THE 2023 U.S. SENIOR OPEN is June 29-July 2 at Sentry World in Stevens Point Wis. Tickets are still available at USGA.org. Padraig Harrington is the defending champion.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. With the US Open trophy at Erin Hills.

U.S. Open week is here.

Welcome to Los Angeles Country Club and it’s North Course for the U.S. Open.

But the real question is, how many questions during the next two days will be about the U.S. Open. Because I am sure there will be plenty about the LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger.

But while there is plenty of time to discuss that in the days and months ahead, this week is more about the golf. So can Matt Fitzpatrick successfully defend his title, or will there be a new champion.

Because there is always some guessing about what the winning score will be, I will throw this out. It’s very likely to be lower than in recent years. Because the USGA could not get the rough where it wanted the rough to be. Spring weather did not allow for a growth as deep as the USGA wanted the rough, or a rough as thick as it wanted. So maybe the chop it out relief shot, won’t be needed this year.

THERE IS SOME question on how the Par-3 11th hole will play. Because it’s a par-3 than can play almost 300 yards. Seriously, even the world top professionals and amateurs want no part of that set up.

CONGRATS TO JIM MILLER the new head golf professional at Kemper Lakes Golf Club. Former Country Club of Decatur Director of Golf Steve Orrick moves over to Bloomington Country Club, to fill Millers office.

THE ILLINOIS WOMEN’S AMATEUR and the IWGA. The women’s state amateur has started at The Grove Country Club in Long Grove. Day 1 is stroke play. The medalist was Barrington’s Mara Janess, the 2021 WWGA Junior Champion at Aurora Country Club, with 70 (-2). Janess said she made several long putts to seal her round.

Medlalist Mara Janess with dad Scott Janess (L) and runner-up Sarah Arnold (R) who shot a 71 (-1).

But it was putting that cost past Illinois Women’s Open Champion Sarah Arnold the medal. Arnold said it was two missed putts of 4 and 5 feet in the final holes that cost her two key shots. But overall both Janess and Arnold will head out into Tuesday’s round of 32 as seeds 1 & 2 in the match play. Both players feel good about their game and seem confident heading into Day 2.

This years championship is the IWGA 90th, and the organization is closing it’s doors after this year. But word is that the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) will take over operation of the event in 2024, let’s hope so.

IT SHOULD BE an exciting week on the golf course, the 61st Radix Cup tee’s off at oak Park Country Club on Thursday. As the CDGA amateurs are the defending champions. But I can wait for U.S. Open week to unfold.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS