Associated Press
| Associated Press
San Diego – Harris English finished his 6-under 66 with three straight birdies Friday, charging into a one-shot lead over Andrew Novak at 9-under 207 heading into the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open.
English capitalized in the third round after Torrey Pines’ brutal wind calmed down and the coastal South Course returned to picture-perfect weather, making three birdies in four holes before the turn and adding four in his final six holes. The four-time PGA Tour winner put his 131-yard third shot inside 3 feet on the 18th, holing out for the 54-hole lead.
PGA TOUR SCOREBOARD
“Today was way easier condition-wise,” English said. “Yesterday was wild. … You’ve just got to manage your game, and I’ve done that.”
English went to a four-way playoff at Torrey Pines in 2015, but lost to Jason Day. He had nine top-10 finishes in the past two seasons, but he hasn’t won since 2021, when he survived an epic eight-hole playoff with Kramer Hickok at the Travelers Championship.
Novak also shot 66, but he went bogey-free and held the lead until English nudged in front with his big finish. South African rookie Aldrich Potgieter was at 7-under 209, while Joel Dahmen, Lanto Griffin, Matti Schmid and K.H. Lee were four shots back of English at a tournament that has seen its share of electrifying final-day rallies.
A large group of players had to finish its second rounds Friday morning after ferocious wind forced an 86-minute delay Thursday and affected scores across the board. There was minimal wind Friday, although the breezes are expected to kick up again Saturday.
The Farmers Insurance Open began on Wednesday and ends Saturday to avoid a conflict with the NFL’s conference championship games Sunday.
Riviera event to Torrey Pines
The PGA Tour is relocating the Genesis Invitational out of wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles, announcing Friday it will be Feb. 13-16 on the South Course at Torrey Pines in San Diego with an emphasis on relief initiatives for victims of the fires.
That gives Torrey Pines two tournaments in a span of four weeks.
The tour said the $20 million signature event hosted by Tiger Woods would return to Riviera Country Club next year.
Riviera was not damaged, but it is located in the Pacific Palisades community that has been devastated by fires that have killed 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures in Greater Los Angeles since Jan. 7.
“While Riviera remains the home of the Genesis Invitational, we look forward to playing on another championship caliber golf course this year and using the tournament to support those affected by the fires in the Los Angeles area,” Woods said.
Scheffler commits to Pebble Beach
Scottie Scheffler has committed to play the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am next week, his first competition in about six weeks while recovering from a puncture wound to his right hand while preparing Christmas dinner.
Scheffler had said at the start of the week the recovery was progressing well and he was eager to get back but that he wasn’t about to “rush back just to rush back.”
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am has the largest field (80 players) of the $20 million signature events because of the amateur component over two days at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill. Scheffler tied for sixth last year when it was reduced to 54 holes by raging wind and rain, along with a forecast so bad on Sunday that it led to roads being closed.
LPGA cancels tournament
The LPGA canceled the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship near Los Angeles on Friday because the underwriter of the tournament failed on payments for the 2024 and 2025 tournaments.
Nelly Korda was the defending champion at Palos Verdes Golf Club. The event had been scheduled for March 20-23.
The LPGA in a statement said canceling the tournament was unavoidable because the underwriter failed to fulfill “any portion of its payment obligations.” The tour said it would work with title partner Fir Hills and Pak, the Hall of Fame tournament host, to explore other options.
