Denny McCarthy Shines in Tough Conditions to Lead at Torrey Pines
Denny McCarthy delivered a stunning finish on Thursday at The Genesis Invitational, capping off a grueling round with a birdie-eagle close to shoot a 4-under 68. Playing on the formidable South Course at Torrey Pines, McCarthy embraced the challenge, leading by one stroke over Seamus Power and Patrick Rodgers.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, finding his rhythm after a late start to the season, missed a short birdie putt on the 18th hole and settled for a 70, joining a larger group of competitors near the top of the leaderboard.
Embracing the Challenge
McCarthy, still seeking his first PGA TOUR victory, came prepared for the brutal conditions after experiencing the cold and wet weather during the pro-am round. "I came out with the attitude that I was just going to have fun and try to embrace it as much as I could," he said.
After a bogey on the par-3 16th, McCarthy rebounded impressively by sinking a 25-foot birdie putt on the 17th. On the par-5 closing hole, he used a 3-wood for his second shot, landing the ball just seven feet from the pin before sinking his eagle putt to take the outright lead.
A Venue Tested by History
This year, The Genesis Invitational moved from Riviera to Torrey Pines due to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Fortunately, the South Course was tournament-ready, having recently hosted the Farmers Insurance Open. Torrey Pines also holds a special place in golf history, with Tiger Woods securing eight victories here, including a U.S. Open triumph.
Despite soft greens from persistent rain, only three players broke 70, and just 10 others managed to finish under par. Rory McIlroy, fresh off a win at Pebble Beach, posted an even-par 72, while Collin Morikawa, Shane Lowry, and Justin Thomas finished with 73s.
Scheffler’s Battle with the Course
Scheffler, who had a strong stretch with four birdies in seven holes, struggled on the challenging par-5s. He was forced to hit a 5-iron for his third shot from 180 yards on the ninth hole—40 yards shorter than usual. On the 13th, even after hitting a driver, 3-wood, and 9-iron, he was still 130 yards from the pin.
"I smoked all three of them," he said. "I striped 'em all."
The rough proved punishing, forcing players to rely heavily on long irons and fairway woods. Scheffler even added a 7-wood to his bag for extra help.
Brutal Conditions and a Tough Forecast
The conditions at Torrey Pines proved daunting. The ninth and 13th holes, typically good birdie opportunities, played over par. The demanding 461-yard fifth hole didn’t surrender a single birdie to the 72-player field.
With continued moisture keeping the rough thick and the course playing long, players expect no relief in the coming rounds. “There’s no letup,” Power said. “And I think it’s going to be the same for the next two days.”
As the tournament progresses, McCarthy will look to maintain his lead in pursuit of his first PGA TOUR victory, navigating one of the toughest tests in professional golf.
