THE new clubhouse at the Preserve at Oak Meadows. Opening soon Dupagegolf.com   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or LinkedIn/Instagram or Facebook

Phil Mickelson with the Wanamaker Trophy. Photo by Rory Spears.

PHIL…

So make it #6 in the major’s category for “Lefty”. Because Phil Mickelson is now the oldest major champion in golf history, at 50 years and many months.

But what a great finish, and an amazing gallery, unlike any other. So crowded around the green and the players as they came to the 18th green. I have never seen anything like that in golf. Not at the British Open, not at Cog Hill Western Open, not at Bellerive at the 2018 PGA Championship when Brooks Koepka, beat Tiger. But what an atmosphere, great for the game that is growing every day.

It was great to see this finish for the PGA Championship, and PGA President Jim Richerson. But also good to see a great week for former Illinois PGA section professional Roger Warren. Warren is now the Kiawah Island Resort President, and his resort pulled off a great championship.

MICKELSON just gave hope to all golfers 50 and over, that they can still accomplish something special in golf. But with Mickelson playing a new Callaway Epic Max driver, you have to wonder how many of those drivers Callaway will sell in the next few months.

YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF MICKELSON is now on the radar of Ryder Cup Team Captain Steve Stricker, as Mickelson is now 16th in the point standings for this Septembers Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. Lefty moved up 42 places in the point standing with his win at Kiawah. So now a solid finish at the U.S Open would likely earn him a spot on the team.

I JUST WISH Kevin Streelman could have made a few more birdies and moved up the leaderboard a place or two. Because Streelman deserved a better fate than he got on Sunday. The putts just would not drop.

GREG OHLENDORF a long time golfer, member at Flossmoor Golf Club and course rater has a new book due out in June. Ohlendorf’s tails about playing every Top 100 in America and the Top 100 courses world wide, sheds light on how to knock-off a bucket list full of courses. Ohlendorf joins us live from Pinehurst on Golfers on Golf Radio this  Saturday at 4:30.

CONGRATS to Highwood’s Patrick Flavin and Jordan Hahn of Elmhurst for being awarded sponsors exemptions into this weeks Evans Scholars Invitational. Great selections by the WGA-ESI Championship committee.

MOVING INTO SOMETHING NEW is Brian Tulk, who has been named General Manager and Director of Golf at Klein Creek in Winfield. Congrats to Brian on the new job.

FINALLY A TIP OF THE CAP or golf visor to Brad Marek the Arlington Heights native, and John Hersey HS alum. Marek a club professional who also played for Indiana University, made the cut and got to stay for the weekend. Never an easy job for club or teaching professionals, to keep up with the best players in the world. Especially during a major championship.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS