The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Leishman rallies to win Farmers Insurance Open
SAN DIEGO >> Marc Leishman realized he had at two-shot lead as he stood over a 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole at Torrey Pines. He also knew Jon Rahm was the only one who could catch him.
That made his final birdie all the more important.
It turned out to be the winner Jan. 26 in the Farmers Insurance Open, much to Rahm’s surprise.
Leishman shot 31 on the front nine to seize control, came up with three big par saves on the back nine and closed with a birdie for a 7-under 65 and a one-shot victory.
“If I wasn’t to win, I didn’t want it to be because of me,” Leishman said. “I wanted it to be because someone made a run, which Jon did. I’m just lucky that he didn’t do it a hole earlier.”
Rahm played so badly at the start — two bogeys and a double bogey through five holes — that he started firing away, and few players are more dangerous. He made an eagle and three birdies over a five-hole stretch to at least have a chance.
His one mistake, aside from a bogey on the 15th hole, was not knowing the score.
“He stuffed his tee shot on the 16th to 8 feet, and he went after the pin on the 17th to 5 feet for birdie, drawing him to within two shots. Leishman had finished by then at 15-under 273.
“After I made that putt on 17, I never looked at the scoreboard,” Rahm said. “So as far as I was concerned, I was one back. With a birdie, I was going to be in a playoff.”
It might not have changed anything. Rahm hit the green on the par-5 18th, and it went to the top ridge — the pin was on the lower level in a bowl. He was in the same spot from where he made eagle in 2017 that secured his first PGA Tour title.
His putt died to the left and short. His caddie told him, “Good try.”
“I’m like, ‘What do you mean? We’re in a playoff.’ He’s like, ‘Nope, he birdied 18.’ And I didn’t hear any roars or anything, so I just assumed he parred,” Rahm said. “Again, even if I hit the right speed, that putt doesn’t go in. It was left of the hole, so it doesn’t matter. But still, it’s just a sour feeling.”
Rahm shot 70. When he won at Torrey Pines in 2017, he rallied with a 65 to win. This time, it was Leishman’s turn. Leishman and Rahm are the only players to win with a 65 in the final round since the South Course was revamped and lengthened ahead of the 2008 U.S. Open.
Rory McIlroy, needing a victory to return to No. 1 in the world, started three shots behind in the final group and opened with two straight bogeys. He missed a short birdie attempt on the third, and then pulled his tee shot into the hazard and had to scramble for bogey.