BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Sarah Jane Smith outpaced the thunderstorms and the rest of the field at the U.S. Women’s Open.

The Australian extended her lead to four strokes after a second straight 5-under 67 Friday at Shoal Creek. Smith got her round in before a 2-hour, 49-minute delay caused by thunderstorms, weather that ultimately forced play to be halted with a little daylight left.

Now, she enters the weekend leading a major championship, unfamiliar territory, but also with 36 holes down. Other contenders like Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn still must finish Round 2, which will be completed on Saturday with the low 60 scorers plus ties making the cut. Half the field didn’t finish the round.

Smith is at 10-under 134 heading into the weekend after failing to make the cut in five of her previous six U.S. Women’s Open tries.

“I haven’t been in the position before, I but I hope to show up like it’s another day,” Smith said. “I’m happy with the way I’m playing. I feel comfortable on the greens which has been something that has been a little bit off lately. So it’s nice to be able to feel like I’m seeing the greens really well and seeing some putts go in. Hopefully that keeps going.”

Smith has staged a strong comeback after having missed the cut in five straight LPGA Tour events this year, even switching back to an old set of clubs

She opened the day in a three-way tie atop the leaderboard with Jutanugarn and Korean Jeongeun6 Lee.

Jutanugarn had an opening birdie to move to 6 under through eight holes. Lee fell back to 2 under with a second-day 75. Korean-born Su-Hyun Oh shot 68 and is also 6 under.

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp was tied for 60th at 4-over par through seven holes when play was suspended. Celeste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Ile-Perrot, Que., will miss the cut after shooting an 8-over 80.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., withdrew from the tournament early Friday morning to attend to a family emergency.

Smith has played 5-under on the back nine holes each of the first two days and settled for par on the front. She had a 29-hole bogey-free streak end with a three-putt on No. 8 – she started on the 10th tee – a rare mistake for her at the midway point.

Duane Smith, his wife’s caddie since qualifying school, could only compare her current play with a clutch Futures Tour performance to earn her Tour card a decade ago.

“She’s playing so good,” Duane Smith said. “Maybe years ago when she won the last event on the Futures Tour to get a card at the end of 2008. She had to win to get her card and she did and she opened up that nine holes, I think, 7-under on the front nine and then led the whole way. She played great that whole week but this is something totally different.”

Oh, who was born in Korea but moved to Australia at age 8, had an eagle on the par-4 15th hole. She is still chasing Smith, along with everyone else.

“We were looking at the leaderboard saying Sarah is very greedy, just taking all the birdies,” Oh said.

The course had taken heavy rains during the week, raising concerns about the course’s condition, but the sun held out for most of the tournament’s first two days. Play only continued for about an hour after the delay.

“It’s weird because it’s playing longer because it’s so soft but so hot so the irons are going really far,” Oh said. “So it’s just hard to guess and it swirls a lot within the trees so it’s just really difficult clubbing.”

Seven players are at 3 under, including amateur Linn Grant of Sweden and No. 1-ranked Inbee Park. Grant shot 72 and Park 71.

Defending champion Sung Hyun Park finished 9 over after a 76 and 77, which would be well below the projected cut line. Stacy Lewis, the 2012 player of the year, is among a big group just above the cut line at 4 over (through eight holes).

Sitting at 3 under after a 68, Spain’s Carlotta Ciganda said she was surprised to see any one at double-digits under par like Smith.

“I think at the end of the four days not many people will be there because it always happen in the U.S. Open,” Ciganda said. “I’m not too worried. I’m just trying to play my game, follow my strategy and try to hit fairways and greens and I think there can be a few good scores but not many.”

DUBLIN, Ohio – Joaquin Niemann could figure out where Tiger Woods was on the golf course from the mass of people following him a few groups ahead, and he had a pretty good idea what he was doing from all the noise, at least before Woods put a putter in his hands.

“There was so many people,” Niemann said.

The few that stuck behind for the 19-year-old Chilean saw another good show.

In his fifth start as a pro, Niemann finished with two birdies over his last three hole s for a 4-under 68 and a share of the lead with Kyle Stanley, who had a 66. He finished with an 8-foot birdie on the 18th hole.

Woods made Muirfield Village sound like a rock concert until storms arrived. He holed out with a sand wedge from 97 yards for eagle on the par-5 11th hole, and then his tee shot on the par-3 12th struck the flag waving in the wind and settled 6 feet behind the hole.

