KAPOLEI, Hawaii – Canada’s Brooke Henderson remained bogey-free Thursday to take the second-round lead in the Lotte Championship.

Henderson, the 20-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., ranked 14th in the world, birdied four of her first six holes to surge into the lead in relatively calm morning conditions. She finished with a 6-under 66 at Ko Olina Golf Club – the day’s low round – to get to 10 under.

No one could catch the five-time LPGA Tour winner as the wind gusted to 20 mph later in the day.

“I think going birdie-birdie to start allowed me to be kind of more aggressive, knowing that I already made up two shots, which is good,” Henderson said. “On my back nine I started to not be as aggressive, kind of laid back a little bit. I kind of got into more trouble, so I went back to my aggressive ways.”

Catching up with 36-hole @LPGALOTTE leader @BrookeHenderson ???? pic.twitter.com/aSI4ifLdLa

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) April 13, 2018

“I feel like I’m in a great spot obviously at the top,” said Henderson, who has held the 36-hole lead during four of her five career LPGA wins, including at the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. “I feel like I’m hitting the ball really well and I can depend on my putting right now, which is a big key for me when I’m playing well.”

Highlights from @BrookeHenderson’s bogey-free, 6-under 66 ? pic.twitter.com/Ps30Ykm9nA

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) April 13, 2018

Top-ranked Shanshan Feng, the first-round leader, was two strokes back with Mo Martin after a bogey-free 69. Martin, the 2014 Women’s British Open, had a 67.

Pernilla Lindberg and Inbee Park were together again on the leaderboard at 6 under, two weeks after Lindberg beat Park on the eighth extra hole in the major ANA Inspiration. Lindberg shot 68 and Park had a 69. Lindy Duncan also was 6 under after a 68.

Hawaii’s Michelle Wie, who has risen 100 spots to No. 13 since last March, made her 16th straight cut. She was 1 over after a 73. Defending champion Cristie Kerr also shot 73 and was another shot back.

Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., carded steady rounds of 72 in her first LPGA event of 2018 – the Team Canada Young Pro Squad member sits tied for 24th at even par.

Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., shot 72 and Hamilton’s Alena Sharp struggled with a 78 to make the cut on the mark at 3 over par.

The $2 million LPGA Tour event ends Saturday.

KAPOLEI, Hawaii – Canadians Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp battled a windy first round at the Lotte Championship to both sit inside the top five though 18 holes of action.

Henderson, a Smiths Falls, Ont., native, carded a 4-under-par 68 to sit one back of Shanshan Feng, the early leader. Haeji Kang and rookie Martina Edberg are also shot back of in second place .

The 20-year-old Henderson is in search of her sixth victory. She is ranked 14th, while the pair she shares second with are a bit farther back. Henderson finished T11 at this event in 2017 and T10 in 2016.

“The wind was very strong today, quite challenging, especially on the back nine,” said Henderson. “But I was able to make a couple par saves to keep myself in it and make birdie putts when I could. I’m happy, and hopefully I can just do something similar the next few days.”

Fellow Canadians Alena Sharp, Anne-Catherine Tanguay, Brittany Marchand and Maude-Aimee Leblanc joined Henderson in wearing green and gold ribbons in memory of those killed in the Saskatchewan bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team.

“Yeah, you know, to be able to honour them and to remember those that have passed away and all the survivors that are fighting for their life and overcoming the injuries that they had there,” added Henderson. “It was pretty terrible what happened. They’re in my thoughts and prayers.”

Sharp, a Hamilton, Ont., product, shot a 3-under 69 playing with a heavy heart.

“Yeah, it’s such a tragic thing that happened,” said Sharp after her 3-under 69 on Wednesday in Hawaii. “I played hockey growing up and we were on a lot of bus trips. You just can’t imagine what it’s like. They’re young men and it’s just so sad. I just wanted to show our support any way we could. We’re (LPGA) going to Saskatchewan this summer to the [CP Women’s]Canadian Open and we just wanted to show the community we’re there and supporting them.”

On Wednesday, Sharp tweeted a picture of the yellow and green ribbon she was wearing to honour the victims. Fellow Canadians Anne-Catherine Tanguay, Brittany Marchand and Maude-Aimee LeBlanc joined as well.

