Genesis Open Day One: Tiger Woods’s Shank, Caddie Shenanigans, Rory McIlroy’s Woes and Much More

The first round of the Genesis Open was a mixed bag of hope and despair. Patrick Cantlay took charge of the leaderboard on a day when multiple big names floundered. Tiger Woods, making his official PGA Tour comeback after ten months, failed to break par. Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, two of Woods’s closest friends on the Tour had a forgettable day.

Max Homa, a tournament favorite, struggled here as well after missing the cut at the WM Phoenix Open. Scottie Scheffler, though carded 6-under 68, in a rare moment of rage, threw his ball towards the trees. But those were not the only storylines from the eventful day. Here is a quick recap of what went down at Riviera on Thursday.

Comeback hero Gary Woodland is at the Genesis Open

Gary Woodland stayed back in Arizona after missing the cut at the WM Phoenix Open. It was the third event this year. He has missed cuts in all. Woods, though, was not bothered about it all. Rather, Woodland’s comeback after going through the horrors of a brain tumor and subsequent surgery was the potential winner for him.

“To come back and play the Tour, that’s an unbelievable story. I think that we should applaud him for what he’s been able to overcome,” Woods said after extending an invitation to the 39-year-old. The former World No. 1 also included Woodland in his group, along with Justin Thomas. Woodland shot 1-under 70 to tie for the 28th spot, the best among his playing mates at the Genesis Invitational.

Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy had a forgettable day 

Justin Thomas closed the front nine at 38 with four bogeys, one of which came courtesy of a wayward drive on the par-4 2nd hole. Thomas’s drive landed on the border that separates the course from the driving range. He didn’t get any relief, however. A personal relief also eluded him throughout the day as the two-time Major Champion carded 1-over 72.

Rory McIlroy, on the other hand, was surging ahead in the front nine. The Northern Irishman was 2-under through hole 14. A double bogey on the 15th was followed by a triple bogey on the 16th. A birdie on the 17th was a small consolation as the four-time Major winner made another bogey on the 18th to post a 3-over 74. Tied at 64 on the leaderboard, McIlroy is vying to make the cut at the Genesis Invitational.

Jason Day gets brutally honest after the Riviera heroics 

For a long time, Jason Day hated Riviera and its Kikuyu grass. For a long time, Day was also struggling with injuries. He could’ve given up on both—the course and his body. But the Australian changed his attitude. “I think changing that mindset and that attitude, saying that this is one of my favorite stops of the year, because it is a tremendous golf course,” the Australian said after the first round.

Speaking on his injury, which pushed him out of the top 150 in the World Ranking last year, Day said, “It’s nice to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.” Day already has two top-ten finishes this year. At Riviera, the 36-year-old posted a bogey-free 6-under 65 to tie for the second spot.

Ben Griffin’s caddie is the unsung hero at the Genesis Open

Griffin’s caddie took a six-hour trip to Phoenix, where his employer played last. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, to be specific. Griffin’s clubs were stuck there because of an airline delay. So, his looper, Alex Ritthamel, grouped with his friends for a road trip to Phoenix and brought the clubs back. “Story of the Week,” the 27-year-old quipped while recounting the incident. Griffin carded 1-over 72 after the end of the first round of the Genesis Invitational.

Tiger Woods’s PGA Tour return doesn’t go as planned 

The tournament host carded 1-over 72 to tie with his playmate Justin Thomas. It was a roller coaster ride for the 15-time Major Champion. His round at the Genesis Invitational was sprinkled with five birdies and six bogeys, one of which came courtesy of a shank on the final hole. 

Woods’s drive landed around 170 yards away from the hole. But his approach went awry as it traveled only 71 yards to land by the eucalyptus trees. It was caused by his back spasm, as the veteran golfer revealed in the press conference later. 

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