Patrick Reed used the Tiger Woods formula for success at Torrey Pines on Thursday — tear it up on the North Course, then hold your own when you move to the South.
Reed, who leads the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained Putting, gained a bunch over on the North Course with an eight-under par 64 that could have been better, seemingly. Still, it tied him for low round on the little brother of the brute South Course and set him up to make a run at his first title of 2021.
It was a picture perfect day in San Diego, bright, sunny and it was imperative to do well as the weather forecast for Friday’s second round is glum at best — winds blowing up to 20 miles per hour and rain. It will be a survival test provided the PGA Tour decides to play through the elements, and it might not.
Reed and Alex Noren got a leg up on the rest of the field, shooting 64s on the North Course, a layout that is anywhere from two to four shots easier than the South Course, which will host the 2021 U.S. Open in June. They took advantage of birdie availability and not everyone did.
We really won’t know who is leading at this latest stop on the PGA Tour until after Friday, providing everyone can finish and play both courses. For now, Reed and Noren lead. Low round on the South was bucket-hat-wearing Peter Malnati’s 66 and you could make the case that he’s the real leader.
With the ugly weather on tap, players who fared well on the South Course might have an advantage on Friday if there is one — they’ll be on an easier course and if those conditions do indeed appear, the South Course will be a bogey-infested monster.
So with that in mind, let’s take a closer look at what transpired on a perfect California day.
Rahm And Rory Start Okay:
World No. 2 Jon Rahm started the week off by emphasizing that his “gym tweak” last week was blown out of proportion. He withdrew from the American Express out of precaution and probably because he knows he nearly won at Torrey last year, losing by a shot to Marc Leishman. Rahm-bo signed for 69 on day one — good work on the South Course. Rory McIlroy flew out of the blocks on the front nine, much the way he did in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago. After making the turn in four-under, he sputtered over the final nine and showed off that sub-standard wedge play of his on the par four 15th where he blasted a perfect drive — 353 yards in he fairway, then hit a gosh-awful wedge from 133 that left him 63 feet from the hole. Of course he three-putted, a perfect example of how things can backfire quickly for the now world’s No. 6.
“This shot happens — it’s been happening for years,” said analyst Sir Nick Faldo of Rory’s woeful wedge. Still, McIlroy got it in the house at four-under, 68, and has himself right in the thick of it. Same for Rahm.
Kopeka So-So, Leishman Too:
Brooks Koepka continued to unimpress. He shot an even-par 72 playing with McIlroy. Marc Leishman’s 71 left him needing to pick up the pace the rest of the way if he wants a repeat of last year’s performance.
The X-Man Mystery:
Xander Schauffele typically performs well on tough courses but it’s a mystery why he’s played so poorly at this event. In five appearances, he’s only made one cut and didn’t finish in the top 20 when he did. He’s from San Diego, went to San Diego State. Home town jinx? Apparently so as he opened with a two-under par 70 on the easier North Course and that doesn’t bode well for his chances over on the South Course on day two.
The Underachievers:
Phil Mickelson is “evaluating” his regular tour performances. His 71 on the North Course didn’t do him any favors. He may struggle to make the cut as he moves over to the South. Rickie Fowler’s 70 on the easier layout wasn’t anything to write home about either. The folks at Farmers are praying for Rickie to make the cut. They may have to pray harder. Jordan Spieth did manage to break 70 on the North, but missed a five-footer on his final hole of the day. He didn’t used to do that.
Jason Day is struggling and Thursday was no exception. A 76 on the South Course means he might want to start packing early.
Young Matt Wolff’s game is in a state of disorder. He had two triple-bogeys on his card and it was looking like he’d go birdie-less on the South Course until he holed a bunker shot for birdie at the par five 18th. Still, he had nines of 40-38 and didn’t wait for a turn on the North Course — he withdrew from the tournament.
How Much Easier Was The North Course?
By day’s end, there were 27 sub-70 scores on the North Course compared to only 10 on the South Course. Easier? The North by far.
Snowmen In San Diego:
Two players in the field failed to break 80. Charles Howell III and Camilo Villegas had long days as they both shot 80 on the South Course.
No doubt there’s more misery on tap for Friday, especially with the weather threat.
No telling where this one’s headed.