And then he sat out a weather delay that lasted just under 90 minutes, and he missed four putts under 7 feet the rest of the way.

“It could have been easily a nice little 62 or 63,” Woods said. “I turned it into a 67.”

And he was six shots behind with nearly two dozen players in front of him.

Stanley, who won the Quicken Loans National last summer, was atop the leaderboard for much of the day and was starting to pull away until a poor tee shot at No. 6 led to bogey. He finished with a par save from just off the ninth green and reached 11-under 133.

On the other side of the course was Niemann, the No. 1 amateur in the world and Latin American Amateur champion who wanted to play the Masters before turning pro. He looks his age when his braces shine every time he smiles. He plays beyond his years.

Already with a pair of top 10s on the PGA Tour, Niemann now finds himself in the last group going into the weekend at the tournament Jack Nicklaus built, and he doesn’t appear to be the least bit nervous about being there.

“It feels really nice to be on top of the leaderboard,” he said. “It does feel really nice for tomorrow.”

Byeong Hun An had a 67 and was two shots behind.

Among those three off the lead were Hideki Matsuyama (71), who earned his first PGA Tour title at the Memorial three years ago, and Jason Day, a former world No. 1 who is a member at Muirfield Village and has never come close to winning. Perhaps this is the year. Day had never been within five shots of the lead going into the weekend at the Memorial, and he’s not sure why.

“I think I just (stunk) on it for a long time,” Day said. “I don’t think there was anything, any reason why. I just didn’t really play well. But I’m hopeful I can change that because I feel different this year.

“I want to play well in front of my family,” he said. “Family and friends come out and I want them to be yelling in the crowd when I’m in contention.”

Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose each had a 66 and were in the group at 7-under 137, while Dustin Johnson was among those at 138, even though he has played the par 5s in just 1 under for the week.

Johnson and Rose each have a chance to get to No. 1 in the world. Justin Thomas, in his debut at No. 1, overcame a pair of early bogeys for a 69 and was at 3 under.

Adam Hadwin (70) of Abbotsford, B.C., was tied for 69th at even par. Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., missed the cut after shooting a 73.

Woods was another shot behind, and it looked as though he was about to post his lowest score of the year. He made the turn in 33 with a 15-foot birdie putt on No. 9, and then he made a solid escape from the rough and trees on No. 11 before holing out for eagle.

He missed birdie chances of 6 feet, 4 feet and 7 feet, and then missed from 3 feet for par on the 17th that left him exasperated.

And hopeful.

“I missed a lot of short putts, which is something I don’t normally do, which is just frustrating,” he said. “I’ve got to clean that up come this weekend and hopefully, I can get it going. Hopefully I can play well like this on the weekend and I’ve got a great chance of winning this tournament.”

At least he has a chance.

Rory McIlroy made bogeys on both par 5s on the front nine as he tried to finish strong. He had to settle for a 70 and made the cut on the number. That was still better than Jordan Spieth, who finished bogey-bogey for a 72 and missed the cut by three shots.

Since his closing 64 at the Masters, Spieth has finished at least 12 shots behind the winner in his three tournaments and missed the cut in his final event before heading to Shinnecock Hills for the U.S. Open.

Campbell and Li earn medallist honours

CHILLIWACK, B.C. — History was made at the Canadian University/College Championship as Avril Li went wire-to-wire to lead the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds to their third-consecutive win in the women’s team division, while Daniel Campbell helped the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades become the first host institution to win a team title since the 2014 University of Manitoba Bisons.

Once again, the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades showed that they were the team to beat, leading all four rounds of the men’s team tournament to earn a well-fought victory. Going into the final day with a spectacular 18-shot lead, the Cascades successfully held on to win the men’s team title with an overall 26-under-par 1126.

“For the guys, it was just a dream week. We got off to a hot start and got a little bit better each day,” said UFV coach Chris Bertram, the pride in his team evident in his voice. “It’s amazing. To have all our friends and family here to cheer us on makes it special.”

The University of Victoria Vikes maintained their second-place spot and finished the tournament with a 9-under-par 1143, 17 strokes behind the Cascades. The University of Manitoba Bisons scored the lowest round of the day but ended up third, with an even-par 1152 total.

Leading the way for the UFV Cascades was Daniel Campbell, who held onto his third-round lead to come out on top in the men’s individual draw. Campbell, who joined the Cascades in 2017, closed out the tournament with a final 11-under-par 277.