Here we go round 1 @LPGALOTTE All Canadian players and their caddies are representing Humboldt with these ribbons. Thanks @sarahsherpa for the thoughtful gesture #humboldtstong pic.twitter.com/AEvdF8IwfT

— Alena Sharp (@AlenaSharp) April 11, 2018

Sharp is part of a six-way tie at 69, with third-ranked Inbee Park, qualifier Julieta Granada, Mo Martin, Lizette Salas – who lost a playoff here in 2013 – and 2018 Kia Classic winner Eun-Hee Ji.

Marchand was even, Leblanc was 1 over and Tanguay was 9 over.

Top-ranked Shanshan Feng birdied three of her last five holes Wednesday to take the lead halfway through a windy first round of the Lotte Championship.

The Chinese star finished at 5-under 67 at Ko Olina Golf Club. She is the first golfer from China – female or male – to reach No. 1 in the world rankings. She insists she “gets more excited” in the wind, which should make Ko Olina an ideal site for her this week.

“A lot of people would be like worrying, thinking ‘Oh, my God, it’s so windy,”’ Feng said. “I wake up and I’m like, ‘Yeah, it’s windy.’ That’s why in this kind of situation I still stay patient on the course and still stay with my routine.”

Kang, from South Korea, stands at No. 295. Edberg, from Sweden, is ranked 850th in her first LPGA start. She was a two-time Big West Conference champion during her college career at Cal State Fullerton.

Defending champion Cristie Kerr shot 71 and called the conditions “an average wind for here.” She played with Hawaii’s Michelle Wie, the 2014 Lotte champ. Wie double-bogeyed her 15th hole to finish at even par.

“I feel like back in the day I was really used to the wind here because I played in it every week,” Wie said about one of her home courses growing up. “Now that I’m living on the mainland and come back I get a little surprised by it.”

Pernilla Lindberg shot 70 in her first start since beating Park in an eight-hole playoff in the year’s first major.

The $2 million LPGA tournament ends Saturday.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., April 11, 2018 – The LPGA today announced Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina as the presenting sponsor of the brand-new LPGA Q-Series. The LPGA also announced that the first edition of the revamped final stage of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament will take place at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina from Oct. 22-Nov. 3, 2018.

Blue Cross NC has signed a three-year deal to be the presenting sponsor of the LPGA’s Q-Series.

“Blue Cross NC is proud to have this chance to make a meaningful investment in female leadership and empowerment,” said Reagan Greene Pruitt, Blue Cross NC Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Community Engagement. “We encourage women to find their own ways to Live Fearless, whether that’s through adopting healthy diet and lifestyle choices, making informed health care choices for themselves and their families, or even attempting to qualify for the LPGA Tour. We hope these talented golfers inspire women and girls of all ages to test the limits of their comfort zones as they pursue their Live Fearless dreams.”

At the 2017 CME Group Tour Championship, the LPGA first announced that Q-Series will replace LPGA Qualifying School Final Stage, which was previously held annually in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Instead of 90 holes like the old Final Stage, the new Q-Series will be 144 holes. Players will compete in two, four-day tournaments with cumulative scores over the eight rounds for a $150,000 purse, which will be distributed at the end of the eight rounds.

“We’re very happy that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has decided to partner with the LPGA in the launch of the Q-Series,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan. “Together we will identify the next group of LPGA stars through this new and exciting format. Pinehurst Resort will provide a world-class platform for the competitors in their quest to qualify for the LPGA Tour, all in an enhanced format that we’re really excited to showcase in October.”

The LPGA will debut the new Q-Series at the historic Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina, which has hosted several prestigious tournaments including the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open.

The first week of the LPGA Q-Series presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina will be played on the George and Tom Fazio-designed Pinehurst Course No. 6 from Oct. 24-27, while the Q-Series will conclude on the Rees Jones-designed Pinehurst Course No. 7 from Oct. 31- Nov. 3, 2018.

“Championship women’s golf has a long history at Pinehurst,” Tom Pashley, Pinehurst Resort’s president said. “Pinehurst has hosted the Women’s North & South Amateur since 1903, and past champions include legends such as Louise Suggs, Estelle Lawson Page and Peggy Kirk Bell as well as more recent major champions Yani Tseng, Brittany Lang, Morgan Pressel and Danielle Kang. We’re pleased the LPGA has chosen Pinehurst for the inaugural Q-Series.”

