SAN DIEGO - Jon Rahm chipped in for birdie and holed out from 111 yards for eagle to start his round Saturday, and he scrambled superbly along the back nine for a 7-under 65 at Torrey Pines and a one-shot lead over Ryan Palmer in the Farmers Insurance Open.
Rahm won his first PGA Tour title three years ago at Torrey Pines when he made a pair of eagles over the last six holes for a 66 to rally from a three-shot deficit. This time, he has the lead.
Palmer traded birdies and bogeys most of the day until his 10-foot birdie on the 17th gave him a 1-under 71 and his second chance to win in as many starts this year.
Joining them in the last group was Rory McIlroy, who can return to No. 1 in the world with a victory. McIlroy hit a 5-iron from the bunker to 6 feet on the tough par-4 12th hole and two-putted for birdie on the 18th for a 67 that left him among those within three shots of the lead.
Tiger Woods still had fleeting hope of picking up his record 83rd victory, mainly because of a late par. Woods, among 16 players within five shots of the lead, got within two of the lead at the turn and didn't make another birdie in his round of 69. He had to make a 15-foot par on his final hole.
Rahm was at 12-under 204 as he goes for his fourth PGA Tour victory, and 11th worldwide. He knows from experience how momentum can change at Torrey Pines. He said having won here in 2017 will mean nothing to him Sunday.
"The only thing it's going to do is keep me focused, no matter how good I'm playing, knowing that somebody can come and do the same thing," Rahm said.
The third round started two hours late because of heavy fog.