For Campbell, helping the Cascades win the men’s team division meant the most.

“The best part has to be winning the team event,” he said with a huge smile. “Winning the individual is extra but we’re here to win team championships.”

Vancouver Island University Mariners player Wyatt Brook fired the lowest-round of the day, a 4-under to end the tournament sharing a piece of second with Baptiste Mory of the Université Laval Rouge et Or at a tournament total of 7-under-par 281.

Throughout all four rounds of the tournament, UBC dominated the women’s team event. With a 20-stroke advantage heading into the final day, the Thunderbirds successfully defending their titles with a tournament total of 19-over-par 883. This win cements their momentous presence in the tournament, making it their 13th victory in the women’s team division.

“It was really fun. We had three freshman play pretty well and then Avril Li has played a great tournament, said UBC coach Chris MacDonald. “We’ve been away now for three straight weeks so our players are excited but ready to go home and get some rest.”

The University of Victoria Vikes ended the tournament 34 strokes back of the lead at 53-over-par 917. The Cascades jumped two spots to third, rounding out the top-three women’s teams with 58-over-par 922

In the women’s individual competition,Thunderbirds junior Avril Li earned medallist honours at 4-under to help secure victory for the Thunderbirds. The Port Moody, B.C., talent started the tournament off tied for first place with fellow teammate Kelly Hellman before claiming solo-first in the other three rounds.

“I’m so proud of my team”, said Li excitedly when asked about her day. “I was a bit shaky personally in the start but after five holes it got better.”

Sarah Dunning of the University of Guelph Gryphons got off to a rough start with back-to-back bogeys on the second and third hole but managed to hold on to second place with an overall 3-over-par 291. University of Toronto Varsity Blues’ Ana Peric finished third with a 7 over.

The women’s and men’s individual winners receive an exemption into their respective Canadian Amateur Championship. The top three men’s and women’s individual finishers qualify for the 2019 Summer Universiade.

Click here for information on the tournament; credit to Chuck Russell/Golf Canada.

TOP-5 MEN’S TEAMS

1. University of the Fraser Valley Cascades (-26, 278-277-284-287 – 1126)

2. University of Victoria Vikes (-9, 295-278-284 – 1143)

3.University of Manitoba Bisons(E, 298-284-288-282 – 1152)

T4. University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (+5, 297-289-284-287 – 1157)

T4. Humber College Hawks (+5, 298-285-281-293 – 1157)

TOP-5 WOMEN’S TEAMS

1. University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (+19, 221-224-219-219 – 883)
2. University of Victoria Vikes (+53, 226-232-226-233 – 917)
3. University of the Fraser Valley Cascades(+58, 236-223-239-224 – 922)
4. Université de Montréal Carabins (+62, 223-230-237-236 – 926)
5. University of Toronto Varsity Blues (+65, 234-232-228-235 – 929)

TOP-3 MEN’S INDIVIDUAL

1. Daniel Campbell, University of the Fraser Valley Cascades (-11, 69-69-68-71 – 277)

T2. Wyatt Brook, Vancouver Island University Mariners (-7, 68-72-73-68 – 281)

T2. Baptiste Mory, Université Laval Rouge et Or (-7, 70-69-73-69 – 281)

TOP-3 WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL

1. Avril Li, University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (-4, 72-71-69-72 – 284)
2. Sarah Dunning, University of Guelph Gryphons (+3, 73-77-67-74 – 291)
3. Ana Peric, University of Toronto Varsity Blues (+7, 75-73-73-74 – 295)

Click here for full scoring.

Individual leaders Li and Campbell help keep their teams into top positions heading to final day

 CHILLIWACK, B.C. – It was another momentous day for UBC and UFV fans alike during the third round of the Canadian University/College Championship at Chilliwack Golf Club on Thursday. For the third consecutive day, the Thunderbirds and Cascades lead the women’s and men’s divisions, respectively, going into the final round.

The UBC Thunderbirds are one round away from continuing their historic showing in the women’s team event after posting a collective 16-over-par 664 and earning a strong 20-stroke lead over the University of Victoria Vikes. The Vikes moved up to second with an overall score of 36-over-par 684 while the Université de Montréal Carabins sit third at 42-over-par 690. Rounding out the top-six women’s teams advancing to the final round are the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, University of the Fraser Valley Cascades and Université Laval Rouge et Or.

