As the Genesis International reaches its midpoint, the competition is heating up with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy making significant strides at Torrey Pines. The tournament, relocated from Riviera Country Club due to the Los Angeles wildfires, has already delivered thrilling performances.

Scheffler's Steady Climb

World number one Scottie Scheffler carded a five-under 67 in the second round, positioning himself just one shot behind the leader, Davis Thompson. Despite hitting only five fairways on Friday, Scheffler managed to stay in contention. Reflecting on his performance, he stated, 'I felt I survived without driving the ball very well and I'm going to need to drive it better over the last couple of days.' Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion, is no stranger to high-pressure situations and is expected to ramp up his game as the weekend progresses.

McIlroy's Rollercoaster Round

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy also shot a 67, showcasing his prowess with five birdies in eight holes from the third. However, bogeys at the 12th and 14th slightly hampered his momentum. McIlroy managed to recover with birdies at the 15th and 17th but couldn't capitalize on the par-five 18th. The 35-year-old acknowledged, 'I hit a lot of really good shots. I played well for the most part. I scrambled well. I just didn't take advantage of the par fives. I know going into the weekend I'm going to have to play the par fives better.'

Thompson Leads the Pack

Davis Thompson, the current leader, is setting the pace with an eight-under total. The 25-year-old, who claimed his first PGA Tour win last year, had six birdies in his first 13 holes before dropping shots at the 14th and 15th. A birdie at the 16th and a short-range putt at the 18th ensured he finished the round on a high note.

Looking Ahead

The weekend promises to be a nail-biter with the leaderboard tightly packed. Ludvig Aberg and Patrick Rodgers are also in the mix at four under, while Aaron Rai and Seamus Power are hovering around two under. With the Genesis International's prestigious history, the players are well aware of the stakes and are gearing up to deliver their best performances. As the action unfolds at Torrey Pines, golf fans worldwide are in for a treat.