GET THE GROUP TOGETHER September 22-24 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. LIV Golf is back. Can Cam Smith defend his title, get your tickets at Livgolf.com.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect-Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn

WELCOME TO THUNDERHAWK GOLF CLUB in Beech Park-Home of the 2023 Illinois PGA Section Championship.

FOUR YEARS LATER it happened again. So for defending champion Brian Carroll it was a replay, when Day 1 play was delayed-then cancelled.

Carroll didn’t quite call Day 1 of the 2023 championship a replay, but nobody would blame him if he went home and watched Ground Hog Day on the big screen.

RAIN WAS lurking when action started at 8 Am, then it finally showed up. But then it rained harder and harder. So then the puddles formed, and the streams of water flowed down the fairways. The practice range was soon underwater.

The 54-hole section championship is now a 36-hole championship. Round 1 of 2, will tee off 90 minutes later than planed on Tuesday, was the announcement from IPGA Tournament Director Brad Slocum. 8 Am Round-2 tee times are now 9:30 and so forth.

Carroll at 3 under par through 12 holes was leading the field, just like four years ago. But Round-1 was wiped off the board and the books. Carroll says, “I didn’t like the restart rule then, and I still don’t today. But I do understand it.”

At least Carroll got his first major win last year in the section championship. It’s one that nobody can take away from him. But Carroll like the rest field, still has 36 holes left to play, and a full chance to win this years championship.

Slocum also announced the entire field will play 36 holes there will be no-cut this year. So for more details visit IPGA.com.