27 January 2019: Mark Fulcher, long time caddie to Justin Rose, is recovering from heart surgery. It appears that the world No.1 believes a get well soon card ought to carry on it some silver from Torrey Pines this week. Rose will need to master his emotions and undo the burden of recent history to clinch victory in the Farmers Insurance Open. Adam Scott and Jon Rahm will join Rose in the final group on Sunday, each man looking to put their name to the glittering trophy.
Rose shot three under 69 in the third round to move up to18-under, a three-stroke cushion over Scott and four on Rahm. Scott made Australia Day his own with a sizzling 65 on the South Course.
Douglas Ghim is making the most of his sponsor’s exemption. After starting with a 63 in the opening round, Ghim slipped on Friday when he made 73. He made amends brilliantly though with a polished 67 on Saturday, lying fourth at 13-under through 54 holes.
“I like hard golf courses,” Ghim said. “When it penalizes other guys to miss the fairway, it puts me in a good spot to make a move on the leaderboard. Obviously when you’re crooked and you’re only hitting it 270, then that’s not good.”
A T8 at the European Masters is the highlight of Ghim’s short professional career, which is still very nascent. He also enjoyed top-25 finishes at the Barracuda Championship (T23) and Wyndham Championship (T20).
“It’s my first time in this big of a tournament to have a chance (to win), albeit pretty far back,” Ghim added. “I don’t foresee Justin coming back to the field much at all, so for me to have a chance tomorrow, I have to do something really special.”
All the attention leading into the Farmers was centred on Tiger Woods. The 14-time major winner is taking time though to warm his tools. Scores of 70-70-71 have done nothing to excite his legion of fans, but three birdies on the last five holes on Saturday left them hoping for a spectacular Sunday. Woods has won eight times at Torrey Pines, making him the most prolific golfer on these well regarded courses.
Talor Gooch is lying in the fifth spot at 12-under with a 67 in the third round.
There are five men tied in the sixth spot, among them Rory McIlroy. He shot 69 on the South Course. Hideki Matsuyama was grounded on Saturday as he slipped from second to a share of the sixth spot at the end of the third round. The Japanese made 73.
