Rory McIlroy faced tough weather during the first day of the Genesis Invitational but managed to tie for the lead at five under par. He’s currently sharing this spot with Jacob Bridgeman, just behind Aaron Rai, who has two holes left to play.
Rai is one of 30 players returning on Friday at 7 a.m. to finish their first rounds. Meanwhile, world number one Scottie Scheffler had a rough start, sitting at the bottom of the leaderboard at five over. This comes after his struggles at last week’s tournament, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Despite a consistent performance over 19 events—never finishing outside the top 10 since March—Scheffler couldn’t find his rhythm.
Heavy rain disrupted play, causing puddles on the greens. Players had to wait three hours before continuing in strong, cold winds. When asked whether he preferred playing in rain or wind, McIlroy said he enjoyed playing in the rain more. He noted that his mindset has changed over the years. “Ten years ago, I didn’t like these conditions,” he admitted. “Now, I feel more prepared for them.”
Debuting this year on the PGA Tour, England’s Marco Penge is doing well at three under with nine holes left to play.
The Genesis Invitational has returned to its usual location at the Riviera Country Club after being moved to Torrey Pines in 2025 due to significant wildfires in the Pacific Palisades. This return underscores the importance of tradition in sports.
Recent statistics show that players tend to perform differently under challenging conditions. A study from the University of Southern California found that consistent players adapt better to adverse weather, improving their chances of success.
As the tournament unfolds, fans and players alike will be watching closely to see how these conditions shape the results. Engaging with social media reveals that many fans are expressing a newfound admiration for players who excel in less-than-ideal weather, noting that it adds an exciting layer of unpredictability to the competition.
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