Patrick Cantlay entered the Genesis Invitational on Thursday ready to prove something. He shot a 7-under 64 and was at the top of the leaderboard by one stroke. Sure, there are some guys who aren’t on the track yet, but he’ll probably hold the lead after the first round.
Cantlay played in the group ahead of Tiger Woods, who was making his first official start on the PGA Tour since the 2023 Masters. Woods sadly suffered back spasms, leading to a costly finish in Thursday’s race.
After the round, he explained to Carla Dixon on Golf Channel the importance of having Woods play.
“He’s really important to our sport,” Cantlay said.
“The Tiger effect, which we’re seeing again this week, has been seen for the past 15 years. Younger kids are growing up with better information and more motivation, and they’ve been following his example for more than a decade. I’m imitating it.”
The 31-year-old is well aware that when Tiger plays, golf gets a lot of attention. Cantlay still impressed through his first 18 holes, even if the essence of the big cat took away the accomplishments he achieved on the course.
This is not just a hot start anomaly.
he posted 64 in round 1 of play He won three of his last four starts in 2024, according to PGA Tour Communications. No other player has more than one score of 64 or higher in one round. Cantlay shot 64 at Thursday’s American Express and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Patrick Cantlay has shot 64 in the first round in three of his last four starts (American Express, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Genesis Invitational).
No other player this season has multiple scores of 64 or higher in a single round.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) February 15, 2024
“We got off to a great start. Our group had momentum, Jordan. [Spieth] I was pretty low on the front nine, but as you know, it was a day where I putted really well and made all the putts I was supposed to make and some long putts,” Cantlay said. “It was a good start.”
He started the day with back-to-back birdies on the first and second holes. The eight-time winner on the PGA Tour added three more of his strokes on the front nine and finished the turn in 30 strokes.
Cantlay’s strong play continued, with a birdie on the 11th hole and back-to-back birdies on the 13th and 14th holes.At that point in the round, he led the field With 2 strokes.
His only mishap came on the par-3 16th, where he settled for bogey. He hit a tree with his tee shot and hit his second shot into a bunker. Cantlay took 58 feet to the hole for par, but settled for two putts and dropped the shot.
“I went up and down for bogey. It was a good up and down,” he said.
As a former UCLA Bear, he is familiar with the field. He likes Riviera Country Club.
“I feel comfortable here. The greens are really good,” Cantlay said. “This is probably the best conditions I’ve seen on the Riviera. You know, this is a really comfortable place for me.”
The Jupiter, Florida, resident seemed relaxed on the course. Cantlay extended his one-stroke lead and is aiming for his first win on the PGA Tour this year.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough On all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirls and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
