The Riviera Country Club Chosen to Host 2031 U.S. Open

[Ben Hollerbach]

The Riviera Country Club Chosen to Host 2031 U.S. Open

On the back of the U.S. Open’s successful return to the Los Angeles market after 75 years, the USGA announced that The Riviera Country Club, in Pacific Palisades, Calif., has been chosen to host the 131st U.S. Open Championship, which will take place from June 12-15, 2031.
“Riviera Country Club is a truly spectacular course that holds a special place in the game’s history,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer. “We are thrilled to bring the U.S. Open back to the site of such historic moments for golf and the USGA and look forward to writing a new chapter in 2031.”

The 2031 U.S. Open will be the fifth USGA championship held at the club. Riviera previously hosted the 1948 U.S. Open won by Ben Hogan, the 1998 U.S. Senior Open won by Hale Irwin and the 2017 U.S. Amateur won by Doc Redman. The course will also welcome its first U.S. Women’s Open in 2026.

“We are so grateful that the USGA will return the U.S. Open to our club in 2031,” said Megan Watanabe, chief executive officer of The Riviera Country Club. “Over a six-year period, we will showcase our championship course to the world with the U.S. Women’s Open in 2026, the men’s and women’s Olympics competition in 2028 and the U.S. Open in 2031.  In addition, we will celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2026.  We would like to thank the USGA for their confidence and trust in us and we look forward to continuing our long relationship together in the years ahead.”

The 1948 U.S. Open was the first ever held in California. Hogan, who had previously won the 1942, 1947 and 1948 Los Angeles Opens at Riviera, and would post a winning total of 276 and set a 72-hole U.S. Open scoring record, one that remained until 1967. Due to his impressive string of victories during that period, the course was nicknamed, “Hogan’s Alley.”

“Los Angeles is our nation's 'City of Champions,' and after a successful return of this year's U.S. Open to L.A., I am thrilled that the USGA has chosen our city to host its 2031 Open as well," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. "From last year's Super Bowl to the upcoming World Cup and Olympics, L.A.'s major events create joy and economic development across our city."

The Riviera Country Club was originally designed by George C. Thomas Jr. with assistance from William P. Bell and opened in 1927. The course has served as the long-time host of the PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational (formerly the Los Angeles Open). The club has also hosted two PGA Championships. The first held in 1983 was won by Hal Sutton while the second held in 1995 was won by Steve Elkington. Riviera, the site of the 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Championship, will also serve as the host of the men’s and women’s golf competitions for the 2028 Olympic Games.

The 2031 U.S. Open will mark the 17th time the championship has been held in California and only the third time in Los Angeles.

[MCirba]

Love it.

[Peter Sayegh]

Love it.

Mike, can I ask why? Not being snide, just curious.
Any other venues you would've loved getting it?
Thanks, Peter.

[peter_mcknight]

For Los Angeles, this is certainly great news.  We get three US Opens in sixteen years, plus two Women's Opens as well.

With that said, however, where there was the attendance cap at LACC this year, there will have to be some sort of attendance cap at the Riv in 2023.  They don't have another eighteen holes for staging--the tennis courts won't be enough for that purpose.  Plus, the Riv's in the middle of a single family neighbourhood in Pacific Palisades.  There will have to be some coordination with the VA and/or UCLA to handle the traffic associated with this.  Perhaps the cap will be around 25,000 rather than the 22,000 from last week.  Additionally, there's less public transportation options available to get to the Riv than there are to access LACC.
One would also have to assume the Genesis will have to be played somewhere else in at least 2031, just like it was in 1983 prior to the USPGA and 1998 prior to the US Senior Open.  I would probably opt for a two year absence from February so it could be in its best condition in 2031.
There is one big difference between LACC and the Riv--LACC's 6 miles from the coast and the Riv's 2 miles.  The Riv's on the west side of the San Diego FWY--that can make a huge difference in terms of how long the marine layer malingers in June.  What I mean is this--it can burn off at Century City, but not necessarily in Pacific Palisades.  The next difference is the bermuda rough (LACC) v kikuyu (the Riv).

One also wonders what other work will be done at the Riv to get it prepared for 2031--will it go through another restoration?

