IN SELECT COMPANY: Illinois men’s coach Mike Small (right) was paired with two former major champions in the first round of the Senior PGA Championship. Henrik Stenson (left) won the 2016 British Open and John Daly captured titles in both the 1991 PGA Championship and 1995 British Open. Stenson shot 72, Daly 73 and…
Author: lenz
This Masters may lack its usual star power, but look out for Bryson
The Masters starts its 90th anniversary staging on Thursday. This major championship in Augusta, Ga., always gets world-wide attention, but this one may not get as much as most of the others – and for good reasons. Tiger Woods won’t be playing. Neither will Phil Mickelson. It’s the first time since 1994 that…
GOOD BOOK READING: “Death in the Strike Zone”
It’s time to stray away from golf and revive Book Report duties. The strange-looking face on his page is that of James Creighton. His picture isn’t sharp because cameras weren’t of the same quality in 1860 as they are these days.Gilbert wrote a recently-published book, “Death in the Strike Zone,’’ to make the case…
Masters marks the real start of the golf season
Next week it’s on to Augusta, Ga., for the 90th Masters tournament. (Joy Sarver Photos) All the professional tours have been in full swing for several months, and so have most of the college teams. That said, golf excitement doesn’t really kick in until next week’s 90th playing of the Masters tournament. It’s…
This original Donald Ross `masterpiece’ has been revitalized
DUNEDIN, FL. – Course renovations are commonplace in golf, but the one recently completed at Dunedin Golf Club was far from the ordinary. You don’t just tinker around with one of Donald Ross’ original designs – and this one is even much more than one of those. Ross did his work creating the course…
Fitzpatrick’s strong finish is too much for Lipsky at the Valspar
PALM HARBOR, FL. – The Valspar Championship came down to a duel between two former Northwestern golfers, though that might be a bit of a stretch. Matt Fitzpatrick, a champion for the third time on the PGA Tour, only attended NU for one quarter in 2013. After helping the Wildcats to two in five tournaments…
Ghim may have let a good chance for first PGA Tour win get away
PALM HARBOR, FL. – Doug Ghim, one of the few Chicago area players left on the PGA Tour, has yet to win in his nine pro seasons, but he seemed to have a chance midway through the Valspar Championship at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort. Ghim, from Arlington Heights with stints at Buffalo Grove…
McNeilly brings a new look to the Golf Travel Writers of America
ORLANDO, FL — The Golf Travel Writers of America underwent a leadership change this year, with George McNeilly taking over as its president. GTWA is a professional organization for golf travel writers, editors, broadcasters and other media professionals who focus on covering golf destinations and the broader golf travel industry. Its mission is to…
Bhatia spoils Berger’s bid for the Arnold Palmer title
ORLANDO, FL. – Akshay Bhatia, a bespectacled 24-year old left-handed golfer who uses an unusual split grip for putting, won the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday, but this one was more about how Daniel Berger lost it. Berger led virtually all the way in this lucrative PGA Tour signature event that leads into two of…
Back injury forces McIlroy to WD from Palmer tourney
ORLANDO, FL. – Rory McIlroy was feeling good about his golf game going into this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club, but now the world’s No. 2-ranked golfer has to wonder. Not only was McIlroy a surprise withdrawal from the API – one of the PGA Tour’s lucrative signature events – on…