Genesis Invitational – Round 2 Leaderboard
-12 M Penge (UK), J Bridgman (USA); -11 R. McIlroy (NI); -9 A Scott (Australia), X Schauffele (USA). -8 MW Lee (Australia), P Glaserman (USA). -7 T Fleetwood (UK), W Clark (USA). Mr. K. Kitayama (USA). M. Fitzpatrick (English)
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Others selected: -6 A Lai (English); -5 J. Spaeth (USA); -2 R. Fowler (USA); level R. McIntyre (Scotland), S. Scheffler (USA). +1 S. Lowry (Ire). (Miscut)+3 J. Rose (English)
complete leaderboard
Rory McIlroy is one shot behind leaders Marco Penge and Jacob Bridgman at the halfway stage of the Genesis Invitational.
England’s Penge made five birdies in the last seven holes and posted an 8-under 64, moving his total to 12 under after the second round in Los Angeles.
Penge’s 27 holes on Friday were all the more remarkable because he had to complete nine holes from a weather-delayed first round before advancing to the second round.
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Northern Ireland’s McIlroy shot a 7-under 65 to move to 11 under and said the Riviera Country Club course was more forgiving after struggling to finish tied for 14th at Pebble Beach last week.
“There’s no Pacific Ocean around this golf course to hit into, so that helps,” said McIlroy, who is ranked second in the world.
“I’m still hitting some loose shots, but the course setup is looking a little bit better.
“But I hit it well, controlled my distance well most of the time, and holed some nice putts from within 8 feet when I needed to for par.”
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Penge, 27, revealed after his round that his wife recently moved to Florida and is expecting their second child next week.
“The last four weeks have been extremely difficult for me and my family,” he said.
“She is in the United States alone, without family or friends, is pregnant, and is caring for a one-and-a-half-year-old child at the same time.
“It was kind of a gamble that I was just going to compete and leave her alone.”
American Bridgeman later joined Penge with a 64 of his own to top the leaderboard.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler hit a 7-foot par putt on the 18th hole to reach level par.
“It was nice to get out on a fresh green this morning and hole some putts and do what I need to do for the weekend,” Scheffler added.
