McCarthy Makes Closing Eagle in Soaring to Round 1 Lead
As one of the longest running events on the PGA TOUR, The Genesis Invitational annually tests the world’s best players against a major championship venue. Round one of the 2025 Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines GC’s South Course stood up to that history.
Under difficult conditions manipulated by the weather, Denny McCarthy used the strength of his game to vault up the leaderboard and posted a four-under-par 68 to hold a one-shot lead after the first round of the PGA TOUR Signature Event.
“I’m a grindy competitor,” McCarthy said after the round. “I knew it was going to be a challenge today and I came out with the attitude that I was just going to have fun and try to embrace it as much as I could.”
McCarthy – known as one of the best putters on the PGA TOUR – led the field in strokes gained putting. He made over 100 feet of putts in the first round, capping off his round with a seven-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th hole to vault into the lead.
Seamus Power and Patrick Rodgers trail McCarthy by a shot at 3-under 69. Power and Rodgers played in the first tee time and set the pace early. For Rodgers, the week of The Genesis Invitational is always one he circles on his schedule.
“I would say this tournament’s probably my favorite tournament of the year. It’s really special for my family and I,” Rodgers said after the first round. “It didn’t seem very realistic to host at Riv and [Torrey Pines] seemed like a great alternative. It’s a really difficult golf course and you have to execute for 72 holes, you can’t really get away with anything … but, of course, we’re all bummed not to be in the Palisades.”
Los Angeles holds a special place in Rodgers’ heart. He met his wife while living in Los Angeles. His children were born in Los Angeles.
“It’s a very special place, it’s a great week,” Rodgers said of The Genesis Invitational. “It feels like home for us with all the people that usually come out and support. It’s been a really devastating six, eight weeks in Southern California and hopefully through this tournament we can kind of band together to support the people that are struggling.”
Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked player in the world, sits near the top of the leaderboard. He is two shots back of McCarthy heading into Friday’s second round following a 2-under 70.
Round two of the 2025 Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines gets underway at 9:30 a.m. PT on Friday. Gates open at 9 a.m. with limited tickets and parking remaining. GOLF Channel will broadcast the second round from 1-5 p.m.