This paper considers a problem of optimizing torch paths to cut stock plates nested with open contours. For each contour, one of the two ending points is to be selected as a starting point of cutting with the other being the exit point. A torch path is composed of a single depot and a series of starting and ending points of contours to be cut. The torch path optimization problem is shown to be formulated as an extended version of the standard travelling salesman problem. To solve the problem, a hybrid genetic algorithm with the local search of torch paths is proposed. The genetic algorithm is tested for hypothetical problems whose optimal solutions are known in advance due to the special structure of them. The computational results show that the algorithm generates very near optimal solutions for most cases of the test problems, which verifies the validity of the algorithms.