Rory McIlroy showcased resilience and skill on a challenging first day at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles. Battling through rain, wind, and a three-hour suspension, McIlroy posted an impressive five-under 66, positioning himself just one shot behind England's Aaron Rai, who still has two holes to complete.
The Northern Irishman's standout moment came with a remarkable par-save on the sixth hole, where he skillfully chipped over an on-green bunker. Despite the tough conditions, McIlroy dropped only one shot, tying with American Jacob Bridgeman at five under.
Aaron Rai was hot on their heels before play was halted, sitting at six-under through 16 holes. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Ryan Fox is also in contention at four under, and England's Marco Penge is part of a group just a stroke behind.
Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy shared with Sky Sports: "It was very blustery, and after the delay, the course was extremely wet, requiring precise control of trajectory and spin. The wind picked up on the final holes, adding to the challenge."
He expressed satisfaction with his ball control and acknowledged the difficulty of certain holes on the back nine, where making par was a solid achievement. "Overall, I'm very happy with today's work and I'm in a great spot to build from here," McIlroy added.
Looking ahead, McIlroy is motivated by the prospect of receiving a trophy from Tiger Woods on Sunday, something he hasn't yet experienced. "Hopefully, if I keep playing well, I'll have a chance to do that on Sunday," he said.