Michael Brennan’s journey at the Farmers Insurance Open was cut short when he was disqualified for using non-permitted equipment.
The Farmers Insurance Open began on Thursday, January 29, at Torrey Pines Golf Course, and Brennan was paired alongside Joe Highsmith and Frankie Capan III from the tenth tee of the National Course. He carded four birdies and two bogeys in the opening round to finish eight strokes off the lead.
However, the PGA Tour rookie was disqualified for using non-permitted green-reading materials. As per Model Local Rule G-11, players are restricted to using green-reading materials and can only use committee-approved yardage books, committee-approved hole location sheets and a map of the entire course.
“Handwritten notes may be added to an approved yardage book or approved hole-location sheet before or during the round by the player or the player’s caddie only and are limited to information gathered by the player or caddie only,” USGA explains further.
“Handwritten notes may contain information gained only through personal experiences of the player or the player’s caddie from the course or by watching a televised broadcast, but are limited to information gained: While observing a ball that was rolled or played (whether by the player, caddie or someone else), or through the player’s or caddie’s feel or general observations of the putting green.”
The first breach of this rule results in a two-stroke penalty. A second breach in the same round results in disqualification.
Justin Rose fired a 10-under 62 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round. Justin Lower was one stroke back, while Max Greyserman and Hideki Matsuyama were two strokes off the lead.
Farmers Insurance Open 2026 leaderboard after Round 1
Here’s a look at the leaderboard for the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open after Round 1:
- 1. Justin Rose: -10
- 2. Justin Lower: -9
- T3. Max Greyserman: -8
- T3. Hideki Matsuyama: -8
- T5. Maverick McNealy: -7
- T5. Stephan Jaeger: -7
- T5. Seamus Power: -7
- T8. Max McGreevy: -6
- T8. Sahith Theegala: -6
- T8. Mark Hubbard: -6
- T8. Jake Knapp: -6
- T8. Marcelo Rozo: -6
- T8. Kris Ventura: -6
- T14. Austin Eckroat: -5
- T14. Karl Vilips: -5
- T14. Danny Walker: -5
- T14. Keith Mitchell: -5
- T14. Davis Thompson: -5
- T14. Jason Day: -5
- T14. John Parry: -5
- T14. Matthieu Pavon: -5
- T14. Kristoffer Reitan: -5
