See Cassy Tully artwork in the merchandise tent today at the PGA Championship, starting on Monday visit CassyTully.com. The 115th U.S. Amateur tee’s off Monday morning at Olympia Fields Country Club, grounds tickets start at $25. 2015amateur.com for more details. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club is the hottest and newest golf renovation in the Chicago area, come see the new but old classic style design on this 1926 golf course, renovated by David Esler. For more details call the pro shop at (847)-259-4200. ______________________________________________________________________

  The Golfers on Golf, Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and around the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. Teeing it from the 16th tee on the Straits Course, the hard working media center on the right. For further online coverage visit PGA.com.         ______________________________________________________________________

Welcome to Whistling Straits, home of the 97th PGA Championship.

Jason Day has been close to winning major championships for some time now. On Sunday he might just break through and get it done.

Day continued his downward scoring spiral in route to a 15 under par score, that leads his playing partner in the final group on Sunday Jordan Spieth, by 2 shots.

It’s no surprise that Day is leading, and it’s no surprise that Spieth is lurking. What it gives golf fans either on the course in Haven/Kohler at the Straits, or watching on TV is some real drama.

Day has shot 68-67-66 over three days, and at this rate he could shot 65 tomorrow, but Spieth is getting better as well. The winner of the years first two majors has carded 71-67 and 65, maybe a 63 on Sunday, unless PGA Championship Director Kerry Haigh has some tricks up his sleeves regarding tee and pin placements.

One would think that Kohler CEO Herb Kohler and course architect Pete Dye have some idea’s at this point. During Saturday’s broadcast on CBS Nick Faldo pointed out that 10 under par used to win majors, now it gets you within five shots of the leader. Which is where second leader Matt Jones is after a 1-over par 73 in round 3, when the others on the leaderboard were all shooting under par.

Justin Rose is three shots back along with Branden Grace, remember him from Chambers Bay. Martin Kaymer who won the PGA Championship in 2010 when it was last played at the Straits Course, is lurking 4 shots back after a third round 65.

The final round starts at 7:45 Am when club professional Brian Gaffney tee’s off either solo or with a marker. Wisconsin favorite Steve Stricker is -2 and tee’s off at 9:51. Defending champion Rory McIlroy is too far back at -6, but might just be able to go low enough to post that early number.

The final group tee’s off at 1:45 local Wisconsin time, which is 2:45 for you folks on the east coast. The only question left is, will it be Day’s-Day.

The Gog Blog will return with final round coverage after the championship is complete, then stay tuned for late night Sunday when our U.S. Amateur preview is posted. Stay clicked in everyone.

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO Sunday morning at 9AM on WSBC AM 1240 and WCFJ AM 1470, Rory will be live at Whistling Straits with Kohler Company President David Kohler about 9:10, stay tuned.

    Cassy Tully art, the official artwork of the PGA Championship, get yours today in the merchandise tent at the PGA Championship, PGA Championship poster and more. The 115th U.S. Amateur this week from Olympia Fields see 2015usamateur.com. Come visit Kohler and the American Club Hotel, 5 Stars-5 Diamonds See Destinationkohler.com.    _____________________________________________________________________

  THE MEDIA PRESS CENTER AT WHISTLING STRAITS (L), (R) Rory Spears Editor and Director Content overlook 18 on the Straits before championship week arrived. Follow Rory on Facebook,Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

For more online coverage, see PGA.Com. TNT will close out Second Round Coverage starting at 7 Am Local Wisconsin time, after a storm left 57 players unable to finish Round 2.

It’s not over, Round 2 is not in the books as 57 players need to finish second round play  at the 97th PGA Championship.

Matt Jones and Jason Day are tied for the lead at 9 under par, as play was stopped at 5:28 PM.

When the storm hit close to 6 PM local time, it hit quickly. First with some light rain, then almost instantly the winds picked up and by multiple reports from the weather service, winds were believed to have hit 65 Miles-Per-Hour at Whistling Straits. There were no reported serious injuries, but there was heavy sign damage. Some Porta-Potties tipped over and the Golf Channel Tent was destroyed. Crews will work all night and the course and everything else ready to go for the 8 Am EST start, live on TNT as well until 2 PM Est. At least one major scoreboard tipped over.

Round 3 will start about 30 minutes after Round 2 is complete, and that is expected to be in the 9 Am hour.

Leaders Day and Jones were both still on the course when the storm hit. Day has played 14 holes and Jones 12. Justin Rose who is one shot back was on the 18th tee when played was called.

