Jon Rahm starts world No1 bid in style at Farmers Insurance Open

Jon Rahm’s bid for the world No1 spot got off to a good start as he finished the opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open on four-under par.

Victory in the absence of Dustin Johnson would give the Spaniard top spot in the world rankings in what is only the 23-year-old’s 39th start as a professional golfer.

Rahm incurred two dropped shots — at the fifth and 12th — but registered six birdies to move within three strokes of clubhouse leader Tony Finau.

His bid for the No1 spot has been overshadowed somewhat by Tiger Woods, who had an even-par round of 72 at Torrey Pines.

Woods, in his first PGA Tour appearance for 12 months, started poorly with a bogey at the opening hole and dropped another shot at the fifth.“I was a little rusty,” he said. “But it was fun to compete.”