THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE, Rogue Irons are the number one sellers on the market for last month, Go Callaway-Go Rogue See Callawaygolf.com. BRYSON DeChambeau your winner at the Northern Trust Tournament Round 1 of the 2018 PGA Tour Fed Ex Cup Playoffs (Seen here at the John Deere Classic in 2017-file photo). With his win in this past weeks tournament, DeChambeau and runner-up Tony Finau seem to have earned their way to France as members of the USA Ryder Cup Team. #captainspicks. _____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Facebook, Linkedin and now Instagram. With the Ryder Cup during the trophy tour.
THE WIND made it tough in Round 1 of the Illinois PGA Section Championship at Stonewall Orchard.
But it did not stop Wildcat Academy professional Tim Streng from taking a one shot lead over 7 players, as Streng opened with a 3 under par 69.
“It was a tough day out there with the wind,” said Streng.” But I had my wedges dialed in and several of them to 10-12 feet, and capitalized on a few of them.”
Streng admitted that the section championship is one tournament that he would like to win. To more 69’s might just get it done for him.
Welcome to Stonewall Orchard home of the 2018 Illinois PGA Section Championship.
Among those in close pursuit is 12 time champion University of Illinois golf coach Mike Small, who headed up the pack at 70 (-2). Small called the wind a factor in Round 1, but said he will be ready for round two, and that he needs to make a few more putts.
The remaining players at 2 under par, included Dakun Chang, two time runner up Curtis Malm, Brian Carroll, Rich Dukelow, the Medinah teaching pro who is playing hurt with a rib injury suffered just 2 1/2 weeks ago. Roy Biancalana and Kurt Rogers were the others.
Defending Champion Adam Schumacher of the Indian Hill Club, had an interesting round. With his front nine finishing bogey-bogey-double bogey-double-bogey. Then he carded a 32 on the back nine to finish at 3 over par. Schumacher is T-28 and well inside the Top 60 and ties cut line leading into the second round.
Stonewall Orchard is playing to a Par of 72 and the yardage for Round 1 was 6,935 yards. In addition to the section championship this week, players are competing for a trip to the Professional National Championship in South Carolina next spring, where the top 20 finishers will earn a trip to the 2019 PGA Championship that will be played on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park next May.