First Round leader Dustin Johnson was having his struggles on the back nine with 3 bogeys after birdies on holes 9 and 10. Johnson says he ripped a great drive down the middle on 15, and is great shape on that hole, he hopes to make a birdie or two coming in to finish round 2. He is currently T-12 at 5 under par.

Jordan Spieth shot a 5 under par 67 and is three shots back, and in a T-7 position. On hole 18, his ninth of the day, he holed a 50 foot bunker shot for birdie. It was one of only two birdies on 18 from the morning group.

HIROSHI IWATA with his 9 under par 63, he set the competitive course record at Whistling Straits. His 63 tied the all time 18 hole scoring record in a major championship. He is the 25th individual to shoot 63 in a major, and it has been done 27 times. 13 times in a PGA Championship.

Wisconsin native Steve Stricker will be around for the weekend, after being in the house at 1-under par 143. Stricker had a rough finish, including a drive that as he put’s it, “hit someone in the butt on 8.” He is T-41. Stricker was T-18 in 2010.

BRIAN GAFFNEY of Darien Connecticut a club pro should make the cut, expected to be at +2 Gafney is at Even par. If he makes the cut, he would be the first club professional to do so, since Mike Small in 2011 at the Atlanta Athletic Club.

WD’s Alex Cejka with an ankle injury, Jamie Donaldson with a bad back after 15 holes, during the suspension of play.

Join us here on the Gog Blog For Round 2 and 3 coverage, tomorrow. The Golfers on Golf Radio on Sunday morning.

  Cassy Tully Artwork, see her official PGA artwork in the merchandise tent this week at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. The U.S. Amateur tee’s off starting Monday at Olympia Fields, come out and see the world’s best amateur’s compete for the biggest title in amateur golf, details 2015usamateur.com. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club has reopened from renovation, come play this classic styled golf course originally opened in 1926. Call the pro shop for your tee-time today at (847)-259-4200.                                    _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlog Guy. Driving the ball on the par 5 16th hole at Whistling Straits.

Day 1 of the PGA Championship is in the books, and just like where we left off in 2010, Dustin Johnson is again the story after shooting a 6 under par 66.

Johnson holds a 1 shot lead over David Lingmerth, who is back on the tee at 7:55 Am local time in Haven or Kohler.

A large group of 8 players is two shots back at 4 under par after shooting 68. They include Russell Henley,Matt Kuchar, Harris English, J.B. Holmes , Jason Day, Danny Lee, Matt Jones and Scott Piercy. Four players are three shots back including Justin Rose.

Martin Kaymer who won the PGA when it was last held at Whistling Straits in 2010, is four shot backs after an opening round of 70. Wisconsin favorite Steve Stricker with hi wife Nikki on the bag again, is was in at one under par 71, after a great par saving putt on 18 that drew a loud ovation from from the Pro-Wisconsin crowd. Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy both shot 71.

Bubba Watson is at even par 72, with Phil Mickelson. Rickie Fowler, John Daly, Jim Furyk and Kevin Streelman were at +1 73. Tiger Woods shot 75 and was T-99 at one point but ended up T-86 when the afternoon winds picked up and thw player who got the late tee-times shot on average 1.5 shots higher than the players in the morning flight.

The 5-Star/5-Diamond American Club in Kohler. Kohler Company President David Kohler joins Golfers on Golf Radio live at 9:10 this Sunday morning. Destinationkohler.com for more details on the resort and it’s four Pete Dye Championship courses.

The backbone of the PGA of America is it’s club professionals and 20 of them are playing the field this week. Brian Gaffney from New York carded a 1-under par 71 and is the lone club professional under par after round one.

After his round Johnson said he knows it’s only the first day.

“I really feel like I had my ball under control today, like I did at the U.S.Open so I am more comfortable right now,” said Johnson. ” We will have to see what happens, because there is a lot of golf left to play.”

Johnson also called his round one an “easy” one, but he did play when the conditions were not quite as windy. Johnson added that he is driving the ball well and will continue to use his driver in the next three rounds a lot. The last first round leader to win the PGA Championship was Hal Sutton in 1983.

Welcome to Whistling Straits home of the 2015 PGA Championship, for more online coverage visit PGA.com.

Stricker called his round a “tough afternoon” with gusty winds coming in off the lake. But was very happy with his round.

