GOLF.AI • Feb 22, 2026

Riviera: The 19th Competitor

At The Genesis Invitational, Riviera Country Club was more than just a beautiful backdrop; it was an active and often polarizing competitor that shaped strategy, sparked debate, and created unforgettable moments. The course's distinct personality became a central figure in the tournament's drama, forcing the world's best to adapt or fall behind.

The debate began with the course's architecture. Several holes drew pointed criticism from top players. Matt Fitzpatrick labeled the iconic, risk-reward 10th hole as simply "unfair." The criticism extended to the lengthened, 273-yard 4th hole, once lauded by Ben Hogan as "the greatest par 3 in America." Jordan Spieth called it a weak spot on the course, while Collin Morikawa dismissed the tee shot as a "hit and hope" scenario where skill was largely removed from the equation.

Beyond the design, Riviera's unique turf conditions demanded equipment changes. The course's Kikuyu grass, as explained by Vokey reps Shane Dyel and Aaron Dill, "crosses and weaves," causing the ball to sit up high. To regain a low-launching, high-spin trajectory and maintain control, many players abandoned their narrow-soled wedges for wider-soled M- or K-grind models to optimize their strikes.

The challenge continued on the greens. In the broadcast booth, tournament host Tiger Woods provided a masterclass on navigating the "soft yet fast" Poa annua putting surfaces. He described the bumpy greens as a "plinko board," explaining how putts can be knocked offline if players don't commit to their speed. His advice was to be aggressive and "rip one into the back of the hole" on any flat or uphill putt to ensure it holds its line.

Riviera's quirky layout also inspired moments of genius. On the 6th hole, which famously features a bunker in the middle of the green, Rory McIlroy found himself on the putting surface but on the wrong side of the sand. In a display of creative mastery, he opted to chip with a wedge *over* the hazard, executing the unconventional shot perfectly to nestle his ball close to the pin and demonstrating how Riviera forces players to think outside the box.