Author: lenz

An ideal year for McIlroy to complete the career Grand Slam

The Masters tees off on Thursday at Georgia’s Augusta National, and – judging by the pre-tourney hype – it’s going to be a strange one.

Over the last four years issues involving the PGA Tour and LIV Golf were prominent.  Not so this year.  Merger talks seem non-existent. LIV has remained a viable threat to the established circuit, even without making a notable signing for this season. The Saudi-backed circuit has also improved its television offering thanks to a new deal with Fox.

The PGA Tour continues to miss the star power of the players that defected to LIV – Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson in particular.  LIV has only 12 players among the 96 in this year’s Masters field but six are past champions.

That doesn’t simplify the annual task of predicting the next winner of one of the four golf major titles.  World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion with two wins in the last three years, but  — battling a hand injury — he hasn’t won an event among the 14 tournaments put on by the PGA Tour so far this year.

LIV has staged only five events, and last week’s stop at the Doral Blue Monster in Florida was the only one held in the United States.  There’s a similarity in the two tours, though.

Rahm was the dominant player for LIV last year, concluding his first campaign after leaving the PGA Tour with a rousing win in the Individual Championship at Bolingbrook Golf Club.  Like Scheffler, though, Rahm hasn’t won a tournament in 2025.  He has been in the top 10 in all five LIV events, however.

Ludvig Aberg, the Swedish sensation on the PGA Tour, was runner-up to Scheffler in last year’s Masters, but he didn’t even make the cut in last week’s last PGA Tour tuneup event – the Valero Texas Open. Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, who battled Rahm for individual LIV honors last year, has two wins and leads that tour’s standings this year but he could only tie for 33rd at Doral. That doesn’t suggest he’s ready for the Masters, either.

So, who will wear the green jacket on Sunday?  The prediction here is that it’ll be Rory McIroy. The Irishman won at Pebble Beach and The Players Championship and tied for fifth at Houston in the last of his five starts in 2025.  He also needs to win the Masters to complete a career Grand Slam of the sport’s four major titles.  This is the perfect time for him to get the job done.

LOCAL FLAVOR:  The Chicago area had four participants among the 80 qualifiers for Sunday’s national finals in the Drive, Chip & Putt competition.  Their results were good, too.  Brelle Downer, of Lockport, was second in the Girls 7-9 division.  Chloe Lee, of Plainfield, was third in Girls 12-13;  Hudson Hodge, Clarendon Hills, was fourth in Boys 10-11 and Jack Kemper, Winnetka, was eighth in Boys 12-13.

Two members of the Northwestern women’s team were in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, which concluded at Augusta National on Saturday.  Elise Lee tied for 14th, nine strokes behind champion Carla Bernat Escuder, a Kansas State senior from Spain.  The other NU competitor, Lauren Nguyen, didn’t survive the 36-hole cut.

As far as the 72-hole main event goes, only University of Illinois alums Thomas Detry and Brian Campbell will be among those teeing off on Thursday.  Both won PGA Tour events this season to earn their spots in the Masters.

 

 

 

Rory Spears worked in radio but had a passion for golf

Rory Spears (left) and I were among the co-hosts of the Golfers on Golf radio show. (Joy Sarver Photo)

Rory Spears, a fixture in Chicago sports radio with deep roots in the local golf scene, died this week  at his home in Arlington Heights. He was 65.

Rory had a love for radio and was one of the initial members for WSCR all-sports radio show.  After five seasons there he moved on to ESPN Radio and covered a wide variety of sports for other stations.  He was a regular reporter for all the Chicago professional sports teams but his special passion was golf.

I know, because Rory was not just a long-time friend.  He was an Arlington Heights neighbor and a frequent golf partner.  He was a big supporter of mine when I was inducted into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame in 2019 and he got me involved in the broadcast side. We created a golf podcast series that ran for three years and that led to my joining Rory and his colleagues as a co-host on the Golf on Golf Radio show the past four years.

While that in-season show has been broadcast on several local stations for over 30 years, Rory took it to new levels by becoming the director of content and creation for the Golfers on Golf website blog that provides local and national golf information year-around.

Rory attended Hersey High School and attended college at both Aurora and Wisconsin-Parkside.   His education in golf went further back than that.