The Thunderbirds’ own Avril Li is definitely one to watch as she chases a potential wire-to-wire victory in this year’s women’s individual competition. Even back-to-back birdies couldn’t bring the Port Moody, B.C., talent down as she held on to her lead at 4 under.

Sarah Dunning from the University of Guelph played her heart out to recover after a difficult second round. Thanks to seven birdies and an eagle, Dunning earned the lowest round of the day (-5) and will start the final round in second with a current tournament total to 1-over. Rounding out the top three is Ana Peric of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, who fell one spot back into solo-third.

Meanwhile, host school University of the Fraser Valley Cascades are primed to follow in the footsteps of the 2014 University of Manitoba Bisons —the last host institution to win a team title— as they hold the lead in the men’s team division for the third straight round with a considerable 18 stroke advantage.

“We came into this knowing it was going to be a hard four day grind,” said Cascades coach, Chris Bertram. “Just because we have a bit of a cushion doesn’t mean we aren’t going to come out here and look to put our best foot forward with a solid effort.”

The University of Victoria Vikes go into the final day in second with a combined score of 7-under-par 857 ahead of the UBC Thunderbirds, who are in third with a team total of 6-under-par 858. They are joined by the Humber College Hawkswith a total score of 864, as well as the University of Manitoba Bisons and University of Ottawa Gee-Gees at 6-under-par 870.

The Université Laval Rouge et Or, Western University Mustangs, Université de Montréal Carabins and Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks also advance to the final day of the tournament.

It was a tight race in the men’s individual edition during the third round, but Cascades player Daniel Campbell came on top after firing a 10 under.

“The first two holes were a little rough but I bounced back from there and just played really well on the back-nine,” said Campbell who was recently named PACWEST male athlete of the year. “It always feels good to be on top, especially with only one hole left.”

Four strokes separate Campbell from fellow teammate Zach Olson, who posted a 6-under to share a piece of second with University of Victoria Vikes’ Lawren Rowe.

For more information on the tournament, please click here.

Click here for full scoring.

DUBLIN, Ohio – Hideki Matsuyama and Tiger Woods hit their stride at the end of their rounds at the Memorial, and it paid off in different ways.

Matsuyama was in the middle of the pack at Muirfield Village when he ran off four straight birdies and then holed out with a wedge from 130 yards on the 17th hole for an eagle that sent him to a 7-under 65 and a share of the lead with 19-year-old Joaquin Niemann of Chile and Abraham Ancer of Mexico.

“As the round went along, I played better and better,” said Matsuyama, who got his first PGA Tour win at the Memorial four years ago.

So did Woods, which helped him avoid another big number on a course where he has won five times. Woods three-putted from 25 feet to fall to 3 over with five holes to play. He answered with three straight birdies – two of them on par 5s on the front nine – and got up-and-down from 62 yards on the ninth hole for a 72.

“It was nice to somehow grind out the round, turn it around and finish even par,” said Woods, playing the Memorial for the first time since 2013.

Niemann, who won the Latin America Amateur Championship in January, appears to be on the fast track to the PGA Tour. He turned pro after the Masters and already has a pair of top 10s in his four events. Another one this week might be enough to earn special temporary membership on the PGA Tour, meaning he would have unlimited exemptions to try to earn his card.

Ancer had only one bogey on his card early in his round, and he followed with eight birdies. It was the first time he has had a share of the lead after any round in his 40th start on the PGA Tour.

It wasn’t his first time at Muirfield Village, just Ancer’s first time playing the tournament.

He got that firm handshake from the tournament host in 2010 when Ancer received the Jack Nicklaus Award as the top junior college player when he was at Odesa College. He later played at Oklahoma.

“I got to come here as a freshman, get that award from Jack. That was incredible,” Ancer said. “It was like deja vu walking the fairways – watching from the outside, and now playing. It’s a dream come true. And today I felt great.”

Beau Hossler, who keeps showing up on leaderboards in his rookie season, had a 66. The group at 67 included Lucas Glover, while Jason Day was among those at 68.

Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., was tied for 47th at even par 72. Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., was in a group at 74th, 2-over 74.

So many of the other top players struggled.

Justin Thomas, in his debut as the No. 1 player in the world, was trading birdies and bogeys and was making progress until he hit his approach out-of-bounds on the par-5 seventh hole and made double bogey, sending him to a 72. Also at 72 was Dustin Johnson, who made nothing but pars on the back nine and failed to birdie any of the par 5s.

Rory McIlroy played the par 5s in 1 over and shot 74. Phil Mickelson was 4 under through eight holes until a double bogey on No. 9, and then four bogeys over his last six holes for a 74. Jordan Spieth shot 75, hurt by two double bogeys on the front nine. He went from a fairway bunker into the water on No. 6, and then went some 25 yards beyond the green on the par-3 eighth for another double bogey.

Matsuyama’s big run began after a sluggish start to the back nine on a muggy, humid day that left Muirfield Village soft, particularly with a burst of heavy rain late Wednesday. The Japanese star chopped his way out of the nasty rough on the 10th and 11th holes, both times making bogey.

And then he couldn’t miss.

It started with an 18-foot birdie putt on No. 13. He followed with a wedge to tap-in range on the 14th and another wedge to 2 feet on the par-5 15th. After a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th, he was in the middle of the fairway when his wedge landed beyond the hole and spun back into the cup.

Matsuyama hasn’t had a top 10 since the Sentry Tournament of Champions to start the year (tie for fourth), and he has been struggling with a left thumb injury.

“It has been frustrating,” he said. “In the past, even if I wasn’t playing well, I could still get it around, get it in the hole. So the last couple of months have been trying. I’m just really glad that I was able to play well today and post a good score at the start.”

Niemann tied for sixth in his pro debut at the Valero Texas Open, and he had a 65-66 weekend at Colonial to tie for eighth. He has started quickly, much like Jon Rahm of Spain two years ago when he secured his card in four starts, boosted by a tie for third and a runner-up finish.

Niemann isn’t sure how many FedEx Cup points he needs for special temporary membership.

“I just want to be out here and enjoy my round and try to play my best and see how it goes,” he said.

Canadians Mackenzie Hughes and Adam Hadwin are T47 and T74, respectively.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Brooke Henderson recorded a 1-over 73 after the first round of the US Women’s Open. She struggled coming out of the gate recording birdies on holes 1, 2 and 4. She finished T44 while Canadian Alina Sharp finished 3-over 75 and Team Canada member, Celeste Dao, finished 11-over 83.

The sun shone brightly at rain-soaked Shoal Creek. So did Ariya Jutanugarn, Sarah Jane Smith and Jeongeun6 Lee.

Jutanugarn, Smith and Lee each shot a 5-under 67 to share the first-round lead, where the course held up better than some feared after heavy rains in recent days.

Thailand’s Jutanugarn spent hours in front before Smith and Lee caught her in the evening.

Jutanugarn is coming off a Kingsmill Championship win and kept up the momentum, including an eagle on No. 6. She said she started focusing more on each shot instead of worrying about the big picture.

“At Kingsmill, I started (saying) I’m not going to think about the outcome,” the eight-time LPGA Tour winner said. “I’m not going to think about winning the tournament.”

Jutanugarn and the Australian Smith each had an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys. The Korean Lee, meanwhile, had five birdies on a course that has been drenched in recent weeks, forcing the cancellation of Tuesday’s practice round and limiting course time on the eve of the tournament.

Danielle Kang, 2014 winner Michelle Wie, Korean Ji-Hyun Kim and Swedish amateur Linn Grant were 3 under. Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., was tied for 44th at 1-over 73 and Hamilton’s Alena Sharp was 3-over 75.

Smith and Lee have never won on the LPGA Tour.

Now, they find themselves in the unfamiliar position of holding a share of the lead at a major championship _ and trying not to get caught up in it.

“It’s pretty early,” Smith said. “I think later on in the week it might be easier to get ahead of yourself. (Friday) morning I have got to make sure that it’s just a new day and not worry too much about where I am. Whether that’s possible, I don’t know. I would like to say that.”

Lee wasn’t getting carried away either. “Well, it’s just the first round, just started it,” she said.

There were doubts about the state of the picturesque course and whether USGA officials would have to play lift, clean and place for the first time at a championship thanks to nearly five inches of rain on the week.

So far, so good.

Jutanugarn said it was the only time she can remember as a pro when she wasn’t able to see the entire course before a tournament, having played only the first nine holes in practice. It wasn’t just the rain but her golf clubs arrived late.

She might as well have left the driver at home, so far.

“I hit 3-wood almost every hole,” Jutanugarn said. “I hit 2-iron maybe twice off the tee.”

