SAN DIEGO (AP) - Brandt Snedeker ended another round at Torrey Pines atop the leaderboard. Only this time he had company, and still a long way to go.
Snedeker had a flawless start to his title defense in the Farmers Insurance Open by playing bogey-free on the North Course for a 7-under 65 and a share of the lead with K.J. Choi on Thursday. The advantage after one day goes to Choi, who birdied three of his last four holes on the tougher South Course for his 65.
Tiger Woods, a seven-time champion at Torrey Pines as a pro, looked as if he might join them. Woods was one shot off the lead with five holes to play on the South until he stumbled in the final hour of a cloudy day with two bogeys and had to scramble to save par on the par-5 18th for a 68.
Phil Mickelson had quite the taxing day with a 72 on the North, which played about 1 1/2 strokes easier than the course that hosted a U.S. Open in 2008.
Snedeker already is developing quite the love affair with this municipal course along the Pacific Bluffs. As a rookie, he was 10 under through 10 holes and had to settle for a 61 on the North Course. He finished third that year. Then, he rallied from seven shots behind in the final round, got into a playoff when Kyle Stanley made triple bogey on the 18th and won on the second playoff hole.
QATAR MASTERS
DOHA, Qatar (AP) _ European Ryder Cup players Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia were among four players tied for the lead after the second round of the Qatar Masters.
Kaymer shot a 5-under 67, and Garcia had a 66 to match Ricardo Santos (70) and Marcus Fraser (67) at 9-under 135. Michael Campbell (68) topped the group at 8 under. Justin Rose was 5 under after a 71, and Louis Oosthuizen was 4 under after a 69. Jason Dufner shot a 70 to reach 3 under.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.