SAN DIEGO — Stephan Jaeger of Germany made a 35-foot eagle putt on his closing gap for an 8-under 64 and a one-shot lead over Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark after the second spherical of the Farmers Insurance coverage Open at Torrey Pines on Thursday.
Jaeger was at 12 below midway by way of the match on the blufftop structure overlooking the Pacific Ocean. He began on the again 9 of the better North Course and leapfrogged Hojgaard together with his eagle on the par-5 ninth to sit down atop a crowded leaderboard.
“Ending like that, yeah, it was thrilling,” mentioned Jaeger, who birdied 5 of his first eight holes and had only one bogey.
He mentioned he hit a very good drive into the wind on his closing gap after which tugged his method shot a bit.
“I needed it to form of go center of the inexperienced and I went proper at it. It ended up touchdown simply in need of the pin and scooting form of again fringe,” he mentioned. “Had just a little downhill right-to-lefter about 35 ft and it ended up curling in. It was superior to see.”
Jaeger shot a 68 on the South Course on Wednesday. He mentioned his robust end Thursday would not give him a lot momentum as a result of the ultimate two rounds are on the South Course.
“But it surely’s all the time good to make eagles and birdies,” mentioned the 32-year-old Jaeger, who has been on tour since 2018 and continues to be searching for his first win. “No one can take these away from you. I am pumped to play the South Course two extra days. I really like this place. That is in all probability one in every of my favourite tournaments yearly.”
Hojgaard shot a bogey-free 66 on the North Course and was at 11 below. Thomas Detry of Belgium and Matthieu Pavon of France have been 10 below after enjoying the South Course. Pavon performed a constant spherical of 65 with only one bogey whereas Detry had two bogeys in his closing 4 holes for a 68.
Hojgaard, 22, is getting his first have a look at Torrey Pines after arriving Monday from Dubai. He shot a 67 on the South Course within the first spherical. His observe spherical Tuesday consisted of enjoying the again 9 on the North Course.
“I really feel prefer it’s been two stable days,” he mentioned. “Performed some actually good golf, scrambled fairly properly after I’ve been out of place and completed off with a pleasant par in the present day. Really feel just like the driving has been fairly stable. I nonetheless missed a number of fairways on the par 5s, that are the scoring holes, however total very happy with the sport.”
Tony Finau (66, North Course) and Michael Kim (68, South) have been 9 below. Aaron Rei (70), Emiliano Grillo (69) and Joseph Bramlett (66) have been all at 8 below after enjoying the South Course.
San Diegan Xander Schauffele, ranked No. 5 on the planet, was in a gaggle of 13 at 7 below after a 68 on the North Course.
The match wraps up Saturday to keep away from being proven reverse the NFL convention championship video games.
First-round chief Kevin Yu fell off the tempo after a 74 on the South Course. World No. 6 Patrick Cantlay additionally had a tough day on the South Course with a 73. Each are at 6 below.
Defending champion Max Homa, ranked No. 7 on the planet, shot a 70 on the North Course and was at 4 below. Hideki Matsuyama shot his first PGA Tour hole-in-one on the par-3 eighth on the South Course throughout his spherical of 71.
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