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…
Author: lenz
Former John Deere Classic star earns his way back to the Masters
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…
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…
Hovland overhauls Thomas in a duel of Masters contenders
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…
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…
Florida’s Baseline course is different — and that’s a good thing
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…
Henley wins at Bay Hill, but Bradley steals the show
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….
Morikawa puts the spark into PGA Tour at Palmer tourney
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,…
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…
Chicago Golf Show is ready for its 40th anniversary
The Chicago Golf Show, the unofficial start to the Chicago golf season, kicks off its 40th anniversary season on Friday (FEB 28) at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Hank Haney, long-time swing coach for Tiger Woods, will appear on the Daily Herald Main Stage on the last two days (MARCH 1-2) of the show. …