SAN DIEGO — English golfer Justin Rose secured a historic seven-stroke victory at the Farmers Insurance Open, breaking the tournament’s scoring record previously held by Tiger Woods. Beyond the statistical achievement, Rose’s triumph carried profound emotional significance as it marked his first major win alongside longtime caddie Mark ‘Fooch’ Fulcher since the latter’s serious health crisis.
The victory represented a full-circle moment for the partnership. When Rose previously won at Torrey Pines in 2019, Fulcher was recovering from heart surgery in England, forcing Rose to employ Gareth Lord as his temporary caddie. Rose acknowledged the psychological difficulty that victory created for Fulcher, who watched from a hospital bed as his player ‘cruised to victory’ with another caddie.
‘That win was always a tough one for Fooch, not fighting for his life but he was in a pretty bad way in the hospital,’ Rose reflected. ‘Seeing us kind of cruise to victory and hugging Lordie on the 18th green, he nearly had to have another procedure after that, I think.’
The Century Club of San Diego commemorated both victories with traditional surfboard trophies, with Rose requesting one be dedicated directly to Fulcher. The golfer further asked that his personal surfboard be inscribed with both winning years—2019 and 2026—symbolizing their shared journey.
In tournament administration developments, Adam Scott and Lucas Glover were selected as candidates for PGA Tour Player Advisory Council chairman, with the winner assuming a critical board position during a period of significant tour restructuring. Meanwhile, LIV Golf commenced its fifth season without veterans Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood, both citing health-related absences from opening events.
The R&A expanded British Open qualifying opportunities through the Asian Tour’s Singapore Open and Korea Open, offering pathways to Royal Birkdale. European Tour standout Marco Penge balanced his PGA Tour debut with impending fatherhood, while Scottie Scheffler’s dominant streak continued with his 20th career victory.