Rahm shines but Horschel holds lead

Top-ranked Jon Rahm closed with an eagle on the tougher South Course at Torrey Pines for a 6-under 66 on Wednesday, trailing leader Billy Horschel by three strokes after the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open.

Horschel shot a bogey-free 9-under 63 on the North Course and led Michael Thompson by one stroke. Of the 30 players who shot 67 or better, 26 played the North, including Canadians Michael Gligic and Taylor Pendrith, who were both at 5 under.

Rahm’s was the best score on the South by one over Luke List, Peter Malnati and Cameron Tringale. The players switch courses Thursday and play the final two rounds on the South.

Taking advantage of the North’s shorter distances and more forgiving rough, Horschel made five birdies on the front nine, highlighted by a 25-foot putt on the par-4 second hole. The 35-year-old from Florida is seeking his first non-match play victory on the PGA Tour since April 2018.

“I told my caddie, ‘Let’s just go out there, no expectations, and just enjoy,’ ” Horschel said. “And I think we did a really good job of that. My game is in a really good spot.”

Thompson also played bogeyfree, putting him one shot ahead of Stephan Jaeger and Kevin Tway.

Rahm’s strong start in San Diego is no surprise: The world No. 1 got his first PGA Tour victory at Torrey Pines in 2017, and he won last year’s U.S. Open on the South Course for his first major.

“Doesn’t shock me,” Horschel said. “I think he won a U.S. Open on that course, last I checked. There’s a reason why he’s the No. 1 player in the world.”