THE 117TH U.S. OPEN AT ERIN HILLS and now the field is being closer to being set after Today’s Sectional Qualifying. USGA.com and or USOPEN.com for more details.      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content, follow Rory to the U.S. Open, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter@GogBlogGuy. With the U.S. Open Trophy.

THAT SIGH OF RELIEF you just heard all the way from Erin Hills to Far Hills in New Jersey, was the USGA and it’s full staff relieved that they won’t be run out of the State of Wisconsin for not letting Steve Stricker in next weeks U.S. Open. The media was ready to pounce. Expect a few thousand more tickets sold tomorrow, now that Stricker is in.

Much to the relief of many, Sticker won the USGA Sectional he played in today at 10 under par. Of 106 players, there was 8 spots up for grabs, and Sticker grabbed the top spot. Problem Solved.

It appears that Wisconsin’s Jordan Niebrugge is in as well, which along with Stricker will keep the bars open late tonight. On a sad note neither of the two finalists from the 2011 U.S. Amateur at Erin Hills made it out of qualifying today. So there will not be a Kelly Kraft or Patrick Cantlay sighting at Erin Hills.

FROM THE LOCAL SCENE the news was not much better. Andy Pope with roots in Glen Ellyn did survive and make the open field. Doug Ghim of Arlington Heights is a second alternate, but not likely to get in. The University of Illinois saw it players Nick Hardy and Dylan Meyer play well, but not well enough. Former teammate Charlie Danielson a Wisconsin guy, did not get in either. Skokie Country Club professional Garrett Chaussard came up short. So did Erin Hills professional Rich Tock.

LUKE DONALD played well and so did Mark Wilson, the local PGA Tour pro’s were under par, but not far enough under to make the field. Vince India of Deerfield did not make it in, neither did defending Rust-Oleum Champion Max Homa. IPGA Pro Dan Kochevar’s son Kyle Kochevar did not get in There were a few other Illinois players from other parts of the state that fell short as well.

SECTIONAL LOCATIONS NOT POPULAR with the players. I heard over a dozen complaints from various players that were playing in today’s qualifiers about the poor locations of this years sectionals. Two sectionals in Ohio, Why? There should be at least one in Illinois, with so many Illinois and Wisconsin and Indiana players that were playing today. USGA, lets revisit that plan in 2018.

WHAT WILL BE POPULAR is that USGA has announced that the U.S. Open merchandise tent will be open this week from Thursday to Sunday, from 10 Am to 6 Pm for shopping. You do not need a ticket for the open to go shopping this week, if you want to give the USGA your money, they will gladly take it. So come on in and spend.

THE USGA, FOX SPORTS and TOP GOLF have announced a nation wide watch party at all Top Golf locations during championship week, visit all three websites for more details.

AROUND TOWN..prior to Erin Hills teeing off next week thereis some good golf in town here this week. The Radix Cup that features the top CDGA Amateur’s vs our Illinois PGA section professionals is Wednesday afternoon at Oak Park CC, admission is free. Starting on Thursday is the Rust-Oleum Championship at Ivanhoe Country Club in the town of Mundelein. Fans won’t be admitted until Round 1 on Thursday.

We are still working on our show for Saturday and which US Open guests will be on, more on that as we get the confirmations. The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS