John Deere tournament draws few FGL golfers

Manager Paul had a good week with Straka’s victory. 12 points to PAK

Commish and Doug’s new guy helped bring in 4 points for each manager. This narrows Big J’s lead to 11 points.

And for something completely different, as we roll into the MLB break, both Ohio teams are in first place. That just doesn’t happen folks!

Two tournaments coming up next week. Sort of. At the Barbusol event, only Team Jaustin has players in the tournament. (Pendrith and Long) Below is the expected field for the Scotish Open.

Manager Golfers expected to play 

Big J Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Conners, Tyrrell Hatton

Jim Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Adam Scott

Jaustin Rory, Sungjae Im

Doug Matt Fitzpatrick, George Burns, Sahith Theegala, Fleetwood Mac, Min Woo Lee

B.T.O.   Max Homa, Gary Woodland, Francesco Molinari

The Doctor Breakfast Souflee, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry,  Alex Noren  

Monica   Keith Mitchell,  K.H. Lee, Kurt Kitayama

Commish Scottie, Tom Kim, lil Rickie, J.T. Poston, 

Kevin   Pete Rose, Brian Harman 

Paul Seamus Power, Peppermint Patty 

An idea

So many countries are trying to get to the Moon or to Mars. Many want to discover if there is water on Mars. Here’s an idea: let’s take Doug, his 7 iron and one golf ball to Mars. If there is water there, he’ll find it!

Motown keeps it exciting

Big J continues with his FGL lead but it’s shrinking. Interesting that it’s his last two picks that are his biggest point scorers. With one Major left, it may come down to Hatton and Koepka to keep him at the top.

lil Rickie finally came through for me after lots of Top 10 finishes. I just think he needed a different FGL manager this year to push him to the top. Only 8 birdies on #18 Sunday until Rickie birdied to squeeze into the playoff and then birdied it again in overtime for the win. Glad to see your Commissioner has narrowed the gap between 1st and 2nd place to 15 points.

Manager Jim has snuck ahead of B.T.O. on your leaderboard. And Kevin, with Morikawa’s 2nd place finish, has moved ahead of Monica for that exciting 8th place spot.

And a happy birthday to Managers Doctor and Julian.

Another Amazing I.D.I.

Independence Day Invitational was held on July 1st this year. That meant no band, no parade, no baked beans. But the competition was still fierce. Can you imagine spending a day with The Doctor? I think the look on these ladies’ faces says it all.

I am honored to retain the coveted crystal boot. This is the 20th year the boot has been in place.

And to win it in front of such amazing legends of golf………………

NO - NOT THOSE LEGENDS. I mean these legends……

And notice the Bloch Lumber hat of Doug’s. Classic. And a few other pics over the years….

Busy week at FGL Headquarters

Played in two outings this past week. Won an overnight and round of golf at Rising Star Casino as well as 3 nights out at a JW Marriott in the Scottsdale area. Also won a hot dog off of Big J. Not bad!

A couple trips downtown. Picnic with the Pops Saturday night and saw the classic Goldfinger at Ohio Theater Friday night. (Wednesday will be Gunfight at OK Corral)

Some TopGolf action with some unexpected characters!

Jim & Monica have good weekend in Connecticut

Jim picked up 11 points and Monica grabbed 10 points thanks to a nervous Milton Bradley’s win.

The FGL battle appears to be for 2nd place with 5 managers within 15 points as we move to Motown for the Rocket Mortgage outing.

Al’s boy Kevin Kisner shot +7 in his first 9 holes Thursday. And with that, he quit. That’s -10 points for the season from Kisner and yet - Al stillholds onto 3rd place.

The coveted crystal boot is up for grabs this coming Saturday as the IDI competes for its estimated 115th year.

Manager Golfers expected to play in Detroit

Big J Justin Thomas

B.T.O. Max Homa, Hideki Matsuyama,  Harris English

Jim   Captain Kirk, Chez Reavie

Jaustin Sungjae Im, Taylor Pendrith, Adam Long

Doug Tom Hoge

Paul   Sepp Straka,  Dustin Hoffman

The Doctor   Alex Noren 

Monica Milton Bradley,

Commish   Tom Kim, Rickie Fowler,  Hayden Buckley,  Justin Suh 

Kevin Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, Brian Harman

Post US Open party

Besides Commissioner duties, I also serve as a FGL captain. Team chemistry is critical going down the final stretch. After the pressure of the US Open, I threw a party for my team. A birthday party. Scottie turned 27 and Tom Kim turned 21 on 6/21. With budget issues as well as on-going supply chain challenges, there was no birthday cake. But instead, I whipped up a couple cupcakes for the lads.

Opportunity Blown!

To make a move on the FGL Leaderboard, you need 25 - 30 points at a Major. That didn’t happen. You also sometimes need the leader to have a bad week. That did happen. Four of Big J’s studs missed the cut as he managed to go backwards -2 points. Many FGL managers picked up around 16 points. Your Commissioner won the Major sidebet with 18 points but I needed lil Rickie or Scottie to come in 1st or 2nd.

