Hole of the Week: Riviera’s 10th

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Riviera Country Club Hole 10

No.10, Riviera Country Club
Par 4, 315 yards
2017 average: 3.87 (15th toughest)

A pioneer of the short risk/reward par-4, No.10 has stood the test of time and technology to remain one of the best of its genre.

Though listed at 315 yards on the scorecard, it’s frequently set up shorter, including one round at less than 300 in each of the past two years.

The challenge? It’s a deep, narrow green surrounded by bunkers right, back left and behind the green. And trees complicate a left miss.

“I’ve gone for it and laid up and I’ve been very unsuccessful both ways,” deadpanned Tiger Woods, at a Tuesday press conference, when asked why No. 10 “mystifies” some people.

“I believe the percentage is right around 51, 52 percent who go for it make birdie. It’s a tossup, it really is. I just find that the green over the years has gotten a little bit steeper than I first remember it, so it’s a tough hole.

“I’m still trying to figure it out.”

Of course, the two-shot option remains in play. The optimum angle is to hit an iron down the left side of the fairway, but that area is guarded by a bunker about 50 yards from the green.

One would think guys like Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson would overpower No.10, but Johnson made four pars in last year’s victory and Watson has played it in 1-over in each of his two victories.

On the flip side, Thomas Pieters made three birdies in last year’s runner-up finish.

2017 Genesis Open: 5 eagles, 117 birdies, 236 pars, 60 bogeys, 5 double bogeys, 1 higher


PRO TIP: HOW TO PLAY NO. 10


Credits: PGA Tour Media, Getty Images


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