The larger question is the kikuyu rough--how long and how deep will it be for 2031?  Four inches is pretty serious stuff on that front.
Rich Lerner tweeted this morning that no. 1 would become the par four (like it did in the Amateur), no. 2 will become the par five and work will be done on no. 10 prior to 2031.  I agree with the first contention, absolutely not on the second and agree with the third.  There's no way they play it as a 71--if they didn't do that for the Amateur, they won't for the Open.

There will have to be some new tees installed prior to 2031.  From what I can tell and know, the following:500 (par four), possibly 530 if they use the most easternmost putting green as the new back no. 1 teeing ground525 (march way back to the property line)440240435200410455 (add 30 yards)460315585 510 (march way back to the property line like no. 2)465200515175625 (go back almost onto hole no. 6)475
7530 yards par 70
Lastly, one conclusion that can be drawn is the following--if you liked Chambers Bay and/or Erin Hills, this announcement seems like the death knell for any return to those venues.  I'd also surmise Torrey Pines must be out of the running over the next twenty years.  There probably won't be another US Open at Olympic in my lifetime with this announcement.

[Peter Sayegh]

For Los Angeles, this is certainly great news.  We get three US Opens in sixteen years, plus two Women's Opens as well.

With that said, however, where there was the attendance cap at LACC this year, there will have to be some sort of attendance cap at the Riv in 2023.  They don't have another eighteen holes for staging--the tennis courts won't be enough for that purpose.  Plus, the Riv's in the middle of a single family neighbourhood in Pacific Palisades.  There will have to be some coordination with the VA and/or UCLA to handle the traffic associated with this.  Perhaps the cap will be around 25,000 rather than the 22,000 from last week.  Additionally, there's less public transportation options available to get to the Riv than there are to access LACC.
One would also have to assume the Genesis will have to be played somewhere else in at least 2031, just like it was in 1983 prior to the USPGA and 1998 prior to the US Senior Open.  I would probably opt for a two year absence from February so it could be in its best condition in 2031.
There is one big difference between LACC and the Riv--LACC's 6 miles from the coast and the Riv's 2 miles.  The Riv's on the west side of the San Diego FWY--that can make a huge difference in terms of how long the marine layer malingers in June.  What I mean is this--it can burn off at Century City, but not necessarily in Pacific Palisades.  The next difference is the bermuda rough (LACC) v kikuyu (the Riv).

One also wonders what other work will be done at the Riv to get it prepared for 2031--will it go through another restoration?

The larger question is the kikuyu rough--how long and how deep will it be for 2031?  Four inches is pretty serious stuff on that front.
Rich Lerner tweeted this morning that no. 1 would become the par four (like it did in the Amateur), no. 2 will become the par five and work will be done on no. 10 prior to 2031.  I agree with the first contention, absolutely not on the second and agree with the third.  There's no way they play it as a 71--if they didn't do that for the Amateur, they won't for the Open.

There will have to be some new tees installed prior to 2031.  From what I can tell and know, the following:500 (par four), possibly 530 if they use the most easternmost putting green as the new back no. 1 teeing ground525 (march way back to the property line)440240435200410455 (add 30 yards)460315585 510 (march way back to the property line like no. 2)465200515175625 (go back almost onto hole no. 6)475
7530 yards par 70
Lastly, one conclusion that can be drawn is the following--if you liked Chambers Bay and/or Erin Hills, this announcement seems like the death knell for any return to those venues.  I'd also surmise Torrey Pines must be out of the running over the next twenty years.  There probably won't be another US Open at Olympic in my lifetime with this announcement.

Great insight Peter. Thanks.

[Adam G]

I would not hold your breath for a true restoration. Maybe rebuilding some greens and getting rid of the exaggerated slope from the accumulation of sand splash on 10. But with the current owner I just cannot see them doing a restoration or regrassing with non-Kikuyu.

[Ben Hollerbach]

With Riviera hosting the 2028 Olympics, I'm a bit surprised they'd agree to host the US Open just 3 years later.

[MCirba]

Love it.

Mike, can I ask why? Not being snide, just curious.
Any other venues you would've loved getting it?
Thanks, Peter.

Peter,


Riviera is truly one of my top 10 courses anywhere.   I tend to think of it as Merion, West Coast.


