THE PHIL KOSIN ILLINOIS WOMEN’S OPEN Pro-Am tomorrow and the IWO tee’s off on Monday morning, final round on Wednesday July 20th, admission and parking are free. See Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333 for details. The new Titleist 716’s for more information on these new irons and all the new Titleist products see Titleist.com.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears. Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on facebook, linkedin and twitter @GogBlogGuy. By the Deer at the Deere, TPC Deere Run.

It’s all always a great time at the John Deere Classic media day. The defending champion comes in and takes questions for all the reporters.

This year defending champion Jordan Spieth did not come to media day, and as a result did not take questions from the media present. But as the press conference was supposed to start Spieth released a statment that did cause questions to be asked, even if they were not, or could not be answered.

As JDC Tournament Director Clair Peterson was about to take to the podium, the news flashed across the screen from the “Open Championship” that Spieth had wtihdrawn from the 2016 Olympic games in Rio. He too must be worried about mosquitos, or something else.

The John Deere Classic press conference with TD Clair Peterson at the podium.

It didn’t take long for the media to ask Peterson if he had heard from Spieth yet about coming to the JDC.

Peterson had not but admitted he hoped he would in the days ahead. Since then Spieth has said he might not play that week at all, that it wouldn’t be right. But actually it would be, since on the PGA Tour if your the defending champion you should defend unless injuries or health prevent you from doing so. What will happen with Spieth at this point is unknown. But JDC board member Zach Johnson has informed the tournament that many top players could commit if they need Fed Ex Cup or Ryder Cup points. Players will assess their situation after the PGA Championship.

Click here to hear interviews with Clair Peterson, and media day attendee’s former University of Illinois player Charlie Danielson, and former Oregon Duck and reigning NCAA national champion Aaron Wise. Wise has rebounded nicely after getting stunned in the 2015 Western Amateur title match at Rich Harvest Farms.

Peterson and Deere brought in former Illini standout Charlie Danielson who has now turned professional, along with 2016 NCAA Champion Oregon’s Aaron Wise who has also now turned pro.

Both players were great interviews, and look forward to playing in the JDC. The TPC Deere Run golf course was in a great shape on a 94 degree day. The touring pro’s will love it when they arrive in August.

Peterson says there have been positives to having the One-year date change into August this year, the tournament gets it’s July dates back in 2017. The JDC is hoping to have another big year in raising money through it’s birdies for charities program, last year over 8 Million Dollars were raised for local charities.

For information and tickets see Johndeereclassic.com. JDC week is August 8-14.