Justin Rose continues to roll back the years at the Farmers Insurance Open, delivering another outstanding performance to open up a commanding lead after two rounds at Torrey Pines. The English veteran followed his opening 62 with a superb seven-under-par 65, extending his advantage to four shots and underlining his comfort on one of the PGA Tour’s most demanding venues.
At 45 years old, Rose now sits at 17 under par, ahead of Ireland’s Seamus Power, who is his closest challenger at 13 under. In doing so, Rose also broke his own 36-hole scoring record at the tournament, further cementing his place at the top of the leaderboard.
Mastery on the Toughest Test
Friday’s round was particularly impressive given that Rose played on the South Course, widely regarded as the more punishing of Torrey Pines’ two layouts. While many players struggled to maintain momentum, Rose thrived, producing a round that included one eagle, six birdies, and just a single bogey.
Speaking after his round, Rose explained that difficult courses have always suited his game.
“Throughout my career, I’ve tended to win on tough golf courses,” he said. “That’s kind of my identity. I enjoy venues like this. Torrey Pines is one of my favourite stops on the Tour – the atmosphere, the setting, the whole vibe.”
Rose’s comfort level was evident in his calm decision-making and sharp iron play. His ability to stay patient while attacking scoring opportunities proved the difference, particularly as conditions became increasingly challenging.
Strong Field Chasing the Leader
Behind Rose and Power, a tightly packed group remains in contention. Americans Maverick McGreevy and Joel Dahmen share third place on 11 under, while South Korea’s Sung-Woo Kim sits a shot further back at 10 under.
A large cluster of players at nine under par includes Eric Cole, Ryo Hisatsune, Maverick McNealy, Justin Lower, Sahith Theegala, Michael Thorbjornsen, and Davis Walker, all hoping to apply pressure heading into the weekend.
However, Rose’s four-shot cushion gives him a significant advantage, especially on a course known for punishing mistakes.
Koepka Settles In and Makes the Cut
While Rose dominated the headlines, Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour continued to gather momentum. The five-time major champion posted a second-round 68, comfortably making the cut at three under par in his first PGA Tour start in four years.
Koepka, who recently agreed a release from his LIV Golf contract at the end of 2025, endured a shaky opening round on Thursday. Playing the South Course, he struggled to find rhythm and carded a 73, leaving work to do on Friday.
Switching to the North Course, Koepka looked far more relaxed. His highlight came at the 17th hole, where he drained a long eagle putt that sparked momentum late in the round.
“I think yesterday I was excited, nervous, and didn’t really know what to expect,” Koepka admitted. “Today felt more normal. I was still a bit antsy, but it was more about testing where my game’s at after such a long layoff.”
Koepka added that despite flashes of rust, he feels encouraged by his overall form.
“I feel like I’m playing well. It’s just been a long break, and it takes time to settle back in.”
Big Names Head for an Early Exit
While Rose surged and Koepka steadied himself, the tournament delivered several high-profile disappointments. Xander Schauffele’s remarkable streak of 72 consecutive cuts, the longest active run on the PGA Tour, came to an abrupt end.
Schauffele was joined by a list of notable players heading home early, including Patrick Cantlay, Gary Woodland, Will Zalatoris, JJ Spaun, Max Homa, and Ludvig Åberg. Their exits highlight just how unforgiving Torrey Pines can be, even for the game’s elite.
Rose Poised for Another Statement Win
Rose, runner-up at the 2025 Masters, is now firmly positioned for what could be one of the standout victories of his later career. His blend of experience, course management, and renewed confidence has made him the clear favourite heading into the weekend.
With tough conditions expected to continue, Rose’s proven ability to handle demanding layouts may prove decisive. Still, with plenty of golf left to play, challengers such as Power and Kim will hope to apply pressure early in the third round.
For now, though, Torrey Pines belongs to Justin Rose.
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