Golf Fans Flock to PGA for Chance to See the Pros

Monday was the beginning of a full week of golf, fans from everywhere began making their way to the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek to get a glimpse -- and maybe an autograph or two from some of the world's top professional golfers.

Collecting autographs is a passion for many in the Atlanta metro area who were taking advantage of golf's elite being in town on Monday.

We caught up with four young lads who had followed professional golfer Jim Furyk on his way from the putting green to the practice range and the affable golfer accommodated their requests signing everything from posters, hats and flags.

Bruce Murphy, a soon-to-be 8 year-old from Johns Creek, Connor Sewell, 10, from Buckhead and Sandy Springs residents William Mitcham, 11, and David Herndon, 10, eagerly showed off their collection of signatures.

"Mr. Furyk is one of our favorite golfers," said Herndon as his three friends all nodded their heads in agreement. "Look at my hat," said Mitcham proudly showing off his golf hat full of scribbled autographs. Murphy and Sewell both had flags to show off the autographs they had collected.

Patch had a caught up with Furyk, one of the top U.S. players in the field this week. Ranked 25th in the world, Furyk, often recognized for his loopy swing, had just finished a practice round on the Highlands Course and while making his way to the practice putting green, stopped to accommodated a number of fans clamoring for his autograph.

Furyk calmly signed everything from golf hats and flags to programs and putter covers before heading to practice his putting. He pulled out two long-shafted putters, both seemed nearly identical. Furyk explained, "They're the same putter, just different shafts."

So Patch's next question, is he considering changing putters for the tournament. "He'll play with one of them," said his caddy Fluff Cowen. No other details were forthcoming, but from our observations, either putter should do - he was sinking everything.

On Tuesday, there should be plenty more opportunities for autographs from some of golf's elite. Expected to play a practice round is Luke Donald, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, South Africa's Charl Schwartzel, this year's Masters Tournament winner and fan favorite Phil Mickelson.