OT: Golf - Fedex Cup - BMW Championship in Chicago
The PGA Tour golf season is coming to a close in the next two weeks - personally, I enjoyed it more went the season went longer. There are two more events in the Fedex Cup series - and, the Ryder Cup will be held in Italy the weekend of the Nebraska game.
This week, the Top 50 players are teeing off in the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields located in Chicago's south suburbs - the location which also held the US Open in 2003. The top 30 players will compete in the Tour Championship next weekend in Atlanta.
At the top of the standings are:
- Jon Rahm,
- Scottie Scheffler,
- Rory McIlroy,
- Lucas Glover (who is on fire and won the last two PGA Tour events - 2009 US Open champ - played at Bethpage Black),
- Patrick Cantlay (I saw at the 2011 US Amateur played at Erin Hills in Wisconsin),
- Max Homa (I saw him play on the Web.com tour in 2016 and thought "Damn"),
- Viktor Hovland.
Weather shouldn't be a factor in Chicago. Storms came through the area this morning - but - temperatures should be no higher that mid 80's during tournament play - and, there's no forecasted precipitation.
I've been a fan of Rory McIlroy's for a while - I like how he conducts himself on and off the course. Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth are - respectively - a few spots outside and inside - the qualification line for Atlanta.
Are you - or will you - follow golf this weekend or next? Any favorites - predications?
August 17th, 2023 at 3:05 PM ^
I’m going to be drinking and smoking on a lake back home in Michigan this weekend so I won’t be watching anything.
but definitely interested in the tour championship. rooting for Homa as he’s a fellow Cal Golden Bear 🐻
August 17th, 2023 at 3:39 PM ^
This has honestly been one of the worst seasons I can remember in professional golf. Tiger is basically done after a season in which it looked like he had one more go in him. Rory talks all that mess and does not even contend anywhere. Koepka wins the PGA Championship after being banned from the PGA. Everybody hates Phil now and that generally sucks. Fowler folds, again, in the only moment all season that could have generated some fireworks. The merger. The complaints about the merger. And did they even play the Open Championship? Just pretty bad stuff right now.
August 17th, 2023 at 4:15 PM ^
What do you mean Rory didn’t even contend?
yes, he missed the Masters cut, but he finished 7th in the PGA, 2nd(!) in the US, and 6th at the Open.
3 top 10 finishes, one of which was a 2nd place. What else do you define as contending?
August 18th, 2023 at 6:00 PM ^
For a 4 time major winner, contending is winning or losing in a playoff.
August 17th, 2023 at 5:22 PM ^
Phil Michelson = colossal douche.
August 17th, 2023 at 7:06 PM ^
I have a guaranteed winning bet for Phony-ass Phil. Bet the way WAY under that you’ll be at Bethpage in 25 other than as a paying customer. That was his Ryder Cup to be captain. Hope they name Tiger to stick it up Phil’s ass!
August 17th, 2023 at 5:44 PM ^
I agree with your first sentence-have watched the least PGA golf in a very long time. OTOH, my wife is a huge LPGA fan and we have watched and followed the tour increasingly closely. I must say that the LPGA, for me/us, is a joy to watch. The skill is excellent and the culture is somewhere around a million times better than the PGA.
August 17th, 2023 at 3:53 PM ^
Big Rory fan because of his personality and the fact that I share a birthday with him. I’m rooting for him but also a Victor Hovland fan though I couldn’t articulate why. Just like him. I don’t dislike Scottie Sheffler, but I cant stand watching his swing.
August 17th, 2023 at 4:05 PM ^
I took my 5-year-old to his first-ever tournament last week in Memphis. He loved it! I forgot how fun watching in person was. I hadn't been since before my kids were born. Thinking about driving to Atlanta for the tournament next week. We are big Max Homa fans. I hope he wins it all, but would be really happy with any of those top 6 winning.
August 17th, 2023 at 4:10 PM ^
I had a chance to play the North Course (all majors are played at the South Course, so caveats apply). I find Olympia fields to be very over-rated course for a major tournament. Again, I didn't play the South Course, but everyone tells me the North Course is not much different.
With that said, Chicago is probably the only major city with such great golf courses nearby. I've played Medina #3, Cog Hill Dubsdread, Wheaton Country Club (the first 18 hole gold course in the US), and Butler National. And I may be able to play Kemper Lakes next month. Its crazy how much good golf is nearby.
