IRONS & WOODS-COMING TO LONG GROVE ILLINOIS, This fall. Stay clicked in here to follow the build up, of the golf and sports driven simulator facility. There will be slot machines and other entertainment options. So now enjoy golf season all year long.  ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears. Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, linkedin and Facebook. With BMW Championship artist Cassy Tully, her championship posters, ornaments and paintings, are for sale in the merchandise tent. Beside the first tee.

Round 1 is in the books for the BMW Championship.

2017 PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas, and Jason Kokrak who is still looking for his first win on tour. Are your leaders after they carded seven under par 65’s.

Several players are 1 shot back at 6 under par, including 49 year-old Jim Furyk.

Furyk is looking to add another chapter to his great Chicago area golf history, with a win this week at Medinah.

Jim Furyk spent extra time this week on the putting green, wanting to be ready for Round 1.

Because Furyk’s record in Chicago is outstanding, who can count him out. So even at 49, he’s a threat to win.

Furyk won the 2003 U.S. Open his only major championship win, at Olympia Fields. And then two years later, Furyk held off Tiger Woods to win the 2005 Western Open at Cog Hill.

And then Furyk recorded a runner-up at the Western Open, besides shooting 59 at the 2013 BMW Championship at Conway Farms. Furyk ended up third when Zach Johnson rallied to win on Monday morning.

Click here, to hear the post round interview with Jim Furyk.

Because Thomas had to withdraw from the PGA Championship in May, and miss three tournaments this year with a wrist injury. Thomas has needed time to get his game back in form. So is this his week to get back in the winners circle ?

Click here to hear the post Round 1 interview with co-leader Justin Thomas.

Jason Kokrak has been getting closer to his first PGA Tour win all year long, and Kokrak has had 5-top ten finishes this year. Kokrak took second place, after being the runner-up to Paul Casey at the Valspar Championship in March.

Kokrak could have been the outright leader, but he missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th green.

And for the second straight week, both Brandt Snedeker and Patrick Cantlay were in the hunt after posting 66. Defending FedExCup champion, and past BMW Championship winner at Cog Hill Justin Rose, was at 5 under par after a 67.

World No.1, and Fed ExCup points leader Brooks Koepka and last weeks winner Patrick Reed were at 4 under par. Rory McIlroy was at 3 under par. U.S. Open Champion Gary Woodland and Phil Mickelson were at 2 under par.

Tiger Woods is in 50th place, after a 1 under par 71. Woods was at 2 under par early on the back nine, but could not get anything going the last seven holes. He needed a 40 foot par putt on the 18th green, to remain under par for his opening round.