Justin Rose maintains leads as Brooks Koepka makes cut in PGA Tour return at Farmers Insurance Open

SAN DIEGO – In a commanding display of precision and composure, veteran Justin Rose carved out a formidable four-shot lead at the Farmers Insurance Open, shattering his own 36-hole tournament record in the process. While Rose soared, the week's most scrutinized storyline—the return of Brooks Koepka to the PGA Tour—saw the five-time major champion survive a nervy start to make the cut in his first Tour event in four years.

The 45-year-old English star now sits at a remarkable 17-under-par through two rounds, positioning himself as the clear frontrunner heading into the weekend at Torrey Pines. His performance stands in stark contrast to a brutal day for many of the game's elite, as the notoriously challenging South Course claimed a host of high-profile victims who failed to make the three-under-par cut.

Rose Rewrites the Record Books

Justin Rose delivered Friday's most stunning performance on the South Course, a layout known for its unforgiving nature. His seven-under-par 65 was the round of the day, a masterful exhibition that separated him from the field.

After an opening-round 62 on the easier North Course gave him a one-shot lead, questions remained about whether he could maintain that momentum on the more difficult track. Rose answered emphatically.

• Round Breakdown: His scorecard featured a brilliant eagle, six birdies, and only a single bogey. This blend of aggressive scoring and damage control on a major-championship-caliber course underscored his control and confidence.
• Record Performance: By reaching 17-under, Rose broke his own 36-hole scoring record at the Farmers Insurance Open, a testament to his historical and current prowess at this event.
• Course Mentality: Rose, the 2025 Masters runner-up, credited his comfort on difficult layouts. "I feel like in my career I've won on tough golf courses generally, so that's my M.O., I would say," he commented. "It's the kind of a place I enjoy. It's one of my favourite tournaments on Tour, just the whole area, the whole atmosphere, the whole vibe."

Rose's closest pursuer is Ireland's Seamus Power, who sits alone in second place at 13-under-par, facing the significant challenge of chasing down a leader in world-class form.

Koepka's Tumultuous Return and Weekend Survival

All eyes were on Brooks Koepka as he teed it up in a PGA Tour event for the first time since his high-profile move to LIV Golf. The narrative surrounding his return intensified after he reportedly agreed to a release from his LIV contract at the end of 2025, paving the way for a reintegration into the Tour ecosystem.

His performance was a tale of two courses and two very different days.

The Struggle and The Rebound

On Thursday, Koepka looked out of sorts on the demanding South Course, posting a one-over-par 73 that left him in danger of an early exit. The rust from a long layoff from PGA Tour-level competition was apparent.

However, a move to the more scoreable North Course on Friday allowed him to find his rhythm. He fired a four-under-par 68 to finish the week at three-under, safely inside the cut line.

• Key Moment: The decisive shot came on the par-five 17th hole on the North Course, where Koepka drained a crucial eagle putt that gave him the cushion he needed to secure a weekend tee time.
• Player's Perspective: Koepka was candid about the mental hurdles of his return. "I think [Thursday] I was excited to play, nervous, and kind of didn't know what to expect, but today felt more normal, I guess," he said. "Don't get me wrong, I definitely still got antsy, but I guess maybe a little bit of nerves, just trying to figure it out and... see where my game's at too, right? I feel like I'm playing really well. It's just been a long layoff."

Making the cut represents the first successful step in Koepka's journey to re-establish himself against the world's best on the PGA Tour.

Cut Line Claims Major Casualties

While Koepka battled his way to the weekend, the cut line wreaked havoc on the field, sending a shocking number of top-ranked players home.

The most notable casualty was San Diego native Xander Schauffele. His missed cut brought an end to the longest active streak on the PGA Tour, snapping a run of 72 consecutive made cuts dating back to 2022.

A list of other marquee names joined Schauffele in missing the weekend:

• Top-10 Players: Patrick Cantlay and Max Homa, both ranked inside the world's top 10, were unable to navigate Torrey Pines successfully.
• Major Champions: Former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland failed to advance.
• Fan Favorites: Will Zalatoris and rising international star Ludvig Aberg both packed their bags early.
• Defending Champion: JJ Spaun, who won the event in 2025, also missed the cut, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the tournament.

The Weekend Outlook

The stage is now set for a compelling weekend at Torrey Pines, with both remaining rounds to be played on the formidable South Course.

• For the Leader: Justin Rose's primary challenge will be managing his four-shot advantage. With his experience and demonstrated comfort on this course, he is in a commanding position to capture his first title of the season. The focus will be on steady, defensive golf to force the chase pack to take risks.
• For the Returnee: Having achieved his initial goal of making the cut, Brooks Koepka's objective now shifts. The weekend offers a pressure-free opportunity to climb the leaderboard, further test his game under tournament conditions, and send a message that he remains a competitive force. His performance will be closely monitored as a barometer for his future on the PGA Tour.
• For the Field: The chase pack, led by Seamus Power, must produce exceptional golf on a course that rarely yields low scores. Any stumble from Rose could open the door, but catching a leader in such dominant form will require a near-perfect performance over the final 36 holes.