Rose was at 21-under 195, breaking by three shots the 54-hole tournament record that previously belonged to him in 2019 when he won, along with Kyle Stanley (2012), Woods (2008) and Woody Blackburn (1985). Stanley is the only one who didn’t win, losing a five-shot lead.
Rose has been around long enough to take nothing for granted. And he was the beneficiary of Dustin Johnson, the world’s No. 1 player at the time, losing a six-shot lead in the 2017 HSBC Champions.
“There’s never going to be any complacency,” Rose said. “I think there’s always enough respect for the game of golf in the back of your mind that you’ve got to do everything right tomorrow. You’re going to come out, have to be focused, have to play well.”
Woods practically owned the public course along the Pacific bluffs with eight professional wins, including the U.S. Open.
It’s a big week for Dahmen, who finished outside the top 100 in the FedEx Cup in the year they reduced full cards from the top 125. He has conditional status and only got into the Farmers Insurance Open because of two courses allowing for a larger field.
He also has received a sponsor exemption into the WM Phoenix Open next week, so it’s a good time to help turn his fortunes. A strong Sunday would do wonders.
Rose, meanwhile, continues to enjoy what he once called his “Indian summer.”
At age 45, he was the oldest player by seven years on Europe’s winning Ryder Cup team. Even if asked — if Luke Donald declines a third captaincy — Rose said last week his focus would be on playing in the 2027 Ryder Cup.
A victory would move him to as high as No. 4 in the world ranking.
“Justin is really good at golf right now,” Dahmen said.
