[FONT=Verdana,sans-serif]The Tuna lowdown....[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,sans-serif]The Northern Trust Open, formerly the L.A. Open, is one of the longest running tournaments on tour at a legendary course played by Hogan, Snead, Palmer, and Nicklaus, namely, Riviera Country Club. Riviera is a mix and match of design styles rolled into one 18-hole tract. Long par 4s (e.g. #18) and drivable Par 4s (#10; Jack Nicklaus' favorite short Par 4 in the world); Short Par 5s (e.g. #1; one of the most eagled holes on tour every year) and long Par 5s (#17; 600+ yds and almost no one can reach in 2 shots); Short / intricate Par 3s and long Par 3s; Deep / huge bunkers and small finger-like bunkers; Small greens and huge greens; Huge trees and eucalyptus trees; 500-yard+ straight holes and dog-leg Par 4s w/ double fairways. A little bit of everything make this course one of a kind, just like L.A.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana,sans-serif]One extremely unique design feature of Riviera is the type of grass and rough you see across areas of the course and around many greens, "kikuyagrass". A Kikuygrass, "kikuya" for short, is a grass originally seen on courses in South Africa and Australia which has been brought into certain areas in Southern California due to its toughness and ability to survive w/ less water. To quote a turf expert w/ the USGA: "It has that thick, above-ground stem and the wider leaf blade. It has a very, thick flushy stolon that will tend to grab the club if it's not mowed {i.e. rough} or managed properly. Just because the leaves are wider and the way it grows on the surface, you can tend to get some unpredictable bounce and roll from the golf ball. When it's very lush and actively growing, it will tend to be like Velcro under soft conditions." Therefore, South Africans (Els, Goosen, Sabbatini) and Australians (Allenby, Appleby, A. Price, Scott, Baddeley) will generally have an easier time dealing with this sticky and course-bladed grass when chipping and pitching around greens, as well players w/ great short games and soft hands around the green (Mickelson, Pavin, Els, Verplank, etc.).[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana,sans-serif]There are also certain players that you just always think about when you think about this course and tourney: Phil Mickelson (1st and 2nd place the last 2 years), Steve Elkington (PGA champ here in the late 90s), Cocaine Corey Pavin (the "Bulldog" from his days at UCLA), Ernie Els (big hitter w/ a great short game), Chares Howell, III (1st win was here in 2007; runner-up in 2003; never missed cut here), Rocco Mediate (seven top-20 finishes in 16 starts here), Fred Couples (an L.A. kind of guy), Robert Allenby (win in 2001; 3 top tens in the last 4 years here) and the other South Africans / Australians (see above). Just count on odds to reflect this. Typically, this course and tourney will favor the seasoned veterans versus the rookies and young players. It will also generally favor big hitters versus precision players. With that being said, creative short games are always of a premium here.[/FONT]
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