LOS ANGELES – PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan looked across Riviera in the early stages of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday and purposely stated the obvious. “There's a lot of great players out here,” he said.
Great players were on a great golf course, and the first round was shaping up to be a draw. In gorgeous conditions, once the sun climbed over the hilltop homes and temperatures warmed, Matt Fitzpatrick of England had the early lead at 5-under 66, courtesy of a 25-foot eagle putt and a 45-foot birdie putt.
Riviera was in mint condition, and being dry and firm made it tougher than it might have looked. Patrick Cantlay, coming off chances to win in Palm Springs and Pebble Beach, extended his run of good play with four birdies on