No. 10 on the Riviera has drawn its fair share of criticism (and praise) from golf’s finest in recent years.
Rory McIlroy said par-4 315 yard “stink”. Max Homa said it is “Either the best hole in the world or the worst.” Jon Rahm said it might be his “favorite hole” on the course. Collin Morikawa called it “the hardest hole” on the famous property. Tony Finau went the other way, praising the “amazing” hole.
Friday at Genesis Invitation, another star added his name to one side of the debate over George C. Thomas’ famous short par-4.
After making an easy par on No. 10 during Thursday’s opening round, 2022 US Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick had a different experience on Friday.
The pin placement during the opening round was on the back right, which allowed Fitzpatrick to make a stress-free birdie. But on Friday, the in was in the middle and just three steps from the left end. Fitzpatrick lost his ball down the right, leaving it 47 yards short of the post. After reviewing his options with his caddy, Fitzpatrick elected to play his second shot well left of the pin. The thinking was that Fitzpatrick would either give himself a long birdie putt or the ball would roll down into the crease and he would have a chance to get up and down for par. But he missed his spot and ended up putting his second into the green bunker. His third shot was no easier than his second. It exploded over the green and into the bullpen. He got up and eventually claimed bogey, which was one of only two bogeys he made while shooting a five-under 66.
“It was a great round. I felt like I played really well. Just amazing on 10, the most unlikely hole in golf in the world. I’ll leave it at that,” Fitzpatrick said after his round.
“I don’t want to talk too much about it, I’m just going to get hurt. But it’s hit and hopefully, let’s leave it at that.”
Fitzpatrick wasn’t the only one in his trio to be stung by Riviera’s short par-4. Both Aaron Rai and Garrick Higgo also bogeyed.
“We all bogeyed. I said, ‘big guys, guys,'” Fitzpatrick said. “I got a laugh from everyone, which was good.”
In 2023, McIlroy said he believes the kikuyu grass going up to and around the green is the problem. He suggested either resurfacing the grass in that area so the ball can run up or softening the green. As it stands now, according to McIlroy, there is no skill involved in the hole.
In Fitzpatrick’s mind, No. 10 at Riviera breaks one of the most important rules for a hole.
“I just don’t think it’s a good hole of golf, so I’ll leave it at that,” Fitzpatrick said.
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