SAN DIEGO – FedExCup champion Justin Rose is going to take some catching at Torrey Pines. The world’s top ranked player methodically picked apart Torrey Pines with his irons for the second day running, posting a 6-under 66 on the tougher South Course. The nine-time PGA TOUR winner moved to a Farmers Insurance Open record equaling 15-under 129 at the halfway point. He sits three clear of his nearest competitor Hideki Matsuyama and five clear of Jon Rahm (72), Ryan Palmer (67) and Bill Horschel (68) who share third. Traditionally things get tough on weekends at the South Course that has hosted and will again host the U.S. Open (2008, 2021). Many players have come back to the field and folded from in front. Trouble lurks amongst the deep rough and tricky wind gusts. Last season the 36-hole lead was 11-under but 10-under entered a playoff Sunday. Three years ago 9-under was the halfway mark but 6-under won. Four and five years ago the lead at halfway was 10-under but 9-under was a playoff or win … you get the drift. At the end of the day Rose loves this trend. Because he loves it tough. He is a former U.S. Open winner. Even Friday when a few of his opening drives found their way to fairway sand traps Rose was able to step up with his irons and make birdies. MUST READS: Round 2, Farmers Insurance Open Tiger fails to take advantage of easier North Course McIlroy, Scott in contention in first starts at Farmers Matsuyama in solo second after back-to-back 66s Rose has hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation each round so far and leads the field in Strokes Gained: Approach at 5.025. He does not intend to take his foot off the gas either. “Listen, it’s the halfway point. If I had a three-shot lead going into Sunday, then it would be worth kind of thinking about game plan and strategy, but as of now I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing,â€� Rose said of his mindset. “If you can go out and make four, five birdies a day, you’re going to maybe drop the odd shot around here, it doesn’t take much to do that, so if you can stay positive and make your birdies, then it becomes harder to catch someone. “I’ll just pick my moments really and if I’m feeling good and I’ve got good numbers, go at it. If not, par’s never a bad score here.â€� Rose has finished T4 and T8 at Torrey Pines the last two seasons after failing to finish in the top-10 in his first seven Farmers Insurance Open attempts. Knocking some rust off last week at the Desert Classic, a tournament more suited to great putting rather than premium ball-striking, has him in great shape. He knew it would be an educational effort to prime him going forward. “Mentally I learned a lot last week,â€� he said of his T34 finish. “I got a good read on my game, what I had to work on coming into this week. Torrey sort of does fit my profile, and statistically, driving, iron play over the years, those have been strong elements of my game.â€� If they continue to be strong elements over the weekend Rose will hit double digit TOUR wins for sure.
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