Patrick Cantlay takes early lead at Genesis Invitational

Field Level Media|published: 02/15/2024, 7:24pm EST

Feb 15, 2024; Pacific Palisades, California, USA; Patrick Cantlay plays on the tenth hole during the first round of The Genesis Invitational golf tournament. credits: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Cantlay rode his irons and putter to an opening 7-under-par 64 Thursday, giving him a one-shot lead after 18 holes at the Genesis Invitational in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Cantlay finished with more birdies (eight) than fairways in regulation (seven of 14) but recovered nicely and birdied three of the four par-3 holes at Riviera Country Club. He sat just ahead of Luke List and Australians Cam Davis and Jason Day, who shot rounds of 6-under 65.

Jordan Spieth, Will Zalatoris and Tom Hoge are two off the pace at 5-under 66 as the PGA Tour began its third signature event of the 2024 season. There will be a 36-hole cut on Friday to include the top 50 players and ties, plus anyone within 10 strokes of the lead.

Tournament host Tiger Woods played his first round at an official PGA Tour event since withdrawing from the Masters 10 months ago and undergoing ankle surgery. He posted five birdies and six bogeys en route to a 1-over 72.

—Field Level Media