Ludvig Aberg assumes first-round lead in Farmers Insurance Open – elcajon newson Elcajon News only

Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg flirted with the course record in Wednesday’s opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open before settling for a 9-under 63 on the North Course for a two-stroke lead at Torrey Pines.

“I was driving the ball really well,” Aberg said. “Golf becomes a lot easier when you can do that. Even though North is a little bit easier than South, it still presents its challenges and you’ve still got to hit the shots. Super happy with the way we kind of came out of the gates today and played some good golf.”

Two shots behind Aberg is Hayden Springer, who shot 65 on the North Course, and tour rookie Danny Walker, whose 65 was the low score on the South Course.

Four other players are within three shots of the lead after carding 66s on the North. They include 48-year-old Zach Johnson, who made the tournament on a sponsor’s exemption.

Of the top 15 scores, 12 came on the “easier” North Course. K.H. Lee and Lee Hodges, both with 67s, had the best scores on the South Course behind Walker.

“One of those days where driver was working, really just never forced the issue out there,” said Walker, 29, who is making his third PGA Tour start. “Was really just trying to hit the middle of the green a lot of times and then rolled in some putts and that’s how I shot a good score. I think I hit every green, which is rare to do, especially on a course that challenging. That’s really what set me up to have a low day. And then made some putts.

Aberg, who started on North No. 10, birdied four of his first five holes and eagled the par-5 17th to get to six-under 30 as he made the turn. That positioned him to challenge the tournament record score of 61 shared by Brandt Snedeker (2007) and Mark Brooks (1990), both playing the North Course.

Aberg added four more birdies over his final nine holes, but a bogey on the 495-yard, par 4 second hole prevented him from going lower.

Two-time Farmers champions Snedeker (72, North) and Jason Day (74, South) were well off the lead. In between them is defending champion Matthieu Pavon, who opened with a 1-over 73 on the South. Playing partners Tony Finau and Shane Lowry both were a shot better at 72. Max Homa, the 2023 Farmers champion, struggled to a 77 on the South.

The players now switch courses for Thursday’s second round. The 155-man field will be trimmed to the top 65 players and ties for the final two rounds.

Originally Published: January 22, 2025 at 4:44 PM PST