"It's obviously uncharted territory."@SamRyderSU and @Amanda_Balionis discuss Ryder's first 54-hole lead on TOUR @FarmersInsOpen pic.twitter.com/MZ7QaCLkp6
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) January 28, 2023
2023 Farmers Insurance Open leaderboard, scores: Sam Ryder holds Round 3 edge as Jon Rahm leads contenders
Ryder is looking for his first PGA Tour win, and he'll have to hold off a competitive pack at Torrey Pines
On a day that saw Jon Rahm, Tony Finau and a host of the world's elite throw their best punch, overnight leader Sam Ryder absorbed blow after blow to maintain his lead at the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open. Playing perfectly patient golf and letting his game come to him, Ryder signed for an even-par 72 to stay at 12 under for the tournament and in possession of a two-stroke lead.
While Ryder remained impressive in his play and demeanor, his lead has been cut into every so slightly by Rahm. The world No. 3 was on fire around the South Course on Friday, carding a 6-under 66 that featured pinpoint approach play. Reaching 10 under, Rahm was only outdone by Finau, who signed for the round of the tournament with a bogey-free 8-under 64.
The three will be featured in the final pairing in the final round on Saturday but will not be alone in the hunt of Ryder. Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, and Sungjae Im all reside at 7 under and will make up the penultimate group. At that same number, but just a group ahead will be Sahith Theegala who, like Ryder, searches for his first victory on the PGA Tour.
The leader
1. Sam Ryder (-12)
He made only one birdie all day -- on the par-5 6th -- but it was the par saves that caught my eye. Connecting on crucial saves on Nos. 10-12, Ryder played the most difficult part of the golf course in even par. He missed his fair share of scoring chances down the stretch, and he is likely kicking himself knowing his lead could easily be four. Still, he showed resolve and guts that may provide the confidence to take the fight to Rahm, Finau and Co.
Other contenders
2. Jon Rahm (-10)
3. Tony Finau (-8)
T4. Sungjae Im, Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, Max Homa (-7)
8. S.H. Kim (-6)
T9. Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley, Joseph Bramlett, Ben An, Sam Stevens, Brendan Steele (-5)
Talk about making the most of your Moving Day. Finau made the cut right on the number when he made birdie on his 36th hole and took full advantage of the opportunity to play in the second half of this tournament. Carding an 8-under 64 on Friday, Finau was the only player to get around the South Course in a bogey-free fashion and bettered the field scoring average by more than eight strokes.
"I liked all of it. It's hard not to like it," Finau said of his round. "First couple days the putter was quite cold and not very comfortable over it, but a couple of adjustments in setup and rolled it a lot better today, and it was evident with the putts that went in from short range for me. I think I -- I've actually hit it really nicely all three days, I just capitalized on putts, par saves and birdie putts that I really needed."
Tony Finau, who began his round on No. 10, carded a bogey-free 64 for the low round of the tournament on the South Course and his career low in 33 rounds @FarmersInsOpen.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) January 28, 2023
Contextualizing Rahm's run
After battling to make the cut in the middle of his second round, Rahm has propelled himself into contention with just 18 holes to play. Winning once is impressive, twice cements the quality of the player, but winning three times consecutively is a feat not often accomplished on the PGA Tour.
Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy are the only two players in the last decade to do so on the PGA Tour and joined Tiger Woods in the process. Woods was able to win three tournaments in a row not once, not twice, but 14 times throughout his illustrious career.
"It's nothing special," said Rahm. "You think about a day today, I wouldn't know what to tell you. This week is a little different because I am so comfortable on this golf course, but even in my short career I have seen it all out here. Obviously, I hear a lot of people talking about it every time I go down the fairway, everyone mentions three in a row, three in a row. I was kind of there present to see Dustin [Johnson] do the three in a row. He won the match play I believe to get it done on me, he beat me in Mexico for that one as well, so hopefully this time it's my turn."
