What a statement from Justin Rose! The veteran claimed his 13th career title on Sunday on the US PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. With a new 72-hole tournament record and a commanding 7-shot lead, he truly left the competition in the dust.
At 45 years old, the Englishman is now the oldest champion of this prestigious event, which has been held since 1952. A final round of 70 strokes (-2 par) was enough for him to seal his triumphant march on the course.
Rose himself admitted after the sensational round: "That was a huge victory!" And he was keen on the record: "I knew about the record. I really wanted it – out of pride. I really pushed myself, even though I had a big lead. I had my own mini-goals on the final holes that kept me totally focused."
The victory? Rose dedicated it to his loyal caddie, Mark "Fooch" Fulcher. Fooch had to sit out in 2019 when Rose triumphed here before. Rose recalled emotionally: "In 2019, Fooch was in the hospital while Gareth Lord walked the 18 with me." And he added: "That was already one of my best weeks ever, but this one was perhaps an even greater lesson from tee to green."
The 2013 US Open champion showed his class on the course: A birdie on the par-five 6th hole, then two more consecutively on the final holes of the front nine. The only slip-up came on the 12th hole with a bogey, after which he played par-golf into the clubhouse.
Finishing in a tie for 3rd place with 272 strokes each were American Pierceson Coody, South Korea's Kim Si-woo, and Japan's Ryo Hisatsune. And German representation was also strong at the top: Our Stephan Jaeger shared 5th place with American Jake Knapp, both with 273 strokes. Outstanding performance, everyone!
A name that generated much discussion among golfers: Five-time Major winner Brooks Koepka was back on the PGA Tour for the first time after his three-year LIV Golf hiatus. However, a round of 70 on Sunday was only enough for a tie for 56th place. Brooks himself was not entirely satisfied: "Today wasn't fantastic. I overdid it a bit." But he's looking ahead: "A few more hours of practice, then it'll be fine. Next week the greens are really good, so Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, get out there and grind!"
Koepka's next stop: The Phoenix Open. He's up for it: "It'll be good," Koepka said enthusiastically. "I like next week. I love the chaos, I think it's fun. I haven't been there for four years, that's why I'm really looking forward to being back in a place I know, where I feel comfortable and that I love."
