Rejuvenated Theegala all set for Farmers Insurance Open as Koepka makes return

San Diego, US, Jan 29: Sahith Theegala heads to Torrey Pines for the Farmers Insurance Open carrying momentum and renewed belief after a Top-10 finish at last week's American Express.

The Indian-American,

who has been steadily rebuilding after a difficult 2025, looks poised to make an impact as the PGA Tour's West Coast Swing moves to one of its most iconic venues.

Theegala will not be alone in flying the flag this week. He is joined in the field by fellow Indian-American Akshay Bhatia, Indo-British star Aaron Rai and Indo-Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju, giving the tournament a strong Indian origin presence.

The 2026 Farmers Insurance Open will be contested across Torrey Pines' North and South Courses, widely regarded as among the most scenic - and demanding - stops on the PGA Tour schedule.

The field is stacked, with 10 of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Rankings teeing it up as the Tour contests its third title of the 2026 calendar year. One notable and intriguing addition is Brooks Koepka, who makes his long-awaited return to the PGA Tour. The five-time major champion is playing his first Tour event since the 2022 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, following four seasons with LIV Golf.

Theegala is seen as a dark horse this week. His Top-10 finish at the American Express was his first since the 2024 Procore Championship and a clear sign that his health issues are behind him. Encouragingly, Torrey Pines has been a happy hunting ground for him in the past - he has made the cut in all four of his Farmers Insurance Open appearances, with a best finish of tied fourth in the 2022-23 season.

Theegala's putting has once again been a standout, and there are signs that his driving - a key requirement on the long South Course - is trending in the right direction. If that continues, he could well find himself in the thick of contention come Sunday.

Bhatia, meanwhile, is still searching for rhythm early in 2026 after missing the cut in his lone start so far this season. Rai and Yellamaraju will also be keen to turn the page and produce stronger performances on a course that rewards patience and precision.

Koepka's return adds another layer of intrigue. Under the PGA Tour's Returning Member Program, he is required to play a full schedule while attempting to gain entry into Signature Events. Beyond Torrey Pines, Koepka has already committed to next week's WM Phoenix Open and the Cognizant Classic. His presence has also resulted in two additional spots being added to the field to complete threesomes.

Among the in-form players to watch is American Ryan Gerard, who has been knocking loudly on the door. In two starts this season, he has finished runner-up at the Sony Open behind Chris Gotterup and again at the American Express, this time behind world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. He also finished second in Mauritius in December, underlining his consistency.

Other notable contenders include Xander Schauffele, who returns after missing last year's event due to injury, and Ludvig Åberg. The young Swede impressed at Torrey Pines last season and later claimed victory at the Genesis Invitational on the same course, though he withdrew from the American Express last week due to illness.

Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, Si Woo Kim, J.J. Spaun, Gotterup and Hideki Matsuyama round out a formidable list of players expected to challenge for the title in what promises to be a compelling week at Torrey Pines.