Stricker made big putts on both 9 and 18, but is hoping for better conditions with an early morning tee time in round 2. he added that he is having a great time with his wife on the bag and caddying for him, after his long time caddie Jimmy Johnson with Stricker’s blessing went to work for Justin Thomas.

PGA NEWS…

The Long Drive Contest on Tuesday was won by Anirbon Lahri with a driver of 327 yards. 2nd place was Matt Dobyns with 323, 3rd J.B.Holmes at 315, Jimmy Walker 314 was 4th, and Jordan Spieth was 5th with a drive of 313.

78 International Players are in the field,making exactly half of the 156 players from other countries. This is the most in a men’s major on U.S. soil.

Gary Woodland was a last minute W/D before round 1 with a neck problem. Carl Petersson replaced him.

97 of the top 100 players in the world are in the field, the only three that aren’t are missing to due to injury, Chris Kirk-24, Graham DeLaet-89 and Alexander Noren-74.

9 of 11  to finish in the top 10 and ties back in 2010 have returned this year, and 29 players that played in 2004 and 2010 at Whistling Straits are in the field again this year.

While three new tee’s have been added since 2010, the back tee on hole # 11 was removed, so the course is actually playing six yards shorter than in 2010. The front of hole #6 has a new pot bunker front 2010 and the fairway on 18 has been extended down to the creek in front of the green.

The Gog Blog returns with coverage of Round 2 of the 99th PGA Championship from Whistling Straits tomorrow.

Additional stories, BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm visits Sand Valley the new Mike Keiser project in Wisconsin, the PGA/LPGA awards the KPMG/LPGA Championship to Olympia Fields in 2017, and Kemper Lakes in 2018. Will it mean a PGA Championship by 2023 or soon after, we will see.

  The Mt. Prospect Golf Club now open from renovation, call the pro shop and make your tee time at (847)-259-4200 to play this classic style design. Live in the merchandise center at the PGA Championship, Cassy Tully artwork, posters, paintings and more, and get them signed, no extra charge. Cassytully.com or visit her booth all week long.   ______________________________________________________________________

PGA.Com

The week leading into tournament always starts with the big names coming into the press center. This week at Whistling Straits was no exception, when we last saw a major on american soil it was the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.

When it all came down to the back nine on Sunday, the shootout turned into one between a few players, but at the end it was Dustin Johnson and winner Jordan Spieth.

But it’s a new day and new championship, both players were close at St. Andrews but did not win, and here in Kohler or shall I say Haven Wisconsin the home of the Straits Course, fans wonder if the rematch is on. The other topic still on everyone’s mind, was does Dustin Johnson still think about his bunker miscue on Sunday of the PGA back in 2010.

So today before the packed press room, they both met the media and took on all the questions.

Click here to hear Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson’s press conference at the PGA Championship.

Rory Spears above 18 at the Straits Course in Haven Wis.

The Gog Blog is written by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

More news coming up from the PGA as we head into day 1 of the championship coming up later today.

Other features include, women’s PGA golf coming to Chicago in big fashion.

BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm visits Mike Keiser’s Sand Valley. Surprises in the big tent where you find all the merchandise.

Stay Clicked in at the PGA and right here all week long. RS

     The PGA at Whistling Straits PGA.com, or visit DestiinationKohler.com for your next visit to the Straits Course, very few tee times remaining on the Straits Course for the rest of 2015. The UL International Crown, the next big event at Rich Harvest Farms, coming July 19-24 of 2016, Visit ULCROWN.Com. It’s Country vs Country.                      _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Directer of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. On the 16th hole at Whistling Straits site of this weeks PGA Championship.

It is PGA Championship week at Whistling Straits in Haven/Kohler Wisconsin,and Rory McIlroy is back to defend his PGA Championship title, how good is his ankle, we will find out as the week goes on. Hopefully it’s the 100% he claims it is.

McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, and Zach Johnson will form one of the highlighted groups, between these three players they have won the last 5 majors, they should be something to see, many eyes will be on them.

Plymouth/Kohler area Artist Cassy Tully has created the official artwork for the PGA Championship, stop in the merchandise tent and pick up a painting or poster, Cassy will sign them for you. Cassytully.com

I expect this to be an incredible week and it would not surprise me to Spieth or McIlroy win. But don’t be surprised if the guys with the close calls in 2010 are back in the picture, Bubba Watson and or Dustin Johnson who will break through in one of these majors.

While you are there at the PGA for those of you who are going, and who isn’t as final tickets are about gone. Check out the entire Kohler package, it’s one place that you do want to visit if you have not already.