Lee parred the first five holes before heating up. She arrived last Wednesday from Korea and played nine holes several times.

“My main strategy today was not to have a bogey and I think that worked and also when I went to a more difficult situation I try not to get into trouble,” she said. “I stay out of it.”

Top-ranked Inbee Park shot 70. No. 3 Lexi Thompson is 1 under. Defending champion Sung Hyun Park shot 76.

Kang had four birdies and a bogey. Her brother Alex, also a professional golfer, got her to start practising with mud balls as a teenager.

“It actually gave me a sense of calm,” Kang said. “It wasn’t, oh, crap, there is mud.

“You have to adjust, what is this mud going to do, how is it going to affect the shot.”

England’s Mel Reid is in a group at 2 under, a few weeks after hiring a new coach. She had missed eight of nine cuts on the LPGA Tour this year.

Reid said she decided to play the ball down in the wet conditions Wednesday.

“Let’s get the mud balls and just kind of deal with it,” she said. “And I honestly think that’s one of best things we could have done. It wasn’t a surprise to us today.

“You are going to get mud balls. You have got to accept it. It’s going to cost you one shot. But it’s going to be the same for everybody. Whoever deals with it the best is going to have the better outcome.”

Raleigh, NC – It was a gloomy Thursday in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the 25th playing of the Rex Hospital Open contested at TPC Wakefield Plantation, but Colombian Sebastian Muñoz and Canadian Roger Sloan shone through the clouds, each posting rounds of 7-under 64 to stake a claim of the first-round lead. The lead marks Muñoz’s fourth first-round lead/co-lead of the 2018 Web.com Tour Season, and the first of Sloan’s career. Austria native Sepp Straka and Chris Baker sit one back of the duo.

Looking to make a return to the PGA TOUR is Roger Sloan, who posted a bogey-free round to claim his first round lead/co-lead since the 2014 Knoxville Open, when he shared the lead heading into the third round.

“We hit a lot of good shots off the tee today,” Sloan said of his round, “hit a lot of good iron shots and made a couple of good putts. It was pretty simple, nothing great, but we did everything really well.”

The 2018 Tour Season has proven to be an up-and-down one for Sloan. After opening with two-straight missed cuts, the 31-year-old picked up a T4 at the Panama Championship, followed by a T16 at the Country Club de Bogotá Championship. The past few weeks have been more difficult for him, however, having missed three-straight cuts before a T30 at last week’s Nashville Golf Open Benefitting the Snedeker Foundation.

“Everything’s kind of been a process,” he remarked. “I played well early in the season and have kind of been in a little of a lull lately. I’m not too far off. I’ve been working on putting, I think putting is something everyone works on. We’re just working on that and – it’s a long season so you just keep the process going. You’re going to play well out here and when you do, you just have to take advantage of it.”

Ryan Yip from Calgary, AB recorded 4-under 67 finishing the round T15. He also had a bogey free round firing birdies on four holes.

The round wasn’t all smooth sailing for Muñoz, who opened play with a bogey on the par-4 first. The 25-year-old refused to be shaken, however, quickly picking up steam with a birdie on No. 3. The change in momentum was crucial for the University of North Texas alum, who has missed the cut in both of his prior appearances in Raleigh.

“It was huge,” he said of the early birdie. “It’s knowing that I’m playing good and just kind of getting on track and seeing the putts go in. You feed off of it and it showed in the round later.”

Muñoz went on to pick up seven more birdies on the day, posting a clean scorecard after the opening blemish. His opening-round 64 marked the sixth sub-70 opening round for him in 13 events this season and was his sixth round of 65 or better.

“I feel like the changes I made in the offseason on my swing and my putting are definitely kicking in,” Muñoz remarked when asked about his performance this season. “I know I’m hitting it really good now. I just have to keep trusting it and keep doing it.”

The payoff is a welcomed breath of fresh air for Muñoz, who struggled in his maiden PGA TOUR Season last year. After winning in his hometown of Bogotá, Colombia, on the Web.com Tour in 2016, he made just eight of 19 cuts on the PGA TOUR in 2016-17, picking up a lone top-25 finish at The Greenbrier Classic (T3). With three top-10 finishes, including a runner-up at the North Mississippi Classic, already under his belt this year, Muñoz has moved into a good spot to be poised for a return to TOUR. He currently sits at No. 13 on the money list, with $130,363 in earnings halfway through the Regular Season.

