The storm passed, but other things arrived. Things always happen at Torrey Pines. The third round of the Farmers Insurance Open was a tribute to the nickname of moving day. Ludvig Aberg fell (-4). Lanto Griffin fell (-5). Danny Walker fell (+1). Luke Clanton fell (-2). Jackson Suber fell (+1). And Eric Cole fell (+4). A significant shake-up at the top.
Of all of them, the most notable fall is, of course, Aberg’s. The Swede was a victim of an untimely flu and four putts. The first affected his swing. He looked off, lacking energy and, above all, much more error-prone than usual. Very inconsistent from the tee and with a notable lack of control over distances with the irons. He held on as long as he could, but he blew up on the 14th with a double bogey. After missing his seventh fairway of the day, he managed to reach the green from the left fairway bunker, but he completed the hole with four putts, the last three from less than a metre. A lapse in concentration.
Despite everything, the Nordic golfer is so good, has so many resources, and displays such a correct attitude that he managed to finish with a birdie on the 18th to still leave himself a chance of victory, although it will all depend on how he recovers from the virus. He finished with a card of 74 strokes for a total of -4. He is five behind the new leader, another example of solidity and consistency: Harris English (-9). It won’t be easy to make up that distance unless another strange circumstance intervenes.
English shot 66, taking advantage of the more normal conditions at Torrey Pines. The South Course, as always, is demanding, the greens are hard and fast, and the fairways are among the narrowest of the year, but at least the wind from Thursday didn’t blow, and play could proceed with some normality. Many rounds were played under par. English’s plan was the usual when his game is sharp. Accurate irons and a decisive putt. Seven birdies and a solitary bogey propelled him to the lead.
English has a one-stroke advantage over Andrew Novak (-8) and two over Aldrich Potgieter (-7), the young South African who aims to make his mark quickly on the PGA Tour. From here, there is a gap in the standings. The fourth position is at -5 and is defended by KH Lee, Matti Schmid, Joel Dahmen, and Lanto Griffin. It’s hard to think that the winner this Saturday will come from further back, but it wouldn’t be the first time at Torrey Pines, a course known for these last-minute comebacks. Just ask Jon Rahm in 2017.
In this regard, we still need to keep an eye on Aberg himself, Sungaje Im (-4), Sahith Theegala (-3), Jason Day (-3), or Hideki Matsuyama (-3). In the group at -3, one stroke from the top ten, is the Italian Matteo Manassero, as well as the Belgian Thomas Detry, another example of consistency, although he never quite finishes. For now.
