Genesis Invitational Halted Amid Scottie Scheffler’s Anticipated Start
The Genesis Invitational faced unexpected interruptions due to inclement weather, impacting the players’ schedules significantly. Scottie Scheffler, entering the tournament at Riviera Country Club, was set to start amid heightened anticipation. This year marked his return since winning his first major championship.
Significant Weather Disruption
For the first time in over a decade, the Genesis Invitational experienced a rain delay. The weather forced officials to suspend play at the Riviera Golf Course, prompting a horn blast to signal the halt. As reported by Underdog Golf, the PGA Tour Communications indicated that rain was expected to disrupt play until at least 1 PM local time (4 PM EST).
Effect on Players
Before the suspension, no player had managed to complete their rounds. Most players got through only part of their scheduled tee times. The first groups played about 10 holes before the weather worsened. Due to the weather conditions, Scheffler’s group, paired with Xander Schauffele and Si Woo Kim, was impacted the most, with Scheffler struggling at 5-over par after five holes.
The forecast suggested that while rain was expected to subside around 1 PM, players would require at least 45 minutes for warm-up before resuming their rounds. It remained uncertain when play would be able to restart.
Riviera Course History with Weather
- Rain delays are rare at the Genesis Invitational, with the last significant weather issue occurring in 1993.
- Prior to this decade, the last rain delay at the tournament occurred in 2019; only a high wind delay took place in 2021.
- Len Hochberg from RotoWire highlighted that until this event, weather-related interruptions were infrequent at Riviera.
The delay cast a cloud over Scottie Scheffler’s day, as he aimed to build on his recent successes in golf. Meanwhile, Aaron Rai was leading the field at six under par after 16 holes, indicating that competition remained fierce despite the challenging conditions.
The Genesis Invitational continues to attract considerable attention, not just for the high-level golf but also due to its unpredictability regarding weather. As players and officials navigate the conditions, spectators eagerly await the resumption of play.
