PACIFIC PALISADES (Calif.) – Jon Rahm, Max Homa were the only players to win twice this season. They failed to make it three times this season at Riviera Country Club.
Homa, who won this event in 2021, made eight birdies including holing bunker shots at 10 and signed for a 7 under 64 to take the Genesis Invitational early lead. Rahm, already the Riviera’s best-scoring player, dropped it to 69.11 with a 6-under 65, to keep Homa on his heels.
Homa stated that “it just felt like all aspects of my game felt good,” and that it was good enough to shoot below par.
Homa’s day started with a bang. Homa started on the 302-yard 10 th hole. His flop shot to reach the green from 63ft left failed to clear the bunker in front of the green. A potential big number was looming. Homa saved himself from this predicament when he holled out for birdie. He was soon on his way.
Homa stated, “That was probably one of the most coolest ways I’ve ever started round.” “I thought that I had collected myself. I was certain I had not done anything wrong and trusted my bunker skills. It was a great shot and a boost.
He said, “It felt as if it was going to take one of those ‘hanging on days’ and that to start with the scorecard circle, it just eases your mind as you start a tourney.”
Homa made his 15th bogey, but bounced back one hole later with a birdie. He saved his best for the last three holes, Nos. 7-9. Homa, who has already won two California titles this season at the Fortinet Championship, Napa, and the Farmers Insurance Open, San Diego, hit all three fairways and set up short irons approaches, converting them all into birdies.
He said, “My irons felt so great today it felt like it was just kinda turn your brain off to hit the thing.”
Rahm opened at 10 with a birdie, but he did this by driving the green from 56 feet and taking two putts. He also made eight birdies, but one more than Homa, at Nos. 15, and 2.
Rahm, who won consecutive starts at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, Hawaii, and the American Express, Palm Springs, California, remain hot. He has five straight top-10s and does not seem to be slowing down.
Rahm stated that while many players have enjoyed three to four months of great golf, Rahm believes it is more difficult to extend that time period for as long as Tiger did and other great players. Rahm said, “I hope I can keep it up. It feels hard to get to the top. But once you do, it is much easier to stay there for a longer period of time.
Rahm stated that the windy, cold conditions during Wednesday’s pro am left players wondering if anyone would have been able break par if the tournament had started in these conditions.
Rahm stated, “When Justin Thomas was asking that question, you knew the course was pretty freaking hard.” “When I arrived at work this morning without wind, it was like this should have been a lot easier.”
After shooting 66, Matt Kuchar finished third. Tiger Woods was making his first official start since July’s British Open. He played in the afternoon wave with Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy. No. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa and Jordan Spieth were also there in a powerhouse pairing at the second consecutive designated event that offered a $20,000,000 purse.