There will be no cut for the LPGA Q-Series field, which will include players who finished 101 to 150 and ties on the current-year LPGA official money list as well as players 11 to 30 and ties from the Symetra Tour official money list. A maximum of 10 spots will go to players in the top 75 of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings while the top five collegiate players in the country (according to Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings) will also be exempt into Q-Series. The field will be rounded out by top finishers from Stage II of Qualifying School. The number of players who will advance from Stage II to Q-Series will be determined prior to the start of Stage II.

At minimum, the top 45 finishers and ties from Q-Series will receive LPGA membership in category 14 of the LPGA Priority List, with the rest earning Symetra Tour membership. For a comparison, at the 2017 Final Stage 20 players earned their full LPGA cards.

“What I like most about the Q-Series is that it will be a true test for how players will qualify for the LPGA Tour,” Whan said. “The playing status earned by competitors at Q-Series will be a direct reflection of eight rounds of head-to-head competition on a demanding test of golf at Pinehurst Resort.”

As part of the updated Q-Series, the LPGA is also announcing relaxed rules for amateurs. Amateurs will be able to play all stages of the new LPGA Qualifying School, and those who earn LPGA status at Q-Series can defer acceptance of LPGA membership until July 1st the following year but cannot play as an amateur on the LPGA with Q-Series status. As in previous years, players can join and play on the Symetra Tour as an amateur (can turn professional at any time or remain as an amateur).

The revamped LPGA Qualifying School also has new age requirements. Players age 16 can now compete for Symetra Tour membership in only Stage I and Stage II, if they turn 17 by the end of the year. Players can compete in Q-Series at age 17 if they turn 18 by the end of the year, otherwise a petition process applies.

Stage I of Qualifying School will be held from Aug. 20-26, 2018 at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, while Stage II will be Oct. 13-18, 2018 in Venice, Florida at the Plantation Golf and Country Club.

If you’re a golfer who has been in the business world for any length of time, then the gist of this blog will be much like, as the old saying goes, preaching to the choir.

You understand the inestimable value of being able to spend a few relatively uninterrupted hours in a scenic setting with valued clients, co-workers or colleagues. For the most part, it’s less about golf than it is about building relationships.

But if you’re new to golf or the business world or both, then it’s well worth your time to read on.

Yes, golf is a sport but it can be as valuable a business tool as your smartphone. Perhaps more so, as it presents the opportunity to foster a personal bond as opposed to a virtual one.

Although it may seem more intimidating than your phone, golf comes with an owner’s manual, too. You just have to know how to find it. Consider this your “Quick Start Guide.”

First, get over the misconception that you have to be a good golfer. Everyone was a beginner at some point. Ask a golfing friend about where to take lessons or contact a local course. After just a few lessons, you’ll be good to go.

You don’t even have to buy your own clubs initially as just about every course has rental sets available. You might want to buy a decent pair of golf shoes and some balls, though. These are questions you can ask the PGA of Canada professional from whom you are taking lessons.

(Before we go any further, let’s be clear that this is intended for both men and women. If you’re a woman and remain unconvinced, then check out Leslie Andrews’ book, Even Par: How Golf Helps Women Gain the Upper Hand in Business or On Course for Business: Women and Golf by Suzanne Woo. There are many women-only golf clinics as well, so check with your local golf clubs or search them out online.)

There is no other activity like golf where you can connect socially to such an extent. This relates not only to the golf you may play with business associates but also to the relationships you will build when you play golf recreationally. If you join a club, you will meet lots of fellow members, some of whom may represent business opportunities.

There’s more to golf than swinging a club. If you’re going to golf for business as well as recreational purposes, you should know the basic lingo, rules and etiquette—Golf Canada’s easy guide is a great start. Another of the best and most reliable online sources for this essential information has been created by Brent Kelley at www.thoughtco.com.

That about wraps up your Quick Start Guide. Follow these few simple steps and, come next spring, you won’t shy away from playing in the company tournament or entertaining clients on the golf course. Who knows? You might even play for fun like the rest of us.

TULSA, Okla. – Maddie Szeryk hasn’t relinquished an NCAA lead in over two weeks.

The Team Canada National Amateur Squad member doubled down on Tuesday, winning the Dale McNamara Invitational to collect her second consecutive NCAA title in as many weeks.

The Texas A&M senior demonstrated a consistent approach in the 54-hole event, opening with an even-par 70 to share the outright lead. The 21-year-old London, Ont., resident followed with rounds of 71-71 to complete the wire-to-wire victory with a final score of 2 over par.

Szeryk finished two strokes clear of the pack, a stat that isn’t much of a surprise for Team Canada Women’s Head Coach, Tristan Mullally.

“Maddie has been doing the right things, giving her a chance every week,” said Mullally. “Her consistency is credit to her game and mental strength—which keeps the wins coming.”

#TeamCanada dragon @mszeryk goes back-to-back with her second consecutive NCAA title for @aggiewomensgolf ???

? https://t.co/7mb8peelg9 pic.twitter.com/Jw8vxR1xSh

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) April 11, 2018

With the win, Szeryk collects her fourth career NCAA victory and becomes the first Aggie to win back-to-back events since 2015. Szeryk is gaining momentum at the right time. She’ll lead the Aggies into the SEC Championship from April 18-22.

Collectively, the Aggies finished second at 30 over par, five strokes shy of Oklahoma State.

Click here for full scoring.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – For the first time in more than 20 years, the PGA TOUR is launching a new advertising campaign designed to capture and celebrate the energy and spirit of today’s TOUR.  Titled “Live Under Par,” the campaign plays on golf’s unique scoring language to portray the relentless pursuit of excellence by TOUR players, both competitively and in how they embrace the values of the game like sportsmanship and respect, as well as the PGA TOUR’s ingrained mission of giving back.

The thematic of “Live Under Par” immerses spectators into the contagious excitement of the sport, showcasing its vast 360-degree impact both inside and outside the ropes. As part of the current integrated marketing strategy of the TOUR, the campaign aims to reach beyond the core golf fan and attract new and diverse fan segments to the sport. Further, it will serve as a call to action for dedicated golf fans to share their passion for the game and invite newcomers to “join the PGA TOUR.”

“The ‘Live Under Par’ campaign goes beyond capturing the incredible ability of PGA TOUR players to score below par each week by showcasing and celebrating that same attitude of excellence that exists between players, players with fans, and players interacting with communities and charities,” said Joe Arcuri, Chief Marketing Officer of the PGA TOUR.  “The new campaign captures not just a way to play, but a way to be.”

You don’t need a club in your hand to #LiveUnderPar. pic.twitter.com/FvMqP25Y0s

— RBC Canadian Open (@RBCCanadianOpen) April 10, 2018

Developed in collaboration with new roster agency Troika of Los Angeles, “Live Under Par” becomes the TOUR’s first new theme and tagline since “These Guys Are Good,” the longest-running advertising campaign among major sports, debuted in 1997.

“’Live Under Par’ is an invitation for both players and fans to participate, no matter which side of the ropes you’re on,” said Gilbert Haslam, Executive Creative Director, Troika.  “The campaign provides fans with new ways to engage in all the PGA TOUR has to offer and celebrates the shared mindset and spirit behind the constant pursuit of greatness. ‘Live Under Par’ is unique to the game, but with meaning that resonates far beyond it.”

The PGA TOUR has been proactively shaping marketing plans through a fans-first lens to reach beyond the core fan. The TOUR has analyzed real-time fan consumption across all media platforms to further understand and enhance the areas where target segments are most engaged.

One of the first initiatives the TOUR made under the fans-first approach was relaxing cell phone and social media guidelines at tournaments – providing both fans and players with the opportunity to create and share personally captured content. “Live Under Par” is a testament to the success of those changes and prominently features fan-captured content throughout the exhilarating commercial spot debuting in conjunction with the campaign.

“We consider this campaign more of an evolution, growing from how our players’ competitive excellence was presented so effectively through ‘These Guys Are Good’ to doing that and so much more,” Arcuri said. “We are pulling the camera lens out, so to speak, to highlight the fun and excitement on TOUR and highlight the special interaction we see every week between our players and fans. We believe this, in turn, will help spur broader interest among a more diverse group of fans.’”

