The Riviera was designed by golf course architects George C. Thomas Jr. and William P. Bell,[1] it has been the primary host for the Genesis Invitational (originally the Los Angeles Open), an annual event on the PGA Tour in February.

The country club prospered in the 1930s; it hosted the dressage equestrian and the riding part of the modern pentathlon events for the 1932 Summer Olympics.

Riviera has had many famous members, which included Humphrey Bogart, Glen Campbell, Vic Damone, Peter Falk, Jack Ging, Dean Martin, Gregory Peck, Walt Disney, Hal Roach, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mary Pickford.

[13] Willie Hunter, the 1921 British Amateur champion and six-time PGA Tour winner, served as the head professional from 1936 to 1964.

Other notable winners at Riviera include Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Hale Irwin, Tom Watson, Johnny Miller, Ben Crenshaw, Bubba Watson, Mark Calcavecchia, Fred Couples, Corey Pavin, Craig Stadler, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Mike Weir, and Phil Mickelson.

More recent winners at Riviera include Rory Sabbatini in 2006,[15] and Charles Howell III, who won in 2007 in a sudden-death playoff against Phil Mickelson.

Nicklaus' best finish in the L.A. Open was at age 38 in 1978, two strokes back as solo runner-up after an uncharacteristic stumble, relinquishing the lead late in the final round.

As a high school sophomore from Cypress in neighboring Orange County, Woods played his very first PGA Tour event, on a sponsor's exemption (as an amateur) at Riviera in 1992; he shot 72–75 and missed the cut by six strokes.

[21] He played at Riviera in 2006, also rain-plagued, but withdrew after two rounds due to illness,[22][23] missed the next eleven editions, then returned in 2018 at age 42.

[25][26][27] A tough, dense pasture grass originally from East Africa, it had been used at a nearby polo field in the 1930s and was also planted on hillsides to prevent erosion.

[3] The course record for competitive play is 61, ten under par, shot by Ted Tryba in 1999 in the third round of the Nissan Open, and included a bogey on 18.

[28] The course record for the lowest nine holes is 28 (seven under par on the front nine), shot by Andrew Magee in the opening round in 1991 (followed by a 38 on the back nine for a 66).

The fourth hole is rather long, which Hogan called the "best par three in America," while the fifth plays into the wind and is almost on the side of the hill.

The fifteenth hole is a dogleg par-four to the right that features another large green; it's two-tiered, so the ball needs to be on the proper level.

This hole plays into the breeze of the Pacific Ocean, slightly over a mile (1.6 km) away, and is often pivotal in determining a champion.

Its uphill tee shot is blind and finding the fairway is crucial to reach the green in regulation, which is surrounded by a natural amphitheater with a beautiful view of the clubhouse.