The race against the sun Saturday at the 2019 Genesis Open finally brought a close to the tournament’s second round of play. The cutline of even par extinguished the championship hopes of PGA veterans like Fred Couples and rising stars such as Cameron Champ. The 76 players who avoided the cut line late Saturday were each allowed to at least begin their third round.
When play resumes at 6:45 a.m. local time (9:45 a.m. Eastern) the final group featuring leader Justin Thomas (-13), Adam Scott (-12) and J.B. Holmes (-12) will continue their play on only the third hole of their round. In order to complete the tournament and walk away with the championship Sunday the leaders will have to battle through at least 33 holes. With so much golf played on Saturday there were more than a few highlights coming out of Riviera Country Club.
The putts were falling at Pacific Palisades
After a birdie at the 4th hole, Rory McIlroy rebounded from an up and down Friday by going back to back early Saturday with a 31-foot follow up birdie at the par-4 5th.
Okay @McIlroyRory, you have our attention. 😯#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/vdELFbXgU0
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 16, 2019
From the fringe on number nine, and fighting against the cut line, Tiger Woods sank a potentially weekend saving birdie putt to move to 1-under.
For a chance to make the cut.@TigerWoods knew he needed this one.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/E3eW6BYkCQ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 16, 2019
Following the first round of play, Jordan Spieth found himself one off the lead at 7-under. After dropping a stroke early, Spieth drained a 24-foot birdie putt at the par-3 4th hole to gain a measure of momentum back on his side.
Good morning @JordanSpieth.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/irUAdiPtpx
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 16, 2019
While the young fan favorite bomber Cameron Champ may not have made the cut, he at least provided a highlight of his own Saturday with a 40-foot birdie at the par-4 9th.
This might be exactly what @Cameron__Champ needs to jumpstart the round.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/b7gGtAFzNu
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 16, 2019
On the heels of last weeks victory at Pebble Beach, Phil Mickelson refused to fade away quietly down the leaderboard with an eagle on the opening hole of his third round.
Only @PhilMickelson.
What. A. Putt. 🦅#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/t8whxLhgby
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 17, 2019
Despite not even getting three holes in of his third round, Justin Thomas took advantage late Saturday with an eagle on his first hole to climb to 13-under and take the outright lead.
Effortless eagle from @JustinThomas34. 😏
He takes the outright lead at -13.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/TgS4LtZtFX
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 17, 2019
Finesse from all around Riviera Country Club
Following a wayward drive, defending champion Bubba Watson found himself surrounded by trees at the par-4 10th. After threading the needle to find the green Watson would finish for birdie to get to 3-under.
This shot by @bubbawatson led to birdie. 🧐#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/LumkhqgDMY
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 16, 2019
After his previous shot found the cart path and rolled beyond the grandstands, Phil Mickelson showed off his flop shot skills once again as he pitched it up and over the grandstands onto the green.
Are you kidding?@PhilMickelson just flopped it over the GRANDSTANDS. 🤯#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/9uUcXKHKgs
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 16, 2019
Shot of the Day
Taking advantage of the scoring conditions near the end of his second round, Patrick Rodgers holed out his second shot for eagle at the par-4 7th from 130 yards out. Rodgers’ focus and precision placed him in a tie for 3rd heading into Sunday.
That's how you do it.
A 2️⃣ on the card never hurts.@PRodgersGolf moves to 8-under.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/3wxZq2TBqJ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 16, 2019
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
