Genesis Invitational 2022 R2
February 17-20
The Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, CA
$12,000,000
Round 1, Round 3, Round 4

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Joaquin Niemann started the day with a three-shot lead and had lost none of his momentum, opening eagle-birdie on Friday at the Genesis Invitational.

Genesis Invitational 2022 R2

The Chilean's round was marred by a single bogey at the 10th before closing with another 63 to take a two-shot lead into the weekend.

"It was a great start after yesterday's round. Didn't sleep much, it was pretty late when I finished and we started pretty early, but yeah, we got it going pretty good at the beginning. I really like the way I handled myself out there after been playing good the front nine. Didn't hit a great driver on 11, still made birdie there.
That different mentality having this week I think is helping a lot."

Genesis Invitational 2022 R2

"I think everything is working pretty well. Obviously I'm making a lot of putts right now. I feel I'm starting my ball online with the putter, so that's obviously -- when you have greens this good when you start your line, I think you've got a good chance of making putts, so I think that's been big this week."

Having mached the opening round record-score on Thursday, Niemann's 16-under 126 total broke the 128 record set by American Cameron Young just twenty minutes previously. The prior record of 130 had been achieved by four players including Sam Burns at last year's tournament.

Genesis Invitational 2022 R2

Young kept his round bogey-free and closed with four consecutive birdies for a 62 to move into second place at 14-under followed by compatriot Justin Thomas in third place who carded a bogey-free 64.

"I think we played it very conservatively for the most part, which is just going to limit how many mistakes we make and I think that's kind of the name of the game out here," said Young. "Not all the time you're going to make a bunch of birdies. A lot of rounds you're going to play out here with two, three and four birdies probably, so I think the name of the game out here is whenever you're in a mediocre spot, you just have to get it on the green, two-putt and move on. Pars are never bad out here. Chasing Joaquin it felt like it a little bit today, but pars are never bad.

Australia's Adam Scott played a bogey-free 65 and is joined in fourth place at 9-under by America Jordan Spieth who carded a 67.

Genesis Invitational 2022 R2