Ludvig Aberg and Lanto Griffin found themselves tied for the lead at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines after a tumultuous day of play on Thursday. The fierce winds that swept through the course led to an 86-minute delay, disrupting the second round for many players.
Aberg, the first-round leader, struggled to a 3-over 75, while Griffin managed a 72 on the South Course, resulting in both players sitting at 6-under 138.
Danny Walker was close behind at 5 under, with Chris Gotterup shooting a 69 to match the day's best round and join Hayden Springer and Sungjae Im at 4 under.
The players faced strong and erratic wind gusts exceeding 35 mph on the renowned coastal course, typically known for its foggy marine layers rather than extreme weather conditions. Some gusts were so forceful that they moved stationary balls and even blew hats off players' heads, prompting marshals to halt play.
Griffin, who recently secured his PGA Tour card, emphasized the challenging conditions, stating, 'Throw the score out the window.' He described the day as a 'head-down grind,' with players having to battle the elements and focus on saving pars amidst the gusty winds.
The delay, which began in the early afternoon and lasted over an hour, forced players to quickly resume play in still windy conditions to complete their rounds.
The North Course, more exposed to the ocean, posed additional challenges for players like Hideki Matsuyama, who struggled with the wind affecting his putts. Despite the difficulties, Matsuyama managed to shoot a 75 and make the cut at 1 under.
Notably, the South Course, with a higher rating, played slightly easier than the North Course on Thursday due to the wind conditions.
Players expressed the unique difficulty of the day, with Eric Cole describing the wind as 'extra gusty' and constantly changing directions, making it a tough test for all competitors.
No player managed a bogey-free round, with the wind stirring up dirt and sand throughout the afternoon, creating additional challenges.
Amidst the golf action, a brush fire broke out near the UC San Diego campus, but firefighters swiftly contained it, preventing further damage.
Some players, like Max Homa, chose to withdraw during the delay due to illness, while amateur Luke Clanton opted to pause his round with challenging conditions on the 17th hole.
The competition at the Farmers Insurance Open remains intense as players navigate the demanding course and unpredictable weather, setting the stage for an exciting finish in the coming days.
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