Three players left in the dark at Northern Trust Open

It gets dark early here next to the Pacific Ocean, and the Northern Trust Open is being held two weeks earlier than in the past. With that early date comes about 30 minutes less daylight.

To compensate, the field was kept to 132 players instead of 144, but one threesome that included Murrieta’s Rickie Fowler still was left stranded in the dark.

Fowler, who was even par with a hole to go, PGA Tour rookie Alex Prugh of Spokane, Wash., and Brett Lederer of Lakewood will have to finish their final first-round hole at 8 a.m. Friday.

Walton’s day off

Ricky Barnes, who is tied for fourth and two shots behind leader Dustin Johnson, had a very tall member in his gallery. The Lakers’ Luke Walton, who played basketball at Arizona when Barnes played golf, came out to support his buddy.

Walton said that after the Lakers finished practice at 1:15, he got in a car.

“We met Ricky at the turn,” he said.

Barnes, Kevin Stadler and Jeff Quinney started the tournament on the 10th hole. Walton arrived when Barnes nearly eagled the par-five first hole. “A few friends come out,” Barnes said, “and I darn near made eagle. It was kind of a stress-free round.”

At Arizona, Barnes said, he had a roommate who was a basketball player. “I kind of got introduced to a lot of basketball players,” Barnes said. “Any time they needed maybe a 10th or 11th on court I would go. Finally I was able to drag Luke out [to a golf course] about six years ago. I got him as my scramble partner and to this day, knock on wood, we haven’t lost.”

Prices are up

A year ago a golf fan could buy a single-day grounds pass for the Northern Trust Open for $30. Some first-day attendees this year noted a marked increase. The single-day pass bought at the gate this year is $50, though if it had been bought in advance it would have been $35.

According to Mike Bone, tournament general manager, “The raised price reflects the PGA Tour’s desire to elevate the event for all constituencies involved -- from fans to charities -- and helps to provide general fan enhancements that are debuting this year.”

Bone cited a new food court called the Grove and extra bleachers as some of the enhancements.

“The price is still moderate enough compared to other Los Angeles sporting events,” he said.

Key times

Two-time defending champion Phil Mickelson tees off on No. 10 at 7:34 a.m. Friday (with a pair of Australians, Adam Scott and Robert Allenby), 11 minutes after 2009 runner-up Steve Stricker, L.A.-raised Anthony Kim and two-time Riviera champion Mike Weir.

diane.pucin@latimes.com

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