Farmers Insurance Open: Stewart Cink leads at 8-under, Tiger shoots even par

Stewart Cink leads the Farmers Insurance Open after an opening round 64 on the North course at Torrey Pines.  His round included eight birdies and ten pars.

Cink said he played well because he was aggressive, and played the course “shot by shot.”

Gary Woodland is in second place after a flawless 65 on the North.  Woodland had an eagle and five birdies.

Four players are tied for third: Jason Day, Tyrone Van Aswegen, Marc Leishman, and Jim Herman all shot six-under on the North.  Jim Herman eagled the 1st, 9th, and 18th holes to shoot his 66.

The best round on the South belonged to Pat Perez at five-under.  Perez clipped Tiger at the Junior Worlds when they were kids, and called the win, “The best day of my life.”  He shot a great round today, and is on his way to beating Tiger at Torrey once again.

Phil Mickelson shot a three-under 69 on the North.  He said his back “locked up” during the downswing of his approach shot on the par-5 18th (his ninth hole of the day).  To combat his ailing back, Phil said, “I just short gamed it around and I tried to just take an extra club.”

Phil will seek treatment on his back, and did not rule out withdrawing from the tournament.  He does not want to hurt his health long-term by pushing himself at the Farmers.

Tiger shot an even-par 72 on the South, and said if he played the par-5s well, he would be two or three-under.

Tiger will have a good opportunity to shoot under par on the easier North course tomorrow.

Link to leaderboard.