I played Riviera about a month ago and I didn't find the hole all that impossible, but it was probably the single hardest swing on the golf course. I hit a hybrid up the right, fairly lower, but it didn't get to the green. It still ran, but just got to the front edge.
the TOUR will never hit the low-running shot around the bunker because it leaves the possibility to have the long bunker shot with the green running away, so they'll always take the number and if it goes long, they'll try to get it up and down. It's just a percentage play, but they'll complain regardless because they feel like they should be able to hit that shot on any hole, anywhere.
I also didn't find the Kikuyu all that bad, much easier to chip off than dormant Bermuda, but it would be better to have something a bit firmer so some of the slopes around Riv could be used again.