Lead: Justin Rose fired a seven-under 65 in round two to open a four-shot lead at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego, sitting at 17 under after 36 holes. Ireland’s Seamus Power is second on 13 under, while returning star Brooks Koepka made the cut at three under after a second-round 68. Rose broke his own 36-hole tournament mark and delivered the round of the day on the tougher South Course; Koepka showed clearer form on the North Course as he resumes PGA Tour competition.
Key Takeaways
- Justin Rose leads after 36 holes at 17 under following a seven-under-par 65 in round two, extending his advantage to four strokes.
- Seamus Power sits second at 13 under, two shots clear of the group at 11 under led by Michael McGreevy.
- Brooks Koepka made the cut at three under after a second-round 68 on the North Course; he shot 73 on the South Course in round one.
- Rose recorded an eagle, six birdies and one bogey in his 65 and broke his own 36-hole tournament record.
- Xander Schauffele’s active streak of consecutive cuts made (72) ended; notable missed cuts include Patrick Cantlay, Gary Woodland, Will Zalatoris, JJ Spaun, Max Homa and Ludvig Aberg.
- The South Course played tougher on Friday, but Rose produced the best single-round score of the day there; Koepka’s stronger showing came on the North Course.
- Rose, 45, described the course and tournament atmosphere as among his favourites on tour, citing past success on demanding setups.
Background
The Farmers Insurance Open is contested over two San Diego layouts, the South and North courses, and traditionally tests shot-making due to firm greens and coastal winds. Tournament history includes low scoring across ideal conditions, but the South Course is generally set up tougher for the second round to separate the field. Justin Rose has been in strong form this season and entered the event having already posted an opening 62 to lead after round one.
Brooks Koepka’s presence is notable: the five-time major champion returned to PGA Tour competition after a multi-year absence and a contractual release from LIV Golf effective at the end of 2025, according to reports. Making the cut in this week’s event is a key early indicator as he gauges his game under competitive pressure. The PGA Tour field also featured several high-profile players who failed to advance, altering the weekend storyline and potential leaderboard volatility.
Main Event
Rose’s second-round 65 came on the South Course and included an eagle, six birdies and a single bogey, producing the lowest round of the day on that layout. His 36-hole total of 17 under broke the tournament’s own 36-hole benchmark, which he previously held. The 45-year-old described his game as suited to tougher courses, noting past wins on demanding setups and calling the Farmers event one of his favourites.
Seamus Power sits four strokes behind Rose at 13 under after two consistent rounds; Michael McGreevy and J. Dahmen sit at 11 under, two strokes further back. A cluster of players between 10 under and 9 under — including S.‑Woo Kim and Emiliano Grillo (listed as E Cole in the leaderboard data provided) — remain within striking distance heading into the weekend. The distinction between the South and North course scores has played a role in scoring dispersion this week.
Koepka’s pathway to the weekend began with a difficult 73 on the South Course in round one, but he recovered with a composed 68 on the North Course, including a highlight eagle putt on the 17th hole. He described Thursday as being excited and nervous for his return, and said Friday felt closer to normal competition as he tests where his game stands after a long layoff. Making the cut at three under gives him more competitive reps and data ahead of larger events this season.
Analysis & Implications
Rose’s 36-hole 17 under gives him a meaningful buffer, but four-shot leads in professional golf are substantial yet not insurmountable — especially on courses where wind and pin positions can swing scores. Rose’s ability to score aggressively on birdie opportunities while minimizing big numbers will be decisive; his eagle and six birdies illustrate the mix of risk and execution required to hold a lead through the weekend.
For Koepka, making the cut is as much a psychological milestone as a competitive one. After an extended absence from PGA Tour stroke play, his second-round 68 signals that his ball‑striking and putting can produce under tournament pressure. However, a single event offers limited information about his readiness for major-championship contention; consistency across multiple starts will provide a clearer picture.
The list of notable players who missed the cut — including Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay and Max Homa — reshapes the weekend landscape and may ease pressure on those at the top, but it also removes opponents who could have mounted late surges. Economically and in terms of season points, missing the cut has measurable consequences for those players, while Rose gains momentum and ranking points that could influence his season trajectory.
| Position | Player | Score | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justin Rose | -17 | ENG |
| 2 | Seamus Power | -13 | IRL |
| T3 | Michael McGreevy | -11 | USA |
| T3 | J. Dahmen | -11 | USA |
| 5 | S‑Woo Kim | -10 | KOR |
The table above highlights the leaders after two rounds; conditions and the split between the South and North courses have contributed to score dispersion. Rose’s record-setting 36-hole total is a key statistical marker that places pressure on chasers, but past events show large weekend comebacks remain possible if leaders struggle with weather or course setup.
Reactions & Quotes
I feel like in my career I’ve won on tough golf courses generally, so that’s my M.O. It’s the kind of a place I enjoy—one of my favourite tournaments on Tour.
Justin Rose (post-round interview)
Rose framed his performance as consistent with his career tendency to thrive on challenging setups and praised the tournament environment.
I was excited to play, nervous, and kind of didn’t know what to expect, but today felt more normal… I feel like I’m playing really well. It’s just been a long layoff.
Brooks Koepka (on returning to PGA Tour competition)
Koepka acknowledged nerves in his first PGA Tour event in four years but highlighted the positive signs in his second-round performance, including the eagle on 17.
Unconfirmed
- There is no official multi-event schedule publicly confirmed for Brooks Koepka beyond this week’s return; future starts remain subject to announcements by his team or the PGA Tour.
- Any suggestion that Rose’s 36-hole record guarantees a tournament win is speculative; weekend weather and course setup could alter outcomes.
Bottom Line
Justin Rose’s 17-under total and four-shot cushion give him a clear path into the weekend as the player to catch at Torrey Pines, but golf’s variability means his lead is an advantage, not a certainty. His round of 65 demonstrated both scoring ability and control under testy South Course conditions, reinforcing his status as a legitimate favorite for the title.
Brooks Koepka’s made cut at three under is a constructive early read on his return to PGA Tour stroke play; the 68 on the North Course suggests he can produce low rounds, but sustained form will be judged over multiple events. The absence of several top names from the weekend reshapes the competitive field and creates opportunities for other contenders to challenge Rose over the final 36 holes.
Sources
- BBC Sport (news media) — match report and quotes from the tournament coverage.
- PGA Tour — Farmers Insurance Open leaderboard (official tournament leaderboard and statistics).