McIlroy and Bridgeman Shoot 66 to Share Genesis Invitational Lead

Rory McIlroy carded a 5-under 66 at Riviera to share the Genesis Invitational lead with Jacob Bridgeman following a three-hour rain delay.

Rory McIlroy and Jacob Bridgeman share the clubhouse Genesis Invitational lead after both players navigated a three-hour rain delay to post rounds of 5-under 66. Playing at Riviera in Los Angeles, McIlroy opened his tournament with three birdies across the first four holes. Despite a three-hour stoppage caused by puddles on soft greens, the Northern Irishman dropped only a single shot during his round. He secured a crucial par on the par-3 sixth hole by chipping over a central bunker. Meanwhile, Aaron Rai reached 6 under par with two holes left to play before darkness suspended the opening round.

Jacob Bridgeman joined the Genesis Invitational lead by excelling in the cold, windy conditions that followed the afternoon rain. Bridgeman began his day with a 15-foot eagle putt on the par-5 first hole. He faced a setback on the 220-yard fourth hole, where he left his initial chip short and then sent a second chip 35 feet past the cup. However, he recovered by recording five birdies over a 10-hole stretch once play resumed. Bridgeman missed only one green after the weather delay, utilizing a strategy of flighting his shots low to counteract the peaking wind speeds.

Scoring Challenges and Course Conditions

Riviera presented a unique challenge as greens became both super soft and super quick simultaneously. On the par-3 sixth, Adam Scott witnessed his tee shot plug into the turf just inches from the hole. McIlroy faced similar environmental hurdles; on the final stretch, he struck a 9-iron from 181 yards downwind that landed near the pin but spun off the front of the green. Earlier, on the short 10th hole, McIlroy executed a 60-yard recovery from the left rough to a right-side pin, stopping the ball inches from its landing spot.

Collin Morikawa, who grew up 30 miles from the course, finished with a 3-under 68. He noted the unusual ability to stop the ball from any lie, including flyer lies in the rough, due to the moisture. Ryan Fox sits one stroke behind the leaders after carding a 4-under 67. The field of 72 players contended with a forecast that predicts dry conditions for the remainder of the weekend, though the opening day was defined by the transition from heavy rain to a biting, strong wind.

Scheffler Struggles at Riviera

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler sits tied for last place after failing to record a single birdie through his first 10 holes. Scheffler began his round with a three-putt par from 30 feet on the first hole and struggled with putts in the six-foot range throughout the afternoon. His frustrations peaked on the par-5 eighth hole, where his tee shot landed in the barranca. After his recovery flew 30 yards past the pin, he chipped to the fringe and three-putted from 20 feet.

Scheffler was 5 over par for the day when play was halted. He faced an 8-foot birdie opportunity on the par-5 11th hole to potentially stop a streak of three consecutive tournaments without breaking par in the opening round—a slump he has not experienced since his 2020 rookie season. His frustration was visible as he slammed a bathroom door on the ninth hole following continued difficulties on the greens.

Strategic Adjustments in the Wind

McIlroy admitted a shift in mindset regarding poor weather, noting that a decade ago he would not have enjoyed such a forecast. He credited his current success to a developed skill set that allows him to handle cold and windy environments better than in his early career. Bridgeman echoed this sentiment, stating that his strength lies in hitting shots where the specific yardage is less certain, relying on feel to navigate the high-ballooning effects the wind has on other players' shots.

The first round is scheduled to resume Friday morning to accommodate those unable to finish before dark. With the scorecard yardage for the fourth hole reduced from 273 to 220 yards on Thursday, players had to adjust to varying setups before the wind became the dominant factor. While McIlroy and Bridgeman set the pace in the clubhouse, the remaining holes for players like Aaron Rai will determine the official standing heading into the second round.