During his school years he held jobs at Roy Roy, in Prospect Heights, and Chevy Chase, in Wheeling. He dated the start for his coverage of golf to 1986, and it went beyond covering tournaments.  He got around as a player, too, and badly wanted to play a few more courses to get his career total to 600.  He documented his playing at 589 courses across America.

In the last few years he returned to working on the club scene.  He was working at both Heritage Oaks, in Northbrook, and Medinah Country Club and also did a stint at The Grove, in Long Grove.

Golf had to take a back seat for Rory when he was diagnosed with diabetes a few months ago, but he appeared on the mend when he made his annual appearance at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL., in January. He was again a winner of Outstanding Achiever honors in the International Network of Golf’s Media Awards, which are presented at the big show every year.

Rory and I are both ING members, and he also joined the Golf Travel Writers of America at this year’s show.  Not only that but  he also played in the reorganized group’s first outing, going 18 holes by himself before starting his drive back to Chicago.

The entire Chicago golf community will miss Rory.  So will I.

Services for Rory will be held on Sunday (APRIL 6) at Ahlgrim’s Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwestern Hwy. in Palatine. Visitation is from noon to 4 p.m. with a service beginning at 4 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Former John Deere Classic star earns his way back to the Masters

Michael Kim had to step up his golf game after stunning John Deere Classic win in 2018. (Joy Sarver Photo)

 

 

Michael Kim’s road back to the Masters has been a long one.

In 2018 Kim notched his only win on the PGA Tour.  It came at the John Deere Classic, Illinois’ only annual PGA Tour stop, in 2018. The JDC is famous for its extraordinary number of first-time PGA Tour winners. Kim was one of 23 since 1970 – a tour record.

Kim’s win at TPC Deere Run was record-setting, too.  He strung rounds of 63, 64, 64 and 66 for a 72-hole total of 27-under-par 257 and won by eight shots. Kim’s scoring and victory margin were tournament records.

That spectacular week got Kim into his only Masters tournament in 2019, but his second appearance is just two weeks away.  He earned his place in this year’s first major championship on Sunday, and that came in dramatic fashion, too.

Kim needed to get into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings, and he entered the Texas Children’s Houston Open at No. 52.  A tie for 32nd place  was good enough to boost Kim into the No. 50 position.

“Obviously I’m very happy,’’ he said before leaving Houston for a much-needed week off.  “It’s a tournament every kid has dreamed of playing.’’

Houston was Kim’s eighth straight week of tournaments, and he played in 11 events in the last 12 weeks.  It wasn’t just a grueling schedule that challenged Kim, either.  He also had to survive a small crack in his driver.   That club was damaged in last Thursday’s first round in Houston and he had to make due with it to survive the 36-hole cut.  Titleist, his equipment company, didn’t get Kim a replacement club until Saturday’s third round.

Kim’s story runs much deeper than  last week’s drama.

After his shocking win at the John Deere Classic eight years ago Kim’s game went sour – really sour.  In 2019 he missed 19 cuts in 20 tournaments, and his world ranking plummeted all the way to No. 502.  The next year he made only nine cuts in 30 tournaments and that led to his being relegated to the Korn Ferry Tour.  He regained his PGA Tour card for the 2022-23 season.

The 31-year old Kim, Korean-born but raised and educated in California, wasn’t even close to making the coveted top 50 two months ago.  His world ranking then was only No. 150.

Kim still arrived for the four-tournament Florida Swing in March in a hopeful mood. He saw slow improvement in his game even then.

“When I was on the Korn Ferry Tour about three-four years ago I felt like I was playing really well for a couple-month stretch there,’’ he said while getting ready for the PGA Tour’s first Floirda stop – the Cognizant Classic of the Palm Beaches..  “Even last year the game was there.  It just was a thing here or there that screwed me up during the (tournament) week.

Two weeks later, at Bay Hill, he admitted “the doubts don’t creep in as much, or I’m able to let them go by easier. I’m certainly more grateful than some of the other guys.  There were times when I couldn’t make a cut to save my life.’’

While his fall after the JDC win was sudden and puzzling, his recovery  has been long and rewarding.

“It’s like four years of work,’’ he said. “Just anything to give myself time to release (the club) as hard as I want.  The stuff we have done – trying to get a really big turn to my right side and messing around with the ball position. That has helped me a lot.’’

