The $9.6 million Farmers Insurance Open began Thursday at Torrey Pines Golf Course, with San Diego State and Scripps Ranch High School alum Xander Schauffele the pre-tournament favorite. Schauffele missed last year's Farmers Insurance Open after withdrawing before the start of the previous week's The American Express in La Quinta for what was only described as "medical" reasons. Schauffele had played in the Farmers Insurance Open each year since 2016, his rookie year on the PGA Tour, until last year. There are three players in the field in addition to Schauffele, who went to high school or college in San Diego County — Justin Hastings (San Diego State), Charley Hoffman (Poway High School), and J.J. Spaun (San Diego State University). The 49-year-old Hoffman will be making his 28th appearance at The Farmers Insurance Open.