VANCOUVER — Having played collegiate golf in Seattle, Chris Williams is no stranger to playing in the Northwest, showing off his acclimation with a tournament-leading 65 in the first round of the Freedom 55 Financial Open on Thursday.

Though it may feel like home, Point Grey Golf and Country Club hasn’t always been kind to the 26-year-old, who missed the cut last year after a tie for 41st the year prior. So, what gave this year?

“Since it’s such a short season here in Canada I would only start playing well the sixth, seventh or eighth event of the year,” said Williams. “This season I went down and played in Latinoamerica, so I basically played a full schedule and felt really comfortable with my game rather than coming to this as the first event of the year.”

Williams comes into the event not only comfortable, but also playing some of the best golf of his professional career. The Idaho native capped off his prelude venture on PGA TOUR Latinoamerica circuit with a tie for third earlier this month at the Puerto Plata DR Open, firing a final-round 66.

Williams took a while to heat up Thursday. Starting on the back-nine, he made his first birdie on the fourth hole before adding another on the par-5 18th to make the turn at 2-under. Another birdie at the first set the stage for a hole-out from the fairway on 5, catapulting Williams up the leaderboard.

“I started off slow, hitting it in the trees and making some good pars, but then I found something,” said Williams. “On the back I made a few putts and the eagle on five and it snowballed from there. All of a sudden I was 7-under.”

Playing in the morning wave Thursday, Williams led a crowded leaderboard by just one with half the field still left to play. He noted that with the amount of talent on the Mackenzie Tour, he envisioned an afternoon player potentially claiming the lead. That would never come to fruition as the sixth-year pro headed to his hotel as the lone leader.

On Williams’ heels is Jordan Niebrugge, craving a victory after three top-threes in 2017, and Cody Blick, a self-proclaimed lover of the BC Golf Swing, who came just a stroke away from a 59 in Victoria last season.

The top Canadian honours is shared by Andrew Funk and Jimmy Jones Jr., who are knotted in a tie for 14th place at 3 under par. Funk made six birdies on his way to a 3-under total, and Jones birdied his last hole of the day in his first professional event.

CHILLIWACK, B.C. – The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds remained atop the leaderboard in the men’s and women’s team divisions, respectively, after the second round of the Canadian University/College Championships at Chilliwack Golf Club.

Everyone kept their eyes peeled on the host team as the Cascades continued to dominate the men’s team competition. They sit in top position with a substantial 12-shot lead at 21-under-par 555, in large part thanks to top-three finishes by three of their golfers – Zach Olson, Daniel Campbell and Halen Davis. The UBC Thunderbirds posted the lowest team score of the day, sitting in second with a combined score of 9-under-par 567. The third spot belongs to the University of Victoria Vikes, who earned a team total of 3-under-par 573.

In the individual men’s category, the Cascades’ own Olson entered the day in a three-way tie for first and never looked back.

“I went out with the same game plan”said Olson. “I kept the ball in play and hit a lot of fairways and greens today, so it was steady.”

The Strathmore, Alta. talent ending the second round sitting in solo-first at 7-under-par 137, one stroke ahead of teammate Daniel Campbell who moved up two spots to second. Davis, also of the Cascades, shares the T3 spot with Baptiste Mory of the Université Laval Rouge et Or and UBC’s Andrew Harrison at 5-under-par 139.

The low-score of the day goes to Vikes player Lawren Rowe, who carded a 7-under 65 for an overall 140.

In the women’s division, the Thunderbirds continue their historic lead with an overall team score of 13-over-par 445. The Université de Montréal Carabins are second, 8 strokes behind at 21-over-par 453 while the University of Victoria Vikes sit in third at 26-over-par 458.

Thunderbirds golfer Avril Li began the day sharing the lead with fellow teammate Kelly Hellman. Though a double bogey on her second hole threatened her lead, Li managed to stay ahead card a 1 under to end the second round in solo-first with a comfortable 5-stroke lead.

“Overall it was a pretty consistent round, pretty similar to yesterday,” said Li. “I had one bad hole on number 2 but I didn’t let that bother me just stuck to my game plan.”

Veronique Fortin-Latreille of the Université de Montréal Carabins had a difficult front-nine with back-to-back bogeys and a double bogey but ended her day strong after an eagle on the 18th hole. Fortin-Latreille shares second with Ana Peric of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and Victoria Vikes’ Quinn Fitzgerald at 3 over.