In 11 tournaments in 2025 Kim has missed just three cuts.  In the last eight  he missed only one – at The Players Championship.  Cuts are a big thing for any PGA Tour player, and Kim – despite all his struggles — has made 112 of 237 since making his debut on the circuit in 2016.  Since then he’s earned $9.9 million in official money.

One thing he hasn’t done is make a cut in one of golf’s majors.  He came up short in his only Masters, two U.S. Opens and one PGA Championship. Those frustrations could end in this year’s Masters, but Kim isn’t predicting anything after squeezing into the field.  Houston’s Memorial Park course is no Augusta National.

He likes Memorial Park, but says “The setup has never been right….It’s supposed to be a Masters tuneup, but the greens are way too soft for that,’’

 

 

 

Streelman faces surgery as the Masters approaches

The weather may not be ideal for Chicago area golfers yet, but – with the Masters just two weeks away – the local start can’t far off.

As for the Masters, which tees off April 10 at Georgia’s Augusta National, the season’s first major championship twill have at least a small Illinois presence.  Two University of Illinois alums — Thomas Detry and Brian Campbell — won PGA Tour events this year and that gave them spots in the Masters field.

Chicago’s best PGA Tour player over the last two decades, Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman, is out for a while.  The 46-year veteran shook off a sub-par 2024 campaign by surviving the 36-hole in three of his four tournaments in January and February.

Then, he reported earlier this month, that he suffered a tear in his meniscus that will require surgery. Rehab will take a while, so Streelman’s tournament season will be a shortened one.

The other Chicago PGA Tour players, Arlington Heights’ Doug Ghim and Northbrook’s Nick Hardy, need to win one of the two Texas events the next two weeks to get into the Masters field.  Both are in this week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open, which tees off on Thursday.

Hardy’s been struggling, but Ghim has at least been steady.  He has made six of eight cuts but his best finish is only a tie for 21st.

AUGUSTA-BOUND:  While the player field is in limbo,  a Chicago presence is assured as soon as tournament week begin with the national finals of the Drive Chip & Putt competition and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur – a 54-hole competition that concludes with the final round on the Augusta National course before the pros take over.

Four Illinois youngsters qualified for the 80-player Drive Chip & Putt at last year’s qualifier at TPC Deere Run — Plainfield’s Chloe Lee (Girls 12-13), Lockport’s Brielle Downer (Girls 7-9), Clarendon Hills’ Hudson Hodge (Boys 10-11) and Winnetka’s Jack Kemper (Boys 12-13).

Elise Lee and Lauryn Nguyen, both members of the Northwestern women’s team, were selected to compete in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

KEMPER LAKES IN SPOTLIGHT:  Once a frequent tournament site when it was a public facility, the now-private club in Kildeer is in for a big year.  It’ll be the site of the Chicago District Golf Association’s Mid Amateur Championship in May and the Illinois PGA’s top competition, the Illinois Open, in August.

“We’ve made a lot of changes over the last dozen years,’’ said 20-year general manager John Hosteland, “and we’re very excited to work with those organizations to showcase some top amateur and professional golfers.’’

The Illinois Open will have a title sponsor the first time. That championship was firs officiaily started in 1950 but there were a few events under that name as early as 2023. The new title sponsor is Troon Golf, which is also the managing partner of Kemper Lakes.

Immediately following the Aug. 4-6 Illinois Open is the return of the LIV Tour to Bolingbrook Golf Club Aug. 8-10.  The Saudi-back LIV circuit will be played in the Chicago area for the fourth straight year.  Last year Jon Rahm was its champion.

SERIES STUFF:  The Illinois PGA will unveil its newest offering on April 28.  That’s when the first event of the Illinois PGA Open Series will be played at White Eagle, in Naperville.

The series will provide more competitive opportunities, with six tournaments on the schedule.  After White Eagle comes Flossmoor on May 21, Hinsdale on June 9, Elgin Country Club on July 14, Aurora Country Club on July 28 and Bull Valley in Woodstock on Oct. 8.

