Levin Stumbles In PGA Tour's Farmers' Open Second Round

Spencer Levin

After a blazing opening-day 10-under, 62, Elk Grove's Spencer Levin plundered around the Torrey Pines Golf Club Friday, shooting a four-over-par 76 and is now in 20th place after two rounds of the Farmers' Insurance Open in LaJolla.  He's now eight strokes behind co-first round leader Kyle Stanley.

Here's the PGA Tour's Doug Milne and his interview with Levin right after Thursday's 62, including a 29 on the front nine:

Q. Can you just take us through the 29? How many times have you shot a 29 in your career?

SPENCER LEVIN: I don't know if I ever have on TOUR. Maybe a couple times messing around at home or something. But it's weird, because I didn't really think about it when I was out there. Just people talk about getting in the zone. I never even know what that means, and I guess when guys do it, they don't even know they're doing it.

Maybe that's why I shot that because I just kept trying to hit every shot as good as I could, and I just had a good rhythm going. My mind was pretty clear, and it just worked out good. I played really well on that back nine.

Q. Could you describe a couple of your best shots or best holes?

SPENCER LEVIN: Yeah. On 10 I made a nice putt from probably about 15 feet. Then on 11, I almost made a 5-iron, and made about a 4-footer for birdie. 12, I made a good up-and-down. That hole was playing a long par-3, made a good up-and-down there.

But 13 through 18 I made it close on every hole. I hit it three feet on 13, two putted from about ten feet on 14, hit it 8 feet on 15, 8 feet on 16, 8 feet on 17, then I two putted for birdie from about 12 feet on 18. So I had good looks and was putting well, so it kind of added up.

Q. So it was easy?

SPENCER LEVIN: I don't know about that. Easier than most days, there you go.

Q. Would you say that earlier in your career you were pretty hard on yourself? You seem like a person who kind of carries yourself as being upset a lot of the time. Has your demeanor changed? Has your attitude changed? Do you think things are different for you now?

SPENCER LEVIN: A little bit, I would say. I don't think I get -- I still get frustrated. Don't get me wrong. I think everybody does to an extent, but I'm not showing it quite as much.

I mean, I still do. I still get upset, and might show a little emotion. But all in all, I think it's changed a little bit but not totally drastic to where I'm just robotic and don't show any emotion. I still show emotion. It was just easy today not to because I was playing so well.

So I think that's probably why I looked like I was-- any time you shoot 62 I don't think you're getting too mad.

Q. Last week a couple guys from Palm Springs actually talked about thinking they were going to shoot in the 50s. Three weeks into the season there have been so many 61s, 62s everywhere. Aside from the fact that you guys are as good as you are, is something happening that we're not aware of? Is there some kind of a mental obstacle being broken here and you guys are thinking you can shoot 61, 62 every week?

SPENCER LEVIN: I don't know. That's a good question. But out of the 100-I don't know how many tee up every week 144. Every single guy if they're playing well can shoot any kind of score. The level of talent out here is so good.

I've noticed in tournaments last year I'm up by the leader, kind of contending for a tournament. No matter how well you're playing, I guarantee you there is going to be another guy shooting just as low or being right there with you.

I just think it has to do with the talent on this TOUR. You can look up-and-down on any TOUR in the world right now, and there's a bunch of guy that's can shoot really low. Guys you might not have ever heard of that are hell of players. So I think it's just the fact that the talent level is getting better, and better, and better. I think you'll continue to see golfers get better in the next 10, 20 years as well.