Rory McIlroy calls Riviera change ‘horrible’ ahead of Genesis Invitational

Rory McIlroy has never been afraid to speak his mind — and on the eve of this week’s Genesis Invitational, he didn’t hold back.

The Northern Irishman has taken aim at what he believes is a misguided alteration to Riviera Country Club’s iconic par-3 4th, branding the change a “horrible” one ahead of the $20m Signature Event hosted by Tiger Woods. 

Riviera, one of the PGA Tour’s most revered and demanding venues, has undergone several tweaks for its 100th staging of this event. 

But the most talked-about adjustment is at the brutally tough 4th hole, where the tee box has been pushed back, stretching the hole from 230 yards to a mammoth 273 yards. On paper, it adds bite. In McIlroy’s view, it adds very little.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he said: "I don't think 4 plays any differently, you're just hitting a slightly longer club. I actually think it's a horrible change."

For context, the 4th was already one of the most exacting one-shotters on the course. When it played at 230 yards, only around 15% of the field found the green — a statistic McIlroy believes exposes the flaw in simply adding more yardage.

McIlroy’s issue is not with difficulty — few would accuse him of shying away from a challenge — but with design logic. 

Riviera’s thick kikuyu grass around the green makes it extremely difficult to run the ball onto the putting surface.

At nearly 275 yards, players are forced to hit long irons or even fairway woods, meaning a shot that lands with too much spin can bound over the back, while one that comes up short won’t release onto the front of the green. 

In other words, length alone does not necessarily create better golf.

McIlroy expanded on his reasoning in detail. 

"Well, like 15% of the field hit the green last time when it was played at its original yardage at 230," continued the grand slam champion.

"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 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 3-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."

Watch McIlroy's comments in this video: 

McIlroy starts the week as a 12/1 second favourite as he seeks a first win of 2026. 

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler heads the betting at 3/1.

Remarkably, neither McIlroy or Scheffler has ever conquered Riviera. That in itself has become something of a storyline.

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Tournament host Woods, despite being an 82-time PGA Tour winner, famously never won at Riviera. Nor did 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus. 

For a venue that sits comfortably among America’s most historic layouts, it has proved curiously resistant to some of the game’s biggest names.

The Genesis Invitational is hosted by Woods as the event benefits his TGR Foundation. 

Woods addressed reporters earlier in the week but will not tee it up as he continues recovering from the seventh back surgery of his career last October. 

The 15-time major champion did not dismiss the possibility of returning at The Masters in April and also left open the door to captaining the United States Ryder Cup team at Adare Manor in 2027. 

He confirmed he has been approached by the PGA of America regarding the role but has yet to decide, citing his many commitments on and off the course. 

Woods also piled praise on Anthony Kim for winning his first title on LIV Golf last week. 

As for McIlroy, his focus will quickly turn from course architecture to competition. 

But before a shot has even been struck, he has ensured the spotlight is firmly fixed on Riviera’s most controversial change.

Whether the 273-yard 4th proves to be inspired or ill-advised, one thing is certain — players will be talking about it all week.