Stephan Jäger sits in the top 5 after an excellent 65 at the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour. Brooks Koepka faces challenges in his return.
Stephan Jäger had an outstanding start to the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour on Thursday. With a 65, he tied for 5th place and is close to the lead. Other Germans had a tougher time. Thomas Rosenmüller shot 2 under par for a T55, ahead of Jeremy Paul at even par T87, and Matti Schmid who finished 1 over par at T101 heading into the second day. Tied with Matti Schmid is LIV Golf returnee Brooks Koepka, who had difficulties in his first tournament back on the American tour. Justin Rose leads after day one with 10 under par.
PGA Tour: Stephan Jäger Nearly Flawless
Stephan Jäger had his best start in a long time at the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour. On the North Course at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, he played an almost flawless round, with only the start being a bit shaky. On the first hole, his second shot landed in the bunker near the green which led to a bogey to start the day. However, Jäger did not let that unsettle him. On hole 3, he reset with a strong tee shot on the 150-meter par 3 which led to a birdie. His real surge came in the middle of his round when he made three consecutive birdies from holes 7 to 9, bringing him to 3 under par after the front nine. His birdie on hole 8 was a highlight as he hit his tee shot into a bunker near the green but managed a brilliant sand shot that rolled right into the hole. The 36-year-old continued his momentum on the back nine, starting with two birdies, followed by two more on holes 16 and 17, finishing his round at 7 under par and ranking 5th for the week.
Thomas Rosenmüller had a calmer round. Like Jäger, he started with a bogey, but a birdie on hole 9 brought him back to even par at the turn. Additional birdies on holes 11 and 17 led to a 70 and a T55 position.
Jeremy Paul began his round on the back nine, but the front nine proved challenging. After three birdies and a bogey, three bogeys on holes 2, 4, and 6 set him back. A birdie on hole 7 brought him back to even par and T87.
Matti Schmid also started on the back nine and despite three birdies on holes 10,