Making moves.@JonRahmPGA goes right at the pin on the par-5 ninth 🎯 pic.twitter.com/UfTIbA75Hr
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 27, 2023
Max on the mic
A really cool innovation came to life on CBS' first golf broadcast of the season. Throwing a mic on Homa on the par-5 13th, the CBS booth featuring new lead analyst Trevor Immelman, Ian Baker-Finch and Frank Noblio were able to ask Homa questions about the difficult scoring opportunity in front of him. Homa was fantastic on the mic, throwing jabs back and forth and even walking viewers through a ruling when his ball was embedded by the green. All in all, it was a 10/10 viewing experience.
Live insight from @MaxHoma23 🗣️
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 27, 2023
Homa discusses his tee shot and thought process for his upcoming approach shot as he walks down the 13th fairway. pic.twitter.com/g52OleOpuE
2023 Farmers Insurance Open updated odds and picks
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook
- Jon Rahm: 23/20
- Sam Ryder: 23/10
- Tony Finau: 25/4
- Max Homa: 14-1
- Collin Morikawa: 15-1
- Sungjae Im: 20-1
- Sahith Theegala: 28-1
Luke List came from five strokes back a season ago, proving it is more than possible for those at 7 under. The law of averages suggests Homa is the one from the chasing pack to emerge. He ranked fourth in strokes gained approach on Friday, but 53rd on the greens seemingly burning the edge of every hole. While Ryder was impressive in Round 3 and Rahm is the rightful favorite, Homa at 14-1 appears to be the best value.
Live updates
We tried something new today! Hope u guys enjoyed it. Just looking to add something to the viewing experience going forward. Appreciate the kind responses to it so far! https://t.co/1P8oV4ZkGh
— max homa (@maxhoma23) January 28, 2023
A champion will be crowned on Saturday.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 28, 2023
The final round @FarmersInsOpen awaits.
(Presented by @FDSportsbook) pic.twitter.com/oslYDVeppv
"If I was any of the other guys on that leaderboard, I would be going out with the strategy of, if I beat Jon Rahm today, I like my chances."@TrevorImmelman shares his thoughts going into Saturday's final round @FarmersInsOpen pic.twitter.com/giVz98GkE1
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) January 28, 2023
Sam Ryder will carry a 2-shot lead into the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) January 28, 2023
Only 6 of the last 27 players with a 2-shot lead through 54 holes on the PGA Tour went on to win (22.2% in span).
Jon Rahm is looking for his 10th career PGA Tour win tomorrow.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) January 28, 2023
Rahm would be the 9th player since 1960 with 10 PGA Tour wins, including a major, before age 29
Nicklaus
Miller
T. Watson
Woods
McIlroy
Spieth
Day
Thomas
Patience is key 🔑@maxhoma23 spoke with @Amanda_Balionis about how Torrey Pines reminds players who's boss. pic.twitter.com/t0TT1wOIqx
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) January 28, 2023
The only player bogey-free today.@TonyFinauGolf makes his move on Moving Day @FarmersInsOpen. pic.twitter.com/cs9HJy75ed
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 28, 2023
Homa nabs much-needed birdie for 1-under 71
It was an up-and-down day for Homa but converted a 7 footer for birdie on the 18th to get in in red figures. That'll make dinner taste better as he resides in a tie for fourth after burning edge after edge for the majority of his round.
Great tribute to Billy by one of our family’s closest friends in Jimmy. Thanks to Sellers and all my friends at @GolfonCBS for that. All the best to the team this season @frank_nobilo @TrevorImmelman @dottie_pepper @ColtKnost IBF and many others. pic.twitter.com/ngIn6z3CMP
— Brandt Packer (@BPACKERVOLS) January 27, 2023
Tony Finau shot 64 today.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) January 28, 2023
Most rounds of 65 or lower on PGA Tour since July 1:
Tony Finau, 9
Sungjae Im, 9
Jon Rahm has a scoring average of 67.1 in his last 30 rounds worldwide. Seems good.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) January 28, 2023
"Nothing special." 🤷♂️😂@Amanda_Balionis spoke with @JonRahmpga at the @FarmersInsOpen about what it takes to try to win in three consecutive starts. pic.twitter.com/lHx6FNdiZi
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) January 28, 2023
Rahm and Finau finish up
It appears they will be Sam Ryder's closest competitors come Saturday. Tony Finau signed for the round of the day, an 8-under 64, and pushed his name all the way up to third place. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm fired a 6-under 66 and sits at 10 under. Ryder needs to create as much separation as possible over the next three holes.
