[Daryl]

Course knowledge has its advantages. Does the Member Champion have a chance? Having your swing working 110% has its advantages too. I’ll take a Hot Putter any day. If Phil M. learns every inch of every fairway and green, he still needs to execute the shot.

Do Pre-Tournament Golf Course visits occur regularly by any or all players? No.
Does anyone visit Iowa prior to the John Deer Classic seeking an edge on the field? No.
Does a Veteran PGA Player have an advantage over rookies because they’ve played the Tournament Course five times each over ten years (50 times)? Yes

Phil is a Glory-Seeker (aren’t most Tour players?). If he’s willing to give up a Tournament the week before, then so be it. Oh, Hmm? wait a minute, a lot of Top Ranked Players give up Tournament Play the week before to get extra practice for a major. I think that habit should stop.
RULE #243-A-657-ABC: “Any player attending a Major Tournament may not play if he skips out on the tournament the week before - but he’s still welcome to the Buffet”.

Phil’s Pre-Tournament practice is designed to give him publicity as much as an edge. He needs constant air rushing up his skirt to feel-good.

Much has been done to ensure “Fair Competition” including “Leveling” the actual playing field. Look, Look, Look what the PGA has done. Faster Greens, narrow Fairways, Longer Fairways, higher Rough, more Rough, Taller Trees, more Trees, deeper Traps, more Traps, and the endless Food Buffet and unlimited drinks, free cars, free, free, free. And stop the Ass-Kissing. Blowing up a Players ego may give him the idea that he can Win and we all know where that leads to. And, don’t forget the Caddies. If your caddie is better than my caddie, I should get a stroke per round.

If a Player pays to play the course a week before the tournament, and he plays well during that week, Should he get a refund if it rains during the tournament week and he doesn't play well?

Anyway, once the rule is created to prevent players from seeking an unfair advantage by playing the course prior to a tournament, then maybe the player should only be allowed limited practice time at the end of each round or Limit them to 3 Ball Bucket Tokens.