Tiger Woods has rewritten the history books of golf, dominating nearly every major venue the sport has to offer. Yet, there is one PGA Tour course that has eluded him, despite multiple attempts—Riviera Country Club.
As the Genesis Invitational tees off this week without Woods, following his withdrawal in the wake of his mother’s passing, it’s a reminder that the iconic Los Angeles course remains the only track where Woods has played at least four times without a victory.
Riviera: The One That Got Away
For a player who has won everywhere from Augusta to St. Andrews, it seems almost unbelievable that Riviera remains an unsolved puzzle for the 15-time major champion.
Woods has competed at the Genesis Invitational (formerly the Nissan Open) 16 times but has never lifted the trophy. His closest chances came in the late 1990s, when he finished runner-up twice, but the course has remained a stumbling block ever since.
Tiger’s Career Record at Riviera
Events Played | Wins | Runner-Ups | Top 10s | Missed Cuts | Withdrawals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
16 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
Woods’ last top-10 finish at Riviera came in 2004. Since returning in 2018, his best showing has been T-15 in 2019, and he hasn’t made the weekend since 2020. Last year, he was forced to withdraw before the third round.
Why Has Riviera Haunted Woods?
While Riviera’s tight fairways and tricky greens have humbled many great players, Woods’ struggles remain a mystery.
Here’s why Riviera doesn’t suit his game as much as other venues:
- Course Setup – Unlike courses where Woods thrives with power and aggressive iron play, Riviera rewards precision off the tee and strategic shot-making.
- Poana Greens – The bumpy Poa annua greens at Riviera have historically given Woods trouble, as they tend to become unpredictable in the afternoons.
- Shaky Putting – Woods has never been as dominant on the greens here as he has been at Augusta or Torrey Pines.
- Limited Appearances in His Prime – Unlike Torrey Pines or Bay Hill—where Woods routinely won during his peak years—he never played Riviera consistently during his prime, reducing his ability to develop a winning formula at the course.
Will Tiger Ever Win at Riviera?
At 49 years old, Woods is running out of time to check Riviera off his bucket list. If he returns for the 2026 Genesis Invitational, he will be chasing one of the last remaining white whales of his career.
And if there’s one thing we know about Woods, it’s that unfinished business drives him like nothing else.
Could Riviera be the site of one final storybook Tiger moment?
Only time will tell.