1992   In a Los Angeles Open frequently recalled for being the PGA Tour debut of 16-year-old Tiger Woods, Riviera fan favorite Fred Couples wins for the second time in three years, this time defeating Davis Love III on the second hole of sudden death.   Couples manages the comparatively rare feat of hitting his opening Sunday drive out-of-bounds before righting the ship to close with a 70 – just enough to get into the playoff, which he wins with a birdie.

1995  Having already edged Fred Couples by two to claim the 1994 L.A. Open title, Corey Pavin becomes the first man since Ben Hogan in 1947-48 to win back-to-back titles at Riviera.  His 268 total includes rounds of 67-66-68-67, allowing him to pull away from Kenny Perry and Jay Don Blake down the stretch.  In a convenient repetition of history, Riviera is also scheduled to host the 1995 PGA Championship, allowing Pavin the unique opportunity to further match Hogan’s feat of three wins at the club within two calendar years.  Pavin, however, misses the PGA cut, clearing the way for a thrilling tournament which sees South Africa’s Ernie Els lead by three after 54 holes, then Australian Steve Elkington and Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie ultimately battle their way into sudden death. Elkington promptly holes a 25-footer on the first playoff hole (the 18th) to claim his first Major championship.

1997  Hall-of-Famer and six-time Major champion Nick Faldo, whose pinpoint style of play has long drawn comparisons to Ben Hogan, posts a pair of weekend 68s to win the now-Nissan Open by three strokes over Southern California native and defending champion Craig Stadler.  Though the 39-year-old Faldo is the reigning Masters champion and appears very much at the top of his game, this will ultimately prove his final professional victory worldwide.