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."

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."

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.

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. 

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January 28, 2023, 1:52 AM
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January 28, 2023, 1:05 AM
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January 28, 2023, 12:57 AM
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January 28, 2023, 12:52 AM
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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.

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January 28, 2023, 12:17 AM
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January 28, 2023, 12:12 AM
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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.

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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.

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January 27, 2023, 11:11 PM
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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.

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January 27, 2023, 10:59 PM
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January 27, 2023, 10:55 PM
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January 27, 2023, 10:53 PM
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January 27, 2023, 10:48 PM
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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.

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January 27, 2023, 10:40 PM
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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.

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