Rory McIlroy says taming wild weather shows his game is still improving after earning share of clubhouse lead at weather-disrupted Genesis Invitational
Rory McIlroy felt his five-under round of 66 to earn a share of the clubhouse lead in testing conditions at The Genesis Invitational showed how his game is still improving in certain areas.
Players battled heavy rain and strong winds, plus a three-hour weather delay, and a number were unable to finish their first rounds in the second Signature Event of the season.
But the Northern Irishman was one of those who got home with some success, although Englishman Aaron Rai leads on six under with two holes to complete when he returns on Friday.
“I haven’t always enjoyed these conditions. I haven’t always had the skill set to excel in them,” said the Masters champion.
“To start to enjoy them and have the shots to succeed on days like this, that’s a really satisfying thing to be able to do; nearly 20 years into a career and still feel like you’re getting better at some aspects of the game.
“I’ve definitely got more comfortable playing in conditions like this over the past few years as I’ve got more comfortable in controlling my ball flight.
“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 then when it does get to conditions like this, I’m a lot more prepared.
“I wouldn’t say I enjoy them, but I can certainly handle them better.”
McIlroy began with three birdies in his first four holes but then had to chip in for par over the in-green bunker on the sixth.
He made further birdies at 11 and 17, the back nine’s two par fives, and dropped his only shot after missing the green at the short 16th.
World number one Scottie Scheffler struggled in the conditions to produce his worst 10-hole start in his PGA Tour career.
The four-time major winner, who has not finished outside the top-10 in is last 19 events, had a double bogey and three bogeys to sit joint last on five over with eight holes still to complete.