BRADEN SHATTUCK won the 2023 National Club Professional Championship in New Mexico, to earn a place in this past weekends PGA Championship. Shattuck won the championship by using the Makefield Putter. So learn more at Makefieldputters.com.

The Wanamaker Trophy weighs 32 pounds, but probably felt like less for Brooks Koepka.

THE DRIVE FOR FIVE!

CONGRATS BROOKS-your third PGA shows you haven’t lost it, even after the dislocated knee cap injury.

That can be painful, I know, I went through what Koepka did, twice. So that is part of the reason I play golf. It’s the sport I can play, without wearing a knee brace.

I’m sure the debate begins about PGA Tour vs LIV Golf. But what Koepka’s win shows us, and the results at the Masters prove. Is that the players who were the worlds best players before LIV started, are pretty much the best players now. In the big picture-not much has changed.

BUT FOR CBS ANNOUNCER JIM NANTZ-things are changing for the long time distinguished broadcaster who is slimming down his schedule. Nantz apparently finds the need to take pot-shots at LIV Golfers during the broadcasts, some might think it’s funny-but cheap shot Jim needs to change his tune before he wraps up his career. Hey Jim don’t throw away your track record at this point of your career.

CONGRATULATIONS TO COACH EMILY FLETCHER and the Northwestern Wildcats Women’s Golf Team for making it to Arizona for the NCAA Division 1 National Championships. But sadly the Wildcats did not advance past the third round cut, to make the last day of the stroke play portion of the championship.

ARCHITECT ANDY GREEN’S renovation of Oak Hill’s East Course, took it’s toll on the PGA Championship field this week. Especially when the cold hit on Thursday and the rain landed on Saturday. So it was fun watching the final round in sunshine. The question is whether the weather on Thursday showed the PGA, not to bring the PGA back up north again, especially in the month of May.

THE DP EAROPEAN TOUR has announced it has fined 26 players various amounts, for playing in LIV GOLF tournaments. Several former big name European players, tore up their tour cards. DP says these players can not be reinstated until all fines are paid. Some players reportedly owe fines of up to 500K. HEY DP- You are a DP-Dumb Play.

THE CW NETWORK bailed on LIV Golf’s Oklahoma event, as it was set to to go a playoff, eventually won by Dustin Johnson. CW put on some zzzz level shows instead of the playoff. CW executives are now reading up on the “Heidi-Bowl”. Fans were outraged and they should be. C’mon CW lets get better. The ratings for LIV Golf sure are.

WITH AT&T backing off sponsorship for the Byron Nelson Championship, the PGA Tour went into the search mode to find a replacement. Raytheon Corporation jumped up as a sponsor, but was rejected by the PGA Tour. Because Commissioner Jay Monahan decided since the company sells missiles to Saudi Arabia. Seriously Jay-c’mon. So maybe Raytheon can sponsor a LIV Golf Tour event.

GREAT JOB-by the Northern Illinois University men’s golf team that won the MAC Conference, for the first time since the mid-1980’s. The Huskies sat in sixth place after Day 1, but their way back to win the title.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS MEN’S Golf team punched it’s ticket to the NCAA Championships in Scottsdale AZ, with a second place finish at the regionals in Michigan. Good luck later this week Illini.

ALDEEN GOLF CLUB’S CHRIS FRENCH made the field in this past weeks 105th PGA Championship at Oak Hill. Unfortunately French did not make the weekend cut, after a great inspired effort. But it was great to see a professional from the Illinois PGA Section make the field. French followed up the 2023 Club Professional Championship with a win in the first Illinois PGA major of the year. French defeated Mistwood’s Andy Mickelson in the championship match 2 & 1.

Many club professionals from Illinois and Midwest states feel the current dates of the national club professional championship, make it impossible for professional to compete for a chance to play in the PGA, even with 20 spots available in the field. One writer from Golfweek Magazine suggested reducing the club professional field to 10 players. Hey who’s championship is it. But at least Michael Block will be in the field next year at Valhalla in 2024. What a great hole-in-one on the 15th hole in yesterdays final round.

THE GOG BLOG returns tomorrow. RS