Tiger Woods walks past beseeching autograph-seekers at Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Jon Rahm was as shocked as anyone about shooting a sizzling 62 Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course.
Asked if he felt that coming, the 24-year-old Spaniard replied: “No. Who feels a 10-under par on any course at Torrey Pines? Not me, I can tell you that much.”
Playing the “easier” North Course, Rahm said he just wanted to shoot under par at the PGA season-opening event.
“Anything in the 60s is a good start to the tournament,” said the Phoenix resident. “But man, I have been playing good for a while, I just need the putts to fall and today is when it happened.”
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Tiger Woods passes beseeching autograph seekers at Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods signs all manner of materials at Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods watches shot at Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods awaits next shot at Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Fans connect with Xander Schauffele of San Diego as he moves around Torrey Pines’ South Course. Photo by Chris Stone
Kids collect autographs from pros at Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods answers media questions after first round of Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods answers media questions after first round of Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods smiles after first round of Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods shakes hands with Xander Schauffele caddie after first round of Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods walks to green on 18th hole on South Course on Day 1 of Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
All eyes follow a Tiger Woods drive on Day 1 of Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Beer-drinking fans watch Tiger Woods line up putt on Day 1 of Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Fans cheer Rickie Fowler in group before Tiger Woods on Day 1 at Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Spectators cheer Tiger Woods as he walks to next hole on South Course. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods puzzles out a putt on Day 1 of the Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods looks for the green on Day 1 of the Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Xander Schauffele of San Diego reacts after missing a putt. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods sprays fairway grass on Day 1 of Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods follows through on Day 1 of Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Xander Schauffele of San Diego led playing partner Tiger Woods by a stroke on Day 1 of Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods watches drive by young Xander Schauffele of San Diego on Day 1 of Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Cameras came out for the PGA pros on Day 1 of the Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Xander Schauffele of San Diego watches his drive on the South Course 14th hole. Photo by Chris Stone
Torrey Pines gallery cheers Tiger Woods on South Course tee-off on Day 1 of Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods salutes on South Course at Torrey Pines on Day 1 of the Farmers Insurance Open.
Tiger Woods walks fairway on South Course at Torrey Pines on Day 1 of the Farmers Insurance Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Despite not having to deal with pesky winds, Tiger Woods — at 43 nearly two decades older — had a mixed day to finish tied for 53rd with a two-under 70 on the North Course. He had five birdies but three bogeys.
“I feel like I probably could have shot 68 or 67 pretty easily today,” said the legend of La Jolla. “I hit a lot of good putts that were right around the hole that just didn’t quite fall in, but overall it was a pretty solid day. A couple under par on the South course is not something to sneeze at, but now I have to shoot a low one tomorrow.”
Woods had kind words for playing partner Xander Schauffele of San Diego — though he said he hadn’t really gotten a chance to know him.
With five birdies and three bogeys, Tiger Woods had a rollercoaster day at Torrey Pines as shown in his expressions. Photos by Chris Stone
“Today he hit two fairways and shot 3-under par on the South course,” Woods said of the former Aztec and Scripps Ranch High School alumnus. “I mean, that’s impressive.”
The crowds cheered Woods, and he reciprocated after his 4 p.m. finish, first meeting the press and then signing autographs for 5-10 minutes. Then he left.
The 25-year-old Schauffele was asked about the big gallery with most of its noise backing Woods.
“I thought I got more cheers than he did, honestly. I was hearing more things than — I’m just kidding,” he said.
“Yeah, you know, it is what it is. It’s white noise to all of us I think out here on Tour. It wasn’t that big of a deal.”
Schauffele, tied for 41st with a three-under 69, said he doesn’t have sensitive “mouse ears.”
“When people are running around, I don’t really think much about it,” he said.