“Live Under Par” will debut with a combination of television, digital, social, print, radio and advertising, along with tournament activation and support of PGA TOUR players. To experience the campaign, visit www.liveunderpar.com.

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Toyota Junior Golf World Cup Qualifier makes its return to Canadian soil on Tuesday, with four nations competing for a spot in both the Boys and Girls divisions at Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa, Team Canada’s National Training Centre.

The 54-hole stroke play tournament is comprised of teams from host nation Canada, Mexico, Guatemala and Puerto Rico. The Boys division consists of four athletes per team, each submitting a cumulative total from the three lowest scores per round (omitting the highest score). The two lowest team scores after Thursday’s final round will qualify for the 2018 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup.

Canada will be represented by Development Squad members Nolan Thoroughgood (Victoria, B.C.), Johnny Travale (Stoney Creek, Ont.), Christopher Vandette (Beaconsfield, Que.) and Peyton Callens (Langton, Ont.).

The Girls Division is made up of three athletes per squad, each submitting a team score counted from the lowest two per round, with the lowest team score moving on. Flying the flag for Canada are Team Canada Development Squad members Céleste Dao (Notre-Dame-de-lîle-Perrot, Que.), Monet Chun (Richmond Hill, Ont.) and Alyssa DiMarcantonio (Maple, Ont.).

The squad is a couple months into the new centralized program at Bear Mountain, providing athletes an immersive, focused centre of excellence, surrounded by world-class technical coaching staff and experts in the areas of mental performance, physiotherapy, biomechanics and nutrition.

All teams will be competing for a spot to play in the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup, taking place from June 10-15 at the Chukyo Golf Club in Toyota City, Japan. The event features 24 international teams from around the world competing over 72 holes of stroke play. In 2016, the Canadian boys team finished 11th.

The first round gets underway on Tuesday at 8 a.m.

Click here for pairings.

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce its 2018 championship schedule which includes a record-30 amateur and professional competitions plus qualifiers hosted at golf facilities in communities across Canada.

The 2018 schedule is headlined by Golf Canada’s premier professional championships—the RBC Canadian Open from July 23-29 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., and the CP Women’s Open at Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask. from August 20-26.

The 2018 competition calendar includes eight National Amateur Championships, six Future Links, driven by Acura regional junior competitions and the World Junior Girls Championship.

Golf Canada will also host 11 qualifying events in 2018 including qualifiers for prestigious international competitions such as the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup and the U.S. Open (Local Qualifying), as well as the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur.

As the National Sports Federation and governing body of golf in Canada, Golf Canada conducts the country’s premier amateur and professional golf championships as part of its mandate to promote the sport and support the development of the nation’s top talent through world-class competition.

“Competing in a national championship is an incredible accomplishment for each of the more than 3,000 talented Canadian and international golfers who take part in our competitions,” said Golf Canada’s CEO, Laurence Applebaum. “The depth of talent, engagement among thousands of volunteers, the quality of our host venues and the committed support of corporate partners who have aligned their respected brands with our properties have been core to our competitions for more than a century. We are excited to welcome the next wave of Canadian golf champions.”

#GolfCanada is proud to announce our 2018 competitions schedule, with 30 events taking place from coast to coast ??⛳️ • • • #CDNAm #CDNWAm #CDNJrBoys #CDNJrGirls #CDNMidAm #CDNWMidAmSr #CDNUniCollege #CDNSr #FutureLinks #golf

A post shared by Golf Canada (@thegolfcanada) on Apr 9, 2018 at 11:51am PDT

Golf Canada’s championship season kicks off April 9-12 with the Toyota Junior Golf World Qualifier at Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, B.C. (home to Golf Canada’s National Training Centre) and concludes in September with the World Junior Girls Championship at Camelot Golf and Country Club in Cumberland, Ont.

“We’re proud to be working with many of Canada’s most renowned golf clubs from coast to coast,” said Adam Helmer, Director of Rules, Competitions and Amateur Status with Golf Canada. “Our 2018 venues are set to showcase an exciting season of competitive golf in communities across Canada and we thank our host clubs for their support.”

To view Golf Canada’s 2018 championship schedule including all host venues, registration requirements and volunteer opportunities please click here.

