Torrey Pines provided arguably the toughest test of 2025 thus far on day one of the Genesis Invitational.
The Signature Event field struggled to deal with the thick rough at the San Diego course. Wet and windy conditions also hindered the PGA Tour’s best. Just 11 players are under par after day one, and among them is world number one Scottie Scheffler.
Scheffler has typically struggled at Torrey Pines but appeared in control of his game on Thursday. The two-time Masters champ led for a short period before dropping a shot on the back nine.
Nonetheless, Scheffler’s tee-to-green play appeared somewhere near its best, and the American will fancy his chances of competing this weekend.
Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa enjoy ‘fun’ Torrey Pines
Torrey Pines promises to provide a stern test this week and a far cry from what’s usually seen on the PGA Tour. A 24-under-par winner is extremely unlikely.
Some players grow frustrated at the difficulty level. However, Scheffler has embraced the challenge this week and insists the variety is a good thing.
“Yeah, I think it’s really fun,” Scheffler said. “I think on Tour, sometimes you always see golf courses in their best conditions, typically with the best weather.
“Besides, on the West Coast, we typically travel around with the best weather, which it’s odd to come to California and typically receive some of the worst wetter. I think it’s interesting. The only other time we really see weather like this would be during the Open Championship and, I guess, when I practice in Dallas. Overall, I think it’s fun, it’s a different test, and I like the variety.”
Collin Morikawa agrees with Scottie Scheffler’s claim
Scheffler wasn’t the only player who enjoyed the challenge on Thursday. Collin Morikawa, speaking during his post-round presser, claimed he loved the toughness of the course.
“Yeah, very tough. I love it; I always love coming out here. Unfortunately, I got pretty sick a few weeks ago, so I couldn’t play the Farmers, but it’s just a demanding golf course, right, and you’ve got to hit fairways,” Morikawa said.
“Rough is up; you’ve got to hit the greens. You just love to come out to courses like this. You’ve got a handful — maybe not two a full handful but you’ve got a few courses out there that are that difficult knowing that just no matter what you’re going to go out fighting and when you’ve got weather, wind like this, it makes it that much more challenging.”
Standout performers on day one of the Genesis Invitational
Denny McCarthy produced the standout round on day one and is one shot clear of Séamus Power and Patrick Rodgers.
McCarthy made five birdies and an eagle to post the best round of the day (four under). Talking post-round, the American admitted he caught a couple of fortunate breaks during the latter stages of his opening 18.
“The rough’s gnarly, and the rain makes it even more difficult. Even though the greens are soft, it’s still hard to; they’re so pitched. They put some really tough flags today, but it was still really hard to get close to certain flags, especially with the wind direction. It’s a very difficult golf course,” McCarty said.
“I enjoy the challenge of it. I’m not the longest of hitters, but you’ve got to keep it in the fairway. I didn’t do that for a couple of holes coming in; I got some decent breaks, I managed to same some good pars. It’s a very difficult golf course. I like it a lot; it’s very challenging, and I’m looking forward to the next couple of days.”
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