SAN DIEGO — Denny McCarthy concluded an otherwise challenging day on a high note during the Genesis Invitational, finishing with a remarkable birdie-eagle to secure a 4-under 68 on the notoriously tough Torrey Pines course. His performance placed him one shot ahead of competitors Seamus Power and Patrick Rodgers. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked player globally, appeared to be regaining his form after a slow start, finishing the day with a 70 after missing a crucial 4-foot birdie putt on the final hole.

For McCarthy, his preparation included playing in the pro-am, which was marred by cold and wet conditions, setting the stage for the tournament. He approached the difficult circumstances with a mindset focused on enjoyment, saying, “I came out with the attitude that I was just going to have fun and try to embrace it as much as I could,” as he aims for his first victory on the PGA Tour.

Following a bogey on the 16th, McCarthy made an impressive 25-foot putt for birdie. Transitioning to a 3-wood for his second shot off the par-5 closing hole, he managed to roll the ball to within 7 feet, setting up for an eagle attempt. This year’s Genesis Invitational marked a change in venue, moving from Riviera due to the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area, which impacted Pacific Palisades. The South course at Torrey Pines, having recently hosted the Farmers Insurance Open, was in prime condition. Additionally, it has historical significance as the tournament host, Tiger Woods, holds eight professional wins there, including a U.S. Open title.

Despite the soft greens from the consistent rain, the course lived up to its challenging reputation, with only three players managing to shoot under par and just ten breaking 70. Rory McIlroy, who recently won at Pebble Beach, recorded an even-par 72 with two birdies and two bogeys. Collin Morikawa, Shane Lowry, and Justin Thomas all posted a score of 73.

Scheffler experienced a rollercoaster round, netting four birdies in a span of seven holes but could not maintain momentum, finishing 2-over for the rest of the course. He notably struggled on the par 5s, even when hitting a 5-iron for his third shot on the ninth hole from a distance that was significantly shorter than usual. On the 13th, despite hitting solidly on his first two shots, he still found himself 130 yards away from the green. “Driver, 3-wood, 9-iron. And I smoked all three of them,” he expressed confidently.

The course tested players’ abilities, particularly the par 5 holes which felt more challenging than on other courses. Nobody recorded a birdie on the 461-yard fifth hole, proving difficult for the entire field. “We’re hitting 4-iron,” noted Morikawa about the demanding hole, where players would typically expect to use an 8-iron.

Tiger Woods withdrew from the tournament earlier in the week due to mourning the recent passing of his mother. As a mark of respect, the tournament used a solid white flag for the pin at No. 7, a nod to Woods’ mother’s Buddhist beliefs. Alongside the competition, the tournament announced significant contributions aimed at supporting relief and recovery efforts in Los Angeles, including the donation of 100 vehicles valued at $8 million. Riviera Country Club also made headlines with its own announcement of a $1 million donation.

Harris English garnered victory at Torrey Pines three weeks prior, scoring an 8-under par, making it the highest score to par in several PGA Tour events recently. In contrast, English started his day with a disappointing 75, while other competitors like Rasmus Hojgaard and Adam Hadwin struggled, finishing with scores of 82 and 83, respectively. “It’s blowing only like 10 to 15 (mph), but 10 to 15 here is basically 25 to 30 at other places,” shared Michael Kim, who recorded a 71.

The weather forecast suggests gradual clearing, yet it may not sufficiently dry out the course to lessen its length or the thickness of the rough. Notably, Scheffler included a 5-wood in his bag to handle shots from the rough, while Jordan Spieth returned to using a 7-wood for the first time since the 2021 U.S. Open held at Torrey. “There’s no letup,” remarked Power, suggesting that challenging conditions are expected to persist for the coming days of the tournament.