10 years ago the golf season really used to begin in late January at Torrey Pines.

Although there were several tournaments held during the weeks prior to the “San Diego Open”—which has had 13 separate names during its 61-year run on tour—Torrey Pines always marked the true beginning of the season for most players and fans.

In recent years, this was largely due to the fact that Tiger Woods would make his season debut at Torrey Pines, but many other big-name stars would also leave their clubs collecting cobwebs in their garages until late January when the tour descended upon San Diego’s sun-swept coast.  

Tiger Woods is playing in his first tournament of 2012 this week.  The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship a European Tour event offered Tiger a huge appearance fee to show up and play a little golf.

Players 1-4 on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, and Martin Kaymer are also in the field.  You know Tiger wants to overtake these guys and regain the No. 1 world ranking. 

Because of the strength of the field huge OWGR points are available.  A win could move Tiger up into the top 10.