After a shit show of a Phoenix Open, both in terms of unruly fan behavior and weather-related delays, we travel to sunny SoCal for another premier venue and star-studded field, this time for the Genesis Open at Riviera CC. The format is strange this week, with a small-field elevated event of 70 golfers, but instead of no cut, there is a cut of 50, with anyone within 10 strokes of the lead making it through to the weekend. I’m no expert, but this seems silly to me. Why not just have no cut or a regular field? Cutting a handful of guys feels like a technicality for OWGR points or something, and I don’t think I’m here for it. Anyhow, I’ve gotten my grumbling out of the way, and this is one of my favorite courses, so let’s dive in.
Riviera CC, or “Riv” as it’s known in the world of golf, is about as storied a course as you’ll find in the U.S., having hosted tournaments for the better part of a century, and with a history closely linked to the glitz and glam of Hollywood. After all, there’s a tree on the course named for where Humphrey Bogart used to sit and drink while watching golfers come through. Playing to a par of 71 and just over 7,300 yards, Riviera doesn’t stand out as a particularly lengthy course, and in fact doesn’t stand out much on paper at all. Its place among the best courses in the country comes from its subtly brilliant design and aesthetics, and the challenge that it poses without gimmicks or stretching tees. Playing from the high point of the clubhouse down into a canyon, the course offers elevation changes and gently undulating fairways and greens, quietly presenting one of the tougher tests in golf despite the lack of any water on the course and some of the fewest penalty strokes on tour. It generally plays over par, and the cut line is generally above par as well. Together, we shall dive into why that is, starting with another edition of “Tom talks Turf”; bear with me here, as I get into the weeds (groan), and please feel free to skip this part if you’re not a turf nerd like me.
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