The Riviera Golf Course is one of the biggest golf courses in the game’s history. The course was established in 1926, making it one of the oldest operational courses today. For over 60 years, the course has hosted the Genesis Invitational, a signature tournament on the PGA circuit. Despite its historical significance, the course recently underwent a dramatic modification on its fourth hole, which was called ‘Horrible’ by Rory McIlroy.
Before the 2026 Genesis Invitational began, it was announced that the Riviera Golf Course had changed the length of its fourth hole. The hole was originally a par 3 of 236 yards, but it has since been extended to a par 3 of 276 yards, approximately 40 yards longer. According to Golf Channel, this modification has pushed Riviera’s Hole 4 beyond the 265-yard 11th hole at Puntacana Resort to become the longest among regular Tour destinations.
While this appears to be a minor change, Rory McIlroy stated in an interview that it is extremely bad for golfers. He added that with the hole being 40 yards longer, it will be difficult for players to strike the green. McIlroy said that if they wanted to lengthen the hole, they should have modified the grass. In this approach, if the grass supports the ball, it will push it to the green, which will benefit the players.
According to an X post, McIlroy stated,
“I don’t think four plays any differently; you’re just hitting a slightly longer club. I actually think it’s a horrible change….If you want it to be a 275-yard par 3, you have to change the apron leading up onto the green. It can’t be kikuyu, it has tobe another type of grass that can help you run it onto the green.”
Apart from McIlroy, Jordan Spieth has also expressed his thoughts on the Riviera Golf Course change and how it would affect the game.
Jordan Spieth claims that the Riviera modification will not have much of an effect
While Rory McIlroy has complained that this is a terrible move, Jordan Spieth believes that the Riviera modification of hole 4 will have little effect on the game. He explained how, instead of 2 Iron, he is going to pick a 3 Wood, and the plan for the hole would remain the same. He also mentioned that he believes the hole is the weakest point on the course. According to the Golf Channel, Spieth said,
“I’m not sure it’s going to change much. Instead of a 2-iron or hybrid, you’re hitting 3-wood. It was always kind of a crapshoot if you were going to hit the green anyway. … It’s the only weak spot on the course, in my opinion, but it’s just this time of year. When we played the national championship (in late May), you could land a 4-iron on the right and have a chance to funnel the ball back there.”
This year’s Genesis Invitational will return to Riviera Golf Course, after Torrey Pines Golf Club hosted the tournament the previous season due to the Los Angeles wildfires.
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