The greatest golf was missed by thousands of fans at The Genesis Invitational on Thursday, as Tiger Woods made his 2024 debut. Patrick Cantlay was in the group ahead of Woods, and he appeared to be hoping to become the second native of Southern California to win at The Riviera Country Club.
When a sycamore tree ended Cantlay’s incredible run, he had already made 3 birdies in his first 4 holes and had not really slowed down. Despite this, he fired a 7-under 64 to take the lead by one shot.
Cam Davis of Australia joined Jason Day and Luke List, who had a 65 without making any bogeys. Davis birdied 3 of his final 5 holes.
Cantlay got a stronger start than Jordan Spieth, who had to settle for a 66.
There was no lack of entertainment in the Riviera Signature Event, even with the smallest field of 70 players. The most remarkable was when Woods hit a shank from the centre of the 18th fairway and then managed to sneak a shot onto the green with the same club an 8-iron through a tiny gap in the eucalyptus trees. He shot 72 and made bogey.
To get a shot to bounce back towards the rough, Justin Thomas had to play it off the driving range’s concrete boundary wall. When he missed a putt in the bunker behind the tenth green, Sam Burns was on his way to making a big number. He was so surprised by his improbable par that he threw his putter towards his bag.
It was important to keep an eye on Rory McIlroy, who was on track to finish in the top three until his back nine double and triple bogeys, the last occurring on the par-3 16th when he left one in the bunker and then three-putted from eight feet.
Cantlay and Spieth, who played next him, made it appear easy for the most of the day. To set the pace, both went out in thirty.
We had a strong group dynamic. On the front nine, Jordan and I were much under par. It was also a day when I putted incredibly well. I made all the putts I should have, plus a few longer ones. The start was promising.
On the 16th par-3, Cantlay’s tee shot struck a tree and landed short of the bunkers and the temporary green, putting him about fifty yards away from an unplayable position. He hit into a front bunker and dropped no more than a shot, not bothering to get the yardage.
“A place I have never visited. I’ve played most of the holes on this golf course. But fantastic start with eight birdies and one bogey.” Cantlay grinned and said.
Growing up in the Los Angeles area, Max Homa won in 2021. Another Virginia Country Club graduate who attended UCLA, John Merrick, took home the trophy in 2012.
Woods, who hasn’t participated in a formal PGA TOUR tournament since the Masters, when he underwent surgery to repair his right ankle, displayed the kind of competitive rust he anticipated. That shank was unexpected, but even more worrisome was Woods’ admission that his back was acting strangely in the last hour, which may have contributed to the shank.
