"The Tour is broken" - Fans concerned as Farmers Insurance Open register unusual number of player withdrawals

Several of the PGA Tour players, including Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa, have withdrawn from the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open. This week, the PGA Tour players have started their outing at Torrey Pines, with the opening round on January 22. However, ahead of the start of the tournament, a number of players have withdrawn from the event.

Xander Schauffele has been struggling with a rib injury and is not playing this week. Along with him, Collin Morikawa, Will Zalatoris, and Gary Woodland also withdrew from the competition. Ryan Moore was supposed to play as Zalatoris' replacement, but he also withdrew from the competition.

In addition to them, Nicolai Højgaard, Tyler McCumber, Akshay Bhatia, Harry Hall, Bronson Burgoon, and Chesson Hadley have also opted out of the competition. Recently, NUCLR Golf shared the news about several withdrawals from the Farmers Insurance Open.

Fans in the comments section shared their concerns over so many withdrawals from the event.

"The Tour is broken," a fan wrote.

"Professional golf is trash," another fan said.

"The tour is to blame, you can’t decide to play two tournaments there and expect guys to not WD from the tournament that’s not the Genesis," one more fan added.

Meanwhile, some suggested that players should compete in the Farmers Insurance Open as it would help them practice for the Genesis Invitational, which is reportedly moving from Los Angeles to San Diego at Torrey Pines.

"I don’t get it tbh. Treat this like a practice tournament for the big purse the genesis has to offer…leaving reps out there seems dumb…," another fan said.

"What in the 🌎 is happening w pro golf?" a fan commented.

Yet, one fan said they should cancel the tournament.

"@PGATOUR and Farmers should read the room and cancel this event all together or move it to later in the year," another fan jotted.

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Ludvig Åberg takes the lead at the Farmers Insurance Open 2025

The 2025 Farmers Insurance Open kicked off with its first round on Wednesday, January 22. Ludvig Åberg had a fantastic start to the game with a solid round of 9-under 63, taking the lead in the game.

Players compete on the South and North Torrey Pines Golf Courses this week. Åberg teed it up on the North Course, opening on the tenth tee with three back-to-back birdies and then carding another birdie on the 14th.

He made an eagle on the 17th. He also played a decent game on the back nine, making four birdies and one bogey for a round of 9-under and taking a one-stroke lead in the game.

Danny Walker settled in second place, with Hayden Springer followed by Lanto Griffin, Zach Johnson, Zac Blair, and Aldrich Potgieter tied for fourth place. The tournament will have its finale on Saturday, January 25.

Meanwhile, the PGA Tour is also preparing to move the Genesis Invitational, a signature event, to Torrey Pines. It usually takes place in Los Angeles; however, because of the serious fire in the area around the venue of the event, the officials have reportedly decided to move it to Torrey Pines Golf Course. However, they have yet to make an official announcement about it.