Jordan Spieth was in the middle of reflecting on his week at the Genesis Invitational when Rory McIlroy produced a moment of brilliance that stole his attention. The American had just completed a five-under-par round and was answering questions about his performance when the Northern Irishman holed out from distance.

Rory McIlroy made birdie from a bunker at the Genesis Invitational after Tommy Fleetwood and Max Greyserman made wild iron shots

Most of the anger had passed at this point. Now it was becoming comical. McIlroy walked after his ball in dismay, tapping in for par on the ninth hole at The Riviera Country Club after another eminently makeable putt inside 10 feet slipped by.

Rory McIlroy is six shots back at The Genesis Invitational as his controversial chipping practice frustrates Riviera greenskeepers

Rory McIlroy hasn’t taken long to shake off any of the rust which developed in his off season, as the Northern Irish man moved ominously into contention in the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club with a bogey-free second round 65 for a midway total of 11-under-par 131, one shot behind co-leaders Marco Penge and Jacob Bridgeman.

Jacob Bridgeman captured his first PGA TOUR victory at The Genesis Invitational, earning $4 million and 700 FedExCup points with an 18-under total at The Riviera Country Club. The win marked Bridgeman's breakthrough moment on TOUR, as he held off a competitive field to claim the title.

Rory McIlroy is one back from the lead after two rounds of the Genesis Invitational, but that should be no surprise. Riviera Country Club is a ball-striker’s paradise, and unique on the PGA Tour in the way it tests players’ ability to hit mid and long irons accurately.

Opening round of Genesis Invitational sees Rory McIlroy contend with weather delay but finish on five under; Englands Aaron Rai on six under but two holes shy of full round; Watch continued coverage of Genesis Invitational on Friday live on Sky Sports Golf from 3.