Gates open

 Gates open at 7 a.m. each day.

Tickets

 First, check www.pga2007.com or call (800) PGA-GOLF.
 If tickets are sold out, don't fret. There are some options. You can check the classified ads in the Tulsa World to see if people are selling tickets. Online ticket agencies such as StubHub.com, TicketSpot.com, and TicketsNow.com and eBay are advertising PGA tickets.
 While ticket scalping is legal in Tulsa, Southern Hills and ORU prohibit scalpers on their property.

Autographs

 Bring a marker pen, a memento to have signed and a smile.
 The only iron-clad rule is that players will not sign anything while they are playing in the actual tournament. The PGA of America has said it will enforce a no-autograph policy once the tournament starts Thursday. Some players, though, might be kind enough to sign stuff following their rounds.

 The best time to acquire an autograph is during the practice rounds Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Some players take a few moments before walking to each tee or from the practice range to sign a few mementos on those three days.
Spectators need to remember to be courteous while trying to get a player's autograph. Remember, the golf course is the place of business for the players. They are actually out there working.

Vantage points: How and where to watch at Southern Hills

 Watching golf in person is considerably different than traditional spectator sports like football, basketball and baseball. At golf tournaments, action is happening all over the course at the same time.
  Fans can be at one end of the course hoping for action. Yet, they can hear loud roars from the other side of the course signifying something important has happened. Unfortunately, fans can't be in two places (or more) at once.
  Fans will need their own personal game plan to traverse Southern Hills. There are a few options.
  First: Pick a spot and stay put to see most if not all of the participants pass by during your time on the course.
  Second: Pick a particular group or player and follow him throughout the entire round.
  Third: Hop around to catch a variety of players and pairings. This requires knowledge of the course layout. Having a map of the course layout and a pairings sheet would be beneficial. A course map to help spectators navigate Southern Hills is found on pages 32-33.
  There are grandstands around the course. These will seat only a few hundred and tend to fill up quickly. More often than not, spectators will do plenty of walking and standing.
  Tiger Woods always attracts the largest following at any tournament. The good majority of the gallery at Southern Hills will be tracking Tiger.
  Other popular players like Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh, Adam Scott, as well as local favorites like Scott Verplank, Charles Howell III and Hunter Mahan will draw their share of fans. On the weekend, the majority of fans will be concentrating on the contenders in the last few groups.
  There are several good vantage points on the Southern Hills course.
 With its breathtaking view of downtown Tulsa, the elevated first tee is where the tournament begins. Because of the remodeling work done on the clubhouse, space is tighter around the first tee area than it was in previous major championships at Southern Hills.
  The ninth and 18th greens run parallel to each other. No. 18 is regarded as one of the toughest finishing holes in golf and should provide plenty of drama once again.
 The par-4 12th hole is regarded as one of the best par-4 holes in all of championship golf. It will provide a stern test.
 The fifth hole is a long par-5 at 653 yards. Many of the pros will take the conservative, three-shot route to the green. But some will be daring and try to go for the green on their second shot.
 The 13th and 16th holes run parallel to each other and offer tough, distinct challenges. The 13th is a 537-yard par-5 and is a high-risk, high-reward situation for golfers who go for the green in two because of the two ponds fronting the green.
  The 16th is the longest par-4 on the course at 507 yards.

Dos and don'ts

Do
- Wear comfortable shoes (preferably athletic) and clothes and good sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses and hat).
- Wear comfortable shoes (preferably athletic) and clothes and good sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses and hat).
- Consider carrying a small pack with binoculars, sunscreen, snacks, water.
- Mind your mouth. A "Quiet" sign means to stop talking, not whisper.
- Carry a jacket or umbrella at most, and only when there is a chance of rain.
- Heed weather advisories without delay. If a thunderstorm is approaching and weather warning signs are posted, metal bleachers are not the place to be.
Don't
- Bring a trunkload of supplies. It is the discretion of the ticket-takers at the gate what the spectators can bring into the grounds.
- Bring a camera - they are not allowed except during the three practice rounds - or a folding chair with arms. Only small seat-stools without arms are allowed on the premises.
- Take your cell phone. They aren't allowed on the course. Leave them at home or in the car.
- Approach or talk to a player during play. Remember, they are out there working.
- Leave one green and head to the next hole until all players in the group have finished. This is distracting to the players.

By Matt Doyle, World sports writer