The awarding of sponsor’s exemptions isn’t a big deal at a PGA Tour event. Tournament directors usually announce the lucky four or so winners in the early days of tournament week. That’s not the case with this year’s John Deere Classic, however. Highwood’s Patrick Flavin received the good news nearly two months before the…
Author: lenz
`Tiger & Phil’ is an important addition to golf history
At first I felt bad for Bob Harig, a friend of mine who authored the recently-released `Tiger & Phil: Golf’s Most Fascinating Rivalry.’ Bob and I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and, while I’m a little older, we became friends over the past few decades while covering the pro golf scene for our…
Illini golfers are ready for another Big Ten title run at French Lick
Coach Mike Small’s University of Illinois men’s golf team hasn’t been the powerhouse this season that it had been during most of the last two decades. Things changed for the Illini in a big way at this crucial point of the season, however. The Illini tied for the title in their first tournament, then went…
New Orleans’ PGA Tour stop puts the focus on team play
This week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans isn’t a big deal compared to other events on the PGA Tour. It could turn out big for Doug Ghim and Nick Hardy, two of the Chicago area’s young guns on the circuit, however. The Zurich Classic is the only full-field team event of the PGA Tour season. …
TRAVEL NOTEBOOK: TPC Myrtle Beach is new site of World Amateur climax
America’s golf hotbeds are shifting, now that snowbird golfers are departing the warmer weather states for cooler climates where the golf seasons are just beginning. Golf, however, is always in season in Myrtle Beach, S.C. where the lead-in to the 39th annual Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship is already underway — even though the…
Berger joins Johnson as JDC ambassador
Only Zach Johnson had been sporting the logo of Illinois’ only annual PGA Tour event on his golf bag. Now America’s next Ryder Cup captain has company. Daniel Berger, a four-time winner on the PGA Tour and member of the victorious U.S. Ryder Cup team last fall at Wisconsin’s Whistling Straits, sported the John Deere…
Rick Reilly’s latest book is another winner
It’s been a while since I’ve done a book report, but Rick Reilly’s “So Help Me Golf’’ (Hachette Books) certainly merits one. It goes on sale May 10, but I was accorded a sneak preview. A great writing talent, that Rick Reilly. I’ve met some of those gifted types and read many more of them…
Scheffler is the obvious choice to win this year’s Masters
Picking the winner of any PGA Tour event is an exercise in futility. Still, come Masters time, forecasting the champion seems almost an obligation. I’ve been making the effort since attending my first Masters in 1986, and I’ve picked the winner only once – Fred Couples in 1992. With the 86th Masters teeing off on…
Scott Gneiser knows what it’s like to caddie in the Masters
IN CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER Every year when April rolls around the world’s best golfers turn their attention to the Masters. That’s true for their caddies, too. Scott Gneiser, a Chicago area resident for 22 years, should know. He’s in his 33rd year as a tour caddie and estimates that he’s worked 15 Masters. “Everybody circles…
Masters preliminary events give young stars a chance to shine
Unless Kevin Streelman, Luke Donald, Doug Ghim, Nick Hardy or Dylan Wu win this week’s Valero Texas Open there won’t a Chicago-connected player in next week’s Masters tournament. The champion of the PGA Tour event on Sunday in Texas gets the final spot in the year’s first major championship at Georgia’s Augusta National, and all…