Marco Penge (-12) and Jacob Bridgeman (-12) share the lead at the Genesis Championship after the conclusion of the second round. The rain has gone, the wind has disappeared, and the scores have improved. Don’t think that Riviera Country Club has turned into a birdie paradise, far from it. It doesn’t need much to defend itself. However, it was more accessible. Better weather and the greens still receptive from everything that has fallen on them in recent days. In theory, they should become firmer for Saturday and Sunday. They won’t be rock-hard, but we could say today has been the easiest day of the week at the Los Angeles coliseum.
In the first round, the best score was 66 strokes. Today, there have been up to eight rounds of 65 or better. Among them are those of Penge and Bridgeman. They already finished as leaders on the first day and have strengthened their position with rounds of 64 strokes each. Both have a one-stroke lead over Rory McIlroy (-11), who is looking to become the second career grand slam winner in history to win at Riviera. Sensational round of 65 strokes from Rory, without bogeys, putting beautifully from three metres and in.
The Genesis Championship leaderboard is a tribute to the DP World Tour. There they are, at the top, the Number One (Rory) and the Number Two (Penge) from last year’s Race to Dubai. In case you think that’s not enough, it turns out that Matt Fitzpatrick (-7), third in 2025 in Europe, has moved into eighth position, tied with Tommy Fleetwood (-7), fifth in the Race. It’s very difficult to find a better tribute to a circuit in a setting as extraordinary as Riviera. From last year’s top 5 in Europe, only Tyrrell Hatton is missing, and for obvious reasons. Or does anyone doubt that if the Englishman were playing the Genesis (he is missed), he would be up there one way or another?
We’ll see what happens on Sunday and who comes out on top, but for now, the European circuit is having its moment. It doesn’t seem too bold to suggest that the big favourite to win the tournament is McIlroy. The Northern Irishman is playing great golf. He’s hitting long and straight with the driver and is proving lethal on the greens, especially with short putts, a vital area on this Californian course.
That same equation is working for Marco Penge. Very good from the tee and excellent on the greens. “I spoke with Phil Kenyon before the tournament because I felt very lost with the putter and he gave me the necessary confidence. He told me: forget about technique and focus solely on visualising the ball going into the hole. I feel much more comfortable,” he says.
Obviously, among those at the top, we must keep a close eye on Xander Schauffele (-9), tied for fourth with another notable player like Adam Scott (-9). Schauffele needed a performance like this after a somewhat poor start to the year. His best result was 19th at Pebble Beach last week. As for Scott, nothing surprises anymore, like being the longest from the tee playing with Ryan Gerard and Patrick Rodgers.
The second round of the Genesis has been even more exciting due to the presence of the cut. The top 50 and ties have made it through, a demanding cut. Fifty-one players have succeeded, and players of the calibre of JJ Spaun, Sam Burns, Justin Rose, Keegan Bradley, Russell Henley, Chris Gotterup, or Maverick McNealy have missed out. Quite something. In this regard, Scheffler’s fight to play all four days has been sensational. Is there really anyone in their right mind who genuinely cares about the spectacle and competition who doesn’t realise that golf tournaments are much more interesting and fun with a cut? Ask Scheffler if he didn’t go home infinitely more satisfied today, precisely because of the brave fight he had to make the cut.
Scheffler salva su 68º corte seguido con garra y cierto suspense
