THE ATKINS COURSE at the University of Illinois-Illinois Alum Nick Hardy will play in this weeks U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline Mass. Hardy’s 4th U.S. Open.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy in the WNDZ Am 750 studio.

IT’S U.S. OPEN week and it should be a good one.

So after today it’s all about the USGA and the U.S. Open for the rest of the week.

BUT TODAY I’ll give my thoughts on the launch of the Saudi backed LIV Golf.

THE LIV series is now underway, and his one of it’s 8 events for 2022, in the books. As for now, the series of events appears it’s here to stay. But then in the month of September, it’s here. Right here at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove from September 16th to the 18th. How many people will attend, it’s a good question, I hope for Jerry Rich and the Rich Harvest Farms team it’s a good turnout.

BUT AS THE PGA TOUR and the WGA found out, September can be tricky. Because there is plenty going on. Bears, high school and college sports, not that our baseball teams will be much of a factor by then.

I’VE BEEN ASKED many times what’s my take on the LIV Golf Series. Well for what it’s worth here we go.

I HOPE IT’S HERE TO STAY and the LIV GOLF PEOPLE and the PGA TOUR can reach an agreement before this fight ends up in court.

HERE IS my take on what should have happened months ago, but likely now that is not possible after all the stones that have been thrown.

WHY DID THINGS get off to a bad start. Sorry but I blame PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan from making an agreement, that favored the PGA Tour, but still an agreement that would have kept both sides happy.  Perhaps Monahan felt he had to be like his predecessors, hold the line, fight, sue, threaten the players with everything if needed. Hey that worked in the past, but now a new day is born. It’s not the 1990’s anymore.

THE LIV SERIES situation is not Greg Norman’s fault, it’s not Phil Mickelson’s fault, not Dustin Johnson’s fault. Because this one falls completely on the shoulders on Jay Monahan.

BACK in the 1960’s the tour had an issue with of all people Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Lawyers were lined up and then the battle was halted. In 1994 Greg Norman suggested a World Tour, a series of events for the best players that would have paid top dollar or top dollars, plenty of them.

Commissioner Tim Finchem fought back with threats and so forth, legalities and more which put an end to Norman’s idea. But Finchem then wasted no-time creating WGC Golf events, with short fields, more money and now more Fed Ex points. So what did Finchem do, in essence he stole Norman’s idea. There are those who say, Norman is still mad about it, and maybe he should be. Perhaps it’s why Norman won’t go away so easy this time. There will be a media day in advance of the LIV series event at Rich Harvest, word is Norman is coming. It might be a question that needs asking.

IT’S QUITE likely this whole fight will end up in court. But I hope it doesn’t, neither side needs to waste millions on legal fees.

THIS PAST SUNDAY the CBS broadcast from the Canadian Open was great golf, by winner Rory McIlroy and others. Off the course a confused Jim Nantz looked lost talking about a letter from 9-11 families sent to the LIV Series players. Monahan looked lost as well, what it showed is that the PGA Tour can’t believe this is happening. They are not prepared for some other group to cut in on their monopoly of golf.

LOYALTY that’s another interesting comment. I’m loyal to the PGA Tour say some players. Really, um no your not. It’s laughable when some players say the LIV players are just greedy. Okay-how about the tournaments that gave some players a start on the PGA Tour, and how do you thank them, by never going back to those tournaments when your a major champion or a star on the tour. Tournaments that could use your star power to sell more tickets and hospitality tents. Loyalty and greed-yeah right, insert that #MFA comment from Lee Elia here.

They aren’t prepared that somebody is paying all the players in the field, like they don’t. That some golf event would dare take care of the caddies, like they don’t. The PGA Tour took pokes at the LIV events being 54 holes, with shorter fields. To see that they are making fun of, they should look in the mirror at their tour-The PGA Tour Champions. Yes the tour already runs a tour, like the one with a format they are making fun of.

The PGA Tour does do plenty of things right. But if everything was great, the LIV series would not exist. Say what you want, but there are plenty of guys at the U.S. Open this week asking the LIV players about their experiences so far.

Defections are not over. IF THE PGA TOUR WAS SMART, they would have agreed to a limited amount of releases-say 2 or 3 for the players to go play in the LIV Series event. They could have put a limit on how many players get releases for any given week, for LIV tournaments.

Monahan could have played ball with the LIV group and remained in charge. But by doing it this way, with various types of threats, he lost all control.

What’s troubling is media guys complaining about LIV. What is there to complain about, is the LIV Series causing you to work more, taking away from your cash cow. Put a sock in it, and realize golf is expanding, and quit trying to attack players sponsors. That is so no-class. The Masters and the PGA of America now need to step-up and announce that LIV series players are welcome to play in the Masters and the PGA Championship. Both events have former champions playing in LIV. But If they don’t, should those tournaments be considered majors anymore. Maybe not.

IT’S NOT such a bad thing to bring some of the best players in the world to new markets and new venues, and let the people see them up-close. It’s what helps grow the game, something golf organizations everywhere claim they are trying to do. But maybe they are really not doing that, especially when it interferes with your private cash-cow monopoly.

SO IF THIS BATTLE goes to court, who wins. Actually nobody, and golf doesn’t either.

I just wish Monahan and Norman could sit down over a great dinner, a bottle or two of some outstanding beverages, and talk this thing out. Would it be the right thing to do-Yes. Is it likely-no. But all that’s needed is about 10-12 more of the stars of the game of golf to go play LIV Series events. So then what would happen, well the PGA Tour would have to come to the bargaining table, with a hand that would be not as strong as the one they had.

I’m looking forward to seeing LIV Series golf up close at Rich Harvest Farms in September, you Chicago area golf fans should too.

RS.