Rory McIlroy has openly expressed his frustration and disapproval regarding significant alterations made to the Riviera Country Club course ahead of the upcoming Genesis Invitational. The 36-year-old golf superstar, who is set to compete in Los Angeles this Thursday evening, described the decision to modify the fourth hole as "horrible," casting a shadow over his preparations for the prestigious event.
McIlroy's Concerns Over Course Modifications
During a recent practice round, McIlroy shared his detailed concerns about the changes implemented at the Riviera Country Club. Both the fourth and 18th holes have been lengthened, with the 18th extended by 24 yards to become a 499-yard par-four. However, it is the transformation of the fourth hole that has particularly drawn McIlroy's ire. The hole has been stretched by 37 yards, now playing as a demanding 273-yard par-three.
"I don't think four plays any differently, you're just hitting a slightly longer club. I actually think it's a horrible change," McIlroy stated emphatically. He contrasted this with the 18th hole, noting, "And 18, yeah, 18 played downwind today and I hit driver, eight-iron. So certainly it's a bigger hole than it was, so 18's probably the better change."
Technical Issues with the Fourth Hole
Elaborating on his criticism, McIlroy highlighted specific technical flaws with the redesign of the fourth hole. He pointed out that only about 15 percent of the field hit the green when the hole was originally played at 230 yards. "If you want it to be a 275-yard par-three, you have to change the apron leading up onto the green," he explained.
McIlroy further detailed that the grass type, kikuyu, is unsuitable for the new layout. "It can't be kikuyu, it has to be another type of grass that can help you run it onto the green. Because, again, in the right conditions, you try to fly that ball on the green with a three-iron, it's going to land - it's going to finish up on the fifth tee box. That's sort of what I mean by why it's not a great change."
McIlroy's Recent Form and Tournament History
McIlroy enters the Genesis Invitational following a solid performance at last week's Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he finished five shots behind winner Colin Morikawa in a tie for 14th place. The Northern Irishman is aiming to build on this momentum as he seeks his first victory at the Genesis Invitational, an event that has historically posed challenges for him.
His best result at Riviera Country Club was a tie for 10th in 2022, and these recent course modifications represent a significant setback to his efforts to improve upon that finish. Despite this, McIlroy remains fully concentrated on the tournament, which is the second signature event of the PGA Tour season.
High Stakes and Prize Money
The Genesis Invitational offers substantial rewards, with the champion set to pocket £2.96 million from a total prize fund of £14.86 million. This adds further pressure and incentive for McIlroy, who is coming off a memorable 2025 season where he completed his career Grand Slam by winning the Masters at Augusta National and contributed to Team Europe's Ryder Cup victory on American soil.
As McIlroy prepares to tee off, his criticism of the course changes underscores the intense scrutiny and strategic considerations that top golfers face ahead of major tournaments. Whether these modifications will impact his performance remains to be seen, but his vocal opposition has certainly sparked discussion within the golf community.
