PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – On a day when Rory McIlroy had to deal with rain, wind and at least three of the four seasons, he still had a spring in his step to run up Riviera Country Club’s 52 steps to get from the 18th green to the clubhouse at the top of the hill.
“It’s the easiest way to do it,” he said between breaths.
Advertisement
Such a showoff. The Northern Irishman did most of his showing off on Thursday early in the first round of the Genesis Invitational, a 72-man signature event. He reeled off three birdies in his first four holes, thriving in challenging conditions en route to shooting a 5-under 66, a personal best out of the gate at Riviera.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of The Genesis Invitational 2026 at Riviera Country Club on February 19, 2026 in Pacific Palisades, California.
The weather turned cold and nasty in the morning and the greens couldn’t handle the heavy rain. Play was suspended for nearly three hours. But McIlroy controlled his trajectory and spin in conditions he is the first to admit he hasn’t always enjoyed playing in despite growing up in hearty Irish weather that should have made him built tough for these types of days. He carded birdies on five of his first 11 holes.
“I’ve started to just really enjoy this style of golf. If you had asked me 10 years ago, I didn’t enjoy these conditions, but it’s been a shift in a mindset and maybe just a continuation of trying to build upon the skill set that I have,” McIlroy said. “Then when it does get to conditions like this, I’m a lot more prepared. I wouldn’t say I enjoy them, but I can certainly handle them better.”
Advertisement
McIlroy survived the rain in the morning and when play resumed he had to brave blustery winds under blue skies. Which was easier? “The rain,” he said.
He was pleased with a nifty up-and-down for par at 12 and escaped 15 with par after tugging his second shot to the left. He overcompensated and missed right at the par-3 16th, leading to his lone bogey of the day but he bounced right back with a birdie at 17. McIlroy sits tied for the clubhouse lead and one back of Aaron Rai, who still had two holes to complete in his first round.
Still, McIlroy’s 66 marked the best opening round of his career at Riviera in 10 starts. McIlroy is a fan of the course but it hasn’t been a particularly good track for his game – he has just three top 10s and has the third most wins on the Tour without a win at The Genesis Invitational over the last 30 years. Should he finally find the winner’s circle this week, McIlroy can become the first player since Phil Mickelson 19 years ago to reach 30 career wins on Tour, and a figure only achieved a total of five times since Jack Nicklaus in 1969.
It’s not quite the career Grand Slam club, which he joined last April with his Masters triumph, but it too would be very select company.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Rory McIlroy shines at Genesis Invitational, eyes 30th PGA Tour win
Read the full article here
