Beset by wrist problems, Nick Hardy’s rookie season on the PGA Tour didn’t go too well. To retain his playing privileges for this season he had to perform well in the season-ending Korn Ferry Tour Finals – and he did that. Since then things have changed a lot for the University of Illinois alum who…
Author: lenz
No 59, but Straka still wins at the John Deere Classic
SILVIS, IL. – Low numbers are nothing new at the John Deere Classic, and Sunday was no exception. Sepp Straka, far down the leaderboard at the start of the final round, shot 28 on the front nine at TPC Deere Run and strung four birdies on holes 11-14. With four holes left Straka needed…
Another first-time winner in the JDC? Smalley could be the man
SILVIS, IL. – Every year a prominent story line at the John Deere Classic is who will be the next first-time winner on the PGA Tour and this year is no exception. The JDC has had 23 champions who won for the first time in its 51-year history. That’s an extraordinarily high number, and they…
Streelman posts his best round ever in the John Deere Classic
SILVIS, IL. – Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman has been Chicago’s best PGA Tour player for years, but this season hasn’t been one of his best. Qualifying for the FedEx Cup Playoffs was even in serious doubt when the John Deere Classic teed off this week. Only players ranked in the top 70 in the FedEx…
How `Swede’ it is at the John Deere Classic
A golfer from Sweden was expected to contend in the John Deere Classic this week, but it wasn’t Jonas Blixt in Thursday’s opening round. Blixt, a 39-year old journeyman, has won three times on the PGA Tour, the last time in the 2016-17 season. He hadn’t even played in a PGA Tour since the Byron…
Poston faces a tough title defense in the JDC
The John Deere Classic tees off for the 52nd time on Thursday with a new tournament director, a pro-am with a celebrity participant whose fame comes in basketball, a pair of weekend post-round concerts featuring high-profile entertainers and a new contract with the PGA Tour that will assure the tournament stays in the Quad Cities…
Stanford beats Johnson — and weather — to win Senior LPGA
JASPER, Indiana – The Senior LPGA Championship, only six years old, is the youngest of golf’s designated major tournaments. It was first played at French Lick’s Pete Dye Course in 2017 and England’s Trish Johnson was the winner. This year’s tourney was played only 20 miles away, at Sultan’s Run Golf Club, and…
This PGA tourney shows it can change with the times
The John Deere Classic, Illinois’ only annual PGA Tour event, has never had a staging like the one coming up in two weeks. Professional golf has changed dramatically this year, and so has the JDC. Andrew Lehman is the JDC’s new tournament director, replacing the retired Clair Peterson. This isn’t Lehman’s first rodeo, but…
A long-time Illinois golf tournament is in limbo
Last week the Illinois State Women’s Amateur celebrated its 90th anniversary with one of its most interesting tournaments. Two past champions decided the title in sudden death and an up-and-coming star emerged, too. That’s the good news. Geneva’s Sarah Arnold couldn’t protect a 2-up lead in regulation play at The Grove, in Long Grove, but…
Daytona Beach is a good town for golfers, but….
DAYTONA BEACH, FL. – The Daytona Beach area is good place for golfers, no question about it. The greater Daytona area has 20 courses. Two are part of LPGA International, the area’s premier golf destination. Since 1994 it has been the home of the Ladies PGA Tour, and it hosts the final stage of the…