August 17th, 2023 at 5:58 PM ^
I think you maybe off just a bit. I believe the North Course at Olympia Fields has hosted the majors held there. The first 18 hole golf course in the US is the Chicago Golf Club - which is located in Wheaton. It’s not the Wheaton Country Club.
Butler is great if you can get on it. Kemper hosted a PGA Championship that - IIRC - Payne Stewart won. Medinah’s historic, but I heard they’re going to do a complete rebuild of #3.
There is a lot a great golf in, and around, Chicago. Enjoy…
August 17th, 2023 at 8:31 PM ^
Ok. I got the courses mixed up at Olympia Fields. And I did get the name wrong for the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton (I played it in 1999, and not since). Thanks for the correction.
Butler was near my high school and I had 2 classmates whose family were members. Back then, no women were allowed, which was still weird back then.
August 17th, 2023 at 8:45 PM ^
Still the case...
August 17th, 2023 at 8:37 PM ^
North at OLY hosts the tournaments. Saw Furyk win there in 03.
Chicago Golf Club is indeed a founding member of the USGA and the first course west of the Alleghenies and the first 18 hole course in the US. But it's original location was different - what stands at the original location is now the Belmont Golf Club in Downers Grove. Today's Macdonald/Raynor masterpiece is in Wheaton. It is a spiritual experience. Leave your cell phone in the car and the range finder at home. Can't bring either out there.
Kemper used to host many events, now it doesn't. Medinah's redo of #3 is to make it attractive to continue hosting major tournaments. It is one of the few that has hosted a US Open and a PGA.
It is really too bad that the PGA does not have an automatic stop in Chicago anymore. Conway did a redo to get events back but it really only leaves Medinah, Olympia Fields and Conway as the courses capable of holding a PGA tournament. Butler would have a US Open or PGA tomorrow if they changed one thing...
Between the "God tier" of Chicago Golf, Shoreacres and Old Elm and the amazing clubs on the north shore and in the south and western burbs, Chicago is one of the best golf areas in the country for private golf. Public courses are lacking aside from Cog.
August 17th, 2023 at 9:09 PM ^
Back in the late 90s, the PGA asked Butler to allow women on the course or else the PGA would stop hosting tournaments there. Butler told the PGA to pound sand. They are some of the most dogmatic golfers I’ve ever come across (and not in a good way). They really think that golf stands for: Gentleman Only, Ladies Forbidden.
August 17th, 2023 at 9:24 PM ^
Bear of a course, too. Almost too difficult.
August 17th, 2023 at 9:30 PM ^
I think the public courses in Chicago are fantastic as well. From Thunderhawk to Mistwood etc.
But that’s just me.
August 17th, 2023 at 10:05 PM ^
Which one is your favorite? I’m always partial to Seven Bridges and Ravisloe.
August 17th, 2023 at 10:31 PM ^
Seven Bridges is great. No golf range, but that’s ok. I golfed Ravisloe about 10 years ago and was impressed by how well it was kept.
in addition to Thunderhawk and Mistwood, I do like both Harborside courses, Big Run and Pine Meadow. If I had enough time, I liked Cinder Ridge years ago, but that was a bit of a hike.
You?
August 18th, 2023 at 1:06 AM ^
Definitive List of the Top Public Tracks in Chicagoland
Stonewall Orchard, Thunderhawk, Cantigny, Preserve at Oak Meadows, Prairie Landing, The Glen Club, Mistwood, Ravisloe, The Highlands of Elgin, Lost Marsh, Cog Hill, Shepherds Crook
August 18th, 2023 at 8:45 AM ^
Great list! My only complaint about Shepherds Crook is that is next to a landfill and if the wind is blowing a certain way, the smell makes the course borderline unplayable.
August 18th, 2023 at 8:47 AM ^
Steve, great list - I agree.
August 18th, 2023 at 9:11 AM ^
I forgot about pine meadow - that’s definitely on there for me. For me i would include Cog, Harborside, Ravisloe, Stonewall Orchard, PM and am partial to George Dunne because it brings back good memories from my law school days.
August 18th, 2023 at 1:56 PM ^
George Dunne is a great course for the price (I guess since it is a forest preserve course). My fondest memory there is all my close high school buddies golfed it the day before several of us were going off to college. We had a few too many beers (yes, we were underage, so sue me) and we jumped into one of the ponds there near 17/18. We thought we were so cool! However, there was some chemical that was treating the pond and we all got some mega chemical rash on our bodies. Not cool after all.
August 17th, 2023 at 4:15 PM ^
I don't watch golf. I'll be watching my hometown Braves beat up the Giants and get one win closer to 100 - along with college football, of course.
August 17th, 2023 at 4:34 PM ^
Rory 8-1
sungjae 33-1
cam young 40-1
wyndy c 55-1
cam Davis 70-1
that’s my lot for the week. Will probably do some matchups for individual rounds throughout.
great course. Glad to see midwestern golf course showcased
August 17th, 2023 at 4:57 PM ^
HOLY SHIT...RORY with an AMAZING birdie...
Wow
August 17th, 2023 at 5:45 PM ^
I’m watching some of the first round - and am glad weather didn’t impact the first round of play - during play.
A strong band of thunderstorms hit the Chicago area earlier in the morning - and, Olympia Fields looks like it got it’s fair share. There’s no roll in the fairways and the greens are very receptive / soft.
I’ve played the course, my most recent round there was a few years ago. I wonder how much the course can dry out by tomorrow - and guess it will be firmer / dry on the weekend. Enjoy…
August 17th, 2023 at 6:10 PM ^
One of my employees is a scratch golfer and always works at the local Chicago events so he will be on the course Friday or Sunday as a staff member getting a first hand view of the action.
I personally am more of a casual fan who will flip by on a lazy Sunday but doesn't follow it closely.
August 17th, 2023 at 6:59 PM ^
August 17th, 2023 at 7:01 PM ^
This was my first youtube embed recently, so I didn't add it to my comment.
August 17th, 2023 at 7:05 PM ^
I would like to see Lucas Glover continue his hot streak 🏌️⛳.
August 18th, 2023 at 8:25 AM ^
I've never been to a tournament before, but a family member got us VIP tickets for the Tour Championship in Atlanta next weekend. We'll have tent access with food and drink provided.
I'm really looking forward to it, since there will be all the top players there.
August 18th, 2023 at 8:49 AM ^
Just a suggestion - spend some time on the range. While you’re there - just get a feel for the rhythm / tempo of their swings. The players don’t “lash” as the ball - their release and acceleration at the ball is the source of their length / power.
Have a great time - bring sunscreen.
August 18th, 2023 at 9:13 AM ^
Round two will tee off in a few minutes. Conditions are very good - clear skies, temperatures projected in the low 80’s, no precipitation in the forecast.
McIlroy, Scheffler, and Fowler are at, or near, the top of the leaderboard.
I think the fairways are still soft from this week’s rains and won’t roll out until the weekend - so, today’s round might still be target golf with the fairways not getting firm until tomorrow or Sunday.
Enjoy…
August 18th, 2023 at 10:32 AM ^
The first hole is a par 5 and the first few groups in the second round are taking advantage of it.
I’m not sure of the exact stats - but, it might be playing as the easiest hole on the course.
P.S. A quick look at the stats reveals the following. The opening hole IS the easiest hole on the course - lowest scoring thus far. The first five holes are where players can attack the course - holes 1 though 5 are all in the easiest nine holes on the course - and, individually playing under par. On the flip side - the course finishes tough - four of the toughest six holes are 14 through 18.
August 18th, 2023 at 10:59 AM ^
Eric Cole, one of today’s early starters is off to a fast start and is four under through six holes in his second round. Interestingly - he did not birdie the par five opening hole.
Chris Kirk is off to a fast start in his second round as well. He’s three under through five holes today - and, the leader at seven under overall.
Of the first twenty or so golfers who have begun their second round - about half are under par in today’s round. The first group off is making the turn and playing the 10th hole. The only player who had a solid first round that isn’t taking advantage of today’s conditions is Colin Morikawa - he’s two over today through four holes.
August 18th, 2023 at 11:52 AM ^
Many of you may know this, but this tournament replaced the former Western Open, and is run by the Western Golf Association (WGA). This tournament benefits the Evans Scholars Foundation, which is the best kept secret in higher education. The Evans Scholarship is a full academic and housing scholarship for golf caddies who demonstrate financial need. We have a chapter house at U-M, and for anyone with kids in middle school and high school, this is an incredible opportunity for them (and even if they aren't interested in college, caddying is THE BEST summer job there is).
August 18th, 2023 at 7:28 PM ^
At my former employer, we were lucky enough to hire an Evans Scholar. He came from a tough background, earned the scholarship, was the first in his family to go to and graduate college, had a successful 2 years at our firm and then moved on to very green pastures. He was very explicit that the scholarship changed the course of his life.
It’s fantastic program with a strong presence here in Chicago.