The PGA Tour Honda Classic "set an attendance record by surpassing the 200,000 mark for the first time" thanks in part to "gorgeous weather and a final-round duel between winner Adam Scott and runner-up Sergio Garcia," according to Steve Waters of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. A confirmed 202,128 spectators "came to the Champion course at PGA National Resort & Spa this past Monday through Sunday." That was "9,076 higher than the previous record of 193,052" set in '14 and "36,928 more than last-year's storm-plagued tournament that drew 165,200, including a Monday playoff." The event also "had more fans than ever before every single tournament day except Sunday" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 3/1). In West Palm Beach, Bill DiPaolo noted the event set its record "even without crowd magnets Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy." Attendance has "increased steadily" from '08 when about 92,000 spectators attended the event at PGA National. Big crowds "were reported at the Bear Trap, Patriots Outpost and other concession areas." Honda Classic Exec Dir Ken Kennerly said that new attractions, such as the Moët & Chandon Champagne Lounge behind the 10th tee and the new ULTRA Deck at 16, "brought younger spectators." He said, "We are trying to think out of the box. We want to be a place for people to hang and be seen. We’re creating a buzz. We are not just a golf tournament" (PALM BEACH POST, 2/29).
READY FOR THE BIG TIME: GOLFWEEK's Adam Schupak wrote PGA National "proved once again that it is a major-championship site" (GOLFWEEK.com, 2/29).
