Sam Ryder maintains Farmers Insurance Open lead, but two PGA Tour stars are breathing down his neck
Published in Golf
SAN DEIGO — Sam Ryder played the tourist at Torrey Pines on Friday, the Farmers Insurance Open leader content to manage the course with casual confidence during the third round while a mad scramble ensued behind him.
Ryder’s even-par 72 left him with a two-stroke lead at 12-under in the Farmers, where he is bidding to be just the sixth wire-to-wire winner in the tournament’s 72-year history.
“I’m not having to hit the miracle shot every time, just trying to manage my way around,” Ryder said. “You don’t have to go out there and shoot 66 every day out here, which I like. You just stay patient and make a lot of pars.”
That’s how it is when you’re leading, anyway.
Had he glanced behind him, Ryder may have been triggered by this reminder: “Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear.”
Coming up fast on the outside are Jon Rahm and Tony Finau, two guys who were a stroke away from missing the cut late in Thursday’s second round.
Now, they’re joining Ryder in the final group for the final round.
They have an 11:20 a.m. tee at Torrey Pines’ South Course, with Ryder seeking his first PGA Tour win.
Rahm seeks to make history with a victory in his third straight start, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished on the PGA Tour in five years. He also will return to No. 1 in the world with a win.
And Finau? He’s looking for his first Farmers victory after four top-10 finishes here the past five years.
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