Golf Canada’s Championship Season at a Glance…

British Columbia will be a hotbed for Canadian golf in 2018, with the province hosting 11 Golf Canada events including the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian University/College Championship and the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

The 114th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will be contested at Duncan Meadows Golf Course in Duncan, B.C. and Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach, B.C., August 4-9. A field of 240 players will be cut to the low 70 players and ties after 36 holes, with the final two rounds contested at Duncan Meadows. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, as well as an invitation to the 2018 U.S. Amateur Championship. Additionally, the winner will receive an exemption into local qualifying for the 2019 U.S. Open, and if applicable, the U.S. Junior, U.S. Mid-Amateur or USGA Senior Amateur Championships.

The 105th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship takes place July 23-27 at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver with the champion earning an exemption into the 2018 CP Women’s Open, as well as an exemption into the 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. Additionally, the winner will receive exemptions into the U.S. Girls’ Junior, U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championships, if applicable.

The 16th Canadian University/College Championship will be held May 28 to June 1 at Chilliwack Golf Club in Chilliwack, B.C. The national championship features both a team and individual component and will serve as the Canadian team qualifier for the 2018 FISU World University Golf Championship.

The Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur will be held August 20-24 at Victoria Golf Club in Victoria, B.C. with the champion earning entry into the 2019 RBC Canadian Open.

On Saturday, July 21, as a kick-off event to the 2018 RBC Canadian Open, Glen Abbey will also open its fairways to junior competitors from across Canada for the 10th annual Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Event. Click here for qualifying info.

The 2018 RBC Canadian Open on the PGA TOUR will be contested July 23-29 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. and will mark the 109th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. As part of a two-stage qualifying process, a trio of RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifiers will take place in British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario. The regional qualifying event in B.C. will be held at Ledgeview Golf Club, home course of Canadian PGA TOUR stars and Team Canada alumni Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor.

The CP Women’s Open will make its first-ever stop in Saskatchewan as Wascana Country Club in Regina will host the stars of the LPGA Tour from August 20-26.

At the junior level, the 80th Canadian Junior Boys Championship will be contested from July 29 to August 2 at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club in Medicine Hat, Alta., with the winner earning an exemption into the 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. That same week the 64th Canadian Junior Girls Championship will be contested at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C.

Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, N.B., will host the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship September 3-7 with the winner earning an exemption into the 2018 USGA Senior Amateur. The Canadian Women’s Mid-Am and Senior Championship will be held August 27-30 at Lookout Point Country Club in Fonthill, Ont., with the champion earning an exemption into the 2018 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.

Ottawa’s Camelot Golf & Country Club will open its fairways to elite talent from across the globe when it plays host to the World Junior Girls Championship from September 9-14, 2018. This year marks the fifth playing of the annual event. Camelot has previously hosted the Canadian Junior Girls Championship as well as qualifying for the CP Women’s Open. Admission and parking for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free. For more information, visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com.

For the second straight year, Golf Canada, in collaboration with the USGA, will host a U.S. Open Local Qualifier at Beacon Hall Golf Club in Aurora, Ont. The 18-hole event conducted on May 7 will be one of 112 local qualifiers across 45 states and Canada which serve as the first of a two-step process to qualify for the U.S. Open.

The U.S. Women’s Amateur Local Qualifier will run June 27 at the Weston Golf & Country Club in Toronto, while the U.S. Amateur Local Qualifier will take place July 16 at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C.

The Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru National Event will be held at The Thornhill Club on September 24. The one-day event is a celebration of the success of all Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru events held nationwide during the 2018 season. To date, the fundraising efforts of thousands of golfers have totaled more than $6 million for breast cancer research since the program’s inception in 2003. The program’s goal is to drive women’s participation in the game of golf through the use of fun, non-intimidating activities. Click here to learn more about Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Golf Canada annually conducts championships nation-wide which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships, as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by RBC, Canadian Pacific, Sport Canada, Levelwear, Titleist and FootJoy. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions.

FUTURE LINKS, driven by Acura
Future Links, driven by Acura is Canada’s national junior golf program conducted by Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada and Canada’s provincial golf associations. Proudly supported by Acura, Puma, The R&A, NGCOA Canada, ClubLink and Sport Canada, the program is designed to forge a link between Canada’s youth and golf to ensure the future of the game in Canada. The program features three core areas of focus—in-school programming, facility programming and community outreach—including elements such as Golf in Schools, Learn to Play, Girl’s Club, Mobile Clinics, Junior Skills Competition and Community Golf Coach, along with six regional Future Links Junior Championships.  Since the inception of the program in 1996, more than 1.3 million young Canadians have taken part in Future Links. For more information, visit golfcanada.ca/futurelinks.

