#brookskoepka

Brooks Koepka has built his major-championship aura on power, nerve, and a ruthless ability to simplify brutal golf courses. Pinehurst No. 2 does not make that easy.

This SportsOrca piece breaks down why Koepka’s driving accuracy becomes the real pressure point at Pinehurst. The fairways may look open, but firm bounces, sandy native areas, wiregrass, and crowned greens can turn one missed tee shot into a full-hole survival test.

Farmers Insurance Open - second-round leaderboard

-17J Rose (Eng), -13 S Power (Ire), -11 M McGreevy (US), J Dahmen (US), -10 S-Woo Kim (Kor), -9 E Cole (US), R Hisatsune (Jpn), M McNealy (US), J Lower (US), S Theegala (US), M Thorbjornsen (US), D Walker (US)

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Farmers Insurance Open - second-round leaderboard

-17J Rose (Eng), -13 S Power (Ire), -11 M McGreevy (US), J Dahmen (US), -10 S-Woo Kim (Kor), -9 E Cole (US), R Hisatsune (Jpn), M McNealy (US), J Lower (US), S Theegala (US), M Thorbjornsen (US), D Walker (US)

Full leaderboard

England's Justin Rose shot a seven-under-par 65 to extend his lead to four shots at the Farmers Insurance Open while returning Brooks Koepka made the cut in San Diego.

The 45-year-old, who leads Ireland's Seamus Power, sits on 17 under after breaking his own 36-hole record at the tournament.

Rose shot the round of the day on Friday at the more challenging South Course with an eagle, six birdies and just one bogey.

"I feel like in my career I've won on tough golf courses generally, so that's my M.O., I would say," said 2025 Masters runner-up Rose, who led by a shot after an opening-round 62.

"It's the kind of a place I enjoy. It's one of my favourite tournaments on Tour, just the whole area, the whole atmosphere, the whole vibe."

Meanwhile, Koepka continued his return to the PGA Tour with a second-round 68 to make the cut on three under.

Five-time major winner Koepka, who agreed a release from his LIV Golf contract at the end of 2025, struggled on the South Course on Thursday, shooting a round of 73.

But on the North Course he found his form in his first PGA Tour event in four years, sinking an eagle putt on the 17th.

"I think [Thursday] I was excited to play, nervous, and kind of didn't know what to expect, but today felt more normal, I guess," Koepka said.

"But yeah, I mean, don't get me wrong, I definitely still got antsy, but I guess maybe a little bit of nerves, just trying to figure it out and test - see where my game's at too, right? I feel like I'm playing really well. It's just been a long layoff."