That being said, I'm hopeful that the club considers that much of the work done to the course over the past few decades is incongruous in many ways to what was originally designed and decide to take this opportunity to honor the genius of George Thomas and William Bell. 


I also never expected this as Riviera can't be extended much in terms of yardage and see it as a possible good sign for the rollback of the golf ball before then.  Thanks for asking.

[PCCraig]

I would not hold your breath for a true restoration. Maybe rebuilding some greens and getting rid of the exaggerated slope from the accumulation of sand splash on 10. But with the current owner I just cannot see them doing a restoration or regrassing with non-Kikuyu.

According to the caddies I spoke to a couple of months ago, I think some green restoration work was planned for this year.

[David Kelly]

One also wonders what other work will be done at the Riv to get it prepared for 2031--will it go through another restoration?

It's never had a restoration, it's had renovations and I guess they thought #8 was a restoration at the time although it wasn't.  I would think the owner would bring in someone to do work on the margins but I doubt they would do anything close to LACC, Oakland Hills, Baltusrol, etc. 

[Joe_Tucholski]

One would also have to assume the Genesis will have to be played somewhere else in at least 2031, just like it was in 1983 prior to the USPGA and 1998 prior to the US Senior Open.  I would probably opt for a two year absence from February so it could be in its best condition in 2031.

Why can Pebble host the AT&T and the US open in the same year but Riviera can't?  I would think the reason not to host two events in the same year would be based on membership not wanting to lose out on playing their course for multiple long periods of time as opposed to conditions for the events.


Interestingly in 1995 Riviera hosted the normal tour even and the PGA championship.

[Matt_Cohn]

One would also have to assume the Genesis will have to be played somewhere else in at least 2031, just like it was in 1983 prior to the USPGA and 1998 prior to the US Senior Open.  I would probably opt for a two year absence from February so it could be in its best condition in 2031.

Why can Pebble host the AT&T and the US open in the same year but Riviera can't?  I would think the reason not to host two events in the same year would be based on membership not wanting to lose out on playing their course for multiple long periods of time as opposed to conditions for the events.


Interestingly in 1995 Riviera hosted the normal tour even and the PGA championship.

Riviera didn't host that year; Valencia did. Maybe LACC can host the Genesis that year. 

[Joe_Tucholski]

One would also have to assume the Genesis will have to be played somewhere else in at least 2031, just like it was in 1983 prior to the USPGA and 1998 prior to the US Senior Open.  I would probably opt for a two year absence from February so it could be in its best condition in 2031.

Why can Pebble host the AT&T and the US open in the same year but Riviera can't?  I would think the reason not to host two events in the same year would be based on membership not wanting to lose out on playing their course for multiple long periods of time as opposed to conditions for the events.


Interestingly in 1995 Riviera hosted the normal tour even and the PGA championship.

Riviera didn't host that year; Valencia did. Maybe LACC can host the Genesis that year. 

Sorry about the font issue that may have messed up what I was saying.


Valencia hosted in 1998 the year of the senior us open at Riviera, don't think they did in 1995 when Riviera also hosted the PGA and a regular tour event.

[Alex Miller]

I wonder if Hillcrest would ever consider hosting the Genesis. PGA Tour events often give up plenty in terms of scoring, but the course is a shade under 7k yards par 71 and I think could offer entertaining golf and provide just enough of a test if the rough is grown out. It's a beautiful venue and would look great on TV.


Parking could be offered at the VA or Century City and the Cheviot Hills Rec Center across the street (adjacent to Rancho Park) could be used for shuttles and entry via Motor Ave. There is an access gate behind the second tee and if they utilized the short course on the property for entry/merch it could work. All people coming in would likely have to be directed around the driving range unless a net is put up in the back for safety purposes. It's only 300 yards long. 


There certainly wouldn't be as much room as Riviera for crowds, but no worse than any other options I can think of. Only issue would be the single point if ingress/egress unless 1 of the 2 gates on Pico Blvd is used.

[Tim Gavrich]

Keep in mind that the golf ball will have been rolled back by then. Right? RIGHT?!?!

[Jerry Kluger]

I can see it now - the USGA will make #10 a par 3.


