Germany’s Stephan Jaeger rolled in an eagle on his final hole to polish off an 8-under 64, vaulting himself into the second-round lead at the Farmers Insurance Open on Thursday in San Diego.
Jaeger cruised around Torrey Pines’ North Course and made seven birdies and a single bogey. His birdie-eagle finish got him to 12-under 132 through two rounds, enough for a one-stroke edge over Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard, who carded a 66 on the North Course.
The field is playing one round apiece at Torrey Pines’ North and South courses before the 36-hole cut. The famed South Course will stage the third and fourth rounds.
France’s Matthieu Pavon (65, South Course) and Belgium’s Thomas Detry (68, South Course) are tied for third at 10 under. Tony Finau (66, North Course) and Michael Kim (68, South Course) are knotted in fifth at 9 under.
Jaeger, 34, is the World No. 101 and has won six times on the Korn Ferry Tour but not on the PGA Tour yet. Should he win, he is projected to move to the top of the new “Aon Swing 5” standings and therefore qualify for next week’s signature event, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Kim grew up playing these courses and attended nearby Torrey Pines High School. He is also fighting for one of five qualifying spots for Pebble Beach.
Taiwan’s Kevin Yu was the first-round leader thanks to a 64 on the North Course, but he dropped back into a tie for 18th at 6 under after posting a 2-over 74 Friday on the South Course.
With most players finished with their rounds, the projected cut line is at 3 under. Notable names in danger of missing the cut are Sungjae Im of South Korea (2 under), Gary Woodland (2 under), Collin Morikawa (2 under), Billy Horschel (1 over), Michael Block (1 over) and Australian Jason Day (1 over).
–Field Level Media