The women’s and men’s individual winners receive an exemption into their respective Canadian Amateur Championship. The top three men’s and women’s individual finishers qualify for the 2019 Summer Universiade.

For more information on the tournament, please click here.

TOP-5 MEN’S TEAMS

1. University of Fraser Valley Cascades  -21(555)
2. University of British Columbia Thunderbirds -9(567)
3. University of Victoria Vikes  -3(573)
4. Université Laval Rouge et Or  E(576)
5. Université de Montréal Carabins  +5(581)

TOP-5 WOMEN’S TEAMS

1. University of British Columbia Thunderbirds +13(445)
2. Université de Montréal Carabins +21(453)
3. University of Victoria Vikes +26(458)
4. University of the Fraser Valley Cascades +27(459)
5. University of Toronto Varsity Blues +34(466)

TOP-5 MEN’S INDIVIDUAL

1. Zach Olson University of Fraser Valley Cascades *68-69-137 -7

2. Daniel Campbell University of Fraser Valley Cascades *69-69-138  -6

T3. Halen Davis   University of Fraser Valley Cascades   *70-69-69  -5

T3. Baptiste Mory   Université Laval Rouge et Or     *70-69-69  -5

T3. Andrew Harrison  University of British Columbia Thunderbirds  *72-67-139  -5

TOP-5 WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL

1. Avril Li University of British Columbia Thunderbirds *72-71-143  -1

T2. Veronique Fortin-Latreille Université de Montréal Carabins   *73-75-148 +4

T2. Ana Peric  University of Toronto Varsity Blues  *75-73-148  +4

T2. Quinn Fitzgerald  University of Victoria Vikes   *74-74-148  +4

T5. Veronica Vetesnik  University of Manitoba Bisons *73-73-149 +5

T5. Emily Leung  Simon Fraser University Clan  *73-73-149 +5

Click here for full scoring.

SHOAL CREEK, Ala. — Celeste Dao stood on the first tee at the Shoal Creek Club on Wednesday and had her picture taken.

The 17-year-old from Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., a member of Golf Canada’s National Development Squad, posed with Canadian star Brooke Henderson before they teed off for a practice round in preparation for the U.S. Women’s Open which gets underway Thursday.

Dao, who qualified for the second major of the women’s season with rounds of 71-69 at Cape Cod National Golf Club last week, wanted to capture a big moment in her young career, a moment she said she never thought she would experience this early in her career.

“I would not have imagined me being here. If you asked me in January what were my goals this year, I wouldn’t say being in the U.S. Open. That is a really high level for me. Being here, I’m so, so happy,” she said.

After a practice round with veteran Alena Sharp of Hamilton on Monday and nine holes with Henderson on Wednesday, who were both gracious to take a young player under their wings the week of a major, Dao was thrilled with the experience.

“It was great, playing with the best in Canada,” she said after her round Wednesday with Henderson.

What did she pick up?

“(Henderson)’s great around the greens. I was looking at her and how she managed to take notes of the greens with her sister (her caddie, Brittany) and calculating everything. She does that much more than me. It was really fun to watch that and how she spots her targets off the tee,” Dao said.

Henderson, 20, said she was happy to oblige Dao and recalled her days as a teenager (not so long ago) and the thrill of being on such a big stage.

“It’s pretty cool to see young, up-and-coming Canadians,” Henderson said. “She was hitting it really well today. I think she is just really excited to be here. She should be. It’s really amazing. It was one of the best experiences I ever had, so I think she will really enjoy this week.”

Dao said her goal for the week is “watching the girls and getting the most experience. For a score, I will try and make the cut.”

Dao said Sharp gave her some tips on how to manage her nerves on the biggest stage in women’s golf.

“She talked to me a lot, just giving me advice to manage the stress on the first tee. She said stick to the routine. Breathe and stick to the routine. It’s normal to feel stress. Enjoy the moment and go,” she said.

Dao has spent the past three months in Victoria, BC, with the national development squad. She had her first international victory at the beginning of the month when she won the Mexican Junior Girls Championship with a final round 66 and prevailed in a three-hole playoff over Mexico’s Corey Lopez.

“My year was really great,” Dao said. “Each step is bigger for me and I try to achieve bigger goals. It’s great so far.”

The experience here at the U.S. Open is going to help her the rest of this season, she said.

“This is going to give me a boost. Just learning all this. Once you see the greatest, it helps you so much.”