Torrey Pines is no Augusta National, but it still manages to break the sweat off of the best of the bests. No one would argue that playing at this iconic venue isn’t a proper test. However, many would also wonder: Is it worth it? Well, for the Tiger Woods fans, it certainly is both worthy and interesting. To jog our memories, let’s recap back to the 2008 US Open where Tiger winced through a fractured leg and still conquered the 91-holes match. Torrey Pines is one of his favorite hunting grounds and there is no denying why he was able to get past the excruciating pain that visibly increased and the conditions at the San Diego-based golf course to grab his 14th major title win. Certainly, we have epic moments from this 7,802-yards-long green. Another one, 

Phil Mickelson’s 2011 Farmer’s Insurance Open’s stunt where he asked his caddie Bones to tend the pin while he was 72 yards out. If you remember the moment, Phil had just one chance to push his name for the playoffs in that event. Hence, after taking his sweet time to strategize his shot, he brought out Bones, and as the caddie touched the pin, the crowd roared with anticipation because they agreed with Kostis on calling duty who told his partner, “Nick, if you had to have one person to hit this shot to hole it out, this would be the guy.” The crowd and the commentators broke into “Spin, spin!” but the ball stayed put just inches away from the hole as everyone sat back in the chairs exclaiming a sad “Ohhh!” Although Phil did not make the hole in one, we saw one of the most memorable moments happen right in front of our eyes. The wind and the pressure got to him and his chance at the playoffs. And seems like the history is repeating again, pushing the top golfers of the world at Torrey Pines to break down.

The beautiful green is simply majestic but is also one of the most temperamental courses to play at. And it continues to be unforgiving in the 2025 Genesis Invitational that was moved to Torrey due to the LA wildfires. The Riviera Country Club usually hosts the event but the sudden change in the venue is a trouble for even the world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and No. 3 Rory McIlroy and the fans are not loving how the famed South Course is impacting these world leaders of the sport.

The new location is a beast, making it more than just a course. It is longer, windier, and much less predictable. The thick Kikuyu grass only makes the course even trickier. No wonder Scottie Scheffler’s typical accuracy was put to the test, while Rory McIlroy struggled with the rough.

Round 1 with the low temperatures reaching 50s, continuous rains, and swirly winds was already a task to handle. Scheffler could not hide the amusement as he said, “Weather conditions were changing a bunch, and we dealt with a lot of different elements. Overall, it was a pretty solid day.” World No.1 trying to make a return also added, “Today’s a challenging day, and this is a golf course that challenges you in a variety of ways.” Scottie dropped down to T8 on Saturday by missing 3 putts inside 6 feet with just 1 back. With the round of 4-over 76, further marred by poor drives and a disobedient short game, he managed to score his personal worst since the 2022 Players Championship.

Things were not going great for Rory either. He also managed the worst scoring in the last decade as he made -3.90 strokes gained putting on the greens. The last time he had a similar performance was at the 2014 Wells Fargo where he grabbed -4.18 strokes gained putting. The winner of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am that concluded last month led the field in driving precision, but his poor putting caused him to fall on the rankings with a third-round score.

Debates regarding the course’s effect on player results have been stoked by these surprising performances. The heavy, erratic, and harsh coastal winds at Torrey Pines, according to some professionals, can negate the benefits of even the best golfers. Torrey Pines, in particular, is known for being a grind, and the USGA-style setup can frustrate even the best. Players familiar with Riviera’s design might find it difficult to adjust to the tough layout of the course, which necessitates a different strategic style.

Some in the golf community believe that greater thought should have been given to how the new layout would fit with the tournament’s rigorous requirements and the players’ setup, even though logistical difficulties and scheduling constraints played a part.

Fans’ unfavorable reactions to PGA Tour’s location selection

No one seemed happy about the outcomes they were getting on the unpredictable South course. However, things took a hit for worse for Scheffler and McIlroy, who despite being at an acceptable T-8, need to improve for many fans. Nevertheless, the fingers were not simply pointed on the golfers but also PGA Tour for better preparation in such instances.

“It’s bad enough we have to watch events at Torrey Pines once a year. Twice is torture. It’s incredibly mid. Having a few holes in the ocean does not make it interesting,” a fan complained. Originally, Torrey Pines is the home to the Farmer’s Insurance Open where the viewers already have to see the cream of the crop get deflated at the hands of the historic golf course. While making the playing conditions more difficult can certainly be exciting for some time, it becomes plain boring if the best golfers too struggle throughout the event. 

Another tweet from a fan criticized the level of play, saying, “@livgolf_league How hard must it be to accept how bad the golf is on LIV. I was just watching Torrey Pines, and this is pathetic.” Critics argue the course’s challenges can lead to dull play, hurting the audience’s experience. 

On the thread, another individual commented, “TBH, I just don’t like Torrey Pines for the out-of-state price, long rounds, unplayable rough. But a hole-in-one on this hole would be amazing. There’s just got to be so many other courses where a HIO would be better at.” It raises concerns about playability, accessibility, and pace, suggesting the course’s challenges might dull its appeal. However, as the golf enthusiast also suggests, watching a HIO would be somewhat of an entertaining bit. The green mostly not allowing an under par only makes the task more challenging and fun!

According to a fan, “Yeah, I don’t think Torrey Pines and fast golf go together in my experience. Too many people looking for balls.” Crowded, uneven fairways could lead to more time spent searching for wayward shots, slowing down play and ruining the groove for players and fans. No doubt that speed is not the best companion of this South course.

By asking, “What is the best course on PGAT and why is it Torrey Pines?” another fan expressed their viewpoint. While most of the golf followers were not glad about the way the Genesis Invitational went down, it does beg to ask the question of Torrey Pines is an iconic destination for a reason and only if a few conditions were controllable, it would only improve the viewer experience.

The 2025 Genesis Invitational proved how much the venue can flip the game. Torrey Pines was a wake-up call, finding the sweet spot between tough play and fan fun is no easy feat! But with one more round to go, can Scheffler and McIlroy find their groove again?