Although he didn’t take advantage of the easier North Course at Torrey Pines on Friday, Chris Stroud did enough grinding to stay in the top 20 at the 36-hole mark of the Farmers Insurance Championship.
Stroud, after making seven birdies on the tougher South Course Thursday, managed only two on Friday, but still managed to walk away with a one-under-par 71. Through 36 holes he’s at seven-under par 137, tied for 18th.
Justin Rose, who shredded the South Course with a 66 Friday, is threatening to run away from the rest of the field. Rose, at 15-under 129, is three strokes ahead of Hideki Matsuyama. The next closest players are six shots back.
Stroud’s round was mostly uneventful. He had a lone bogey on the fourth hole, but offset it with birdies on the two back nine par 5s — No. 10 and No. 17.
If he can hold his ground over the weekend, or move up a few spots, he’ll make a huge and much-needed jump in FedEx points.
The Port Neches-Groves ex continued to struggle hitting fairways — 7 of 14 Friday — but was once again able to get the ball on the green out of the rough. He hit 16 of 18 greens Friday and stands T4 in greens in regulation — 30 of 36.
Among the players looking up at Stroud on the leaderboard is Tiger Woods.
Woods shot his second straight 70 and barely made the cut at 141. Also making it to the weekend was Lamar ex Shawn Stefani who stumbled to a 74 on the South Course and is at 141.