On a challenging day at Riviera Country Club, marked by heavy rain, a three-hour weather delay, and wind gusts nearing 30 miles per hour, Rory McIlroy showcased his skills and climbed to the top of the leaderboard. In the opening round of the 2026 Genesis Invitational, he achieved his best-ever score for the first 18 holes at this venue, finishing with a 5-under 66, just one stroke behind Aaron Rai.
The first round was interrupted by darkness, needing to be completed Friday morning starting at 7 a.m. PT. Notable players like world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Jordan Spieth still had significant portions of their back nines yet to finish.
Scheffler struggled, ending his round at 5 over par, and found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard, trailing by 11 strokes. This marked the third consecutive week where the leading player has had a rough start.
In contrast, McIlroy was among the first to complete his round. He aims to achieve something that neither tournament host Tiger Woods nor golf legend Jack Nicklaus could: winning at the iconic Riviera course. Doing so would not only secure him the trophy and a significant purse but also help him reach 30 wins on the PGA Tour.
“I’ve become more comfortable in challenging conditions over the years, improving my ability to control my ball flight,” McIlroy noted. “Ten years ago, I wasn’t fond of these conditions, but my mindset has shifted, and I’m better prepared for situations like these now.”
If McIlroy maintains his strong performance, he has a solid chance of winning the tournament. He demonstrated exceptional golf by adjusting his drives according to the wind and consistently giving himself manageable shots.
Current Standings
1. Aaron Rai (-6): Known for his straightforward approach, Rai played effectively and made an impressive start with an eagle and six birdies, including long putts from considerable distances. He will look to extend his lead on the par-5 17th when play resumes.
Other Contenders
T2. Rory McIlroy, Jacob Bridgeman (-5)
4. Ryan Fox (-4)
T5. Pierceson Coody, Akshay Bhatia, Collin Morikawa, Aldrich Potgieter, Max Greyserman, Si Woo Kim, Marco Penge (-3)
T12. Jhonattan Vegas, Taylor Pendrith, Maverick McNealy, Viktor Hovland, Hideki Matsuyama, Tommy Fleetwood, Ryo Hisatsune, Harry Hall (-2)
Viktor Hovland, only two weeks into his PGA Tour season, had a noticeable improvement in his driving accuracy, hitting most fairways. Although he struggled with short game mistakes resulting in bogeys, he remains positioned well for the tournament.
