At Glance
– ‣ Patrick Cantlay maintains his position as the overnight leader, demonstrating resilience and skill, especially with a crucial chip to tap-in range on the 18th hole to secure par and lead by two shots going into Sunday.
– ‣ Jason Day showcases his ability to bounce back from adversity with an impressive eagle on the 17th hole after facing back-to-back bogeys, highlighting the unpredictable nature of golf where a single shot can significantly change a player’s standing.
– ‣ The Genesis Invitational golf course is confirmed as a significant venue in the golfing world, not only hosting the current tournament but also set to host future prestigious events including the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2028 Summer Olympics golf competitions, underscoring its quality and the challenge it presents to players.
Never a doubt.@JDayGolf bounces back from back-to-back bogeys with an eagle on 17.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR)
Refresh.
It was a chilly evening on February 17th, 2024. The clock struck 23:44:16.282Z, and there it was, Cantlay leading the pack… again. His 18th approach fell short, yet his chip was nothing short of magical, leaving him a mere tap-in for par. Round in one under, he’s two shots clear heading into Sunday. Just yesterday, he was five ahead. Talk about a rollercoaster.
Then, at 23:32:05.675Z, Cantlay found trouble on the 17th. His 130-yard approach didn’t quite make it, and his chip? Well, it wasn’t his best. Missing the par putt, he settled for a bogey.
But wait, there’s more drama. At 23:28:14.215Z, Day pulls off an eagle after two bogeys. Talk about a comeback. Never a doubt, they said. Right.
No Tiger Woods today, folks. The tournament host was battling the flu, leaving us all wondering if he’d make it for the trophy presentation. Missing Tiger? Maybe try our quiz to fill the void.
And oh, this course. We’re going to see a lot of it in the coming years. It’s not just the Genesis Invitational’s home but also the future venue for the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2028 Summer Olympics golf competitions. Fancy that!
Zalatoris had a moment, too, his putt just sliding past on the 18th. Ended up tying with Schauffele at -12. They matched each other, birdie for birdie, par for par, on the back nine. Like mirror images.
Speaking of Schauffele, he wrapped up his round with a 65, no shots dropped. Four birdies and an eagle, sitting comfortably at -12 for the tournament.
Zalatoris wasn’t far behind, making his way to joint second place after birdies on 16 and 17. His round? A solid -6.
But Schauffele wasn’t done. A birdie on the 17th brought him back within three shots of Cantlay. The tension was palpable.
Then there’s the tale of Riviera’s architect, George C. Thomas. A man of many talents, from roses to golf courses, his designs are legendary yet somehow, he remains a bit of an enigma.
Cantlay, though, wasn’t fazed. A birdie on the 13th extended his lead back to four. Schauffele had cut it to three, but Cantlay wasn’t letting go that easily.
Harris English, meanwhile, was making moves in the clubhouse. A round of 65, the best of the day so far, brought him within four shots of the lead.
List found trouble on the 10th, a reminder of Riviera’s challenges. And in 1938, Babe Zaharias broke barriers here, playing in a men’s professional tournament. A pioneer, indeed.
JT Poston wrapped up his round, not the best of the day but a respectable 66. Then there’s Tiger Woods, reflecting on his debut here in 1992. A life-changing experience, he called it.
Homa had a bit of luck on the 13th, his ball playing pinball off a tree and landing near the hole. If only we all had that kind of luck.
McIlroy finished his round at two under, a solid performance but not quite enough to charge up the leaderboard.
And then there’s the tournament’s name change. From the Genesis Open to the Genesis Invitational. A small detail, but it changes the game’s entry dynamics.
Schauffele joined the second-place group with an opening birdie. The competition was heating up.
Looking at past winners, the top six at the halfway point often predict the victor. This year, Cantlay was leading the pack.
English started strong, birdies on the first three holes pushing him up the leaderboard. But there’s still a lot of golf to be played. Cantlay, leading by five, was about to tee off with List.
And so, our coverage of the Genesis Invitational’s third day begins. With ‘Patty Ice’ leading, we’re all wondering if anyone can catch him. Stay tuned for all the key shots and must-see action. Thanks for joining us!
