Lesser players can try the same tack but run the risk of being berated by their amateur partners for being unfriendly or even unprofessional.

He was even polite to all his amateur partners.

You can learn how to play checkers on your own or with another amateur partner once you have the foundations for how the game works.

Trevino attributed his record round to an inspiration by his amateur partners, who "wanted to play $2 birdies."

The better-known pros who have played here year after year are allowed to invite their own amateur partners.

"I was actually happy that we were able to play with amateur partners today, at least get our minds off it for a little bit," Woods said.

This is a man who endures pro-ams because they give him the chance to get free stock market tips from high-rolling amateur partners.

In addition, the professionals will be playing without three amateur partners for the first time in the tournament.

Cook, however, salvaged something when he and his amateur partner, Jack Wagner, the television actor, won the pro-am event.

Of his three amateur partners today, Crenshaw said: "I don't think they had fun.