Welcome, Daily Duffer faithful, Mac Thompson here, reporting from the hallowed grounds of Riviera Country Club, a course whose legendary contours and strategic brilliance are currently being tested by Mother Nature herself. As a golf architecture enthusiast who’s trod the fairways of over 200 courses worldwide, I’ve seen my share of layouts react to the elements. But what unfolded during the opening round of the Genesis Invitational was a fascinating, albeit confounding, dance between Pete Dye’s strategic genius and the sheer volume of water.
Riviera. Just the name conjures images of Hollywood glamour, towering eucalyptus, and the unmistakable silhouette of the clubhouse against a golden California sunset. Located in Pacific Palisades, a stone’s throw from the glitz of Los Angeles, this George C. Thomas Jr. masterpiece, with William P. Bell, is a study in natural integration and strategic depth. Its canyon setting, dramatic elevation changes, and iconic green complexes make it a perennial favorite for PGA Tour pros and architecture buffs alike.
But this past week, Riviera offered a different kind of drama. Weeks of torrential rain had saturated the already verdant landscape, turning its usually firm, fast Fescue-bentgrass greens into something akin to sponges. Yet, these weren’t your typical soft, slow greens. Oh no. This was Riviera, designed to challenge the best, and even in their sodden state, they maintained a baffling, almost rebellious, speed.
The Enigma of Riviera’s Greens: Soft, Yet Fast
The buzz from the players after Thursday’s opening round wasn’t about heroic shots or difficult pin positions, but about the perplexing condition of the greens. Collin Morikawa, fresh off a win at Pebble Beach, found himself scratching his head after a solid three-under 68.
“I honestly don’t know how they got it to this. Like I’ve never seen greens like this,” Morikawa began during his post-round interview.”
He elaborated on how the softness allowed him to be incredibly aggressive, even from less-than-ideal lies. It speaks to a fundamental principle of golf course design: the firm and fast conditions are often a course’s best defense, forcing players to play strategically and creatively. When that defense is compromised, the architect’s intent can be blurred.
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Rory McIlroy, a man who understands course nuances as well as anyone on Tour, echoed Morikawa’s sentiments, but also shed light on the peculiar speed of these soggy surfaces.
“Yeah, it’s like they’re soft but they’re fast, I think that’s the hard thing. It’s like last week at Pebble they were soft, but they were slow because they’re worried about the wind,” McIlroy explained. “Here, they’re so fast.”
This “soft but fast” paradox reveals a lot about Riviera’s green architecture. The severities of pitch and contour on many of Thomas and Bell’s greens are such that even with ample moisture, the ball will still run. It’s a testament to the boldness of their design, where slopes designed to repel mere mortals continue to do so, even when soaked through. I’ve always admired how Riviera’s greens often demand a precise approach not just in terms of distance, but also in trajectory and spin, to prevent an untimely roll-off. This design intent was still palpable, despite the weather.
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The Embedded Ball: A Stark Visual
Perhaps no moment epitomized the bizarre conditions more than Adam Scott’s near ace on the 165-yard par-3 16th. This hole, with its infamous bunker in the green’s center, is a strategic gem. I’ve always loved how it forces a decision: play safe to either side, or challenge the pin with a precise shot. On Thursday, Scott’s precision was rewarded, yet simultaneously punished.
“But instead of bounding and rolling into the hole, Scott’s ball embedded into the soggy 16th green right where it landed.”
Imagine the collective gasp of the crowd, the anticipation turning into a perplexed murmur as a perfect shot, destined for glory, simply vanished into the turf a mere seven inches from the cup. It’s a vivid illustration of just how saturated the ground truly was, turning what should have been a triumphant moment into a curious anecdote. It also underscored Morikawa’s earlier point about being able to attack pins without fear of “flyer lies” leading to run-offs.
Adam Scott’s tee shot on 16 almost went in for a hole-in-one but instead plugged right next to the cup. 😳 pic.twitter.com/f4N01LqF8H
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) February 15, 2024
A Course That Always Delivers
Despite the unusual conditions, Riviera’s inherent architectural brilliance still shone through. The course typically demands a thoughtful approach on every hole. Its strategic bunkering, often placed to catch errant drives or force a carry, remained a factor even as balls flew further through the air. The routing, which gracefully traverses the natural contours of the land, provides a varied and engaging walk. From the dramatic downhill opener to the testing finish, Riviera is a master class in golf course flow.
For those planning a pilgrimage to this iconic course – and I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance – anticipate a challenging but immensely rewarding round. Riviera is a private club, so access typically requires an invitation from a member. But if you’re fortunate enough to step onto these fairways, prepare for a true architectural experience. Pay attention to the subtle artistry of the green surrounds, the angles of approach, and how Thomas and Bell used the natural topography to create strategic dilemmas. You’ll find that even under the most unusual conditions, a truly great design, like Riviera, finds a way to present a compelling challenge. Its character, it seems, is far too strong to be fully subdued by a little rain.