The Gog Blog will arrive Mid-week and provide plenty of coverage from the PGA and I will be live on Golfers on Golf Radio just after 9 AM this Sunday, it’s one show you won’t want to miss. the show will also preview next weeks US-Amateur at Olympia Fields, stay clicked in and tuned this next two weeks.

WESTERN-AM at Rich Harvest Farms. There could not have been a better ending, not sure you have scripted it that way either. Congrat’s and a tip of the cap and or golf visor to Dawson Armstrong on winning the 113th Western Amateur by holing a bunker shot on the 20th hole to beat Aaron Wise, who deserved a better fate himself.

Armstrong fought off stomach cramps all final round to hang in the battle that took some 4.5 hours. Unlike many or most of the players he beat in route to the title, Armstrong will not be playing the U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields. He did not qualify.

It was not only a sore subject with him, it was with many of the folks out at Rich Harvest Farms or working the tournament. The feeling is that the USGA should exempt the winner of the Western Amateur into the U.S. Amateur if not already qualified.

To make matters worse, the USGA handed out a special exemption to Paul Dunne, the amateur from Ireland who was in contention at the British Open. But when it was over Dunne had played great and won, NOTHING. Not even the low-amateur award. How about exempting a champion of a major amateur championship into the field.

Next up for Jerry Rich and the people at Rich Harvest Farms, is to get ready for the UL LPGA International Crown coming July of 2016, Chicago’s biggest golf event of next year. Plan your golf schedule around it next summer, let’s root on Team USA to a victory this time.

Do you have Cubs tickets for a week from today, word is Zach Johnson is bringing the Claret Jug and the BMW trophies to Wrigley. See the Stanley Cup is not the only trophy in town. Johnson will throw out the first pitch, and then sing the 7th inning stretch for  second time. Should be a great night.

It will be a great week in Kohler and Haven, the PGA APP is out, add it to your phone. See you at the PGA Championship. Enjoy the next two weeks everyone, they should be two great weeks to remember. RS

  Welcome to Whistling Straits the home of this weeks PGA Championship, Follow all the action on CBS/Turner Sports and right here at Golfersongolf.com. The Whistling Straits artwork by Cassy Tully, her artwork the official artwork of the PGA Championship, and on sale this week in the merchandise tent at Whistling Straits. See PGA.com                    _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio live on Sunday Morning’s at 9 AM on WSBC AM 1240 and WCFJ AM 1470, Standing L-R Mike Munro and Ed Stevenson, Seated L-R Rory Spears & Bill Berger. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

This morning Chicago’s Favorite Foursome started it’s PGA Championship preview show by talking with Jim Richerson the Director of Golf at Kohler Company. Richerson will serve as host professional this week at Whistling Straits.

He is featured in the PGA Championship program on Page 24, check out the story.

Ian Baker-Finch of Turner Sports joined us for segment two, and previewed the Turner coverage from Whistling Straits, do check out the coverage in advance of CBS this coming week. The show rapped up with some predictions for this weeks championship. Bill-Jordan Spieth, Rory-Bubba Watson, Mike-Jason Day. There was Western Amateur wrap up as well, what a great holed-bunker shot by Taylor Armstrong to win the championship. If you missed the show live, and need a Mulligan, the replay should be posted on this site by tomorrow.

The week ahead will have plenty of coverage from Kohler and the PGA right here on this site. Don’t forget next weeks U.S.Amateur Championship at Olympia Fields. But for now, it’s more from Whistling Straits and Kohler/Haven Wisconsin.

@014 Champion Rory McIlroy with the Wanamaker Trophy at Valhalla

Mc is back. Rory McIlroy has returned from his foot injury, but will need to work some rust off quickly if he expects to content in this weeks championship. McIlroy hurt his ankle playing soccer about 6 weeks ago, and has not played since. McIlroy will be paired with Jordan Spieth and Zach Johnson, the three of them have won the last 5 major championships.

Tickets, they are almost gone. If you can find some grab them quickly, the championship is near a sellout.

What else is almost sold out are tee-times on Whistling Straits for the remainder of the 2015 golf season, if you wish to play the golf course you need to make a reservation very soon. Head over to Destinationkohler.com and link to the golf section of the website, Kohler has four top golf courses, all designed by Pete Dye. With a Fifth course on the way, but still a couple of years away.

THE LONG DRIVE CONTEST IS BACK..last years top 3 are back in. Louis Oosthuizen with a 340 yard drive at Valhalla is defending champion, Jason Day was second at 338 and Club pro Johan Kok 337 was third. Bubba Watson will compete this year. The competition will be on Tuesday on the second hole, the par 5 known as “Big Country”. Top 3 this year get a charity split between the charity of their choice and the American Lake veterans course designed by Jack Nicklaus in Tacoma Washington. Money is $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Nicklaus won the contest in 1963 with a persimmon driver and wound golf ball 341 yards and 17 inches.

THE PGA to enhance Fan Experience. Some of this comes from the broadcast partners such as TNT and CBS, that will add drone footage, SwingVision with super slow vision, Protracers to help identify landing area’s for the players shots. the PGAChampionship website and App will have digital coverage through out.

HEADED TO THE COURSE..look for free Wi-Fi Zones, and additions to your PGA App to help you find things or people on the course.

THE GOG BLOG and Golfers on Golf Radio will have coverage of this weeks PGA, through out the week. Stay tuned in and clicked in for more, and watch the season’s final major championship over 28 hours of live coverage on the networks.

    The Western Golf Association sending over 840 caddies to college, on the fairway to 1,000 within 5 years. WGAESF.Com. The LPGA UL International Crown coming July 19-24 in 2016 to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, next summers big golf event.         ______________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. (Dateline Sugar Grove IL.)

2015 Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms on Saturday August 8, 2015. Charles Cherney Photography

With the kind of match it was, it shouldn’t have ended this way. But when it did Dawson Armstrong won it in dramatic fashion, on the 20th hole. Armstrong’s opponent Aaron Wise of California who plays for the Oregon Ducks of the PAC-12 had been applying the pressure after taking a 1 UP lead on the 13th hole of a back and forth match.

Wise bombed his drive almost reaching the green, while Dawson played it safe and was almost 100 yards behind on the par 4 hole. Dawson hit an approach that was a keeper, in near the flag stick, Wise hit an approach shot from a bad angle that needed 60 yards, it ended up on the bunker. Match All-Square.

With the drives of both players finding the right side trees, Wise played first and uses a corridor between the trees and end up in a green side bunker. Armstrong pitched out to the fairway, but when he had a chance to win the hole, Wise missed a putt and things stayed All-Square.

The Par 3 16th saw Armstrong miss the green, Wise left himself a birdie putt. Armstrong’s blast from the rough gave him a three foot putt, after Wise missed his putt it was on to 17 still All-Square.

Wise bombed it again past Armstrong, but Armstrong found the back of the green from 210, Wise missed right in a green side bunker. But Armstrong’s putt across the fringe got hung up, and he was left a long par putt. Wise hit his bunker shot to a foot, and won the hole after Armstrong missed his par putt.

Now 1 UP on 18 Wise hit his drive down the fairway and Armstrong did as well, but left his approach on the par 5 just short of the green. Wise found the green but the back end of it. After Armstrong almost holed a putt from off the green, Wise’s putt for the win was left well short. His birdie putt that still would have won him the title slid past leaving him with a par. Armstrong made his short birdie putt and it was onto hole 19.

Both players missed birdie putts in the range of 25-30 feet, before two pars took everyone onto the 20th hole a dogleg right par 5. After great drives by both players, Wise went for the green in two and left himself a 20 foot putt after getting home. Armstrong after sitting on the ground in the fairway for about 4-5 minutes from stomach cramps, got up and hit a great looking shot, but it came up short of the green, just barely clearing the pond, but finding a bunker.

With Wise now in much better position, Armstrong walked slowly down to his ball with his stomach bothering him again. But he settled in and released a bunker shot, that bounced once, then twice and spun into cup after slamming off the flagstick, which brought cheers from the gallery. Wise now needed to make his eagle putt to halve the hole, but it slid by the left edge and Armstrong had won the 113th Western Amateur.

Click hear to hear interviews with champion Dawson Armstrong and runner-up Aaron Wise.

The morning Semi-Finals saw Medalist Robbie Shelton of Alabama lose 2 & 1 to Armstrong, when a late rally fell short. Wise defeated fellow Pac-12 golfer Jake Knapp of UCLA 4 & 2 after making birdies on 5 of the first-seven holes to start the match.

“I enjoyed the week and my play was great,” said Shelton. “I’m real excited for the U.S. Amateur, I’m going to see if I can win it.”

The 2016 Western Amateur will be played at the Knollwood Club in Lake Forest, Armstrong hopes to defend his title at Knollwood.

