Justin Rose and Jason Day ready to loosen US grip at Torrey Pines
Englishman and Australian are keen to prise the title from Americans at least once
As the two highest ranked players in the field, England's Justin Rose and Australian Jason Day are leading the charge on the American stranglehold of the PGA Tour's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
Since its inception on the tour in 1952 just two international players have hoisted the trophy on the iconic coastal venue, a rare public course used for top tournament play.
South African Gary Player (1963) and Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal (2002) are the only non-American flags on the tournament honour role.
I'm excited to get the week started because my preparation has been some of the best I've had in my career
And while seven-times event winner Tiger Woods and local boy Phil Mickelson will no doubt take the lion's share of crowd support, world number five Rose and number eight Day are ready to spoil the party.
With the rough up on both the South and North courses where players alternate on the opening two days and greens particularly firm, conditions could mirror a mini US Open.
Rose is a former US Open winner having prevailed at Merion in 2013, while Day has two runner-ups and a T4 in his four US Open appearances.
"We are obviously due on this course," Day, who was runner-up a year ago, said.
"I'm excited to get the week started because my preparation has been some of the best I've had in my career, almost like a major, and I hope to be ready to go one better than last year."