Denny McCarthy wrapped up a challenging day with an exceptional finish on Thursday at the Genesis Invitational. He closed with a birdie-eagle combination, securing a 4-under 68 on the formidable Torrey Pines course, which lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest tracks in golf.
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McCarthy Takes the Lead with a Clutch Performance
McCarthy’s impressive finish gave him a one-shot lead over competitors Séamus Power and Patrick Rodgers. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler, currently ranked as the world’s No. 1 golfer, struggled with a missed 4-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, finishing his round at 70 alongside a group of contenders.
Despite the difficult weather conditions, McCarthy credited the pro-am for helping him adjust to the cold and wet environment.
McCarthy, still in pursuit of his first victory, shared his mindset: “I approached the game with the goal of enjoying myself and fully embracing the experience”PGA Tour victory.
McCarthy rebounded after a bogey on the par-3 16th by sinking a 25-foot birdie putt. On the par-5 18th, he used a 3-wood for his second shot, landing the ball just 7 feet from the pin and setting up an eagle putt to finish his round in style.
Torrey Pines Hosts the Genesis Invitational
Due to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, the Genesis Invitational was moved from Riviera to the demanding South Course at Torrey Pines. The switch proved beneficial, as the course was tournament-ready, having recently hosted the Farmers Insurance Open.
Torrey Pines holds a special connection to Tiger Woods, the tournament’s host, who has won there eight times, including a U.S. Open victory. Known for its tough conditions, the course played like a U.S. Open setup, even with softened greens due to persistent rain. Only three players broke 70, and just 10 others finished under par.
Notable Performances from Top Players
Fresh off his win at Pebble Beach, Rory McIlroy posted an even-par 72 with two birdies and two bogeys. Collin Morikawa, Shane Lowry, and Justin Thomas finished in a large group at 73.
Scottie Scheffler started strong with four birdies in seven holes but struggled on the back nine, playing 2-over for the rest of his round. He missed birdie opportunities on par-5s, notably hitting a 5-iron for his third shot on the ninth hole from 180 yards—about 40 yards shorter than his usual approach.
Challenging Course Conditions Impact Scoring
The weather and course conditions made scoring difficult, with strong winds challenging even short shots. Scheffler noted how demanding the par-5s were, saying,
“Normally, when you approach a par-5, you expect a good chance at a birdie. However, on two of the par-5s, simply making par feels like an achievement.”
The par-5s at No. 9 and No. 13 played over par, an unusual statistic for a PGA Tour event. The most challenging hole of the day was the 461-yard fifth, playing into a cold wind and yielding no birdies to the 72-man field.
“We’re hitting 4-iron,” Morikawa remarked. “That’s a hole where it still plays tough, but normally you’re hitting 8-iron.”
Honoring Tiger Woods’ Mother with a Special Tribute
Tiger Woods withdrew from the event following the recent passing of his mother, Kultida Woods. As a tribute, the tournament used a solid white flag on the seventh hole, symbolizing the significance of white and the number seven in Buddhism, which was important to Woods’ mother.
Additionally, the tournament is donating $8 million to relief and recovery efforts in Los Angeles, primarily by providing 100 tournament cars for aid. Riviera Country Club also contributed a $1 million donation.
Difficult Conditions Continue as the Tournament Progresses
Harris English, who won at Torrey Pines three weeks ago with an 8-under total, struggled on Thursday, shooting 75. Other players faced even greater challenges, with Rasmus Hojgaard carding an 82 and Adam Hadwin an 83.
Michael Kim, who finished with a 71, described the impact of the wind:
“It’s blowing only 10 to 15 [mph], but 10 to 15 here is 25 to 30 at other places.”
The forecast calls for gradual clearing, but the lingering moisture will continue to lengthen the course and thicken the rough. To adapt, many players, including Scheffler and Jordan Spieth, have adjusted their club selections. Spieth put a 7-wood in his bag for the first time since the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
As the tournament continues, players will have to navigate relentless course conditions. Séamus Power summed it up best:
“There’s no letup. And it will be the same for the next two days.”
