Rory McIlroy masters tricky conditions as Scottie Scheffler struggles at Genesis Invitational

Rory McIlroy survived a tumultuous opening time successful Los Angeles to declare a stock of nan clubhouse lead aft a disrupted first time astatine nan Genesis Invitational.

The Northern Irishman endured rain, upwind and a three-hour suspension of play to paper an opening information people of five-under 66.

The item of his time was a stellar par-save connected nan sixth spread successful which he chipped complete nan on-green bunker.

McIlroy dropped conscionable 1 changeable connected Thursday to subordinate American Jacob Bridgeman successful a stock of a clubhouse lead.

"I've started to conscionable really bask this style of golf," said McIlroy. "If you had asked maine 10 years ago, I didn't bask these conditions, but it's been a displacement successful a mindset and possibly conscionable a continuation of trying to build upon nan accomplishment group that I have.

"Then erstwhile it does get to conditions for illustration this, I'm a batch much prepared. I wouldn't opportunity I bask them, but I tin surely grip them better."

The duo were being challenged by Aaron Rai earlier play was suspended, pinch nan Englishman group to resume his information connected six-under par done 16 holes.

New Zealand's Ryan Fox is besides successful nan hunt connected 4 under, while England's Marco Penge is among a crowd of 7 players sitting a changeable further back.

World No 1 Scottie Scheffler, though, struggled earlier was suspended, sitting 5 complete done his first 10 holes aft a double bogey astatine nan par-four eighth.

Scheffler has vanished successful nan apical 10 at his past 18 starts connected nan PGA Tour.

PA