THE 2023 U.S. SENIOR OPEN is coming up June 29-July 2 at Sentry World in Stevens Point Wisconsin. So for tickets visit USGA.org. Padraig Harrington will defend his title, but will have a tough defense against Wisconsin players Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly.
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. At Medinah Country Club. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy connect on LinkedIn or Instagram.
SOMEHOW you could just hear the great Vin Scully saying yesterday, Clark Won It.
Because whatever call you imagine Scully making, it sure would have been better than NBC’s Dan Hicks not providing anything that will be memorable.
But over on Twitter-Hicks side kick Paul Azinger got blasted for getting it wrong and wrong and wrong again during one call. So yes even in golf, the awful announcing website has plenty to write about. But at least Hicks didn’t drone on all day about Tiger Woods, who isn’t even playing, that must have been tough on Hicksy.
WHAT A GREAT WIN for Wyndham Clark getting major championship win #1, and professional win #2 on the PGA Tour level. Clark had a chance to lose a three-shot lead in the final four holes. But as his lead shrank to one over Rory McIlroy, he held on by making tough pars in holes 17-18. The win brought all his emotions pouring out. Because Clark still struggle over the loss of his mother to breast cancer about 8 years ago.
CLARK DESERVES plenty of credit for calling out the USGA and NBC for the really late start times. Especially on Saturday, when shadows were pouring across the golf course at 7 Pm, LA time. In summer people are outside on a Saturday night, not sitting inside to watch Prime-time television. Which is why west coast U.S. Open’s are brutal for golf fans, the New York crowd is not looking forward to seeing the leaders trudge in at 10 Pm local time. It’s no fun either for Chicago golf fans seeing coverage wrap up after 9 Pm. Sunday night was almost as bad, even through play wrapped up a little sooner.
DEFENDING CHAMPION Matt Fitzpatrick called out the USGA for a disappointing lack of atmosphere at the U.S. Open. But one story that is breaking, is that host club Los Angeles Country Club tried to buy up all the tickets, in an attempt to make the U.S. Open kind of a private event. That did not happen, but the club and it’s members got their fair share.
IT’S NOT UNCOMMON to hear during the NBC broadcasts about the so-called great producer Tommy Roy. Really ? Roy again focused his camera views away from LIV Golfers even though Dustin Johnson and Cam Smith were, “In the Hunt”. Hopefully Roy can figure out how to broadcast a major by next month.
SO WHAT’S NEXT FOR CLARK-will he be the next name tossed out as favorite at all the majors. Time will tell, but I don’t see Clark winning at “The Open Championship” next month. Hint-Pick Rory.
(D) Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT) has opened a senate probe of the new agreement between LIV Golf and PGA Tour. Letters have been sent to both Jay Monahan of the PGA Tour and Greg Norman of LIV Golf. Both were asked for explanations on the new agreement. So if Blumenthal would actually wait until the deal is done, he might be able to get the answers, that everyone else, including the players are looking for.
SINE LAST WEEKS COLUMN-the news came out that PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has had to step away from the PGA Tour to attend to a health issue. During the recent months I have been critical of Monahan’s handling of the PGA Tour battle with LIV Golf. But I do wish him a speedy recovery from whatever his aliments are. But Monahan has been under plenty of stress in recent months, the time way should do him some good.
GOLF GREAT TOM WATSON-has sent a letter to Monahan that was published by Golf Digest. Watson has plenty of questions he wants answered. Doesn’t everyone. Watson would also like the Saudi’s to acknowledge their role, in the 9-11 attacks. Whatever that role might be suggests Watson. Tom-maybe there wasn’t a role.
MEDINAH 3-BIGGER, BOLDER and ARGUABLY BETTER. I returned to Medinah last week to catch up with OCM architect Michael Cockling, and tour the course. A course which is plenty of dirt piles, and bunkers with liners in them. My story will be coming up this week on what’s happening on #3 and why. After walking some of the closing holes in the routing, I think I really like the OCM vision for improvement. So for those who don’t like change, they might not like the improvements. Time will tell.
TOURNAMENT SEASON CONTINUES with the playing of the 105th Western junior Championship at Midlothian Country Club. Best of luck to all the players in the field that represents 27 U.S. States and 13 countries.
CONGRATULATIONS TO BOB & SAM BETTINARDI of Tinley Park based Bettinardi Golf, on their 25th anniversary on being I the golf business. This August their new studio will open in Oak Brook, stay tuned for more details.
The Gog Blog returns this week. RS