Golf: Ryder stretches lead to three at windy Torrey Pines as Rahm survives cut
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Sam Ryder plays his shot from the sixth tee of the South Course during the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open.
PHOTO: AFP
LOS ANGELES - Sam Ryder believes the key to playing well is just to enjoy the moment and not put too much pressure on himself, especially when he finds himself in an unfamiliar position.
On Thursday, the American defied gusting winds at Torrey Pines to fire a four-under 68 and push his lead to three strokes in the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open.
Ryder, who shared the overnight lead with England’s Aaron Rai and fellow American Brent Grant, had five birdies on the South Course for a 12-under total of 132 – three clear of Brendan Steele.
Steele, who started the day one off the lead, closed with back-to-back birdies for a 70.
“It feels great,” Ryder said of taking the lead into the weekend in search of his first PGA Tour title. “The thing I’ve been kind of telling myself is to just try and embrace it. It’s not a position that I’ve been in a lot, so just trying to enjoy it.
“I’m just doing everything pretty solid. Starts off at the tee for me, I’m driving it well. My iron play is really good, so I feel like if I put it in the fairway, I can attack. And I don’t think I really missed many shots today.”
PGA Tour rookie Tano Goya of Argentina had six birdies in a 67 on the North Course – one of two in use over the first two rounds – for sole possession of third place on 137.
Overnight co-leader Grant was among a group sharing fourth on 138 after a 74, while Rai slid down the leaderboard with a 78 and was joint-24th on 142.
Spain’s Jon Rahm, who won the 2021 US Open at Torrey Pines, needed a strong finish on the North Course to find himself with a share of 14th on 140. He teed off on the 10th hole needing to gain ground after a first-round 73 and finished with a 67.
Rahm, who has already won the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii and the American Express in La Quinta, California earlier in January, said he was not concerned about the cut and is focused on trying to become the first player since Dustin Johnson in 2017 to win three straight PGA Tour starts.
Tiger Woods was not at his favourite hunting ground of Torrey Pines – he has won eight times here – but former Masters winner Trevor Immelman expects to see the 15-time Major champion back at Augusta National in April.
Woods has made few competitive appearances since last July’s British Open as he deals with yet another health issue – plantar fasciitis – that has further slowed his recovery from injuries suffered in a near fatal 2021 car crash.
Immelman said: “His work ethic is unparalleled and he is trying to do everything he can to compete. I do anticipate him playing the Masters.” AFP, REUTERS
