Denny McCarthy closed with an eagle at the par-5 18th following five birdies and three bogeys to take the lead with a 4-under 68 at the Genesis Invitational.

“I haven’t played here in four years, it’s been a while since I’ve been here,” said the American. “It is very difficult, especially with the rain and the rough length. The rough’s gnarly and the rain makes it even more difficult. Even though the greens are soft, it’s still hard to — they’re so pitched, they put some really tough flags today, it was still really hard to get close to certain flags, especially with the wind direction.

“It’s a very difficult golf course. I enjoy the challenge of it. I’m not the longest of hitters, but you’ve got to keep it in the fairway. I didn’t do that for a couple holes coming in, I got some decent breaks, I managed to same some good pars. It’s a very difficult golf course. I like it a lot, it’s very challenging and I’m looking forward to the next couple days.”

McCarthy has finished runner-up twice on the PGA Tour, at the 2023 Memorial Tournament where he lost in a playoff to Viktor Hovland and at the 2024 Valero Texas Open where he lost in a playoff to Akshay Bhatia, but has yet to win after 193 events on Tour.

Ireland’s Seamus Power is tied in second place at 3-under alongside American Patrick Rodgers after both made four birdies and a bogey for a 69.

World number 1 Scottie Scheffler fired four birdies and two bogeys for a share of fourth place at 2-under alongside fellow American Wyndham Clark.

Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama of Japan opens with a 2-over 74 and sits T25

The three player-hosted Signature Events (The Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Memorial Tournament) are the only Signature Events that feature a 36-hole cut (the low 50 and ties and any additional players within 10 strokes of the 36-hole lead); 68 players (including leader Denny McCarthy) enter the second round within 10 strokes of the lead.

Related: Sang Kim interview

Founder & CEO 4D Motion Sports. 3D Smart Shirt for real-time swing analysis & biofeedback wherever you play.