Three Managers are within a point for 2nd place.

Two players went -8 on Thursday which led to some griping that the course was too easy. When the tournament was over, there were only two players that did better than -8. So maybe it wasn’t so easy. Complaints about blind shots, lack for a little strip of short rough before the heavy rough, drastically sloping fairways, limited fans on the course - so many complaints. That’s what makes this a US Open.

Happy birthday to Austin. And Team Jaustin is now in Columbus. Interesting that your Commissioner moved into our current house 30 years next week. Even so, I think Team Jaustin is more moved into their house than we are in ours.

Played O’Bannon Country Club Monday with FGL Manager Big J and former Manager Three Finger Tim.

We’re heading to CT for the Traveler’s. Must be an elevated event as a lot of FGL golfers are playing, even after just getting beat up in LA.

Manager Golfers expected to play 

Big J Justin Thomas, Doris Day

B.T.O. Jon Rahm, Max Homa, Hideki, Gary Woodland, Harris English, Francesco Molinari

Jim Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Adam Scott, Don Henley, Chez Reavie

Jaustin Rory, Cameron Young, Sungjae Im, Taylor Pendrith, Adam Long

Doug Matt Fitzpatrick, Sahith Theegala, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Hoge  

Paul Seamus Power, Sepp Straka, Si Woo Kim, Dustin Hoffman

The Doctor Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Kevin Kisner, Kuchie

Monica   Milton Bradley, Emiliano Grillo, K.H. Lee, Kurt Kitayama

Commish Scottie, Tom Kim, lil Rickie (please try Rickie), Hayden Buckley, J.T. Poston, Justin Suh

Kevin Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, Brian Harman

Run horses!

The new Grandstand is finally finished at Scioto Downs. Very comfortable out there. Mrs. Commissioner and I watched a few races and bet on one horse that she liked with pretty green colors. Even days later, I’m still not sure if that horse has finished the race.

Harbor Hills outing at Buckeye Lake

Gorgeous Saturday out at Buckeye Lake with Big J, The Doctor and a member of Brelley. Papa Boos afterwards.

Nick Taylor - Oh Canada

Since I had no one playing, the Canadian Open was kind of like golf when the FGL season is over. It just doesn’t exist. But I did catch the end of the tournament Sunday as Doug’s Fleetwood Mac fought for the victory. Hitting his shot into the stands on #18 didn’t seem very wise. But he fought on until Nick Taylor sank a long putt from the next zip code to steal the win.

Team Jaustin had 4 guys in the field and they all made the cut. We don’t see that very often.

There is no one in 10th place right now. Kevin and Paul are tied in 9th place for ownership of the basement.

I heard Kiss’ Rock & Roll All Night the other day. I remember really liking that song. But as I thought about it, rock and roll ALL NIGHT! No, I can’t do that. I simply can’t. And party every day. Every day? I mean - every single day? Forget it. I’m out. I now hate that song.

Got another Major coming up. Going out to LA. They’ve got Bermuda grass as the rough - which I hear is unusual. Also, a couple par 3’s over 250 yards. That really does not work for me.

Manager Golfers expected to play 

Big J Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Jimmy Conners, Tyrrell Hatton, Brooks Koepka

B.T.O. Jon Rahm, Max Homa, Hideki Matsuyama, Gary Woodland, Harris English, Francesco Molinari

Jim Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Adam Scott, Don Henley, Captain Kirk,  

Jaustin Rory, Cameron Young, Sungjae Im, Bryson DeChambeau, Taylor Pendrith,  

Doug Matt Fitzpatrick, George Burns, Sahith Theegala, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Hoge, Newman!

Paul Seamus Power, Sepp Straka, Si Woo Kim, Peppermint Patty, Dustin Hoffman

The Doctor Breakfast Souffle, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Alex Noren, Matt Kuchar

Monica   Keith Mitchell, Milton Bradley,  Cameron Smith,  K.H. Lee, Kurt Kitayama

Commish Scottie, Tom Kim, lil Rickie, Taylor Montgomery,  Hayden Buckley, J.T. Poston

Kevin Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, Pete Rose, his Dusty Johnson, Brian Harman

Commissioner's Office responds to rumors

News of the merger (they tell me now it is no longer considered a merger but I don’t know what that means.) between the PGA tour, the DP tour (European PGA tour) and LIV lit up the sports world Tuesday. How will this inconvenient marriage work next year? More team-type tournaments similar to New Orleans? Perhaps a more international schedule? So many questions. But just as those questions and concerns began to roll in, much larger rumors began to spread throughout the globe. I guess it’s just natural to wonder “what’s next”? I can assure all FGL managers that The FGL is not merging with anyone. Theories were rampant that the FGL might join forces with Fox Sports or possibly ESPN or TVLand. Nope - we’re not doing that. Same FGL as you’ve always known!