“The essence of the game is being with friends and having a good time,” says Peter Jacobsen. “There’s nothing like golf for bringing people together.” PEBBLE BEACH—On Tuesday morning, as the ...

Asked to describe the WM Phoenix Open, pro golfer Nick Dunlap paused briefly. “It's a little bit of a circus,” he said. He meant it as a compliment. Condemned by some, tolerated by others, the ...