 

 

 

 

Hovland overhauls Thomas in a duel of Masters contenders

VIKTOR’S VICTORY: Hovland found a way to win again at the Valspar. (Joy Sarver Photos)

PALM HARBOUR, FL. — The PGA Tour’s four-tournament Florida Swing concluded Sunday with Norway’s Viktor Hovland capturing the Valspar Championship on Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course in a duel with Justin Thomas.

Ten players were within a shot of the lead entering the last nine holes, but only Hovland and Thomas – two of the PGA Tour’s most popular players who have dealt with hard times lately  — were in the hunt with three holes to go.

Thomas hasn’t won a tournament in over three years but had a three-shot lead on Sunday with three holes to go.  Hovland’s world ranking had slipped from No. 3 to No. 19 – his worst ever—and he had missed the cut in his last three tournaments. But, he birdied Nos. 16 and 17 in Sunday’s climax and struggled to a bogey on the last hole that was still good enough to win.

“It’s unbelievable to see that I can still win,’’ said Hovland, who last won at the 2023 Tour Championship.  “I had played poorly. When that happens there’s a lot of insecurity and doubts.  I had no confidence. I was in a rut for a year and a half, but I think I’m stronger now because of it.’’

Thomas showed flashes of his old, sharp form in recent weeks, but not when the title was on the line on Sunday.

“I was having a blast,’’ he said.  “I had plenty of chances to win this season, but nothing like this one.  He birdied 16 and 17, but I did make it a lot easier on him.’’

JT’s DISMAY: A bad bunker shot on the 18th hole killed Justin Thomas’ chances to win again.

Anyway, the Valspar concluded the PGA Tour’s four-event Florida Swing. With only two stops in Texas remaining before the Masters, the Florida Swing usually is a good indicator of who might be contenders for golf’s first major championship of 2025. The Swing events are on challenging courses – the Champions Course at PGA National, Bay Hill, TPC Sawgrass and this week’s stop, Copperhead.

The latter has its feared Snake Pit – one of the toughest three-hole finishing stretches in golf. Hovland played them well, though he only needed a bogey on the final hole to win.  Thomas didn’t.  So, it’s tough to judge how ready either are for the Masters. Hovland used a Sunday 67 to finish his 11-under-par 273 for the 72 holes.  Thomas shot 66 and was one stroke back.

When Valspar  week started the main focus on that issue was Xander Schauffele, winner of the last two major titles in 2024.  His play on Copperhead didn’t exactly rule him out of winning a third major in a row April 10-13 at Georgia’s Augusta National.

Could there be a happier champion than Viktor Hovland after his Valspar win?

Schauffele suffered a rib injury after completing his outstanding 2025 season with victories in the PGA Championship and the British Open.  After undergoing an MRI Schauffele was diagnosed with an intercoastal strain and a small cartilage tear.

He tied for 30th in the The Sentry, an Hawaiian event that opened the PGA Tour season, and that sub-par showing led to a break from tournament golf until the Arnold Palmer Invitational, second stop on the Florida Swing in Orlando. He also played in The Players Championship before deciding at the last minute to make the Valspar his third tournament in a row.

Like Schauffele, Hovland was a late entry in the Valspar and wasn’t sure he’d tee off until Tuesday of tournament week.

“I just needed to get more reps,’’ Schauffele said. “Competition golf isn’t the same  as trying to play golf at home. I’m determined to play better. A high bar was set after last year  and – coming off that season – I expected a lot of myself.’’

He hasn’t met his expectations after the six-week layoff but his 5-under-par showing at Copperhead ended with a 66 on that pulled him in a tie for 12th.

“The Masters is demanding, and I knew this would be hard,’’ he said.  “I feel like I’m cramming for a test when I’m out there. I feel like a kid again. I want to hit a million golf balls every night, but I’ve got to be smart about it.’’

Xander Schauffele is still searching to find the form that won him the PGA and British titles last year.

 

 

 

 

Thomas-Spieth: An Ideal U.S. Ryder Cup Pairing?

Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, two of the most popular players on the PGA Tour, were paired together for the third straight day on Saturday at the Valspar Championship in Florida.  The pairing didn’t work for either in the first two rounds, and they were the 12th group off the tee of the 29 in Round 3.

