England’s Justin Rose claimed an absolutely impressive victory at the Farmers Insurance Open with a new tournament record score.
Rose, the 2019 winner, led by six shots heading into Sunday’s fourth round on the South Course at Torrey Pines and was rarely troubled over his final 18 holes.
He shot a two-under-par 70 to finish seven clear of the field at 23 under and claim his 13th PGA Tour title.
The 45-year-old, whose last win came at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in August, had birdies on the sixth, eighth and ninth holes, with bogey on the 12th hole being his only blip.
The previous best winning score in tournament history was 22 under – by Tiger Woods in 1999 and George Burns in 1987.
Rose became the oldest player to achieve a wire-to-wire finish on Tour since Rocco Mediate in October 2010 at the age of 47 – leading all four rounds.
“This has been a huge win and it’s amazing to start the season with a win,” Rose said.
“I knew 23 under was a record. I had the lead every day so I wanted to be ahead by seven instead of six.
“I had my little goals which kept me focused, which was important and I managed my game well.
“I’m still loving it and working hard and I’m confident there are some good things ahead of me.”
American Pearson Coody had the best round of the day – seven-under-par 65 – which left him tied for second with South Korea’s Si Woo Kim and Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune, who both shot 69.
American Jake Knapp and Germany’s Stefan Jaeger finished another shot behind.
Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka, in his first tournament on the PGA Tour since leaving LIV Golf, finished tied for 56th after a final round of 70.
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