Cal Golf: Collin Morikawa and Max Homa in the Hunt at The Genesis Invitational

Two former Cal golfers are positioned in the top-10 entering the weekend at The Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades.

But both Collin Morikawa and Max Homa have some heavy lifting to do Saturday and Sunday if they are going to contend for first prize in the event that has a $12 million total purse.

Morkikawa shot a four-under 67 for the second straight day on Friday and his eight-under total of 134 is good for sixth place but is eight strokes off the pace set by Joaquin Niemann, who has paired rounds of 63 for a 36-hole total of 16-under 126.

Homa shot a 70 on Friday after opening with a 66 that included a 79-foot putt for eagle on the par-4 10th hole. He is tied for 10th place with a two-round total of 136.

Morikawa had five birdies and one bogey in each of his two rounds.

Ranked No. 2 in the world, Morikawa can ascend to No. 1 if he wins Sunday and top-ranked Jon Rahm finishes no higher than fourth. Rahm barely made the cut Friday, and is tied for 59th place after shooting a 73 on Friday.

Homa had four birdies and a bogey in the first round in addition to his eagle-2. He mixed four birdies with three bogeys on Friday.

The tournament’s defending champion, Homa is playing near where he grew up in Southern California. He often attended this tournament while younger and admitted he was a bit nervous Thursday when he was introduced to the gallery as the defending champ.

"It was cool. I got a nice ovation," Homa said. "But it was fun. I've been on this tee a million times watching and playing now, and to get to hear that was pretty special."

Niemann, a 23-year-old from Chile, has one career PGA tour victory and is ranked No. 32 on the world list. But through two rounds at Riviera, he has 16 birdies, one bogey and an eagle.

“We got it going pretty good at the beginning,” Niemann said. “I really like the way I handled myself out there.”

He has a two-stroke lead over 24-year-old tour rookie Cameron Young, who played a bogey-free round of nine-under 62 on Friday and is 14 under for the tournament.

Justin Thomas is third at 11 under, five strokes back, after a 64 in the second round. Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth share fourth place at nine under.

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

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo