Young Gun Fires at Torrey Pines - Hovland at Farmers Insurance Open, Round 2

PGA Tour 2021 - Farmers Insurance at Torrey Pines - Round Two

One of the Young Guns has taken the lead at Torrey Pines. 23 year old Norwegian Viktor Hovland's 65 round sets him at the top of the leaderboard on 9-under, with half a dozen more experienced players just a stroke behind him. Those tied second include Jon Rahm, Adam Scott, Tony Finau, Ryan Palmer and Patrick Reed, as well as Lanto Griffin.

This from CBS Sports:

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Viktor Hovland birdied his final for a 7-under 65 on Torrey Pines' tough South Course on a rainy, miserable Friday, giving him a one-shot lead after two rounds of the Famers Insurance Open.

Hovland finished his round after play resumed following a suspension of about an hour due to wind and rain on the blufftop municipal course overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

The 23-year-old Norwegian closed with a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-5 ninth to reach 9 under.

Hovland leads a group of six at 8 under, including first-round co-leader Patrick Reed and Jon Rahm, who won this tournament in 2017 and finished second to Marc Fleishman last year. - Read more here.

Hovland seems quite self-effacing about his lead, attributing it at least in part to his heritage as much as ability.

“Last couple weeks I’ve been in Oklahoma and it’s been really cold,” Hovland said, “so I’ve had probably three, four layers on practicing and I think that’s helped me for this week.

“It got really cold and, obviously, raining and hail, so being Norwegian, I think that also helps. Yeah, just played really solid and made some putts.” - More at The Olympian.

From The Bleacher Report:

Hovland, who started on the 10th hole of the South Course, posted five birdies and one bogey in his first nine holes. He tore through the front nine with three more birdies, finishing by knocking home a seven-foot putt to vault himself into the solo lead.

The Bleacher Report gives hole by hole coverage of Hovland's round, with video clips.

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