The crowds turned out for them in big numbers again on Saturday, and this time the players responded.  Spieth started with three birdies in the first four holes.  Thomas went eagle-birdie-birdie-birdie on a hot stretch from holes 11 to 14.  They climbed the leaderboard quickly, with Thomas shooting a 65 and Spieth a 67.

When they finished Thomas was tied for second and Spieth tied for 13th, but the final twosome – tourney leader Jacob Bridgeman  and second place Victor Hovland were just teeing off.

“Hopefully Keegan  (U.S. Ryder Cup captain Bradley)  was watching,’’ said Thomas.  “We had a good best ball today.  We obviously enjoyed each other’s company and are comfortable playing with each other….Definitely it makes it a lot better when you’re out a little early than you would like on a Saturday morning, but you can get the crowd into it.  We made a couple putts that got the crowd going, and that’s fun for us.’’ (Photos by Joy Sarver and Pat Eastman).

Florida’s Baseline course is different — and that’s a good thing

Baseline’s beautiful waterfall can be seen on both the seventh and 15th holes. (Joy Sarver Photos)

 

 

OCALA, FL. —  Granted, Baseline Golf Course is popular in this town in which I now live, but there’s no question it’s a special place.  An Ocala resident for 15 months, I only recently visited this very different layout, nestled among beautiful horse farms.

Its beauty is only part of what makes Baseline different from the other courses in the north side of Florida. Different, in this case, is synonymous with good.  It’s what makes Baseline a place worth visiting  for golfers coming to the Sunshine State from distant areas.

Baseline is a 19-hole executive course, with seven par-4s and 11 par-3s and a bonus hole. Designed by Arlie Parker and Stan Norton in 1988, it’s a privately-owned public facility with a  notably spacious practice range. It was built on a one-time water melon farm that was liberally spruced up with the planting of ornamental trees and flower gardens.

Parker, a former professional hockey player, grew up in Canada and was a physical education teacher and then owned a painting company in New York before retiring to Florida.

`Then he realized he really loved plants and flowers,’’ said granddaughter Ashley Hodgson, who is Baseline’s general manager.  “He planted every tree on the course and also built our waterfall.’’

Can you believe this flower bed and ornamental trees are located on land that once was part of a watermelon farm, and now they’re part of one of the most beautiful  golf courses in Florida?

Now 86, Parker and a partner created a nine-hole course. Parker, the sole owner since the 1990s, added the second nine plus the bonus hole (more on that later). He still puts in working hours at the course.

Doug Johnson, a former touring pro, has been giving lessons at Baseline for about 30 years and the range has lights to allow for evening activity there.   The rest of the staff numbers 8-10 for inside projects  and 10 for the outside work. There’s also a mechanic who works full time.

One very important thing for golfers to know before making their first visit to Baseline.  There are no tee times.  There may be a wait before you can tee off, but you can kill time browsing through a well-stocked pro shop that has tons of good deals or using the driving range or putting green beside the first tee.

It’s also noteworthy that, while Baseline is amply supplied with carts, walking is also possible at any time.  Rates range from $22, for nine holes walking, to  $52, for 18 holes with a cart.

Oh, yes.  Baseline doesn’t just have 18 holes; it has 19 – and the rotation is unusual. So is the course’s scoring system.  No. 13 – the one designated as “Lucky 13’’ and the signature hole – follows No. 4 and precedes No. 5.  It has an island green and  scoring is optional.  Course rules say a score on “Lucky 13’’ can be used  to replace a higher score on one of the other par-3s.  In effect, it’s a bonus hole – whether you need it or not.

I’ll take issue with the “Lucky 13’’ designation as the signature hole.  There’s a stunning floral display and waterfall located between Nos. 7 and 15.  Hence it can be seen on both nines. It makes for a great photo op.

There are many more floral gardens on the course, which assures a pleasant tour of the property no matter how your score adds up.  There’s also a fox den on the front nine, and one of the fox cubs strolled near a tee box when we were playing.

Because of its length – 3,604 yards, and a par of 64 — it’s a fun course for players of all ages and skill levels. The longest hole is 320 yards (the back tee yardage at both Nos. 9 and 10), and the shortest 80 yards (from the front tee at No. 8).

“Lucky 13” has an island green and is Baseline’s “bonus hole.” Using it for scoring purposes is optional.

