Justin Rose Leads Farmers Insurance Open But Not In Cruise Control

Justin Rose surged into the Farmers Insurance Open spotlight with a 10-under 62, yet insisted the round felt far from automatic, while Brooks Koepka marked a steady PGA Tour return with a one-over 73 after three-and-a-half years away from regular action.

Rose led after the opening round at Torrey Pines, finishing two shots clear of the field on the North Course. Justin Lower held the lead before Rose’s late charge, while Max Greyserman and Hideki Matsuyama sat at eight under, with Maverick McNealy, Stephan Jaeger and Seamus Power on seven under.

The English player produced five birdies on each nine, yet missed a chance to equal the North Course record on the final hole, where a closing birdie would have tied the mark. Rose’s 10th birdie came at

the par-three eighth, where a precise tee shot finished only a few feet away.

That birdie at the eighth lifted Rose past Justin Lower into the outright lead at the Farmers Insurance Open. The 2019 Torrey Pines champion is now well placed heading into the South Course, yet believes the game still has room to tighten before the second round begins.

Rose gave an honest assessment of the round at the Farmers Insurance Open. "It's a funny one. I felt like I managed my game really well," Rose said. "I felt like I read the greens phenomenally, but I wouldn't say that I felt in complete cruise control. There was nothing kind of off. Some days you shoot 10 under par and every shot is as you see it and as you intend it, but I felt like I only had three or four that I drew up. But it was a good round of golf. I got the momentum when I needed it, whether it be a good iron shot or a 20-foot putt, and before you know it you are five, six, seven under par. The way we played the course, you feel like you can make some birdies coming in, so the fact I was already seven under par coming in I felt like I could post something low. "

Rose’s comments reflected a round built more on smart decisions than constant perfection. Momentum came in bursts, through approach play and mid-range putts, allowing the score to build quickly. The North Course layout, offering chances late, made seven under through the turn feel especially powerful.

Player	Score	Position
Justin Rose	62 (-10)	1st
Justin Lower	64 (-8)	2nd
Max Greyserman	64 (-8)	T-3rd
Hideki Matsuyama	64 (-8)	T-3rd
Maverick McNealy	65 (-7)	T-5th
Stephan Jaeger	65 (-7)	T-5th
Seamus Power	65 (-7)	T-5th

10 birdies for @JustinRose99 The solo leader lit up Torrey Pines North. pic.twitter.com/4orOD5wiDZPGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 30, 2026

While Rose set the early target, Brooks Koepka drew plenty of attention with a return to the Farmers Insurance Open and PGA Tour competition. Koepka played alongside Ludvig Aberg and Max Homa, signing for a one-over 73 that mixed two bogeys with a single birdie.

The five-time major winner dropped shots at the fourth and 13th holes and recovered one stroke at the 18th. Koepka described the galleries at the Farmers Insurance Open warmly, explaining how the reaction eased any nerves felt after such a long absence from the regular schedule.

"The fans were awesome today," said the five-time major winner, who played alongside Ludvig Aberg and Max Homa. "I think it was very cool to hear, 'Welcome back. ' It was pretty much every hole, which is great. I loved to hear it, and I'm excited for the next few days. "

Player	Round Score	Birdies	Bogeys
Brooks Koepka	73 (+1)	1	2

Koepka highlighted how much the chance to compete again at an event like the Farmers Insurance Open now means. "Everything," he said when asked what he's appreciated most this week. "Just the opportunity to be out here. I think that's the main thing. Just being out here and seeing how quickly this has all kind of come together. It's kind of blown my mind, and I'm just grateful to be out here and have a chance to compete with these guys. I care about what everybody's thinking out here, what everybody's doing, and just trying to be as good of a person and good of a player as I can be. Just wanted a warm reception. Just like everybody else, you walk into a room nobody wants to feel exiled, they just want to be loved. I mean, that's human nature I think. "

After one round of the Farmers Insurance Open, Rose holds the advantage following a clinical scoring display on the North Course, while Koepka sits over par yet content with progress and reception. Both players now turn to Torrey Pines’ tougher South Course, where the leaderboard picture is likely to change quickly.