This PGA Tour season wasn’t the best for Chicago regulars Kevin Streelman, Nick Hardy and Doug Ghim. None qualified for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, which concluded the 2023-24 season in September.
The fall events, though, have been most encouraging for all three. Streelman, who Wheaton, had a tie for third and Hardy, from Northbrook, notched a tie for eighth two weeks ago in the Black Diamond Championship in Utah. It was the best finish of the season for both of them.
Arlington Heights’ Doug Ghim did even better on Sunday, finishing solo second in the Shriner Chidren’s Open in Las Vegas. That was a career best for the 28-year old who attended Buffalo Grove High School and starred for the University of Texas before turning pro in 2018. He made it to the PGA Tour in 2020 and is still without a victory, but Sunday he came close.
Eventual champion J.T. Poston and Ghim played in the final group on Sunday. Poston, who won the John Deere Classic – Illinois’ only annual PGA Tour event – in 2022, and Ghim turned the tournament into a two-man duel in the final 18.
Ghim was within two strokes of Poston on the 18th tee and hit a great approach to the final green, leaving him a six-foot birdie putt. He made it, putting the pressure on Poston to sink a four-footer for par to avoid a playoff. Poston made his putt, too. to claim the title.
It climaxed a stirring final round in which Ghim posted a better score (a 6-under-par 65) but couldn’t top Poston on the tournament leaderboard. Poston won by a shot with a 22-under-262 for the 72 holes.
“I did everything I could,’’ said Ghim. “I haven’t had the best history in final rounds and final groups, so this definitely is going to be a little badge on my chest.’’
The strong showing on his home course also earned Ghim, who now lives in Las Vegas, a place in this week’s no-cut, $8.5 million ZOZO Classic in Japan.
“A lot of players who would like to be there won’t be able to,’’ said Ghim, “so it’ll be a fun challenge. It’s fun playing on the other side of the world, too. I’m grateful for the opportunity.’’
BITS AND PIECES: Roy Biancalana, of The Hawk in St. Charles, won the Illinois PGA Senior Match Play title for the fourth straight year…Lance Olson, of Champaign took the IPGA Senior Championship….Dan Stringfellow, of Medinah, is the Chicago District Golf Association’s Player of the Year and Glen Przbylski, of Frankfort, claimed the same honor for senior players….The University of Illinois men’s team will host an NCAA Regional at Atkins Golf Club, in Urbana, in 2025.