The Farmers Insurance Open Returns to a Classic Sunday Finish in 2026 — And Why It’s a Big Win for Torrey Pines

For the first time in four years, the Farmers Insurance Open is getting something that feels both new and wonderfully old school:

A traditional Sunday finish at Torrey Pines.

From 2023 through 2025, San Diego’s PGA Tour stop shifted to a Wednesday–Saturday schedule to avoid going head-to-head with the NFL’s AFC and NFC Championship games — a smart move in the age of television ratings battles. But in 2026, the calendar finally lines up in Torrey Pines’ favor.

The tournament will run Thursday, January 29 through Sunday, February 1, landing perfectly in the week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl.

That means:

• Golf returns to Sunday afternoon
• CBS kicks off its PGA Tour season at Torrey Pines
• Jim Nantz is back on site
• And San Diego gets the full spotlight again

For players, fans, and golf travelers, it’s a bigger deal than you might think.

And for Torrey Pines? It’s a moment that feels like a homecoming.

Back to the Way It’s Meant to Be

There’s just something about Sunday at Torrey Pines.

The marine layer lifting off the Pacific.
Crowds lining the bluffs.
The pressure building on the South Course back nine.
And a trophy being lifted as the sun starts dipping toward La Jolla.

For decades, the Farmers Insurance Open has owned that Sunday TV window.

It’s where legends have closed.
It’s where dramatic finishes happen.
It’s where San Diego shows off.

But for the last three seasons, that rhythm changed.

To avoid competing with the NFL playoffs — and the ratings powerhouse that is pro football — the tournament shifted to a Wednesday–Saturday format. The final round aired on Saturday instead of Sunday, which worked logistically but never quite felt the same.

The energy was different.
The viewing habits were different.
The tradition felt paused.

Now in 2026, that pause ends.

Sunday golf is officially back at Torrey.

Why the Schedule Change Matters More Than You Think

On paper, this might sound like a small tweak.

Move the finish from Saturday to Sunday. No big deal, right?

Actually — it’s huge.

1. More National Exposure for Torrey Pines

When the Farmers finishes on Sunday, it becomes part of the sports world’s natural weekend rhythm.

Casual sports fans flip on CBS.
Golf fans settle in for the afternoon.
Millions of viewers see Torrey Pines in prime time.

And what do they see?

• The Pacific Ocean crashing behind the 3rd and 4th holes
• The cliffs above Black’s Beach
• Perfect winter weather
• One of the most iconic municipal courses on earth

For much of the country stuck in snow and freezing temps, it looks like paradise.

For San Diego tourism and golf travel, it’s essentially four hours of free national advertising.

(If you’ve ever looked at your website traffic during Farmers week — you know exactly how real that effect is.)

2. CBS Starts Its PGA Tour Season at Torrey

The 2026 Farmers Insurance Open will also be the first PGA Tour event on CBS’s schedule.

That means:

Opening theme music.
First big broadcast of the year.
Full production.
Full attention.

It’s not just another stop on the calendar.

It’s the kickoff.

And there’s no better stage than Torrey Pines South.

3. Jim Nantz Returns — In Person

Here’s a detail golf fans love.

For the last three years, Jim Nantz couldn’t fully be on site at Torrey Pines because of his NFL responsibilities. He was often calling the Farmers remotely while also covering the AFC Championship.

In 2026?

He’s back on property.

Live. Walking the course. Calling the action from the tower.

There’s something special about hearing:

“Hello, friends… and welcome to Torrey Pines.”

It just hits different when it’s live and in the moment.

And for a tournament that already has major-championship vibes, having the full CBS crew on site only elevates the prestige.

A Perfect Time of Year for Golf in San Diego

One of the beautiful ironies of the Farmers Insurance Open is this:

While much of the country is frozen solid, Torrey Pines is absolutely dialed.

Late January and early February in San Diego might be the best golf weather in America.

Think:

• 60s to low 70s
• Cool mornings
• Sunny afternoons
• Lush winter turf
• Crystal clear ocean views

It’s why so many golf travelers plan trips specifically around tournament week.

They watch the pros… then go play the same course.

There’s nothing quite like walking down 18 on the South Course on Monday morning knowing you just watched the PGA Tour finish there 24 hours earlier.

For many golfers, it’s a bucket-list experience.

The Players Feel It Too

Torrey Pines isn’t just a beautiful setting — it’s a serious test of golf.

The South Course has hosted:

• Multiple U.S. Opens
• A U.S. Amateur
• Countless PGA Tour events
• And some of the most dramatic finishes in modern golf

It’s long. It’s demanding. And when the wind picks up off the ocean, it’s relentless.

That’s why the Farmers consistently attracts strong fields.

Players know a win at Torrey means something.

It’s not a birdie fest.
It’s not soft scoring.
It’s earned.

Coming back to a traditional Sunday finish only adds to that big-event feeling.

Final round pressure.
Packed grandstands.
National TV spotlight.

It feels closer to a major than a regular tour stop.

And players respond to that.

A Win for Fans — On Site and at Home

If you’ve ever attended the Farmers in person, you know the vibe on Sunday is different.

It’s louder.
It’s tighter.
Every shot feels heavier.

Saturday finishes were fun, but they didn’t quite deliver that same crescendo.

Now:

• Weekend travelers can attend the true final round
• Families can plan Sunday outings
• More casual fans can tune in from home

Sunday just works better for everyone.

It’s when sports moments happen.

And Torrey deserves that stage.

What This Means for Golf Travelers

If you’re planning a San Diego golf trip in 2026, this schedule change opens up some really cool possibilities.

Here’s a popular game plan we’re already seeing:

The Ultimate Farmers Week Itinerary

Thursday–Friday:
Watch early rounds. Walk the course. Follow your favorite players.

Saturday:
Play Torrey Pines North or another top San Diego course like Aviara or Maderas.

Sunday:
Come back for the final round and watch the drama unfold live.

The following week:
Play Torrey Pines South yourself.

It’s the perfect mix of spectator golf and bucket-list rounds.

And honestly? There’s nothing like playing the course right after the pros leave.

Pins are still tough.
Conditions are championship-level.
And every hole feels familiar from TV.

You feel like you’re part of the story.

Torrey Pines in the National Spotlight — Again

Every year, the Farmers Insurance Open reminds the world what locals already know:

Torrey Pines is special.

Not just a great municipal course.
Not just a good tournament venue.

But one of the most iconic public golf experiences anywhere.

The cliffs.
The ocean.
The history.
The walk up 18.

Few places in golf combine beauty and difficulty like this.

Returning to a Sunday finish simply gives that story a bigger microphone.

More viewers.
More exposure.
More people saying:

“I need to go play there.”

And that’s exactly what makes this event so powerful for San Diego and for golf travel.

The Bottom Line

The 2026 Farmers Insurance Open isn’t just another year on the schedule.

It marks the return of:

• Traditional Sunday drama
• Prime CBS coverage
• Full national spotlight
• And the classic Torrey Pines tournament atmosphere we all love

For players, it’s a bigger stage.

For fans, it’s a better experience.

For San Diego, it’s priceless exposure.

And for golfers planning their next bucket-list trip?

It might be the perfect year to finally tee it up at Torrey.

Because when you watch the pros battle down the stretch on Sunday afternoon… and then stand on that same first tee the next morning?

That’s when you realize:

There’s nothing quite like Torrey Pines.