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Jeff Mezydlo

A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports, entertainment and pop culture for parts of four decades. He was an integral member of award-winning sports sections at The Times of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind.) and Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette, where he covered the NFL, PGA, LPGA, NCAA basketball, football and golf, Olympics and high school athletics. Jeff most recently spent 12 years in the editorial department at STATSPerform, where he also oversaw coverage of the English Premier League. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Jeff's work has also appeared on such sites at Yahoo!, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated and NBA.com. However, if Jeff could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High School and Grand Lakes University

EXPERTISE:

NCAA football, NCAA basketball, PGA/LPGA, international soccer, sports history, rock music, film history

10 changes we'd make to the PGA Tour

For the most part, the PGA Tour is entertaining the way it is. We like the idea of the PGA Championship being played in May. Plus, ending the season in August rather than September is an even better decision.

The ultimate baseball movie roster

As the MLB All-Star game approaches, it got us thinking about an All-Star team of the best fictional baseball characters from the movies. There have certainly been some great and memorable ones.

The ultimate summer road trip playlist

It's summertime. That's when we hit the beach, the park and especially the road. Road trips are a staple of summer and can make for lasting memories — good or bad.

Most improved golfers on the PGA Tour in 2019

With the U.S Open in the past and the summer swing about to begin, it's time to look at those golfers who have made some impressive strides on the 2018-19 PGA Tour season.

25 frontmen/women who have enjoyed great solo careers

Striking out on one's own can be a daunting move in any profession. However, as a musician, the pressure is obviously greater. For many of music's all-time great solo artists, it was just a matter of time that the success they enjoyed within the confines of a group, duo or band would translate when it was just about them.

Ranking the 18 holes of Pebble Beach for the U.S. Open

It's a place where the elements can make or break a round, and a mental approach is just as important as the physical. Here's our ranking of the holes at Pebble Beach (ranking in parentheses).

Top U.S. Open golfers by country of origin

An American golfer has won the U.S. Open more than 80 times, and that's certainly been the case of late. However, the 2019 field at the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links is once again filled with elite talent from all over the world.

Is Brooks Koepka the next generational golfer?

It's at the point where we expect Brooks Koepka to win every major golf tournament he'll play in from here on out. Or, until he proves otherwise. OK, perhaps that's just one person's thinking.

The top moments from U.S. Opens held in California

Here is a look at some of the best moments (in chronological order) from the U.S. Open's history in California.

Our favorite U.S. Open golf courses

Here's a look at some of our top courses (in alphabetical order) to host the U.S. Open through the years.

The best 25 WNBA players of all time

The WNBA is in its 23rd season, and over the years we've seen plenty of exceptional talent. Some of those stars are still shining bright today. On the anniversaries of the 15th and 20th seasons, the league honored its top players of all time.

The '40+ points in an NBA Finals game' quiz

In NBA postseason history, a player has scored 40 or more points in an NBA Finals game on 58 occasions. How many of the 58 can you name in six minutes?

The 'League leaders in innings pitched since 2004' quiz

How many of the league leaders in innings pitched in both the AL and NL since 2004 can you name in five minutes?

Our favorite major tournament golf approach shots

Long drives, pin-point tee balls on par 3s and those twisting, turning 50-foot putts are what drive the galleries crazy at professional golf tournaments, especially those of the major variety.  But what about the approach shots?

The 'NFL QBs with the most rushing attempts in a season' quiz

As of the end of the 2019 NFL season, a quarterback has totaled 90 or more rushing attempts on 38 occasions in the Super Bowl era (1967-present). How many of the 38 can you name in five minutes?

Frankenstein golfer: Which parts of players games would you use?

So what does it take to build the perfect golfer? Plenty. But that's the easy answer.  As we went into our laboratory to put together the ideal competitor to take on just about any track in the world and come out unscathed, we knew we were searching for more than just driving, chipping and putting.

The best TV shows starring stand-up comedians

When a comedian makes it big either on TV or the big screen, it's worth all the long nights and hungry days...

Top PGA Player of the Year contenders

The PGA Tour season is in full swing, as we're already halfway through the major tournament schedule. We've seen some pretty impressive individual performances, with two of the game's best claiming major titles.

The 25 best TV sitcom families

The family sitcom is one of the most popular and cherished forms of comedy on television. The good ones make us feel like we're actually part of the family when tuning in each week — or binge watching over the weekend.

Takeaways from the PGA Championship

From those big names who did not make the cut to others who made names for themselves over the weekend, we leave Long Island with plenty to look back on and much to look forward to.