Rory McIlroy Leads Early at Stormy Genesis Invitational
Rory McIlroy leads early at the Genesis Invitational, showcasing a strong performance despite challenging weather. He is tied for the lead with Jacob Bridgeman, both sitting at five under par. Aaron Rai, an English golfer, is in contention, just one stroke ahead and has two holes left to complete.
Genesis Invitational Details
The tournament is being held at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. Bad weather conditions affected the first round, causing a three-hour delay due to heavy rain, which created puddles on the greens. Strong winds followed when play resumed.
Key Competitors and Performances
- Rory McIlroy: Tied for clubhouse lead at five under par.
- Jacob Bridgeman: Also five under par, sharing the lead with McIlroy.
- Aaron Rai: One stroke ahead with two holes remaining.
- Scottie Scheffler: The world number one struggled, sitting at five over par.
- Marco Penge: Making his PGA Tour debut, at three under with nine holes left.
The top echelon of golfers faced a difficult start, particularly Scheffler, who has yet to finish outside the top ten in 19 events since the previous year. He is currently positioned at the bottom of the leaderboard.
Weather Impact on Tournament
The players’ ability to adapt to the stormy conditions was a highlight. McIlroy expressed his growing comfort with such circumstances, noting a significant change in his mindset over the years. He remarked on enjoying the challenge posed by the rain.
The Genesis Invitational returned to the Riviera Club this year after being relocated due to the 2025 wildfires in Pacific Palisades. The tournament continues to be a significant event in the PGA Tour calendar.
Next Steps
30 players, including Aaron Rai, will resume the first round at 07:00 on Friday (15:00 GMT). The stage is set for an exciting continuation at the Genesis Invitational.
