Reed, Noren out in front of rain

Wet conditions expected for second round at Torrey Pines

SAN DIEGO — Patrick Reed birdied his first three holes and finished with a bogey-free 8-under 64 on Thursday for a share of the lead with Alex Noren after the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open.

Reed, Noren and Scottie Scheffler — who was one stroke back — all played Torrey Pines’ easier North Course and will play the South Course on what could be a wet Friday. Heavy rain was forecast for overnight and into the second round at the municipal course overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Peter Malnati and Ryan Palmer each shot 66 for the lowest scores on the South Course and were in a group of 12 at 6 under. Malnati capped his round with an eagle on the par-5 18th. After a 321-yard tee shot, he hit his approach to 16 feet and made the putt.

Reed took advantage of nice weather and accurate tee shots to get off to the hot start. Starting on No. 10, he birdied the first three holes before making his first par. He closed with a flourish as well, with birdies on his 15th, 16th and 17th holes.

Reed said the closest he came to a bogey was on the par-4 fourth. He had a 35-foot putt for birdie and rolled it 3 feet to the right but saved par.

Noren also started on No. 10 ad took advantage of nice weather to get a low score on the North course. He eagled the par-7 17th and followed it with his only bogey. He birdied every other hole on his back nine.

Sheffler, who also played bogey-free, eagled the par-4 16th. Defending champion Marc Leishman struggled through a 1-under 71 on the South Course, including a triple-bogey 7 on No. 4.Rory McIlroy shot a 68 on the South Course and was in a group of 11 at 4 under.

DIVOTS: Kamaiu Johnson, a sponsor exemption from the Advocates Pro Golf Association, withdrew this week from what would have been his PGA Tour debut after testing positive for COVID-19. He was replaced by fellow APGA player Willie Mack III, who shot a 2-over 74 on the South Course. The APGA was established in 2010 as a non-profit with the mission to bring greater diversity to golf. … Richy Werenski aced the par-3 third on the South Course during his round of 3-under 69.