PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. -- Mother Nature had her own plans for the historic 100th playing of the Genesis Invitational, as heavy rain forced a suspension of nearly three hours during Thursday's opening round at The Riviera Country Club.

Play was halted as sheets of rain swept across one of golf's most storied venues, leaving fairways waterlogged and greens unplayable. Officials eventually gave the all-clear at 1:09 p.m. local time, sending players back out to navigate a course softened by the deluge. The delay meant that a significant number of competitors were unable to complete their first rounds before darkness fell, setting up a Friday morning finish before second-round action gets underway.

The weather disruption added an unwelcome layer of difficulty to a tournament that was already shaping up as one of the most compelling events on the 2026 PGA TOUR calendar. The Genesis Invitational holds a special place in golf history, and this year's edition carries additional weight as it celebrates a century of championship golf at Riviera, a course that has tested the game's greatest players since the 1920s.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler headlines a field that reads like a who's who of professional golf. Scheffler, who has dominated the sport over the past two seasons with his relentless consistency and multiple major championship victories, arrived in Pacific Palisades looking to add another signature title to his growing collection. Riviera's demanding layout, with its iconic barranca, kikuyu rough, and small, undulating greens, presents a challenge worthy of the world's best player.

Joining Scheffler at the top of the billing is Rory McIlroy, who enters the week riding a wave of confidence after capturing his second Players Championship victory. McIlroy has long been one of the game's most dynamic talents, and his recent form at TPC Sawgrass suggests he is primed for another strong campaign in 2026. The Northern Irishman's powerful ball-striking and renewed putting confidence make him a formidable contender on a course that rewards precision off the tee and creativity around the greens.

Defending champion Ludvig Aberg also returns to the site of one of the most significant victories of his young career. The talented Swede burst onto the scene with a commanding performance at Riviera last year and will be eager to prove that his breakthrough was no fluke. At just 26 years old, Aberg represents the next generation of stars who are pushing the established order.

The partnership between Genesis and the tournament received a boost this week with the announcement that the luxury automotive brand has renewed its title sponsorship through 2030. The extension ensures that one of the TOUR's most prestigious non-major events will continue to thrive at its iconic home, maintaining the standard of excellence that has defined this tournament for a century.

As players returned to the course Thursday afternoon, the challenge shifted from reading putts to reading conditions. A rain-soaked Riviera plays significantly longer, neutralizing some of the advantages that bigger hitters typically enjoy while placing a premium on iron play and short-game touch.

With the first round still to be completed and three more days of competition ahead, the 100th Genesis Invitational promises plenty more drama. If Thursday's weather was any indication, this milestone edition at Riviera is determined to make its mark in the tournament's rich and celebrated history.