       The Western Amateur the final day Saturday August 8th. Semi-Final matches start at 8 AM, Championship match in the Noon-Hour. The LPGA UL Crown coming July 19-24 to Rich Harvest Farms in 2016, it’s Country vs Country. ULCROWN.Com                             ______________________________________________________________________

Louise Suggs the First LPGA member to win the Career Grand Slam

She was one of the 13 founders of the LPGA, and today Louise Suggs passed on at the age of 91.

She had been suffering in poor health for sometime, but still came to as many tournaments as she could in recent years.

The LPGA Rookie of the Year Award is named after Suggs. A few years back when the award winner had won almost a million dollars. Suggs said,”I wish I could have played for that kind of money, but if it wasn’t for me, today they wouldn’t be playing for that kind of money.”

Right she was.

The front of the Pinetree Golf Club Florida

Suggs was a longtime member of the Pinetree Golf Club of Boynton Beach Florida, it was her influence that led several LPGA greats and Hall of Famer’s to join the club as well.

Another member of the Pinetree Club that was designed by Dick Wilson (Cog 4) is Rich Harvest Farms owner Jerry Rich.

Rich tells a great story that when he first became a member, he went out to play the course for the first time. His first round was a foursome, that included Sam Snead, Joanne Carner and of course Suggs, who gave him a great tip on the golf grip after the round.

While watching action during the Western Amateur on Friday, Rich spoke about and told some stories about his longtime friend. Including the support she gave Rich Harvest Farms in their attempts to land the 2009 Solheim Cup.

Rich called Suggs,” a great lady who will be missed.”

Click here to hear the interview with Jerry Rich, on LPGA great and founder Louise Suggs.

The Gog Blog will have coverage of the final round day of play of the 113th Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms, coming up later today. Stay clicked in.

      The new clubhouse at Mistwood Golf Club, coming in September, see Mistwoodgc.com. The PGA Championship coming next week to Whistling Straits see PGA.com. The 2015 U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields see 2015amateur.com. August 17-23.                             ______________________________________________________________________

    The 113th Western Amateur is down to four finalists including medalist Robbie Shelton.

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

What a day it was at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, the day started with 16 players and ended with four.

When the dust settled, medalist Robbie Shelton was leading four finalists into the semi-finals.

Shelton had a stellar day and seems ready to win again, after defeating Jack Maguire 3 & 2, and then afternoon he got off to a great start and defeated Ryan Ruffels 5 and 4.

Shelton will play Dawson Armstrong who defeated Harrison Endycott 5 & 4 and then survived a late charge from 2013 Western Amateur champion Jordan Niebrugge with a 3 & 1,when Niebrugge’s approach on 17 was hit fat and found the pond.

The most amazing 40 hole day was had by UCLA golfer Jake Knapp, who found himself in rematch with Illinois golfer Charlie Danielson who came from 3 down to defeat Knapp at the NCAA nationals this past May. Danielson called Knapp “motivated” which was something Knapp admitted he was when he saw the draw at the Sweet 16 dinner on Thursday night.

With the match All-Square after two holes, Knapp carded his first hole-in-one in tournament play, a 7-Iron from 191 that hit three yards short of the hole and then rolled in. Knapp said he saw the shot all the way. After building a 5 up lead on Danielson, Danielson came back, but after halving the 16th hole Knapp won 3 & 2.

Knapp then played #2 seed Gavin Hall in the quarterfinals and the match ended as the second longest match since the current Western Am format started in 1961. Knapp said the match went back and forth and he was just glad to win, with a birdie putt.

Knapp will play Oregon Duck Aaron Wise in an off-season Pac-12 together. Wise defeated Alex Franklin 3 & 2 in the morning after having a 6 Up lead. In the afternoon he jumped out early on Sam Horsfield who rallied to defeat John Coultas in 19 holes in his morning match. Wise shot 64 earlier this week and continues to play good golf as he moves through the championship.

Saturday mornings semi-final matches are:

8AM #1 Robbie Shelton vs #5 Dawson Armstrong                                                             8:15 # 3 Aaron Wise vs # 10 Jake Knapp

The championship match will start in the noon hour, unless one of the morning matches runs long and is decided in several extra holes.

Click here to hear interviews with in order Robbie Shelton, Dawson Armstrong and Jordan Niebrugge.

The Gog Blog will have coverage of the semi-finals and championship matches on Saturday. Stay clicked in.