The first round of the 2026 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club was suspended for nearly three hours due to heavy rain before resuming at 1:09 p.m. local time. Akshay Bhatia led at 3-under through six holes when play stopped. Officials cited excessive water on the greens as the main issue, with strong winds expected later in the day.
The 100th edition of the Genesis Invitational, also known as the Los Angeles Open since 1926, faced challenging weather conditions on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. Play began early in the morning but was halted at 10:13 a.m. local time after more than an hour of persistent rain made the course unplayable.
PGA Tour senior director of TV Rules and Video Analyst Orlando Pope explained the decision: “It was just too much water on the greens. We’re losing greens left and right.” Maintenance crews attempted to clear water by squeegeeing several greens in the lead-up to the suspension.
The official forecast predicted the heaviest rain between 10 a.m. and noon, with temperatures starting in the 40s and reaching only the mid-50s by afternoon. Total rainfall was expected to be around half an inch, followed by dramatically increasing winds gusting up to 34 mph. A wind advisory remained in effect through 9 p.m.
To address the wet conditions, preferred lies were implemented for the first round, allowing players to lift, clean, and replace their ball within one club length or six inches of its original spot. This rule, often debated for deviating from traditional play, aims to ensure fairness amid mud and water.
When suspension occurred, Akshay Bhatia held the lead at 3-under par through six holes. The field includes a strong contingent, with 41 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler, who has yet to win at Riviera despite multiple top-20 finishes, expressed confidence: “The grass provides a different set of challenges than we see throughout the rest of the year, and I feel like this golf course can be about as frustrating to play as any on Tour just with the little tricks that it has to it. Overall, if you execute out here, you’re going to get rewarded for it.”
Tournament host Tiger Woods commented on potential scheduling changes due to weather, noting that options like moving to August are under consideration with title sponsor Genesis. The rain is expected to taper off by midafternoon, with calmer conditions forecast for the weekend.
