Genesis Invitational Round Two: McIlroy in the Hunt
As the Genesis Invitational reaches its halfway point, Rory McIlroy is hot on the heels of leaders Marco Penge and Jacob Bridgeman. With Penge and Bridgeman both sitting at 12 under, McIlroy trails by just a single stroke after a stellar round in Los Angeles.
Penge, hailing from England, delivered an impressive performance with five birdies in his final seven holes, wrapping up his day with an eight-under-par 64. This feat is even more noteworthy considering Penge had to finish nine holes from a weather-delayed first round before diving into his second round.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's McIlroy, who recently struggled at Pebble Beach, found the Riviera Country Club more to his liking. He carded a seven-under-par 65, attributing his improved play to the forgiving nature of the course.
"There's no Pacific Ocean to hit it into around this golf course, so that helps," McIlroy quipped. Despite some loose shots, he praised his distance control and clutch putting from inside eight feet.
Off the course, Penge shared personal news, revealing his wife is expecting their second child next week. The couple recently moved to Florida, and Penge spoke about the challenges of competing while his wife manages their young family alone. "It's been quite tough," he admitted, highlighting the personal sacrifices behind his professional pursuit.
Bridgeman joined Penge at the top of the leaderboard after matching his 64, setting up an exciting weekend showdown.
World number one Scottie Scheffler had his own battle, sinking a critical seven-foot par putt on the 18th to make the cut at level par. "It was nice to get out this morning on some fresh greens and hole some putts," Scheffler reflected, relieved to secure his place for the weekend.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes are on McIlroy, Penge, and Bridgeman, with fans eagerly anticipating how this tight race will unfold.