 

 

Henley wins at Bay Hill, but Bradley steals the show

Russell Henley and his daughter Jane celebrate his victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Joy Sarver Photos).

 

 

ORLANDO, FL. – No, Keegan Bradley didn’t win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.  Russell Henley did, winning a gritty battle with Collin Morikawa.

Henley was the benefactor of a pair of two-shot swings on the back nine, making a birdie at the par-3 fourth and a chip-in for eagle at No. 16 to win by one stroke.  Winning for the first time in over two years, Henley shot 70 in the final round to post an 11-under-par 277.  Morikawa, the third-round leader, carded a 72.

They were the stars of the PGA Tour’s fourth Signature event of the season, a $20 million offering that paid $4 million to Henley.

What Bradley did, though, shouldn’t go unnoticed.  The U.S. Ryder Cup captain became the first player to break 30 on either nine at Bay Hill, the home of the late, great legendary Arnold Palmer. I consider Bradley’s a feel good story with very possible positive ramifications.

Bradley, trying to shake off a 76 in the third round, came out sizzling in his final 18.  He holed a wedge shot at No. 6 for eagle and followed that up with four consecutive birdies.  He was 8-under-par for the day after 10 holes.

He couldn’t keep up the pace, making his lone bogey when his tee shot sailed left at the par-3 fourteenth, and settled for an 8-under-par 64 and a tie or fifth place.

Still, this hot nine meant something for what might happen down the road.  Bradley has made it no secret he wants to by a playing captain when the Ryder Cup comes to Bethpage Black in New York in September.

Keegan Bradley’s game was operating on all cylinders in the final round of the API.

Playing captains were commonplace in the early years of the Ryder Cup, but the U.S. hasn’t had one since – coincidently – Palmer in 1963.  That was the first year the competition was extended from two days to three days.

 

Frankly, I hope Bradley achieves this lofty goal.  His play at the API won’t hurt, but there’s more to it than that.  Bradley is playing well.  He’s made all five cuts this year, with his best showing a tie for sixth at the Sony Open in Hawaii – the second tournament of the season.What a story it’d be if he can select himself to play against those Europeans!

It’d give a new storyline to the Ryder Cup, which has been dominated by the Euros in recent years.  Bradley badly wanted his chance to be the U.S. captain but was initially rejected.  Tiger Woods was expected to get the job but, apparently, Woods turned it down and Bradley was promptly told the captaincy would be his.

Bradley has been a decent  Ryder Cup player, going 4-3-0 in his matches.  Now 38, he’s still in his prime as a competitor.  He has seven career PGA Tour wins, $48 million in career prize money in a pro career that started in 2008,  a major title (the 2011 PGA Championship) and a fiery temperament ideal for igniting a team that failed miserably when Zach Johnson was its leader in Europe in 2023. Why shouldn’t this guy give himself a playing spot if his results deem him worthy.

The American gallery won’t have trouble supporting him.  He struggled in his third round at Bay Hill, but made a birdie at the ninth hole that ignited the crowd.  Chants of “USA! USA! USA!’’ resonated loudly, and Bradley urged them to keep it up.

A few more things about Bradley.  He comes from good genes.  His father was a golf professional and his aunt, Pat Bradley, was one of the LPGA greats and a World Golf Hall of Famer. He’s got a wife and two kids more than willing to cheer him on, too. Bradley expected them to head home to Vermont when he left for his Sunday tee time.

They didn’t.  Jillian kept the crew around and Keegan rewarded them.

“I was proud of the way I played,’’ said Bradley.“My kids are my good luck charm.’’

Russell Henley (left) and Collin Morikawa endured a stressful time on the 18th tee before the API was decided.

 

Morikawa puts the spark into PGA Tour at Palmer tourney

The Arnold Palmer Invitational may have the best photo op in golf, with a statue of the late golf legend located near the first tee. Crowds line up to get their pictures taken there, and some also could tie it in with world No. 1 Scott Scheffler hitting is first tee shot. (Joy Sarver Photos)

 

This was more like it.  The PGA Tour season needed an excitement boost, and it came Saturday in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at  Bay Hill. The API was recently voted the most popular among the circuit’s eight Signature Events.  Bay Hill has a $20 million purse with $4 million going to Sunday’s champion. And, there’s 45 of the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings in the field.  That’s important because men’s golf has had problems getting the top players together, leaving events with fields dominated by unfamiliar names.

