Top-ranked Justin Rose stumbled out of the gate but still hit the finish line first.
The 38-year-old Englishman made three bogeys on the first five holes before turning it around to shoot 3-under-par 69 and win the Farmers Insurance Open by two strokes over Adam Scott of Australia on the South Course at Torrey Pines Golf Course www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com in La Jolla.
“In the past, I might have been rattled by a start like that, but not today,” said Rose, who claimed his 24th victory as a pro, including five since late 2017. “I felt really in control with my (new) driver and the putter felt great, too.
“I don’t think I’ve won in January since 2002 and it means you don’t have to chase points and can take your time and prepare for the majors. So it feels great.”
Rose, who opened with a 63 and was in or near the lead all the way, played the last 12 holes in a flawless 5-under and finished with a 72-hole score of 21-under 267.
Scott, playing in the Farmers for the first time, birdied the last four holes to finish at 68, while Hideki Matsuyama of Japan made three birdies in a bogey-free 67 and was five shots back in a tie for third with Talor Gooch, who had a 68.
Defending champion Jason Day of Australia collected three birdies on each nine in a 67 to finish seven down in a tie for fifth with eighth-ranked Rory McIlory of Northern Ireland, who totaled 69, and seventh-ranked Jon Rahm of Spain, who had only one birdie in a 72.
Billy Horschel was another stroke back in solo eighth after a 70, while Cameron Smith of Australia carded a 65 that included a 12-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole and wound up nine strokes behind in a tie for ninth with Gary Woodland, who closed with a 69, Scott Brown, who totaled 70, and Joel Dahmen, who came in at 71.
Tenth-ranked Tony Finau tied for 13th after a 70, while Tiger Woods, who has won eight times at Torrey Pines, shot 67 to tie for 20th in his first start of 2019, and sixth-ranked Xander Schauffele of La Jolla and San Diego State tied for 25th after a 70.
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