, if you're spending a day at the green enjoying those spectacular ocean views, you'll want to grab some grub. Concessions will be plentiful, with breakfast, lunch and snacks available for purchase throughout the tournament, plus beer, wine and cocktails.
Stroll over to areas like The Grove or 2 Green (NC) and 6th Fairway for lunch specials, or if you get there bright and early, the 1st Tee Concession area or Main Entrance Concession for breakfast, served until 12 p.m.
