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Cal Golf: Max Homa Leads at The Genesis; Collin Morikawa 2 Strokes Back in Fifth Place

Tiger Woods shoots a 3-over 74 but expects to make the cut and play the weekend.
Jeff Faraudo|
Cal Golf: Max Homa Leads at The Genesis; Collin Morikawa 2 Strokes Back in Fifth Place
Cal Golf: Max Homa Leads at The Genesis; Collin Morikawa 2 Strokes Back in Fifth Place

Cal’s two star golfing alums are threatening to steal the show at The Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades.

Max Homa, a co-leader after one round, now sits alone atop a field of elite golfers at 10 under par and fellow Golden Bear Collin Morikawa is in fifth place, just two strokes off the pace.

Homa birdied four times over a stretch of five holes in Friday’s second round and carries momentum into the weekend at the halfway point of the $20 million event. He won this event two years ago, but the winner's take was less than half the $3.6 million that goes to Sunday's champion.

"I kind of feel like I should be doing this when I'm playing well, and I am playing well," Homa said. "Yeah, it's exciting -- 36-hole leads are awesome. Like I said, there's a long way to go, but regardless, I can rest on the fact I'm playing great golf and I'm just going to try and do that for two more days."

The 32-year-old, aiming for his third PGA Tour victory this season, shot a 3-under 68.

And he remains a man of the people:

Morikawa, the world’s No. 9 player, also carded a 68 on Friday and, after entering the clubhouse in second place, settled in alone in fifth.

Fan favorite Tiger Woods, two years removed from a serious car accident that nearly cost him a leg, likely has made the cut after a second-round score of 3-over 74. The Stanford alum is playing in his first official tournament since The Open Championship at St. Andrews last July.

Fourteen golfers had not finished their second round Friday before play was stopped. Six of them will have to move ahead of Woods when play resumes Saturday morning in order to sideline him.

Homa shared the first-round lead at 64 with Keith Mitchell, who went off earlier Friday. Mitchell shot a 69 and was the leader in the clubhouse before most of the other leaders got started.

Homa saves par on No. 12 on his way to taking the lead:

Homa was at 1-over for the day through eight holes before posting birdies on Nos. 9, 10, 11 and 13, moving to 3-under. He made another birdie on the 17th to forge a two-stroke lead before a bogey on No. 18.

Jon Rahm, ranked third in the world, tied Homa him for the lead after carding three birdies during a stretch of four holes then making an eagle-3 on the par-5 17th. But he made bogey on No. 18, wrapping up a wild 3-under round of 68 in which he had two eagles, three birdies and four bogeys.

Homa's putt for par on No. 8 rims out:

Rahm, Mitchell and Lee Hodges, who had a 66 on Friday, are tied for second place at 9-under, one stroke ahead of Morikawa.

Morikawa, 26, has played well this year but still is looking for his first victory over the past two seasons. A five-time winner on the tour — including victories in two majors — Morikawa said he’s trying a different mindset recently.

"The kind of work I've been putting in behind the scenes. Just different attitude, just really going out and enjoying it," he said. "Trying to get back to that first summer when we came out here just eyes wide open just enjoying every single moment and take what you take and whatever happens, happens. That's been a big thing this year.”

Morikawa makes birdie putt on No. 12 to get him to 7 under, briefly giving him a share of the lead:

On Friday, he began the day at minus-5 and two strokes back in a tie for fourth place. Playing first on the back nine, he birdied Nos. 11 and 12 before making his first bogey of the weekend on the 14th hole.

After making the turn, he had birdies on Nos. 1, 3 and 5 before a bogey on the ninth that left him at 3 under for the day and minus-8 for the weekend. He was alone in second place when he got to the clubhouse, but Homa had just gotten started.

Morikawa chip-in at No. 12 (his third hole of the day): 

Morikawa said his improved chipping this week has been a boost, but said his game still some rough edges he’d like to smooth over.

"It's really nice," Morikawa said play around the greens. "But you know what, it's a little frustrating just not hitting more greens. You know, coming into the week, the ball-striking still felt fine even after last week. I knew it was going to be a small little fix, just haven't found it.

"I want to make it a little more stress-free and just a little more enjoyable. Fairways are going to be really key, especially how firm these greens are getting. Just when you have a tad bit of downwind when you're in the rough, it's just hard to judge whether it's going to come out spinny or come out a little jumpy.”

.Morikawa at No. 5 (his 14th hole), considers his putter then switches to a pitching wedge . . . before doing another about face. His putt would have gone well past the hole, but hit the pin and went in for a birdie that put him at 9 under, tied for the lead:

Patrick Cantlay is sixth at 7-under, one stroke ahead of Rory McIlroy and Matt Kuchar. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is tied for 12th at 4-under.

Woods, who shot a 69 on Thursday, is part of an 11-way tie for 60th place, 11 strokes back of Homa.

"This is probably the highest score I could have shot today," Woods said after hitting just five fairways and nine greens. "Probably should have shot probably five or six better than this easily."

Cover photo of Max Homa by Gary A. Vasquez, USA Today

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Jeff Faraudo
JEFF FARAUDO

Jeff Faraudo was a sports writer for Bay Area daily newspapers since he was 17 years old, and was the Oakland Tribune's Cal beat writer for 24 years. He covered eight Final Fours, four NBA Finals and four Summer Olympics. 

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