.@maxhoma23 when asked what he thinks about in between shots:
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) January 27, 2023
"I wish I had @TrevorImmelman's accent" 😂 pic.twitter.com/O2WfinC0K2
The best moments from @MaxHoma23 mic'd up during his third round @FarmersInsOpen 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/UcBWbtdyhO
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 27, 2023
Ryder unable to take advantage of opportunities
His lead remains two, but Sam Ryder has to be kicking himself. With two birdies chances from inside 10 feet the last two holes, he was not able to convert either. He stands at 12 under and two strokes clear of Jon Rahm who is on the par-5 18th. Had he gotten to 14 under, he would have wiped out the chances of many.
WHAT A FINISH! 🦅
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) January 27, 2023
Sungjae Im vaults to 7 under with this eagle @FarmersInsOpen
📺 CBS and @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/vl0bhtP3lN
Finishing his round in style 😎
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 27, 2023
Sungjae Im holes it from the bunker on 18 for eagle. pic.twitter.com/Bs9Iku79fz
Rahm keeps charging
The Spaniard added another birdie on the par-4 15th to get to 10 under and within two strokes of Sam Ryder. Meanwhile Sungjae Im ended his day with a bang by holing out a bunker shot on the finishing hole to sign for a 5-under 67 and sits at 7 under. Ryder and Rahm are the ones to keep an eye on. If they push this to mid-teens under par it will take a ton of players out of this tournament.
Rahm now 2 back. Trying to become 6th player since Tiger Woods' first full season of 1997 to win 3 straight PGA Tour starts:
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) January 27, 2023
D. Johnson
McIlroy
Singh
Duval
Woods, 14 times https://t.co/yGqCjtHd1W
Allow me to be the 15,034th person to say that this was terrific https://t.co/TPVQZDV8Rj
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) January 27, 2023
"You kept it as far away from @ColtKnost as possible."
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) January 27, 2023
"That's usually at least a minor goal." 😂 @maxhoma23 pic.twitter.com/Qet1K6pWJN
Live insight from @MaxHoma23 🗣️
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 27, 2023
Homa discusses his tee shot and thought process for his upcoming approach shot as he walks down the 13th fairway. pic.twitter.com/g52OleOpuE
Mic'd up Max Homa ‼️🎤
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) January 27, 2023
"If I can hit this thing to 5 feet then I'm too good to be only 7 under." 😂 pic.twitter.com/5e8lZjYQRC
Homa mic'd up on par-5 13th
Really cool addition to the CBS broadcast as Max Homa is mic'd up walking us through his 13th hole. He is 7 under and only five strokes off the lead. Doing this while in contention just adds to it.
🎙️ @MaxHoma23 mic'd up 🎙️
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 27, 2023
The five-time TOUR winner is taking part in an interview with the CBS broadcast booth while playing the 13th hole today.
Is @JonRahmPGA 𝙩𝙤𝙤 dialed in? 😅 pic.twitter.com/IUTwLPjixm
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 27, 2023
Morikawa still hanging around
He missed a few putts inside five feet at the beginning of the round, but Collin Morikawa is still right in this tournament. After making three straight pars to begin his front nine, he now heads to the par-5 13th at 7 under and with hopes of adding to his total.
Welcoming our new lead golf analyst @TrevorImmelman to the CBS booth 👏 pic.twitter.com/ZlVOZjkkRj
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) January 27, 2023