Rory McIlroy's best Riviera start puts him on cusp of rare PGA Tour feat

Key Highlights

• 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.