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Patrick Reed became famous playing for his country. He won for himself Sunday and became a Masters champion.

It was never easy, just the way Reed likes it.

Rory McIlroy came after him early. Jordan Spieth roared to life with a final-round charge and briefly caught Reed with a 35-foot birdie putt. The last challenge came from Rickie Fowler, who birdied the last hole to leave Reed no room for error.

Reed never flinched throughout a raucous afternoon at Augusta National.

Clinging to a one-shot lead, his 25-foot putt down the slippery slope on the 18th green ran 3 feet by the hole as Reed pressed down both hands, begging it to stop. From there, the 27-year-old Texan calmly rolled in the par putt for a 1-under 71 and a one-shot victory.

“To have to par the last hole to win my first major, it definitely felt right,” Reed said from Butler cabin, right before Sergio Garcia helped him into a green jacket.

The loudest cheers were for everyone else. Reed earned their respect with two big birdie putts on the back nine, one crucial par putt and plenty of grit. He also had a little luck when his 80-foot putt across the 17th green hit the hole, keeping it only 6 feet away. He made that for par to stay in control.

Reed won for the sixth time in his PGA Tour career, though he was best known for the trophies he shared at the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup. He is ferocious in match play, especially the team variety, and his singles victory over McIlroy at Hazeltine in the 2016 Ryder Cup led to the nickname of Captain America.

The clinching putt.

Congratulations to @PReedGolf, 2018 #themasters Champion. pic.twitter.com/zEkWleSeRK

— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 8, 2018

Captain America is now the Masters champion.

“He’s not scared. I think you guys have seen that previous from the Ryder Cups and the way he plays,” said Fowler, who closed with a 67. “He won’t back down. I don’t necessarily see him as someone that backs up and will let you come back into the tournament. You have to go catch him.”

Fowler did his best with three birdies in a four-hole stretch, and an 8-foot birdie on the final hole. It still wasn’t enough. Fowler was runner-up for the third time in a major. He left the scoring cabin when Reed tapped in for par.

“Glad I at least made the last one, make him earn it,” Fowler said with a grin as he waited to greet the newest major champion.

“You had to do it didn’t you?” Reed told him as they exchanged a hug. “You had to birdie the last.”

Spieth put up the most unlikely fight and was on the verge of the greatest comeback in Masters history. He started nine shots behind going into the final round, and was inches away on two shots from a chance at another green jacket.

His tee shot on the 18th clipped the last branch in his way, dropping his ball some 267 yards from the green. His 8-foot par putt for a record-tying 63 narrowly missed on the right. He had to settle for a 64.

“I think I’ve proven to myself and to others that you never give up,” Spieth said. “I started the round nine shots back and I came out with the idea of just playing the golf course and having a lot of fun doing it and try to shoot a low round and finish the tournament strong and see what happens, if something crazy happens.”

McIlroy, meanwhile, will have to wait another year for a shot at the career Grand Slam.

Trailing by three shots to start the final round, he closed to within one shot after two holes. That was as close as he came. McIlroy’s putter betrayed him, and he was never a factor on the back nine. He closed with a 74 and tied for fifth.

The gallery was clearly behind McIlroy, even though Reed led Augusta State to a pair of NCAA titles and briefly lived in Augusta.

He was met with polite applause on the first tee. The throaty cheer was for McIlroy, and it looked as though the 28-year-old from Northern Ireland atone himself from shooting 80 in the final round and losing a four-shot lead.

Reed scrambled for a bogey on the opening hole. He failed to get up-and-down from a bunker on the par-5 second as McIlroy had a 4-foot eagle putt to tie for the lead. McIlroy missed badly, a sign of what would to come. He missed four putts inside 10 feet on the front nine, and he missed a 3-foot par on the 14th.

Different about this victory for Reed was the fuchsia shirt he wore as part of a Nike script. Reed always wears black pants and a red shirt because that’s what Tiger Woods does, and Reed has long modeled his mental game after Woods. “Be stubborn,” he once said about learning by watching Woods.

