The Riviera Country Club
Designed by George C. Thomas Jr. and William Bell, The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., opened in 1926. The 2026 U.S. Women's Open Presented by Ally will be the club's fourth USGA championship. Ben Hogan won the first of his four U.S. Open Championships in 1948 at Riviera. The club, which was recently renovated in 1992 by the design team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, also hosted the 1998 U.S. Senior Open won by Hale Irwin and the 2017 U.S. Amateur won by Doc Redman in a memorable 37-hole duel against Doug Ghim.
Hole 1
The first hole at Riviera is one of the most famous in all of golf. This starting par-5 eases players into their round. Given the almost 100-foot drop to the fairway, this hole plays shorter than the scorecard yardage and anticipate many players going for the green in two. Players will need to navigate the central bunker in route to this horseshoe shaped green in order to achieve a relatively easy birdie.
Hole 2
The second hole is a strong par-4 that generally plays into the wind. Not only is the narrow fairway hard to hit, but players will also be coming into the green with a fairway wood/hybrid or long iron to a tiered green that is well-guarded by bunkers on the left side. Players able to walk off this hole with a par will likely gain strokes on the field.
Hole 3
George Thomas was magnificent at creating strategic options for the player to play a hole and the third is no different. To have the most open shot to the green, the player will want to play to the left side of the fairway, easily carrying the fairway bunker. If the player decides to play to the right side of the fairway, she will be met with a slightly more difficult shot, needing to carry the front right greenside bunker. Regardless, distance control will be important to this relatively shallow green (at its widest part) 20 yards deep, as an approach missed long or left will experience some interesting chips amongst gentle knolls behind the putting green.
Hole 4
Ben Hogan called this hole, “The greatest par-3 hole in America.” Why? Ben Crenshaw said because the hole provides once again options for the player. This Redan- like hole allows the player to play away from the fronting bunker and use the “land” (approach) to funnel the ball onto the putting green. The player also has the option to play towards the putting green but will need to carry the bunker in this scenario. This hole too, typically plays into the wind, but should help the player keep the ball in the air longer to land softer on the green if club selection is accurate.
Hole 5
The last of a stretch of difficult holes that plays into a hurting wind, players will be faced with a tee shot framed by out of bounds on the right and eucalyptus trees on the left. The longer players will likely play something other than a driver off the tee to ensure not hitting through the fairway. Depending on the day’s hole location, players may experience a blind or semi-blind approach due to the strategically placed grassy knob (berm) approximately 50 yards from the putting green. Due to interesting shape and right to left slope of the putting green, right side hole locations will be more challenging to reach.
Hole 6
A true original and unique hole, this green looks something like a life preserver. While many architects separate greens with ridges, tiers, and the like, no one had used a bunker to create sections of a green. Ron Whitten said, “what Thomas really accomplished with that solitary bunker was to eliminate the obvious target, the center of the green.” Therefore, the shot requires great precision. This will be an interesting hole to watch during the championship.
Hole 7
This shorter, dogleg right par-4 is strategic in that it allows the player to choose how aggressive she would like to be with her tee shot. Playing a fade off the tee, avoiding the barranca on the right will give the player a shorter iron in her hands on the approach. Playing a more conservative tee shot to the left side of the fairway, the player will need to ensure she stays short of the left fairway bunker looming in the distance and will have a slightly longer approach. This narrow kidney shaped green will require a precise approach as a shot left short will leave the player with a tricky recovery shot from a tight lie.
Hole 8
A hole that presents a double fairway are few and far between, but the 8th at Riviera provides the player that choice. The more conservative tee shot to the “right” fairway will offer a more challenging approach shot over the barranca with a steep slope in front of and to the right of the green to be aware of. A more aggressive tee shot to the “left” fairway will require the player to not only carry the barranca, but also execute precise cut shot to thread between the fairway bunkers. However, the player will then reap the reward of a shorter and easier approach shot.
Hole 9
The last hole on the outward nine is a strong uphill par-4 that will require power and precision off the tee. A tee shot in the left fairway bunker is almost certain to not reach the green in regulation. The approach shot will challenge players to this narrow and well-guarded putting green that is two-tiered, making it difficult to get close to a back hole location. A par or better on this hole will be well-earned.
