Scottie Scheffler’s Opening-Round Struggles Highlight World No. 1’s Resilience

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler’s game met a rare early storm at the 2026 Genesis Invitational. On Feb. 19, he stumbled out of the gates at Riviera, posting his worst opening 10‑hole start on the PGA Tour amid slick rain and gusty wind. It was a jolt for a man used to dominating leaderboards.

When the Worst Start Isn’t the End?

Scottie Scheffler’s early rounds this season have launched more questions than answers. At the 2026 Genesis Invitational, the world No. 1 found himself dead last early on Thursday, a shocking sight given his usual command. Riviera’s wind and rain made scoring treacherous, leaving Scheffler five‑over par through 10 holes when play was suspended. 

Though play resumed the next day, Scheffler limped to a +5 opening mark before digging in. His game looked far from the finely tuned machine fans expect. He lost strokes on approach, something rare for a player who normally thrives in that metric. 

How Did Scheffler Claw Back?

Scheffler’s weekend was a story of survival, not dominance:

• Posted a second‑round 68 to reach even par for the week.
• Holed a crucial par putt on No. 18 to make the cut by a slim margin.
• Extended his PGA Tour record to 68 consecutive made cuts. 

He now sits well behind the leaders like Marco Penge and Jacob Bridgeman, but he proved that even when his A‑game slips, his resilience doesn’t. 

Season Outlook: Can Scheffler Bounce Back?

Scheffler’s opening woes aren’t isolated. Earlier this year at the WM Phoenix Open, he opened with a 73, yet still rebounded. That pattern suggests the world No. 1 still has the fire to adapt. Even a rough Thursday won’t keep him down for long.

Final Words

Scheffler’s struggles at Riviera remind us that even elite champions face adversity. What separates great players from the rest is grit, not perfection. The cut he just made and the way he made it tell you he’s still very much in the hunt, even when the golf gods make him fight for every stroke.

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