Justin Rose insisted he was far from being in cruise control despite his first-round 10-under-par 62 leaving him at the top of the leaderboard at the Farmers Insurance Open. 

Rose had five birdies on each nine at Torrey Pines' North Course and could have tied the course record with a birdie at his final hole, but he failed to convert his putt. 

The Englishman's 10th birdie at the previous hole – the par-three eighth, where he stuck his tee shot to a few feet from the pin – moved him past Justin Lower for the lead.

Max Greyserman and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama were tied for third at eight under, with Maverick McNealy, Stephan Jaegar and Seamus Power one shot further back. 

And while Rose, who won at Torrey Pines in 2019, was pleased with his start, he believes he still has more to give ahead of playing on the South Course in his second round. 

"It's a funny one. I felt like I managed my game really well," Rose said. "I felt like I read the greens phenomenally, but I wouldn't say that I felt in complete cruise control. 

"There was nothing kind of off. Some days you shoot 10 under par and every shot is as you see it and as you intend it, but I felt like I only had three or four that I drew up. 

"But it was a good round of golf. I got the momentum when I needed it, whether it be a good iron shot or a 20-foot putt, and before you know it you are five, six, seven under par. 

"The way we played the course, you feel like you can make some birdies coming in, so the fact I was already seven under par coming in I felt like I could post something low."

10 birdies for @JustinRose99

The solo leader lit up Torrey Pines North. pic.twitter.com/4orOD5wiDZ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 30, 2026

Elsewhere, Brooks Koepka made his return to the PGA Tour after a three-and-a-half year absence and carded a one-over 73. 

"The fans were awesome today," said the five-time major winner, who played alongside Ludvig Aberg and Max Homa. "I think it was very cool to hear, 'Welcome back.' 

"It was pretty much every hole, which is great. I loved to hear it, and I'm excited for the next few days."

It was a steady round for the 35-year-old, who made two bogeys at holes four and 13, against a lone birdie at the 18th. 

And for Koepka, being in the mix with all the names – new and familiar – has brought a sense of appreciation that he is all too happy to voice on repeat.

"Everything," he said when asked what he's appreciated most this week. "Just the opportunity to be out here. I think that's the main thing.

"Just being out here and seeing how quickly this has all kind of come together.

"It's kind of blown my mind, and I'm just grateful to be out here and have a chance to compete with these guys.

"I care about what everybody's thinking out here, what everybody's doing, and just trying to be as good of a person and good of a player as I can be.

"Just wanted a warm reception. Just like everybody else, you walk into a room nobody wants to feel exiled, they just want to be loved. I mean, that's human nature I think."