Hole 10
The famous 10th hole at Riviera is one of the “greatest 18 holes in major championship golf,” said Jack Nicklaus. This short, but mighty par-4 illustrates the essence of strategy (and discipline). The best placed tee shot (with something less than a driver) is short and left near the fairway bunker to leave a soft wedge shot to a narrow green tilted right to left that is only about 10 yards wide. Players that choose to go for the green will need to thread their tee shot toward the narrow opening in the putting surface. Those that misplace their tee shot on the right side of the fairway or in the right greenside bunker will be challenged to stop the ball on the green due to the green sloping away from her. The 10th hole cannot be taken for granted for these reasons.
Hole 11
The longest par-5 for the championship, a strong and accurate tee shot will be mandatory to be in proper position to carry the barranca on the second shot. If successful, a short and straightforward wedge shot may likely lead to a birdie opportunity. A tee shot missed left or right in the amongst the eucalyptus trees mayleave the player needing to lay up in front of the barranca leaving her a long third shot (over 200 yards), making par a very good score.
Hole 12
Despite no fairway bunkers on this shorter par-4, the fairway is only 27 yards wide, and the architecture requires either a straight or fade tee shot. Avoiding the rough on the left side and eucalyptus trees on the right will be key to setting up a forced carry approach over the barranca. In addition, this green is framed nicely by what is called “Bogey’s Tree” on the left (named after Humphrey Bogart who used to sit under the tree with a flask of Jim Beam) and a fronting bunker telling the player that short is not a good place to miss. The putting surface is deeper than the average and slopes toward the back of the green and Pacific Ocean which may not be obvious initially.
Hole 13
Another strong par-4, this tee shot requires a straight shot or a draw to this narrow fairway and dogleg left. Players will have the opportunity to use the angled slope in the fairway to gain some extra yards. Missing left of the fairway, the player will be met in the eucalyptus trees or the barranca that runs the entire left side of the hole. A tee shot missed to the right in the rough will be left with a longer approach and having a tougher time recovering with a par. For those in the fairway, club selection on the approach will be critical as the George Thomas placed a “deception” bunker 50 yards from the putting surface, also obstructing the right portion of the green. Missing the green to the right may appear to be a good bail out location, however it will leave the player with a tricky downhill pitch to the green that falls off dramatically along the entire left side.
Hole 14
This mid-length par-3 provides a slight break for the player as it is sandwiched between two strong par-4’s. The swale design feature (which also serves a drainage function) some 20 yards short of the green will make the hole appear longer than it really is creating a psychological challenge. That coupled with the green being the shallowest on course (22 yards), will put a premium on club selection and distance control. The putting surface is bisected by a ridge that may make putting a bit more complicated with hole locations in the middle of the green.
Hole 15
The second to last par-4 at Riviera is a brute. Likely playing into the wind, the ideal tee shot is a fade to this reverse camber fairway, avoiding the fairway bunker in the drive zone. A tee shot missed in the right rough, will likely end in a bogey. The approach shot will be a long iron/hybrid that will be played to a “gull winged” putting surface. An opening to the green on the left side will allow a conservative approach while those opting to carry the bunker to right hole locations will be rewarded accordingly. The design of this green will make putts difficult to read. A par or better on this hole will boost any player up the leaderboard.
Hole 16
The shortest par-3 at Riviera is played to one of the smallest greens on course at 2500 square feet. Well-guarded by bunkers, the green looks like an “island.” While a short iron will be played, the hole should be respected for the accuracy and distance control that will be required to walk off with a par or better.
Hole 17
The last par-5 at Riviera is not the shortest or the longest for the Women’s Open. The longest hitters may be able to hit this green in two with the helping wind and two accurate and well struck shots. However, the first challenge will be a well-placed tee shot left of the landing zone bunker on the right. If successful, players will have a decision to make in challenging the bunker in route to the opening of the putting green, laying up short of that bunker on the left side to have a better view of green and hole or bail out to the right of the left fairway bunker and have limited, if not any visibility of the hole. Regardless of the decision, it will be best to leave the ball below the hole on this two-tiered green.
Hole 18
Considered one of the most iconic finishing holes in golf, it will be necessary to hit two excellent shots. The ideal tee shot is a straight one or a fade to a blind landing area due to the natural forced carry. A tee shot missed right will likely be from the eucalyptus trees and needing to navigate the bunkers sitting 90 yards from the putting green on her recovery. Players will be left with a mid-to-long iron/hybrid to a green absent of any bunkers. The natural amphitheater landscape will provide a perfect setting in crowning the 81st U.S. Women’s Open champion.