Also high on the list of changes is how fan will see amateur field is being handled. This year, 144 amateur and celebrity are each paired with PGA tour pros. Earlier, four with amateur team pro every day.
In years past, celebs will be placed on the same course, which makes for a constant star gazing. For 2012, some celebrity is distributed in the three tournament courses.
Singer Smokey Robinson, Billy Crudup and Greg Kinnear opens PGA West Nicklaus tournament Thursday.
The same day, NBA Hall of Fame member Julius “Dr. J”. Erving will be joined by actor Morgan Freeman and Lucas Black PGA West Palmer course for their first round.