Indian-Origin Golfers Shine as Penge Leads Genesis Invitational

Aaron Rai, whose first round 66 put him in the Top 10, shot a second round 70 and was Tied 12th, while Akshay Bhatia (68-71) was T-21, and Sahith Theegala, who is playing this week on a Charlie Sifford exemption from tournament host Tiger Woods, with 70-71 was Tied-33rd.

Rai had five birdies against four bogeys, while Bhatia had three birdies and three bogeys, and Theegala had three birdies against two bogeys.

Marco Penge and Jacob Bridgeman had superb finishes at The Riviera Country Club, each with a 7-under 64 that left them tied for the lead at The Genesis Invitational with Rory McIlroy right on their heels.

For Scottie Scheffler, there was a grind before he made a 7-foot par to make the cut.

Penge, the leading player from the DP World Tour to secure a PGA TOUR card for this year, pulled away with five birdies over his final seven holes and was the first to post at 12-under 130. More remarkable than his score was keeping his mind on golf - his wife is moving into their new home in Florida and expecting their second child next week.

Bridgeman birdied his last three holes, finishing with a 5-iron into a cool breeze to 8 feet to join Penge.

McIlroy has opened 66-65, and he has only one bogey on his card through 36 holes, quite a change from last week at Pebble Beach, when he had three double bogeys and a triple bogey that ruined his chances to contend.

This is one of three Signature Events that has a 36-hole cut to the top 50 and ties, and anyone within 10 shots of the lead. Scheffler, who had to rally Friday morning for a 74 to complete the rain-delayed first round, was well aware where he stood. He was on the ropes, 4-over par for the tournament, 10 holes to play, figuring he needed to get to even par. He did with 74-68 at even par, which was the cut line.

It was the third straight week he failed to break par in the opening round.

- ANI