LA QUINTA, Calif. – As evidenced by Thursday’s scoring average, the Stadium Course at PGA West is no joke.
The Stadium Course played nearly a stroke harder (71.05) than the Nicklaus Tournament Course, which is also used for this week’s American Express. Just ask Ben An how difficult the Stadium Course can be.
“I lost six golf balls over there during a practice round,” he said with a laugh, following a first-round 65 at NTC that left him alone in second place.
Tour professionals normally aren’t grinding during a practice round, but to send two sleeves into the water is still surprising for the world’s 77th-ranked player.