Justin Rose romped to a Tiger-like, wire-to-wire seven-shot victory as Brooks Koepka failed to contend in his PGA Tour return at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, California.
Rose claimed his 13th PGA Tour title by stringing together rounds of 62, 65, 68 and to finish 23-under par for the tournament ahead of American Pierceson Coody and Korean Si Woo Kim.
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The 45-year-old Englishman started the final with a six shot lead and then ensured that it would be a Sunday procession with a bogey free front nine that also included three birdies.
The 2013 US Open champion made light work of a course that has regularly held the US Open over the years.
Across the four rounds, Rose made 26 birdies and an eagle in a phenomenal display.
The world No.10 has now won twice in his last six starts on the PGA Tour and soaked up the walked down the 18th fairway with his long-time caddie Mark ‘Fooch’ Fulcher.
When Rose last won this tournament in 2019, Fulcher missed the victory as he had heart surgery.
Rose shouted out Gareth Lord, who stepped in for Fulcher then, as the pair headed towards the 18th green.
“I hope our boy ‘Lordy’ is watching at home because last time coming up 18, he was on the bag. ‘Fooch’ was in the hospital bed,” Rose said.
“It’s nice to be here,” Fulcher replied.
“Nice to have the man on the bag,” Rose added before the pair high-fived and smiled at one another.
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Brooks Koepka marked his return to the PGA Tour with a tied 56th finish at two-under par for the tournament.
The five-time major winner, who jumped back to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf last month, shot rounds of 73, 68, 73 and 70.
Koepka’s putting let him down at times, but improved significantly for the final round after a reportedly four-hour putting session on Saturday evening.
Asked post-round about the biggest changes since he last played on the PGA Tour in 2022, Koepka said the new faces in the field was the standout.
“Probably the biggest change is that I don’t know about half the guys,” Koepka said.
“In the last four years, there’s been a lot of turnover. So, that’s the one thing that I’ve taken away. There’s half the guys I do know, and half the guys I don’t.
“It’ll be a fun year getting to know everybody. I’m excited.”
Next week Koepka will play The Waste Management Phoenix Open, where he last won a PGA Tour event in 2021, with its famous par 3 stadium hole.
“Yeah, it will be good. I enjoy next week. I love the chaos, I think it’s fun,” he said.
“Yeah, it’s been, what, four years since I’ve been back so I’m excited to get back out there to a place I’m familiar with, comfortable with and a place I love.”
Adam Scott finished the best of the four Australians, coming in a tie for 30th.
The veteran fired a four-under par final round of 68 to reach eight-under for the tournament after earlier rounds of 68, 71 and 73.
Second year PGA Tour player Karl Vilips was one shot back from Scott at seven-under following a final round 70.
Jason Day ended up at the same mark with a fourth round 72.
Cam Davis meanwhile had a Sunday to forget, falling to +2 overall with a 79. An eagle at the par 5 18th kept the Sydneysider below 80.
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