Nothing against recent first-time winners Thomas Detry and Joe Highsmith, but the PGA Tour – even with the four years of competition with the LIV Golf League – still has some exciting players.  They just need to step up. Collin Morikawa did Saturdays.

Morikawa was a young phenom out of college, winning six times and twice in major championships, before a dryspell set in.  He’ll be looking for his first win since 2023 on Sunday. Morikawa rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt on the last hole Saturday to take a one-stroke lead at Bay Hill.

“I missed the cut the last two years,’’ said Morikawa.  “It’s course that, if you’re not playing great, it’s going to show.  It’s just one of those courses where you can’t fake it.’’

No one was faking in Saturday’s third round.  Morikawa is  one swing ahead of Russell Henley, who has four career PGA Tour wins but none since 2022.  He created excitement Saturday, making four straight birdies on holes 10-13 to move into a tie for the lead.  He’s one of the PGA Tour veterans who has had a decent start in 2025, with three top-10s in  his five starts and the promise of more good things coming Sunday.

The field, though, has other possible contenders with Canadian Corey Connors two strokes behind Morikawa, Australian Jason Day three back and Tony Finau, Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy all in the top 10. Defending champion Scotty Scheffler is tied for 13th, nine strokes back, but can never be counted out.

This is our first tournament of the year.  Normally we’d have been at the LPGA’s Tournament of Champions and the PGA Tour Champions’ Chubbs Classic, both Florida stops. Nursing bad cases of the flu suffered during January’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, we had to scale back our tournament schedule a bit.

We’re excited to get back in action, especially after seeing a big, enthusiastic gallery at Bay Hill on a beautiful sunny day.  More is coming with the PGA guys in  The Players Championship next week in Ponte Vedra and then ending the swing with the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor.

Another Illini alum wins on the PGA Tour

The University of Illinois has been a men’s golf powerhouse under coach Mike Small, who is now in his 25th season. His teams have won 13 of the last 15 Big Ten titles including eight straight from 2015-2023.

This season’s Illini have won only one tournament, and that was back in October, but Small still has plenty to celebrate.

One of his former players, Brian Campbell, became the second Illini alum to win on the PGA Tour this season when he took the Mexico Open on Sunday.   Thomas Detry, another Illinois alum, captured the Waste Management Phoenix Open earlier in February.

Detry dominated at Phoenix, but Campbell was in a nail-biter with Andrich Potgieter, at 20 the youngest player on the PGA Tour and also the circuit’s longest hitter.  The former British Amateur champion is averaging 328.7 yards off the tee.

Campbell, not a particularly long hitter, hit a tee shot on the second playoff hole that was headed out of bounds.  Fortunately for him, the ball caromed off a tree and bounded back into play.  His second shot on the 540-yard par-5 was still 311 yards from the hole, but he played a safe layup for his second shot, then chipped to four feet to set up  the winning birdie putt.

“It’s so awesome to have two PGA Tour winners in three weeks,’’ said Small, “but when they’re former teammates it makes it extra cool.’’

“Grit.  That’s the only word I can think of,’’ said the 31-year old Campbell, who admitted he was “freaking out on the inside’’ after getting the win.

“Sometimes you’ve got to get those breaks.  I was just so happy I could stay in it to the end. To be in this position is so unreal,’’  It certainly was that.

Campbell had gone 186 professional tournaments without a win and most of those appearances were not on the PGA Tour.  He had only 27 starts on the PGA Tour before his victory.

Once the low amateur in the U.S. Open, Campbell had a season on the PGA Tour in 2016-17 but lost his playing privileges and had been competing on the Korn Ferry Tour before regaining his playing card for this season.

Campbell, who shot 65-65-64-70, a 20-under-par performances for the regulation 72 holes, earned $1,487,830  for the victory.  His career winnings prior to that had been $1,260,000. Now he’s eligible for The Players Championship, Masters and PGA Championship for the first time as well as the remaining $20 million Signature Events of 2025.

His win should be a good topic of discussion this week with the 40th Chicago Golf Show beginning its three-day run at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont on Friday.