A rain-soaked Thursday in Los Angeles gave way to much improved conditions on a marathon Friday at Riviera Country Club. Thirty players had to complete their first round action starting at 7 a.m., while the second round got going 40 minutes later in an effort to get back on schedule going into the weekend.

Among those who had to come back early were Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler, who were moving in different directions on the leaderboard in one of the week’s marquee groups. In calm, soft conditions early on Friday, Schauffele came out attacking to post a 3-under 68. After a short 38-minute turnaround from ending Round 1 to starting Round 2, he backed it up in the afternoon with a 6-under 65 to get into the top 5 at 9 under heading into the weekend.

Scheffler, meanwhile, was trying to dig himself out of a hole he created for himself on Thursday when he went 5 over in his first 10 holes. He got two of those shots back in the morning to wrap up his first round, but needed a strong close on Friday afternoon just to make the cut. Even as a signature event, the Genesis has a cut for those outside the top-50 and ties — and those within 10 shots of the lead. Scheffler birdied the par-5 17th to get to even par for the week, and then needed a 6-footer to save par on No. 18 just to make the weekend inside that top 50.

That extended his Tour-best made cut streak to 68 consecutive events, but required far more of a grind than he’d like in a limited field event.

While Scheffler and Schauffele had to play 26 holes on Friday, Rory McIlroy was able to enjoy a normal turnaround after a strong 5-under 66 on Thursday in tough conditions. He did himself one better on Friday with a 6-under 65 to keep himself one shot off the lead heading into the weekend.

McIlroy’s improved ball-striking over the last year has been on display over the first two rounds, as he’s third in the field in strokes gained on approach. His ability to flight shots and play with trajectories was critical in his first round in difficult conditions, and also allowed him to come home strong as winds picked up on Friday afternoon.

What’s been most impressive from McIlroy has been the consistency, especially after a wild week at Pebble Beach that saw him make a ton of birdies but also a lot of double bogeys (or worse).

Former world No 4 Greg Rusedski has declared that Emma Raducanu’s US Open victory has created the “problem” of “massive” expectations.

Raducanu won the only singles title of her career to date at the 2021 US Open, where she stunned the tennis world with her victory as an 18-year-old ranked 150th in the world.

The Brit won 10 consecutive matches without dropping a set at Flushing Meadows — three in qualifying and seven in the main draw — and she remains the only player in tennis history to win a Grand Slam title as a qualifier.

The 23-year-old reached her only final since her US Open triumph at the Transylvania Open, a WTA 250 event in Cluj-Napoca, earlier this month. She was beaten 6-0, 6-2 by Sorana Cirstea in the final in Romania.

Speaking on his Off Court With Greg podcast, Rusedski hit out at Raducanu’s critics as he argued the Brit deserves credit for her result in Cluj-Napoca.

“The expectations for her are just so massive,” said the 1997 US Open finalist.

“The problem she has is she’s won the US Open, the hardest thing to do as any player: win a major.

“And then she gets to a final in Romania, and everybody’s talking, ‘Well, she’s lost in the finals’. Getting to a finals or semis every week is fantastic.

“I don’t care whether it’s 250, 500, 100, whatever it is. It was a very good week for Emma. Let’s give her some credit.”

After her run in Romania, Raducanu was forced to retire in her opening round match at the Qatar Open against Camila Osorio due to physical struggles. The world No 25 was then upset by Antonia Ruzic in the first round at this week’s Dubai Championships.

Following a second round defeat at the 2026 Australian Open last month, Raducanu parted ways with coach Francisco Roig.

Reacting to Raducanu’s split with Roig on his podcast, Rusedski said that he remained positive about the former world No 10.

“I’m still super positive on Emma. I still believe there’s a lot there, but let’s do it step by step,” the former British No 1 said.

“She’s done the hardest thing first, winning the US Open. And all the pressure and expectation went on her. Let’s try to win a WTA Tour title at the lowest level and build up from there.

“It’s a game of building and getting the joy back for a game. So I’m still super positive about Emma. I still think she has a very bright future ahead of her.

“If she can be 100 % healthy and get the right sort of love back to the game, there’s no reason why there can’t be great results there. So I’m on the positive side for Emma.”

“Made it through surgery…” — that was the message fans had been anxiously waiting for from skiing icon Lindsey Vonn.

After weeks of speculation surrounding her condition, the Olympic champion finally broke her silence with a heartfelt update following her latest procedure.

Vonn, who has endured a career marked by both historic triumphs and devastating injuries, revealed that the surgery was successful — but admitted the road ahead won’t be easy.

In her candid message, she spoke openly about the pain she’s currently managing, describing it as “intense, but necessary” for long-term recovery.

The 2010 Olympic gold medalist has never hidden the physical toll that elite skiing has taken on her body. From multiple knee reconstructions to fractures and ligament tears, Vonn’s resilience has become as much a part of her legacy as her World Cup titles.

This latest procedure, according to sources close to the athlete, is part of an ongoing effort to improve mobility and reduce chronic discomfort stemming from past injuries.

Despite the pain, Vonn’s tone remained optimistic. She thanked her medical team, family, and fans for their unwavering support, emphasizing that mental strength is just as critical as physical healing. “One step at a time,” she reportedly shared — a reminder that even the fiercest competitors must embrace patience during recovery.

Support quickly poured in from fellow athletes and fans worldwide, praising her courage and transparency. Many noted that Vonn’s willingness to speak about both her struggles and victories continues to inspire people far beyond the slopes.

While no official timeline has been announced for her full recovery, one thing is certain: Lindsey Vonn’s fighting spirit remains unshaken. And if her history has proven anything, it’s that setbacks have never been the final chapter of her story.