PGA Tour’s West Coast Swing continues at its third stop: Torrey Pines, San Diego, from January 22-25. A venue steeped in golf history, the course has proven itself as a stage for unforgettable events, from San Diego City Amateur to the U.S. Amateur Public Links, and the iconic U.S. Open held here twice. It’s also where Tiger Woods captured an incredible eight victories, adding to his legendary 82 PGA TOUR wins. Watching him dominate those fairways at Torrey Pines is always iconic.

This year, 150 players will compete in the 156-player field, including 20 of the top 50 players in the world, and 11 from the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Among the stars are Collin Morikawa (4), Hideki Matsuyama (5), Ludvig Åberg (6), Keegan Bradley (11), and Sahith Theegala (13), promising an intense week of golf.

This makes it the perfect moment to dive deeper into the fascinating history of Torrey Pines Golf Course.

The 36-hole Torrey Pines: What makes it so legendary?

The Torrey Pines Course, since 1957, has offered a magnificent backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. When out here, golfers can’t help but soak in the breathtaking views of the sparkling waters and dramatic cliffs that make every swing feel like a moment to savor.

It was designed by William P. Bell and his son, William F. Bell, on the site of the former Camp Callan, a U.S. military training camp during World War II. The 7,258 yards are divided into the South and North courses, each with distinct features.

The South Course — has long been recognized for its challenging layout. In 2001, renowned architect Rees Jones undertook a significant renovation to modernize the course and enhance its difficulty, aiming to attract major championships. This effort paid off when the South Course hosted the U.S. Open in 2008 and again in 2021. Further refinements were made in 2019 under Jones’s guidance, ensuring the course remains a formidable test for golfers.

The North Course — necessarily not a stark difference, but this field brings a forgiving experience. The course underwent a comprehensive $12.6 million redesign in 2016 led by golf course architect and former golfer Tom Weiskopf. The project involved multiple restorations like reducing the number of bunkers from 59 to 41, increasing the average green size, and reconstructing all 18 greens to meet the USGA standards. The goal was to increase playability while preserving the course’s inherent beauty. No doubt, this is a favorite among both pros and amateurs.

Combined, the Torrey Pines Course has given us many record-breaking moments besides Tiger Woods’ 2008 win.

Mind-blowing moments at Torrey Pines

Besides the ’08 win. Tiger Woods had won the Farmers Insurance Open a total of seven times, and his first victory came in 1999. It was quite the dramatic win as young Tiger was able to pull off quite a one-sided win against Billy Ray Brown. A 323-yard drive from the tee off the 18th hole was enough for the crowd to witness Tiger’s overwhelming greatness.

“It had to happen in a beautiful setting like this,” said Jon Rahm at the 2021 U.S. Open after winning his first career major to return to No. 1 in the world. It was a dramatic birdie-to-birdie finish on the 17th and 18th holes, securing a one-stroke victory over Louis Oosthuizen. The 50-foot eagle putt chased down a historic record-breaking moment in the presence of his father and 10-week-old son.

Phil Mickelson defeated Tiger Woods who was anticipating a seventh consecutive PGA Tour win as the defending champion during the 2000 Buick Invitational. Trying his best to catch up in the midst, Woods ultimately lost to Phil-the-Thrill’s four shots from back-to-back birdies. How? Mickelson’s familiarity with Torrey Pines, a course he grew up playing, edged out Woods’s winning streak in a Pacific splash!

The through-and-through evolution of Torrey Pines has given many dear-diary moments. Whether it’s the testing start of the South Course or the picturesque breathers of the North Course, Torrey Pines remains a course that challenges players, excites fans, and adds new pages to the history of golf every year.

As the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open approaches, which player are you most excited to watch this season? Keep the answers rolling in!