Rickie Fowler to play in Honda Classic

PALM BEACH GARDENS -- Rickie Fowler is the latest PGA Tour pro to commit to next week's Honda Classic, and golf fans will be able to watch him play from a luxurious new venue on the Champion Course at PGA National Resort and Spa.

Fowler, of Jupiter, is the world's 14th-ranked golfer and one of the most popular. He led last year's Honda the first two days before finishing tied for sixth.

He'll be competing Feb. 23-26 against an international field that includes defending champion Adam Scott of Australia, who is ranked seventh in the world. No. 9 Sergio Garcia of Spain, who finished in second place, one shot behind Scott, also is back.

Making their first Honda starts are reigning Masters champion Danny Willett of England, who is ranked 13th, and former U.S. Amateur and NCAA champion Bryson DeChambeau.

Also playing are No. 8 Justin Thomas, who has won three times this season, locals Daniel Berger and Brooks Koepka of Jupiter, two-time major champion Zach Johnson, and former Honda champs Padraig Harrington, Russell Henley, Camilo Villegas, Mark Wilson, Michael Thompson and Mark Calcavecchia.

"Next week is really going to turn into probably one of our finest Honda Classics yet," executive director Ken Kennerly said. "We're building on the tremendous momentum we had last year where we had over 200,000 people that came out to PGA National."

Among the biggest changes for the tournament is the addition of the Legends Club, a furnished, air-conditioned space of about 1,700 square feet that is located directly behind the 18th green.

The club, which also has an outside balcony that overlooks the green where many a Honda have been decided, includes breakfast and lunch featuring seafood and carving stations along with a full bar.

Tickets are $750 per person per day and are limited.

"The Legends Club at Nicklaus Village is really something special," Kennerly said. "It's our highest-end hospitality ever offered here at the Honda Classic."

Legends Club and other hospitality tickets and packages, as well as daily grounds passes and parking can be purchased at thehondaclassic.com or by calling 561-799-2747.

As in past years, the tournament also is appealing to families with free admission for youngsters 15 and under with a ticketed adult. Tire Kingdom Family Day on Feb. 25 features a Kids Club with interactive games, contests and prizes from noon-8 p.m. There also will be fireworks Feb. 24 and 25 starting at 7:30 p.m.

Concerts will follow play the first three days. Saxophonist Kenny G performs Feb. 23. The dance band Fusion plays Feb. 24. The Miami group Entourage performs Feb. 25.