Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth all 68 cards in the first round of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, but Rory McIlroy can only manage two over 73 with Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas making even worse.
Last updated: 19/02/21 1:22 am
Matthew Fitzpatrick is two ahead at the Genesis Invitational
Matthew Fitzpatrick made a good start at the Genesis Invitational to claim a share of second place behind early packer Sam Burns.
The 26-year-old Englishman coped well with the fast-paced situations at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles and led for much of the day after setting an early clubhouse target of five under-66s.
After dismissing a birdie at the 11th – his second hole – with a bogey at the 13th, Fitzpatrick sank a 43-foot putt to a 14th birdie and this was followed by another par-three birdie at the 16th.
The best of his turn then came at the first par-five where he slammed a 25-footer for an eagle, with a birdie at seventh taking him to the top of the board.
2:29 Matt Fitzpatrick’s under-fives five points
“It was a good day overall,” Fitzpatrick said. “I felt like I was probably playing better than my tee-to-green stats would suggest. My swing felt good. There’s a loose couple there, try that set up in the evening, but overall it ‘s a good start so I couldn’t have asked for anything better. “
1:11 Matthew Fitzpatrick was’ delighted ‘with his under-fives’ in the opening round of Genesis Invitational as his hard work paid off
It took a late blitz from American Burns to Fitzpatrick’s unseat as the 24-year-old made gains at the last three holes to sign for seven under-64s that gave him a two-shot lead.
Burns also built the first one, his opening hole, by draining a 19-foot putt and then placed birdies at fifth, seventh, ninth and 13th, mixed with bogs at sixth. and 12th.
1:19 Korean Tae Hoon Kim made his mark in the first round of the Genesis Invitational with a hole-in-one at the 16th par-three
“I think we were just pretty consistent throughout the tour,” said No. 149 Burns world. “We knew we would have a hard piece there to start the back nine. I think just be patient out here. Sometimes this golf course doesn’t offer you many opportunities, like so I think just with that mindset going in we were just going to take sort of what we could get. “
Sam Burns is looking to win the PGA Tour Maiden
Sweden’s Alex Noren was expected to join Fitzpatrick on five under until he moved ninth for 67, leaving America’s Max Homa coming out of the pack late with a birdie at the ninth place for 66 and a portion of the second spot.
World No 1 Dustin Johnson could not take advantage of the five – year – old but he is still in a good position at three under after thanks 68 mostly by giving just five putts over its last six holes.
Italian Francesco Molinari, who recently became a member of Riviera, Brooks Koepka, who moved on the 18th, and revivalist Jordan Spieth also carded the 68s.
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World No. 2 Jon Rahm opened with a steady effort of 70, with Xander Schauffele making it round in the par-71 level.
Rory McIlroy made an exciting start with a birdie at first but could only add one more win at eighth after bogeys at third and fifth, and a bogey at 10th, where he drove to well left on the green, setting the tone for a disappointing back nine with another bogey at the 15th leaving it with two more than 73.
McIlroy also feared injury when he played his second shot out of the rough at the ninth, but played that down after his turn.
“He was right in there,” he said. “Just more of a shock, it ‘s totally okay. For about 20 seconds after that it was just a little sore.
“[The course] it’s sad. The wind was blowing up, greens were getting a little strong. I think this is one of those days where it’s as easy to shoot two or three under and as it is to burn two or three over. “
McIlroy’s playing partner, Bryson DeChambeau, also struggled on his ninth trip to find a bunker on the 10th inning and a double bog on the 12th after another road trip summarizing his tour until birdies at the 16th and 17th picked it up a bit.
1:07 Justin Thomas ’hopes at the Genesis Invitational suffered a major early blow when he placed fourth in eighth in the opening round for a double bogey
He still ruled out only 75 but at least he was two appearances better than Justin Thomas ’No 3 world, in which 77 featured three double bogeyers, including a four-putt six at eighth.
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