LA JOLLA, Calif. — Jon Rahm was just minutes from putting the finishing touches on one of the most impressive rounds of his young career Thursday and he found himself nearly speechless.
Rahm just shot a 10-under-par 62 on the Torrey Pines North Course to take a one-shot lead into Friday’s second round of the Farmers Insurance Open.
“I mean, what to say?’’ the 24-year-old Spaniard said. “I don’t think you ever tee up on any course at Torrey Pines expecting to shoot 10-under par. That just doesn’t happen. Starting with an eagle [on the par-5 10th hole], obviously it’s a huge thing. You’re 2-under par, great momentum.’’
Rahm is trailed by Justin Rose and Doug Ghim, both of whom also played the North Course and both are 9-under. C.T. Pan is 8-under and trails by two shots and Jordan Spieth, despite erratic play off the tee, scrambled for a 7-under 65. Tiger Woods, making his first official tournament start of the season, shot a 2-under 70 on the South Course.
For Rahm, Torrey Pines is a special place. He won his first PGA Tour tournament at the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open. More importantly, he proposed to his fiancée, Kelley Cahill, on the property last year while hiking on the area trails overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
“This is probably my favorite area,’’ Rahm said. “If you take into account the town and the vibe around Torrey Pines, this is my favorite golf course and golf tournament pretty much. Golf course, for sure, just because there’s a lot of good history for me. I played good here in college [Arizona State], I also love the city of San Diego.
“Now, when it comes to personal, Kelley always loved the city of San Diego. Before we met, her and her parents came here almost monthly to the Hilton right here at Torrey Pines. My first and only Monday qualifier we drove from ASU to here to Torrey Pines, missed it by one, drove back. The next year I end up winning the tournament.
“We also got engaged here at Torrey Pines, not on the golf course, on the hikes just past it. So there’s a lot of good reasons for me to be happy every time I come here no matter how I play. We come here quite a bit just as a day off, so definitely a special place of me and Kelley.’’
Rahm played like it’s a special place. He eagled his first hole, the par-5 10th, and never looked back.
“I mean how many times do you start a round with a par 5, and to make an eagle, I really don’t remember the last time I started with an eagle,’’ he said. “I don’t know if I’ve even done it as a pro.’’
Adding to Rahm’s good karma this week is the fact his 83-year-old grandmother, Miren, is watching him play a PGA Tour event in America for the first time.
“She watched me win in Madrid, the Spanish Open, [but] nothing like coming all the way to the States,’’ he said. “It’s a long flight for somebody who’s 83 years old. Even though she’s in incredible good health, it’s a long flight. I really highly doubt she has any idea or clue what I did today, to be honest. My grandpa was the one that knew what golf was, he knew what a birdie or a bogey was. For her, she just asked him.
“I think every single day I played, she would ask my dad or anybody to know what was going on. Walking with my parents, I think she knew it was something good, but I don’t think she really understands what it is. I couldn’t be happier that she’s here. She keeps calling it the trip of her life.’’
Maybe by Sunday afternoon this week will turn out being one of the weeks of Rahm’s life.