By Christopher Powers
The North Course has always been the easier of the two at Torrey Pines, even after Tom Weiskopf made changes to it in 2016 in an effort to make it more of a challenge for the world’s best. But even for them, it’s not that easy, not 10-under 62 easy.
That is, unless you’re Ryan Palmer, who has now shot 62 on the North in two different decades. His first came in the second round in 2006, and the second came on Friday, vaulting him to the top of the leader board at the Farmers Insurance Open. Through 14 holes he had reached nine under, still with one par 5 left to play. But he didn’t let a certain number creep into his mind.
“Oh not at all,” said Palmer when asked if he had thought about shooting 59. “I tried not to, but I think it was ’06 when I shot [62] last time, of course the course has changed. But today was one of those days when I knew the scores were low, and I knew I could get a nice round in there.”
Palmer made only one bogey on Friday, which unfortunately came on his final hole. But it was a nice save, one that eventually gave him a two-shot edge over two-time Farmers Insurance Open winner Brandt Snedeker heading into the weekend.
“Little disappointing obviously to bogey the last, but when you hit it in the rough you’re going to pay the penalty. Made a good five-footer to save bogey, so that was awesome.”
This marks the third consecutive season Palmer has entered the weekend T-3 or better at Torrey Pines. In 2018 he got into a playoff but was eliminated on the first hole. Last year, he finished T-13.
“It’s a hard golf course,” Palmer said of the South, where he shot even par on Thursday. “The patience you’re going to have to have on that golf course is going to play a key role. I’ve shot some good rounds there in tough conditions, so I’ve got that going for me. The way I’m driving the ball, it gives me a lot of confidence for the weekend.
“It’s exciting. I love where my game’s at and I’m excited about the opportunity.”
On Saturday, Palmer will be paired with Snedeker, who has plenty of history on the weekend at Torrey. In 2012 he shot a final-round 67 to get into a playoff with Kyle Stanley, which he won on the first hole. Four years later, he finished with a Sunday 69 in brutally windy conditions to edge out K.J. Choi by one stroke.
“This is where I kind of got my feet wet on tour,” Snedeker said of his love affair with Torrey. “It’s always been so good to me. The fans have treated me like I’m a native here, and I love playing this golf course. For whatever reason it sets up really well for me. I know how you’re supposed to play it, you’ve got to really think your way around it. Everybody thinks it’s this huge golf course where you’ve got to overpower it, and that’s just not the case. You really have to plot your way around, and I did a really good job of that today.”
Another player who has had past success in San Diego is J.B. Holmes, who shot a three-under 69 on the North Course on Friday to pair with his first-round 68. He’s tied for third at seven under.
Lurking at six under are Keegan Bradley and Patrick Reed, as is Jon Rahm, who is at five under. Tiger Woods, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson are among a group at four under.
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