Genesis Open 2017: Friday Leaderboard Scores and Highlights

The 2017 Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, was abbreviated Friday because of a severe storm that caused officials to suspend action at 12:18 p.m. PT, according to PGA Tour Media on Twitter.  

However, a handful of players were able to get significant portions of their second rounds in before the heaviest rain wreaked havoc on Southern California.

Following a hectic day, here's an overview of the updated leaderboard: 

With 18-hole leader Sam Saunders unable to tee off Friday, there was an opening for one of the early starters to throttle up the leaderboard.

As it turns out, Jhonattan Vegas seized the opportunity. Although he was only able to complete 14 holes, Vegas stitched together four birdies on the front nine and is tied for the lead at seven under after he put forth a solid four-under effort Thursday. 

Speaking of quality outings, Jordan Spieth put his best foot forward and moved to five under for the championship following an uneventful round Thursday. 

Spieth, who started on the back nine, opened his day with a birdie on No. 10 and added another on the par-three 16th to build some momentum as he prepared for the turn, as the PGA Tour documented on Twitter: 

However, not everyone was as fortunate. 

Playing alongside Spieth, Bubba Watson entered a tailspin with three bogeys on his first six holes. 

As if that wasn't bad enough, Watson carded bogeys on No. 2 and No. 4 before he chipped in for birdie at the par-four fifth, via PGA Tour on Twitter: 

And even though Watson was able to offer a glimpse of his brilliant shot-making, inconsistencies defined his day. 

With two holes left to finish Saturday, Watson sits at eight over after he made double bogey on No. 7 shortly before the horn sounded. The 38-year-old is now a shoo-in to miss the cut, which is projected to clock in at even par. 

According to Golf Channel's Justin Ray, this will mark the first time since 2012 that Watson has missed consecutive cuts on the PGA Tour. 

Play is scheduled to resume at 7 a.m. local time Saturday, per PGA Tour Media, but there are no guarantees the remainder of the second round and continuation of the tournament will proceed uninterrupted. 

According to AccuWeather.com, there's a 60 percent chance of precipitation Saturday before dreary weather gives way to sunnier skies Sunday. 

Post-Round Reaction

Spieth noted recent weather conditions in tournaments have helped everyone prepare for what they have been dealing with so far this weekend, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com): 

"

We knew it would be interesting today, and last week actually was great prep for it because we played through conditions like this that first round. Things aren't going to always go your way on a day like today. Actually, rarely they're going to go your way. ... Tough break on this wave, but that happens, too. Go out tomorrow and play a strong last couple of holes and see if we can take advantage this weekend.

"

PGA Tour Vice President of Competition Mark Russell noted the reasoning behind calling it an early day.

"We could have played a little bit more, but why? It's going to get nothing but worse," Russell told the AP. "We wanted to get them out of there when the trees started snapping."