At Glance
– ‣ Cantlay maintains his position as the overnight leader, demonstrating resilience and skill, particularly with a crucial chip to tap-in range on the 18th, ensuring he stays ahead by two shots into the final day.
– ‣ Jason Day shows remarkable recovery, bouncing back from consecutive bogeys with an eagle on the 17th, highlighting the unpredictable nature of golf where a single hole can significantly change a player’s standing.
– ‣ The Genesis Invitational tournament, steeped in history and prestige, not only showcases top golf talent but also serves as a platform for historical milestones, such as Babe Zaharias being the first woman to play in a professional golf tournament for men, underscoring the event’s role in promoting diversity and inclusion in the sport.
Never a doubt.@JDayGolf bounces back from back-to-back bogeys with an eagle on 17.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR)
Refresh.
It’s February 17, 2024, and Cantlay has done it again. He’s the overnight leader. His final approach on the 18th didn’t quite make the green, leaving him a lengthy 58ft to the flag. Yet, with a chip to tap-in range, he secured par. Finishing the round one under par, he’s now leading by two shots as we head into Sunday. Just yesterday, he was ahead by five.
A bit earlier, Cantlay faced a hiccup on the 17th. His 130-yard approach fell short, and his chip didn’t fare much better, stopping well short of the flag. Missing the par putt, he bogeyed the hole.
Then there’s Day, making an impressive comeback with an eagle on the 17th, right after two consecutive bogeys. It’s like he’s saying, “Never count me out.”
In a surprising twist, Tiger Woods wasn’t at the course today. He’s keeping his flu to himself, sparking doubts about whether he’ll be present to hand over the trophy tomorrow. Missing Tiger? Maybe try our quiz to ease the withdrawal.
This course is becoming quite the regular feature. It’s not just the home of the Genesis Invitational; it’s also set to host the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2028 Summer Olympics golf competitions. Talk about a triple threat.
Zalatoris had a moment, with his putt just sliding past the hole. That rounds him up to a 65, tying with Xander Schauffele at -12. They’ve mirrored each other’s scores on the inward nine, birdie for birdie, par for par.
Zalatoris had a chance for a birdie on the 18th, which would’ve brought him a round of 64. He’s been on fire, with five birdies in the last nine holes.
Schauffele finished his round without dropping a shot, carding a 65. He’s sitting comfortably at -12 for the tournament.
Will Zalatoris climbed into joint second place after birdies on the 16th and 17th. He’s -6 for his round now.
Schauffele’s birdie on the 17th brings him back-to-back birdies, cutting Cantlay’s lead down to three again.
Riviera’s architect, George C. Thomas, is a bit of an enigma. Despite his significant influence, many golf enthusiasts might not recognize his name. He was a true amateur, never taking money for his designs. His work includes the North Course at Los Angeles Country Club and, of course, Riviera. Thomas believed in courses that left a lasting impression, with each hole having its own character. His design philosophy is still celebrated today, influencing modern architects and even Tiger Woods.
Cantlay extended his lead back to four with a birdie on the 13th.
Schauffele’s birdie on the 16th, his third on the back nine, cuts Cantlay’s lead to three. He had a quiet front nine but made an eagle on the first.
Harris English is in the clubhouse with a round of 65, the best score of the day so far. He’s four shots off the lead, tied in second.
List found trouble on the 10th, a hole known for its challenges.
Cantlay further extended his lead with a birdie on the par-5 11th, giving him a four-shot buffer.
In 1938, Babe Zaharias broke barriers by playing in a professional golf tournament for men. She met her future husband, George Zaharias, at the event. Despite not making the cut, she left a lasting legacy, even making the cut in a PGA Tour event in 1946.
List faced difficulties again on the 10th, dropping another shot after a struggle with a greenside bunker.
JT Poston has completed his round, carding a 66. He’s not leading, but it’s not the best round of the day either. Eric Cole managed a 65, placing him at T15.
Tiger Woods made his PGA Tour debut at this tournament in 1992. It was a significant moment, not just for his career but for the sport. Despite the pressure, he learned valuable lessons about his game and the level of competition.
Homa had a stroke of luck on the 13th, with his ball hitting a tree and rolling close to the hole. Sometimes, it’s just your day.
McIlroy finished his round with a two-under par 69, including five birdies. He’s T26.
List had to resort to a wedge on the green due to a bunker in the middle. It’s a controversial feature that sparks debate about its impact on the playing surface.
The bunker in the middle of the 6th green posed a challenge for Luke List. It’s an obstacle that requires strategic navigation.
Cantlay’s lead was cut to four after he carded his first bogey in 23 holes on the 3rd. List is now hot on his heels.
The tournament has a rich history, having been played at various courses throughout Los Angeles. Riviera Country Club has been its main home, hosting the event 60 times.
Gary Woodland was inches away from an ace on the 16th. His reaction was priceless.
Chase Johnson finished his third round with a 73, his only birdie coming on the 18th. He’s tied for last with Charley Hoffman and Emiliano Grillo at +2 for the tournament.
The final pairing traded birdies on the opening hole, keeping Cantlay’s lead intact. List and Hughes are tied for second.
Rory McIlroy hasn’t made a significant charge, sitting two under after 14 holes. He’s T26 but still showing his power by driving past the group ahead on the 15th.
The tournament’s name has evolved over the years, from the Los Angeles Open to the Genesis Invitational. The change reflects its status and how players qualify to participate.
Xander Schauffele joined the second-place group with a birdie on his opening hole.
Looking at the trends, the last eight winners of the Genesis Invitational were within the top six at the halfway point. This year’s top six set a competitive stage for the weekend.
Harris English made an early move, climbing to tied fifth with birdies on the first three holes.
There’s still plenty of golf to be played. Cantlay’s five-shot lead is significant, but history shows that leads can slip away.
Welcome to Golf Monthly’s coverage of the Genesis Invitational’s third day. We’re all set to see if anyone can challenge ‘Patty Ice’ at the top of the leaderboard. Stay tuned for all the key shots and action. Thanks for joining us!
