January 2022 Ohio Golf Journal

not seen the return of sufficient club head speed to create the distance necessary to compete on the PGA TOUR, but it was certainly a joy to see him back on a golf course, a mere eight months after his horrific car crash. We especially enjoyed the budding competition between Nelly Korda and Jin Young Ko on the LPGA Tour last year and we want more. Now that COVID is waning and Jin Young Ko is expected to play a full schedule in the United States, we should see these two bright stars going head-tohead on a more regular basis. We can only hope. What will Phil do Next? Will he jump into a TV booth, play more on the PGA TOUR Champions, or will he win again on the PGA Tour? Phil surprised everyone with his win last season at the PGA Championship at Kiawah. With a new fiveyear exemption into the majors and seemingly ageless body, would another Masters title be entirely out of the question? We can’t wait to watch Ohio Native Austin Greaser, who finished runner-up at the 2021 U.S. Amateur at Oakmont, compete at The Masters. 2020 Ohio Amateur Champion and University of North Carolina golf team member, Greaser nearly won the U.S. Amateur last year, but his second-place finish assures him an invitation to golf’s greatest event, The Masters, in April. Speaking of Ohio golfers that are on a roll. We can’t wait to see if one the hottest golfers on the planet right now, Jason Kokrak, can add a major title to his resume in 2022. With three wins in the past 13 months, plus the QBE Shootout title, won with partner, Kevin Na in December, Kokrak seems to be poised to take the next step in his golf career. Last, but certainly not least, we will report on a full schedule of amateur events around Ohio from The Ohio Golf Association, Northern Ohio Golf Association, Miami Valley Golf Association and the Cincinnati Golf Association. Ohio Golfers are lucky indeed to have these four experienced USGA Allied Partners to conduct tournaments, maintain handicaps and keep golf running smoothly.

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