Justin Rose Dominates at Torrey Pines
SAN DIEGO — On Sunday, Justin Rose claimed a decisive victory at Torrey Pines, and it turned out his most significant competition was actually Tiger Woods—though he managed to win that face-off as well.
Rose’s performance was outstanding, as he shot a 2-under 70, finishing seven strokes ahead of the competition at the Farmers Insurance Open. This win allowed him to break the longstanding 72-hole tournament record that Woods set back in 1999.
“Sorry, T-Dub, for those watching,” Rose joked during a CBS interview from the 18th green.
But honestly, no apology was necessary. Rose was well aware of his impressive lead, which was one of the goals he aimed for as the rounds progressed, despite no one being within six strokes heading into the final 18 holes. He ended the tournament with a 23-under 265, besting not just Woods, but also George Burns’ record from 1987.
“Actually, I was really focused on that during the last three holes,” he admitted with a grin.
Notably, Rose became the first wire-to-wire winner at Torrey Pines in 71 years—though he likely didn’t know that Tommy Bolt achieved that in 1955.
The 45-year-old Englishman is playing some of the best golf of his career and even climbed to No. 3 in the world—a rank he last held in September 2008 when only Vijay Singh was older.
He started strong with a 62 on the North Course and continued to impress on the South Course, which has hosted two U.S. Opens. His lead grew throughout the tournament, extending from one stroke to a staggering seven by the end.
Rose made birdies on the par-5 sixth and par-3 eighth holes, finishing the front nine with a solid score of 33. The back nine offered a relaxed stroll along the scenic public course overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Conditions were fantastic—arguably among the best weather weeks—and Rose was perfectly fine with the lack of any real drama during the event.
While he was way ahead in the lead, it was really just a competition for second place, which ended in a tie. Siu Kim, Ryo Hisatsune, and Pearson Coody shared the runner-up title, each earning $726,400. For Coody, there’s also a chance to participate in a significant $20 million event to close out the West Coast swing.
Meanwhile, Brooks Koepka made his return to the PGA Tour after leaving LIV Golf, receiving an enthusiastic “Welcome home, Brooks” from a crowd of about 300 as he sank a birdie putt on the ninth green.
He’s off to Phoenix for the upcoming chaotic golf event. “I love chaos,” Koepka stated.
Having already secured a victory at Torrey Pines in 2019, Rose now adds 13 PGA Tour titles to his resume. Despite past achievements like winning the U.S. Open and Olympic gold, he continues to aim high within the sport.
“I still believe that good things are ahead of me,” Rose reflected.
His titles have been earned at numerous prestigious courses that have hosted major tournaments, including Muirfield Village and Pebble Beach.
Looking back on last year’s Masters and his participation in the Ryder Cup, he feels age is merely a number.
“Reflecting on that week, it was clear to me that I still have plenty left in the tank,” he said. “Accessing it consistently is the next hurdle, but knowing I’m capable brings confidence.”
As LIV Golf continues to be a hot topic, Rose recalls being presented with the chance to join that league but chose to stay put. His performance last year validated that decision.
A year ago, he left Torrey Pines ranked No. 55 globally; today, he remains among the elite.
“I’ve always believed my career goals could only be met by staying on the European and PGA Tours,” he noted. “I want to compete with the best, and that’s what keeps my motivation high.”
While he once considered his 2019 success at Torrey Pines as exceptional, this victory feels even more rewarding—especially since his longtime caddy, Mark Fulcher, was recovering from heart surgery back then.
“Now he gets to celebrate with me,” Rose concluded.