I don't know that many would agree with me but I am not a big fan of using regular tour courses as US Open venues. We see how they play every year and then they grow the rough and narrow the fairways and somehow that makes it a major championship venue.

[William_G]

I don't know that many would agree with me but I am not a big fan of using regular tour courses as US Open venues. We see how they play every year and then they grow the rough and narrow the fairways and somehow that makes it a major championship venue.

the time of year will be different, that's about it
same thing with Pebble and Torrey
Merion is not a good comparison from MCirba, as it's not a tour stop and never will be

[Philippe Binette]

Could be tiger (55 years old) farewell open.. where he played his first tour event !!

[Adam G]

Summary of the work at Riviera. Not clear who is doing the work or what they are doing exactly.


Restoration work will begin on June 20th on the green complexes at holes #10 and #15. Each hole will be enhanced for member play and championship events. The work will take 3-4 weeks for each hole, with additional time for the areas to grow-in. Both holes are projected to reopen for play on or around October 1st.

• Hole #10: While the work is being done, the hole will be played as a short par 3 to the alternate green. Once the work is completed and during the grow-in phase, the hole will be played as a par 4 to the alternate green.
• Hole #15: While the work and grow-in takes place, the hole will be played to a temporary green being constructed on the left-hand side of the fairway. It will be played as a par 4, approximately 350 yards from the Blue Tee Markers.
• Tee Leveling: Several tee boxes will be re-leveled and restored throughout the summer. The work is currently planned for some of the tee boxes on holes #5, #9, #12, and #13. This work should have minimal effect on day-to-day play.

[Steve_Lovett]

It seems that #10 gets all the attention, but I've read that holes 7 and especially 8 have ventured the furthest from their early design intent and are most in need of renovation/restoration/work.


Is this true, and would those more familiar with Riviera share thoughts as to how those holes should be improved/restored?

[Peter Sayegh]

Love it.

Mike, can I ask why? Not being snide, just curious.
Any other venues you would've loved getting it?
Thanks, Peter.

Peter,


Riviera is truly one of my top 10 courses anywhere.   I tend to think of it as Merion, West Coast.


That being said, I'm hopeful that the club considers that much of the work done to the course over the past few decades is incongruous in many ways to what was originally designed and decide to take this opportunity to honor the genius of George Thomas and William Bell. 


I also never expected this as Riviera can't be extended much in terms of yardage and see it as a possible good sign for the rollback of the golf ball before then.  Thanks for asking.

Mike, thanks.
I originally guessed you'd be skeptical of how the course would be altered for the tournament.
I'll choose to side with your optimism.

[Wayne_Kozun]

How many people are allowed to attend the LA Open these days?  Is it more than were allowed at LACC last week?
Not having transit options isn't a big deal.  Tournaments regular run shuttle buses to get all of the people in and out of the venue.  They do that here for the Canadian Open, especially when held at Hamilton G&CC, which is held in a residential neighbourhood in the suburbs with very little public transit.

[Alex Miller]

How many people are allowed to attend the LA Open these days?  Is it more than were allowed at LACC last week?
Not having transit options isn't a big deal.  Tournaments regular run shuttle buses to get all of the people in and out of the venue.  They do that here for the Canadian Open, especially when held at Hamilton G&CC, which is held in a residential neighbourhood in the suburbs with very little public transit.

Not sure how many are allowed but it's probably around double LACC attendance as best I can guess.

[Ronald Montesano]

I'm bummed. Since Oak Hill does not have another PGA Championship scheduled, and it does have the US Amateur in 2027, I held out hope that it would be named the site of the 2031 US Open.

Having said that, I wonder how exciting it will be to have three Open tournaments in an 11-year period at Pinehurst #2. Time will tell. I'm surprised that they gave the 2029 event to the same site as the 2024 playing, then followed it up in 2035.

[William_G]

I'm bummed. Since Oak Hill does not have another PGA Championship scheduled, and it does have the US Amateur in 2027, I held out hope that it would be named the site of the 2031 US Open.

Having said that, I wonder how exciting it will be to have three Open tournaments in an 11-year period at Pinehurst #2. Time will tell. I'm surprised that they gave the 2029 event to the same site as the 2024 playing, then followed it up in 2035.

very dumb by the USGA