"If I Keep Playing Well, I'll Have My Chance": Rory McIlroy on Battling Wind and Chasing a Genesis Trophy
PGA, Golf Herren The Genesis Invitational - First Round Feb 19, 2026 Pacific Palisades, California, USA Rory McIlroy looks on at the 18th green during the first round of the The Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. Pacific Palisades Riviera Country Club California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKiyoshixMiox 20260219_mio_ma1_038
PGA, Golf Herren The Genesis Invitational - First Round Feb 19, 2026 Pacific Palisades, California, USA Rory McIlroy looks on at the 18th green during the first round of the The Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. Pacific Palisades Riviera Country Club California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKiyoshixMiox 20260219_mio_ma1_038
The nature brought bad weather to Riviera Country Club on Thursday, which stopped play at the Genesis Invitational for three hours, but all that wasn't enough to deter Rory McIlroy.
The World No. 3 golfer shot five under par and got a score of 66 in the first round of the Genesis Invitational on February 19. He was only one shot behind Aaron Rai, who was six under par after 16 holes when the game had to stop. Overall, McIlroy had a pretty eventful first round despite the challenging weather, which got him hoping for a victory in the tournament.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his round the 36-year-old cherished the unique opportunity that would come with the win. He said, "To receive a trophy from Tiger Woods on the 18th green on Sunday would be very cool. It's not something I've had the privilege to do yet. Hopefully if I keep playing well I'll have a chance to do that on Sunday "
PGA, Golf Herren The Genesis Invitational - First Round Feb 19, 2026 Pacific Palisades, California, USA Rory McIlroy hits his tee shot on the 10th hole during the first round of the The Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. Pacific Palisades Riviera Country Club California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKiyoshixMiox 20260219_mio_ma1_048
PGA, Golf Herren The Genesis Invitational - First Round Feb 19, 2026 Pacific Palisades, California, USA Rory McIlroy hits his tee shot on the 10th hole during the first round of the The Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. Pacific Palisades Riviera Country Club California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKiyoshixMiox 20260219_mio_ma1_048
McIlroy's score looked even more impressive because the weather got worse later. His best moment was on the sixth hole. The ball was near a bunker that was right next to the green. He chipped the ball over the bunker and saved par.
On the last nine holes, just getting par felt like winning on many holes. McIlroy stayed calm, made good scores, and kept going. But golf scores were not the only thing McIlroy was thinking about this week.
Rory McIlroy Returns to a Riviera Still Healing
This is the first Genesis Invitation back at Riviera Country Club since the terrible California wildfires in 2025. The fires have damaged the Pacific Palisades area and forced last year’s tournament to move to Torrey Pines.
McIlroy spoke about the devastation caused by the calamity at his pre-tournament press conference. "Obviously, what happened here a year ago was absolutely devastating," he said. "I know people who lost their homes, places of work, and offices."
The tournament's return is important for more than just golf. The community is still rebuilding, and the PGA Tour being in the Palisades is a sign of recovery. McIlroy has played at Riviera 16 times but has never won.
One shot back. A healing community is watching, and also a trophy that has always slipped away.
Do you think McIlroy will finally win at Riviera? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Souvik Roy