After fierce wind caused an 86-minute delay and kept scores of players from completing the second round, Ludvig Åberg and Lanto Griffin shared the lead Thursday at Torrey Pines in the Farmers Insurance Open.
Åberg, the leader in the first round, battled to a 3-over 75, while Griffin had a 72 on the South Course to tie Åberg at 6-under 138.
On the renowned coastal course, which is more known for its misty marine layers than its disruptive weather, the players had to contend with powerful, erratic wind gusts of above 35 mph. Before marshals halted play, a few winds pulled caps from heads and moved immobile balls.
“Don’t worry about the score. It was a head-down struggle today, but on a typical day, 72 is good on this golf course. There are some shots, like the 13th tee, that were really horrible, or the 9 tee blowing straight off the left. It was probably gusting 35 miles per hour as I was walking to the 13th tee. Try to save pars on most of the holes and add a birdie or two, and it was kind of hang on for dear life.” said Griffin, who earned his PGA TOUR card at Q-school last month.
The players had to play fast in hardly less windy conditions in order to have a chance of completing their rounds during the delay, which started shortly after 2:00 p.m. and ended at 3:31 p.m. local time.
The wind was especially harsh on players like world No. 4 Hideki Matsuyama, who could only watch in dismay as his well-considered putts failed to reach their intended destination because the North Course is more exposed to the water. Matsuyama made the cut at 1-under despite managing a 75.
The softer North Course (70.2) had considerably higher scores than the South Course (72.5) in the first round. The South Course (75.3) actually played easier on Thursday than the North (75.6), thanks to the wind.
“It was really challenging. We experienced a solid six holes of extremely strong winds after it really started to blow on our second or third round. After a few holes, it nearly died down and changed course. incredibly complex and distinctive. It was difficult since it looked really gusty and (was) kind of changing directions for a while, even though I know it can blow here a little.” said Eric Cole, who was 3 shots off the lead after he managed to finish his 2nd-round 71 moments before the stoppage.
The wind drove clouds of sand and dirt into the Pacific Ocean all day, and no one had a round without bogeys.
According to San Diego Fire-Rescue, a brush fire also started approximately 4 miles south of Torrey Pines and burnt 3 acres close to the UC San Diego campus. However, 175 firemen swiftly put out the fire.
Some players didn’t wait for play to resume. In his second consecutive poor round, 2023 winner Max Homa withdrew during the delay with three holes remaining, citing illness.
Some players didn’t wait for play to resume. In his 2nd consecutive poor round, 2023 winner Max Homa withdrew during the delay with 3 holes remaining, citing illness.
In the toughest wind conditions, Florida State junior amateur Luke Clanton had three bogeys after rising up the list on the front nine. With his tee shot on the 17th resting in the right rough, he decided to call it a day. He will play his second round there on Friday.
