Historic Moments at the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open

The 2026 Farmers Insurance Open — held January 29 to February 1 at the iconic Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California — delivered drama, record-breaking golf, and a compelling narrative to kick off the PGA Tour year.

Justin Rose’s Defining Victory

Englishman Justin Rose stole the show in emphatic style, dominating the field from start to finish. At 45 years old, Rose delivered one of the great performances of his career, finishing at 23-under-par for the week and winning by seven shots — one of the largest margins in Farmers Open history.

His opening 62 on the North Course set the tone, and he never relinquished the lead — becoming the first player in 71 years to lead wire-to-wire at this event. With rounds of 62-65-68-70, Rose not only took home his 13th PGA Tour title but also broke the tournament scoring record, surpassing the legendary Tiger Woods’ 1999 mark.

With this win, Rose also moves comfortably into the upper echelons of the world rankings and strengthens his case as a contender in the season’s upcoming majors.

Standout Performances & Key Storylines

Leading Challengers

While Rose raced ahead, several players mounted noteworthy performances:

• Pierceson Coody, Si Woo Kim, and Ryo Hisatsune tied for second at -16, each showcasing strong Sunday play to finish sharply behind the champion.

• Jake Knapp and Stephan Jaeger shared fifth on -15, proving depth in the leaderboard.

• Joel Dahmen’s top-10 effort was a highlight, especially as he carved out a crucial early season performance after gaining entry as an alternate.

  
  

Season’s First Ace

Veteran Tony Finau thrilled galleries by recording the first hole-in-one of the 2026 PGA Tour season — a 215-yard ace at the par-3 16th on the South Course.

Brooks Koepka Return

The event also marked a much-anticipated return to PGA Tour competition for Brooks Koepka, who finished inside the cutline (albeit well down the leaderboard). His round-by-round struggles, especially on the greens, generated plenty of discussion about equipment, form, and what lies ahead for the major champion.

Rules Drama

Off the course, news broke that recent PGA Tour winner Michael Brennan was disqualified for breaching the Tour’s green-reading material rules — a rare and talking-point moment from the week.

Purse & Payouts

The total purse for the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open was approximately $9.6 million, up slightly from previous years. The champion’s share — $1.728 million — reflected Rose’s historic work at Torrey Pines, with second place paydays near $726,400 for Coody, Kim, and Hisatsune.

Why It Mattered

Beyond the leaderboard, this year’s Farmers Open was significant for a few reasons:

• It served as an early statement from a veteran still playing elite golf long past the typical peak years.

• It highlighted deeper Tour narratives — from commebacks and breakout rounds to rules enforcement in a season where every point and shot counts.

• And for fans worldwide, it offered a fresh taste of what promises to be a compelling 2026 PGA Tour season.

Looking Ahead

With the Farmers Open in the books, eyes now turn to the West Coast Swing’s next stops — including events like the WM Phoenix Open and the Pebble Beach Pro-Am — where players will look to build on form or chase redemption.

Whether you’re a Justin Rose admirer, a stat-hunting golf fan, or someone who loves drama in professional sport, the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open delivered. And if this week was anything to go by — it’s going to be an exciting year on the PGA Tour.