MISTWOOD GOLF DOME on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is open daily. This winter the dome has redone it’s putting and chipping area’s downstairs, and the hitting area upstairs. So why not bring your clubs and get ready for the outdoor season ahead. Go practice on Toptracer, grab a lesson or get fitted for new clubs. Because it’s time to get your game right this season-Visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600 #MCWETHYS

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook. On the tee at Pine Barrens, part of Cabot Citrus Farms in Brooksville Florida (formerly World Woods).

PHIL-GREG and ZACH.

There has been much talk in the golf world of late, about both Phil Mickelson and Greg Norman, But there is more talk today about Zach Johnson the new 2023 Team USA Ryder Cup captain.

But back to Phil Mickelson. “Lefty” is almost back in hiding, during a time he should be riding high.

One major publication is asking this question today, was Mickelson supposed to be the Ryder Cup captain. But Johnson named captain by the PGA of America, because of Mickelson’s comments.

THERE HAVE BEEN THOSE who have reached out to me asking, what did Mickelson do that was all that bad in the first place. Because fans are wondering, did he kill someone-No. Did he beat up his wife or harm animals-No. Did he steal money from someone or commit a terrorist act-again No.

So what’s the problem, and why are sponsors dropping him. Because these days the wrong comments can set off the social media masses. Something that corporate America at times takes far too seriously. As a result Mickelson has stepped back from playing in some tournaments But hopefully not the Players Championship, the Masters, or the PGA Championship, where he is the defending champion, in the weeks ahead.

AS THE OLD SAYING GOES-Talk is cheap. But Mickelson’s talking has been costly in terms of sponsorship dollars, but if Mickelson goes and plays golf in the Saudi-Tournaments he could make that money back. I’m just hoping he is back in America on one tour or another, or in the majors before all too long.

GREG “The Shark” Norman is circling PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan these days, like a Great White Shark looking for dinner. What lies ahead seems to be a battle for the lawyers to enjoy. Norman’s letter to Monahan last week suggesting the battle is still on, shows that Norman and a Saudi Golf series of events is not going away quickly.

But there is an easy way to settle this, PGA Tour players should be “released” to play overseas. Plus a player should only have a certain amount of releases per-year to go play Saudi golf, instead of going to all 10 or 12 events. 2 or 3 seems like a good number. The players are independent contractors. So they should have some freedom or say-so, in where they play golf.

Norman had an idea years go, that the tour shot down. But then took Norman’s plan and ran with it themselves, AKA the WGC Golf Championships. This time Norman appears that he is just not going to walk away, and let the PGA Tour or anyone else steal his plan for a series of big money golf events. Stay tuned.

JOHNSON winner of the Masters, British Open, John Deere Classic and the BMW Championship, was named captain of Team USA for 2023.

Johnson knows he has his work cut-out for him. Because Team USA has not won on foreign soil in 30 years. So he says he won’t take that issue likely. Johnson has also named Steve Stricker a Vice-Captain already this morning.

Tour players interviewed this past weekend, said Johnson is a great choice. A mixture of both old and new-school kind of guy. The 2023 Ryder Cup will be played in Italy at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. Team Europe will want revenge after the large margin of defeat they suffered at Whistling Straits last year.

THE GOG BLOG will be back almost every day the next week or two, finishing up stories from the PGA Merchandise Show. Additionally there are travel pieces coming from great golf destinations like Innisbrook in Florida, Reynolds Lake-Oconee in Georgia. The from Pinehurst and Ross Resorts in North Carolina. So stay clicked in, and there could be some news coming on the local front this week as well. RS