LOS ANGELES -- They've held this cool little deal here at Northern Trust Open the past couple of years called the Collegiate Showcase. On Monday of tournament week, a college golfer, a PGA Tour pro from the same school and two alums compete at Riviera Country Club. There are a few different competitions, but here's the best one: The college player with the lowest score earns himself a spot in the tournament field, competing against the world's best professionals.
This year's winner was Charlie Danielson, a 22-year-old senior at the University of Illinois, who posted a 3-under 68 to get into a tourney featuring such names as Bubba Watson, Rory McIlroy and even Jordan Spieth.