Riviera's 10th hole: Risk/reward at its finest
The PGA Tour visits Riviera Country Club this week for the Genesis Open, one of the glamour stops for the players.
A historic course with 18 gorgeous golf holes, it's the short par-4 10th that stands out.
"The most demanding par-4 I've ever played in my life," Bubba Watson said Wednesday. "No matter whether it's 500 yards or it's 200 yards. Demanding is the nicest way I can say it."
At just 315 yards from an elevated tee, the length and angle of the hole entices players to go for the green - but failure to execute the shot will lead to a struggle to make par.
"If you don't make it on the green, you're going to make five or six really quick," said 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus. "The worst place to miss is short and right."
If players choose to layup, that doesn't necessarily give them a chance for birdie or a guaranteed par. The small green is protected by bunkers and can become rock hard - propelling even the shortest wedge shots.
"It gets so firm, you land it on the green and it can bounce over the green," said Watson, a two-time winner of the event.
2016 Round 4 stats | |
---|---|
Players | 76 |
Yardage | 303 |
Birdies | 10 |
Pars | 50 |
Bogeys | 12 |
Other | 4 |