Reed went to the back nine with a four-shot lead over four players, and they all had their chances. That included Jon Rahm, the 23-year-old from Spain, whose chances ended when he went after the flag on the par-5 15th and came up short in the water. He shot 69 and finished fourth.

Reed’s only bogey on the back nine was at No. 11 from a tee shot into the trees. He answered with a 25-foot birdie on the 12th, and a shot into 8 feet at No. 14 for a birdie that broke the tie with Spieth. He made all pars from there. That’s all he needed.

He became the fourth straight Masters champion to capture his first major.

Reed once claimed after winning a World Golf Championship at Doral that he was a top 5 player in the world, which subjected him to ridicule. This victory moves him to No. 11. It also comes with a green jacket, which earns far more respect and notoriety.

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Patrick Reed est en bonne posture pour mettre la main sur un premier titre majeur, mais son avance de trois coups après la troisième ronde du Tournoi des Maîtres aurait pu être encore plus importante.

Reed a signé une carte de 67 (moins-5), samedi, pour passer à moins-14 au pointage cumulatif. Il a réussi trois oiselets consécutifs après avoir été rattrapé à moins-9 par Rory McIlroy en milieu de ronde, puis a ajouté deux aigles sur le neuf de retour. Cependant, Reed a raté de courts roulés aux 16e et 18e trous pour un boguey et une normale.

À sa pourchasse, on retrouve McIlroy à moins-11, Rickie Fowler à moins-9 et Jon Rahm à moins-8. Ils ont tous joué des rondes de 65, le meilleur pointage de la semaine.

McIlroy a évité les bogueys et a réussi un des beaux coups du jour en calant une approche de plus de 20 verges pour un aigle au huitième trou.

Cet aigle permettait à McIlroy de grimper à égalité en tête du classement avec Reed à moins-9. Ce dernier a toutefois répliqué avec trois oiselets consécutifs lors des huitième, neuvième et 10e trous

à l’Augusta National.

C’était la cinquième fois en 46 trous que Reed connaissait une séquence de trois oiselets consécutifs.

Personne n’a joué quatre rondes sous les 70 lors de la même édition du Tournoi des Maîtres. Dimanche, le Texan de 27 ans aura aussi l’occasion de battre le record du tournoi de moins-18, établi par Tiger Woods en 1997 et égalé par Jordan Spieth en 2015.

De son côté, McIlroy vise un cinquième titre majeur, mais un veston vert lui permettrait aussi de compléter sa collection du Grand Chelem.

Fowler et Rahm ont également évité les bogueys en plus de réussir un aigle chacun.

Pour sa part, Woods grimpera _ au classement mondial, pas au tableau du Tournoi des Maîtres.

Woods devrait percer le top-100 mondial pour la première fois depuis belle lurette à la suite du premier tournoi majeur de la saison.

Woods a joué la normale en troisième ronde samedi à l’Augusta National et se trouve à plus-4 au pointage cumulatif. Il a de nouveau éprouvé des ennuis avec ses fers, notamment au niveau de la distance.

Il a dit que son élan “est tout simplement erratique avec (mes) fers”.

Le vétéran âgé de 42 ans dispute le Tournoi des Maîtres pour la première fois depuis 2015. Il est de retour au jeu à la suite d’une quatrième intervention chirurgicale au dos.

Il a commencé la semaine au 103e rang mondial, mais devrait grimper de quelques échelons après avoir franchi le seuil de qualifications pour les rondes du week-end à ce tournoi majeur.

Woods a mentionné qu’il “travaille graduellement là-dessus, peaufine (son jeu) tranquillement”, avant d’ajouter “ça s’en vient”.

Woods ne gagnera pas son cinquième veston vert et a dit qu’il avait un objectif bien plus modeste pour la ronde finale dimanche: “jouer la normale, ou un peu en dessous. J’espère que j’y arriverai”.

Phil Mickelson n’a guère fait mieux que son rival. Le vétéran a inscrit un score de 74 et se retrouvait à plus-7 avant la ronde finale.

Adam Hadwin, d’Abbotsford, C.-B., a joué une ronde de 72 et a glissé à égalité au 21e rang, à égalité à la normale.