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…
Author: lenz
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. …
Kentucky becomes the latest state to a offer a golf trail
Add Kentucky to the states that now have a golf trail. Bob Baldassari ended a long run in Florida golf to join The Woodford Club, which is near Lexington, Ky. That led to his joining forces with Randy Clay, a co-owner of the Woodford Club, in establishing the Kentucky Golf Trail. Baldassari’s wife Pam is…
PGA Show proved there’s no shortage of innovative gear for putting
I don’t know what it is, but I’m fascinated by putters and their wide range of creators. I have a Scotty Cameron that’s been in my bag for over 10 years. I’m comfortable with it, though it doesn’t always work. What putter does? I’m not one to experiment with putters, either, but I do …