Tournament: Farmers Insurance Open – Torrey Pines Golf Course ( South Course), San Diego, CA
Hole: 3rd – Par 3, 200 Yards
Architect(s): William F. Bell – 1957
Rees Jones (redesign) – 2001
Architectural Summary:
The picturesque third hole at Torrey Pines’ South Course is a downhill par three playing 200 yards towards the Pacific Ocean. Multiple teeing grounds and wind conditions will dictate strategy and club selection for players from the tee. Precision and distance control are emphasized as trouble is present left, long, and short of the green. Players will likely play 1-2 clubs less than the yardage would typically require on the lengthy par three because of the 45 foot elevation change from tee to green. From the tee, players must negotiate the predominate crosswind that blows from right to left across the hole as they determine their target and shot shape. When the hole is setup on the shorter teeing ground, the hole location will likely move to the left portion of the green to bring the front bunker and canyon, which is played as a lateral hazard, more into play. The conservative tee shot will be to the right side of the green or the small fairway area to the right of the green. The green measures 32 yards wide by 23 yards deep at the deepest point and is protected by a single front bunker. The green is two-tiered and contains a significant left to right slope which when combined with the common windy conditions can lead to three putts.
Statistical Analysis:
During the 2016 tournament, the 3rd hole played to a scoring average of 3.10 (47 birdies, 183 pars, 61 bogeys, 7 double bogeys, and 1 “other”).
Fun Facts:
- Torrey Pines Golf Course is located on the former site of Camp Callan, a United States Army training center in World War II.
- The course is named for the Torrey Pine, a coastal pine tree classified as critically endangered, which grows only in the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in San Diego County and on Santa Rosa Island.
- During the infamous 2008 U.S. Open Championship at Torrey Pines, Rocco Mediate and an injured Tiger Woods faced off in a sudden death playoff after 90 holes of competitive golf. During the tournament, both competitors played the 3rd hole to even par as Woods claimed victory on the 91st hole.