my favorite time to actually attend a PGA tourney is the practice round. It's when they are loosest and you actually see how they analyze the holes and greens, bailout areas, etc... very interesting. But, it's also when they have all kinds of wagers going on. A few years ago, I saw Pat Perez pull a wad/roll of bills out of his bag that had to be several thousand dollars rubber banded together and he peeled off several bills to hand to the other golfer, so yes, I know they are often doing stuff to keep it interesting.
My fav story, was when a buddy of mine was out there (Wells Fargo here in Charlotte) for an early week practice round and it was cold and rainy, so very few on the course. Journeyman Esteban Toledo (interesting guy, former boxer, one of like 9 kids, etc..) starts chatting him up and tries to bet him that he'll hit the green on the little par 3 they were at. My friend, is like "are you kidding, youre a pro, you're supposed to hit the green!" Esteban must've agreed, so he says "OK, $20 if you hit the green!" More back and forth, but ultimately they lift the ropes for my friend, his caddy gives him a glove and a utility wood, and let him hit. He missed, but so did Estaban, who says it's a push. He follows him around and they get to 17, which used to be a monster at Quail: 220 yards from an elevated tee to a banana shaped green in front of a lake. He says "Hey Bob, $20 if you hit this green" and same routine, but Bob hit a pinballer into the stands and Esteban hit the green and took his $20. Some more funny stuff later in the week, but suffice to say, practice rounds are generally funner and if you get the chance to talk with Esteban Toledo, I recommend it!
