England's Rose Finds Early Season Victory

Justin Rose Holds Off Adam Scott to Win Farmers Insurance Open

World No. 1 Justin Rose added to his impressive hardware collection shooting a threeunder par 69 to win the Farmers Insurance Open by two strokes. England's Rose captured his 10th US PGA Tour title as he held off a hardcharging Adam Scott down the stretch and secured the victory with a 21-under par total of 267. Australia's Scott closed with four straight birdies in his four-under par 68 on the Torrey Pines South Course in La Jolla, California.

"I haven't won in January since about 2002, so this feels great," said the 2013 US Open champion Rose. The 38-yearold Rose, leading by three to start the day, got off to a rough and tumble start with three bogeys in his first five holes, but got back on track with a birdie on the par-four seventh. He made back-to-back birdies around the turn and then held on for the win with his sixth and final birdie of the day on 18.

Rose, who surpassed $50 million in PGA Tour earnings, said he is relieved to see that changes he made in his equipment and his game are paying off. "I am really happy. I challenged the status quo and changed everything up in the search to try and get better," said Rose, who switched to to Honma clubs at the end of last year. "I felt comfortable with the way I drove the ball this week on a tough test. It's also a whole new look for me. But I don't mind it, if it is going to produce this golf."

This is Rose's first win since the Turkish Airlines Open on the European Tour in November. It's notable that he came into the event after finishing in a tie for 34th at the Desert Classic in La Quinta, California. He also won with new caddie Gareth Lord on his bag for just the second time. Rose's regular caddie Mark Fulcher is recovering from heart surgery.

"He's the number one player in the world, and he's showing why," Scott said. "Even when he was a little off, he kept it together."

First-round leader Jon Rahm, four time major winner Rory Mcilroy and defending champ Jason Day finished in a three-way tie for fifth, seven strokes back of Rose. Day shot 67, Mcilroy had 69, while Rahm closed with a 72. Mcilroy surged into contention with three birdies in four holes on the front nine but failed to keep pace on the back.