Denny McCarthy takes the lead in the Genesis Invitational, with Seamus Power sitting just one shot behind him after the first round. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler also made a strong start in the tournament.
McCarthy finished his opening round with a birdie-eagle finish, shooting a remarkable three-under 68. Despite an early bogey, Power managed to register four birdies, ending the round with a three-under 69, trailing McCarthy by only one stroke.
Patrick Rodgers is tied with Power for second place, while Scheffler, the top-ranked player in the world, is within two shots of the lead. Despite missing a birdie opportunity on the final hole, Scheffler shot a two-under 70.
Rory McIlroy, fresh off a victory at Pebble Beach, carded an even-par 72, with two birdies and two bogeys in his round. Collin Morikawa, Shane Lowry, and Justin Thomas are all part of a large group at 73.
Scheffler started strong with four birdies in seven holes but struggled on the par fives towards the end of his round, finishing two over par. Reflecting on his performance, Scheffler mentioned the challenges of the course and acknowledged the mix of good and bad shots he had during the day.
The Genesis Invitational was moved to the South Course at Torrey Pines this year due to the Los Angeles wildfires after originally being scheduled at Riviera. The venue was deemed tournament-ready after hosting the Farmers Insurance Open last month.
Harris English, who won at Torrey Pines three weeks ago, opened with a 75. Rasmus Hojgaard and Adam Hadwin both struggled, failing to break 80 with scores of 82 and 83, respectively.
As the tournament progresses, the question remains: Who will emerge victorious in the Genesis Invitational? Tune in to Sky Sports for live coverage and updates throughout the week. Early coverage starts on Friday at 5:30 pm, with full coverage at 8 pm. Don’t miss out on the action!
