This weekend marks the unofficial kick off of the 2011 PGA Tour season, with the Farmer's Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California. Tiger Woods is once again the biggest story of the week, as he makes his first return to Torrey Pines since winning the 2008 U.S. Open. Following a disappointing 2010 season that included injuries, a car wreck, numerous personal problems and no major victories, Woods will no doubt be looking to get back to his 2009 form.
At Torrey Pines, Woods has played in 12 PGA tournaments, winning an astonishing six of them. So if Woods wants to get back to the world number one ranking, a distinction he lost last year, Torrey Pines seems like a good place to start.
Paired with Woods in the opening round will be Rocco Mediate, the player with whom Woods famously played a playoff in that same 2008 U.S. Open, a pairing that no doubt tournament promoters preferred. Without NFL football to fill up Sunday afternoon, this will be an excellent stage for Woods to make an statement to all of Woods fans and detractors.
The Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines begins Thursday, the first two rounds will be shown on the Golf Channel, while the final two rounds will be shown on CBS.