(Bubba Watson won here in 2011. Photo: Zimbio)

It's not the strongest field we have seen for this PGA Tour event but Dustin Johnson will play after withdrawing from last weeks Humana Challenge with back issues. Johnson is the only player in the field in top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings.

There are four previous champions of this event in the field: Bubba Watson (2011), Ben Crane (2010), Nick Watney (2009), and Phil Mickelson (1993, 2000, 2001). As mentioned above, Watson is the king of insurance sponsored tournament. His three career victories have all been sponsored by insurance companies including Farmers, Travelers and Zurich. 

Ben Crane followed up his 2010 victory here with a win in 2011 at the McGladrey Classic and will look to make it three wins in three years this week. In 2012 he finished in the top 10 at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and last weeks Humana Challenge. 

Nick Watney is chasing career victory number five on the PGA Tour. Watney had two wins last year but missed the cut at the British Open and US Open while struggling at The Masters. This will be his first full field event of 2012.

Phil Mickelson has won here three times and other than the Masters, I can't think of a better place for him to earn career victory number 40. He's said he is not playing in the upcoming WGC event which leads me to believe he's going to focus on this event a little more.

Three Groups To Watch At the Farmers Insurance Open

3. Bill Haas, Keegan Bradley & Bubba Watson: A great group that could produce our winner this week. Keegan Bradley is looking to add to his two wins last year on the PGA Tour while Bill Haas can add to his $10 million FedEx Cup money. Watson is the defending champion and gets a second look because of it. 

2. Dustin Johnson, Gary Woodland & Camilo Villegas: I like watching "DJ" which is why I want to keep an eye on this group. He withdrew last week and I'm hoping we get to see him play four rounds this week. Villegas came out strong last week which is a great sign. Hopefully he can put a full event together this week and challenge for the title on Sunday. Keep an eye on Gary Woodland, I expect him to win in 2012. 

1. Nick Watney, Phil Mickelson & Hunter Mahan: The obvious choice for group to watch. Watney and Mickelson both favorites to do well here while Hunter Mahan makes his 2012 debut. He won twice in 2010 and missed out on the winners circle in 2011. 

#BeatTheHost: Farmers Insurance Open

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• Guest: Nick Watney (@Jamies18)
• Hosts Picks: Ben Crane (@999Places) & Bubba Watson (@WAMGolfs)

(Mark Wilson earned career victory number 5 this week. Photo: Desert News)

Wilson, who was 1-over through the front nine, played the back nine bogey free and made a spectacular birdie from the bunker on the 12th hole. Garrigus had an eagle opportunity but narrowly missed allowing Wilson to win with his 24th birdie of the tournament. He added two eagles along with his brides and made just four bogies through 72-holes to finish at 24-under (264). 

Wilson earned $1,008,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points with the victory.

Humana Challange Notables

Johnson Wagner, Robert Garrigus and John Mallinger all finished in a tie for second, two strokes behind Mark Wilson. Wagner won the Sony Open in Hawaii last week and holds an early lead in the FedEx Cup standings. Garrigus made a 3-putt par on the final hole to come up short of Wilson and tie for second. He was in search of his first win on the PGA Tour since November 2010. Mallinger played the final two rounds without a bogey but couldn't find a couple extra strokes on the final holes to catch Wilson. It's the second time in his PGA Tour career he has finished second. 

Phil Mickelson made his 2012 debut this week, finishing at 10-under in a tie for 49th. Mickelson was one of 19 players to shoot over par in the first round but followed it up by shooting 3-under (69) in the second round and made the cut by shooting 6-under (66) in third round.

Dustin Johnson made his 2012 debut and was the only player in the field ranked in the top 10. Johnson was even after the first round but withdrew after playing nine holes during the second round due to back pain. He was four over par at the time. 

The PGA Tour heads to Torrey Pines next week for the Farmers Insurance Open. Bubba Watson is the defending champion. 

(The Humana Challenge replaces the Bob Hope Classic)

Johnson Wagner is the only 2012 winner to enter the field this week. Steve Stricker, who won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, is not in the field. Wagner is joined by several PGA Tour stars making their debuts this week including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, and Anthony Kim. Dustin Johnson is the highest ranked player in the field (8th) while Kuchar (11th) and Mickelson (15th) sit just outside the top 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings. Mickelson is looking for win number 40 on the PGA Tour at an event he has won twice (2002 & 2004).

Three Groups To Watch at The Humana Challenge

3. Greg Norman & Scott McCarron: I'm not sure if "The Shark" is in this as a celebrity or as a golfer but either way I'll watch him play. In his first start here since 1986 (I was 5), I would love for Norman to somehow pull out a victory here. I don't know how much longer we get to watch him play so I'll enjoy it every time he is in the field. McCarron will be looking for his first victory since the Bell South Classic in 2001. Playing with Norman could give him the boost he needs to get going again. 

2. Camilo Villegas & Anthony Kim: To say these guys had disappointing 2011 seasons may be an understatement. Kim made the cut in 14 of 26 events last year and finished in the top 10 twice. He missed the cut at The Masters, The PLAYERS, and PGA Championship but did finish 5th at the British Open. I want to see if he can rebound in 2012. Villegas started 2011 on a DQ and his year didn't improve much from there. He made 14 cuts and finished 3rd at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. He has the talent and hopefully 2012 is a better year for him. 

1. Phil Mickelson & David Toms: Missing the cut last week probably wasn't the start to the 2012 season Toms was hoping for but 2011 didn't start off great either. His second place finish at The PLAYERS was heartbreaking but he showed up next week and won the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, capturing his first win in five years. I'm pulling for another victory in 2012. What event will Mickelson claim as his 40th career victory? He's my pick to win this week and I may pick him every week until he wins.  

Humana Challenge #BeatTheHost:

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Guest Picks: Matt Kuchar (@starmk)

Hosts Picks: George McNeill (@999Places) & Phil Mickelson (@WAMGolfs)

(The 6th green at Grassy Hill Country Club in Orange, CT)

The weekday pass will exclude holidays and weekend play and is available for $1,450. The "Full Pass", allowing you to play any time, is $2,800. This does not include carts (cost is around $16 for 18-holes) but pass holders can walk any time with exception of weekends and holidays before noon. Grassy Hill PGA Professional Glenn Dobieski said: 

"Grassy Hill Country Club is now offering more value for golf than ever before. You can now get a Season Pass which is good from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. This is a tremendous value especially when combined with a Men's or Women's Golf Association Membership where you get advanced weekend tee time booking along with many other benefits."

Membership into the Men's and Women's club is a separate fee with benefits including your USGA Handicap Index (GHIN), entrance into weekly events and free seven day advance booking for tee times.  

 About Grassy Hill

Known for it's elevation changes and perfectly manicured greens, Grassy Hill Country Club offers a challenge for golfers at all levels. The par 70 plays just over 6,200 yards from the tips but can be shortened nearly 1,000 yards from the forward tees. 

Glenn Dobieski is the head professional and offers pre-season lesson in February and March on through his TI-G Indoor Golf Program. 

Additional Information:

Grassy Hill CC Website

TI-G Website

WAM Golf 2010 Grassy Hill Review

PGA Professional Glenn Dobieski