Rose comes out on top at Torrey Pines
Justin Rose won his first event of 2019 at the Farmers Insurance Open, on just his second start with new equipment. Joe Hughes wraps up the action from California
What happened at the Farmers Insurance Open?
Justin Rose closed out the victory despite a torrid opening five holes which he played in two-over-par.
Thankfully for the World No. 1, his nearest challengers, Jon Rahm and Adam Scott, were unable to gain any momentum of their own on the front nine.
After making the turn at 18-under, Rose kicked on and proved he is still worthy of standing at the summit of the world game.
In a week where Tiger Woods, perhaps the greatest clutch putter of all, began his 2019 campaign, Rose holed his fair share of putts to save par.
Big putt for @JustinRose99.
3-shot lead.
3 holes left.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/bnWEvegTrS— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 27, 2019
A total of six birdies on Sunday was enough to create a two-shot gap between Rose and Scott, who clinched second place with birdies on each of the final four holes.
Birdie-Birdie-Birdie for Adam Scott.
He's not going down without a fight.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/Q3cpReql2s
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 27, 2019
Talor Gooch carded an impressive final-round of 68 to carry on his good form following this fourth placed finish last week. One of the highlights was a tidy birdie at 16.
Gooch is clutch.
Now in solo 2nd … @TalorGooch.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/hZfldgfrfW
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 27, 2019
There was also a welcome return to the top portion of the leaderboard for Hideki Matsuyama, who hit an outrageous five-wood from a fairway bunker on 18 to set up a chance for eagle.
He wasn’t able to convert the putt but did finish in a tie for third with Gooch.
Talking points
It would be hard to ignore the return of the master of Torrey Pines.
Yes, Tiger Woods made his first start since winning the Tour Championship at the end of 2018.
He naturally attracted quite the crowd and his golf was generally pretty good considering the length of his off-season.
Woods, who has won eight times at the California venue, finished in a tie for 20th on 10-under-par.
But it wasn’t his golf that had people talking on Sunday…
It was, in fact, the colour of his shirt.
QOD: Are Tiger's shirt stripes red or pink? pic.twitter.com/i2hsRgxSqM
— PGA TOUR LIVE (@PGATOURLIVE) January 27, 2019
We all know that Tiger wears red on Sunday, that’s just the way it is.
But had he decided that it was time to change it up and go for something just slightly different… pink, perhaps?
Actually, no. Despite what our TV screens were telling us, the stripes are definitely red, as you can see in the photo below.
Clarification that although it might look pink on TV… Tiger’s Sunday shirt today is infact still RED, don’t let the stripes confuse you! Thanks to @NotahBegay3 for the pic pic.twitter.com/QsZVR5QSpP
— Cara Banks (@CaraBanksGC) January 27, 2019
At least there’s no need for us to panic about that one then!
Another point to note…
Rose’s equipment switch from TaylorMade to Honma has had its fair share of criticism, but he has well and truly silenced those doubters this week.
With flexibility around his wedges and putter, it seems the English star has found a winning combination yet again.
It will be fascinating to see what Rose achieves this season with his new clubs in the bag.
What’s next for the PGA Tour?
Well, we move on to the biggest party in golf as the tour heads to Arizona for the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
Expect loud crowds and entertaining golf that gets underway on Thursday.
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Joe Hughes
Tour editor covering men's golf, women's golf and anything else that involves the word golf, really. The talk is far better than the game, but the work has begun to change that.
