IBARAKI, Japan – Defending champion Shanshan Feng of China fired a 9-under 63 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead after the second round of the LPGA Tour’s Japan Classic.

Feng carded seven birdies and an eagle at the Taiheiyo Club to move to 15-under 129, two strokes ahead of Japan’s Ai Suzuki, who was in sole possession of second place after a 65, that featured four birdies and an eagle on the back-nine.

Feng birdied five of her first seven holes to jump out to a quick lead. The 2012 Women’s PGA Championship winner eagled the 12th hole then picked up two late birdies to keep ahead of the fast-finishing Suzuki.

“I was shocked, because that wasn’t a very usual start for a round,” said Feng. “But then after that I kind of kept my good putting going on and finished with a 9-under.”

Feng is aiming to become the first golfer on the LPGA Tour to defend a title in 2017. She is looking for her second victory of the year, having captured the LPGA Volvik Championship in May.

Charley Hull of England had six birdies and an eagle at the second for at 64 that put her in a tie for third at 10-under 134 with South Korean Min Young Lee.

Stacy Lewis shot a 67 and was tied for fifth with Lizette Salas, Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist, and the Japanese pair Momoko Ueda and Ayaka Watanabe.

Brooke Henderson, the lone Canadian in the tournament, shot a 3-under 69 and is 4 under through two rounds.

Lexi Thompson struggled with the conditions and offset three bogeys with three birdies for a 72 that left her in a tie for 42nd.

Five more golfers are at 8-under par including World No. 1 So Yeon Ryu, who is still battling a shoulder injury, and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, who is looking for her first victory of the year.

“Putting and driving are always going to be important no matter what tournament you play,” said Ko. “So those are things I’ll always be working on, to try to be more consistent.”

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Team Canada Amateur Squad duo of Joey Savoie and Josh Whalen have extended their lead to two strokes through 54 holes of the Tailhade Cup at the Los Lagartos Country Club.

Savoie, a La Prairie, Que., product, carded his lowest round of the tournament on Saturday with a 3-under-par 68. The 23-year-old Middle Tennessee State University graduate sits at 4 under for the tournament (69-73-68), six back of individual leader Shin Federico of host nation Argentina.

“It was a solid round, I was very good in all aspects of my game…It is a challenging course and you have to take advantage of the few opportunities it gives you,” said Savoie. “Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day.”

Teammate Josh Whalen of Napanee, Ont., posted a 1-under-par 70 on Saturday to holds a share of 5th place.

“I wasted a lot of chances and frustration happens a little bit out there,” said Whalen. “But I can’t complain, I played well and what we are doing is working. Brazil put pressure on us and I think that the tournament is not going to be decided until the last hole.”

Collectively, the Canadian pair sits at 4 under par, holding a two-stroke advantage over Brazil. They will look to collect the third title in four years when the final round gets underway on Sunday. Eric Banks (Truro, N.S.) and Tony Gil (Vaughan, Ont.) captured the event in 2015 while Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.) and dual citizen Austin Connelly (Irving, Texas) took home the title in 2014.

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IBARAKI, Japan – Defending champion Shanshan Feng fired a 6-under 66 on Friday to share a seven-way lead after the first round of the LPGA Tour’s Japan Classic.

Feng carded six birdies in a bogey-free round at the Taiheiyo Club and was joined at 6 under by Americans Lizette Salas and Jane Park, Japanese players Saiki Fujita, Ai Suzuki and Nasa Hataoka, and Lee Ming-yong of South Korea.

Feng was only 1-under through 11 holes, but made five birdies in her last seven holes to climb into a tie for the lead. She is aiming to become the first golfer on the LPGA Tour to defend a title in 2017.

“I did start the day slowly, just like usual, and then I got my first birdie on the eighth hole finally,” Feng said. “After that I was like ‘that’s just the first of many,’ and then my ball striking was very good on the back nine,”

Anna Nordqvist was a further stroke back at 5 under, tied for eighth with South Koreans Sei Young Kim and Chae Young Yoon.

Lexi Thompson offset three bogeys with seven birdies for a 68 and was tied for 11th in a group of 13 players including No. 1-ranked So Yeon Ryu, Lydia Ko and Stacy Lewis.

In her last six starts, Feng has finished in the top seven five times, and is riding a hot streak into her title defence this week.

“What I did today was good, and I think I just stick to my same plan,” Feng said. “I believe if my ball striking is as good as normal then I’ll give myself a lot of birdie chances every day. So, if my putting is working I should be able to shoot lower scores.”

Salas, who bogeyed her first hole of the day but rebounded with seven birdies over the rest of her round, is also on a hot streak. She has finished in the top five in three of her last four events, but is still looking for her first title of the year.

“I feel really confident with these greens,” she said. “They’re slick (and) they’re fast, which are the kind of greens I like. My iron play has been improving so far, and I’ve been making clutch putts when I need to.”

LAS VEGAS – J.J. Spaun shot a 6-under 65 on Friday at breezy TPC Summerlin to take the lead in the suspended second round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

Spaun rebounded from a bogey on the par-4 third with birdies on the par-4 fourth and par-3 fifth and closed with a birdie on the par-5 ninth to get to 11-under 131.

“I think we were just real deliberate on our numbers out there,” Spaun said. “It’s super swirly, windy. … Out here you’ve got so many undulations around the greens and you’ve got tight hazards next to the pins and the greens, so it’s crucial to get the right number, and we did that well today. That kind of set us up for having a bunch of looks out there.”

Kelly Kraft was second at 8 under with three holes left when play was suspended for the day because of darkness. He had a hole-in-one on par-3 fifth, using a 6-iron on the 174-yard hole.

Spaun is making his third start of the season after finishing 97th in the FedEx Cup standings. He missed the cut in the opener at Silverado and tied for 34th last week in Mississippi.

“I’m putting well, I’m hitting it well, I’m just trying to play simple golf,” Spaun said. “I know it’s not going to be easy on the weekend, but just trying to keep things in perspective and stay within myself and give myself a shot on Sunday.”

Robert Garrigus was four strokes back at 7 under after a 65.

“I really didn’t swing it as good as I wanted to off the tee,” Garrigus said. “I was hitting some squirrelly shots, but the putter worked really well today, which can cure a lot of things.”

Aaron Baddeley and Patton Kizzire each shot 66 to get to 6 under, and first-round leader Whee Kim was 5 under after a 72.

“It was windy today,” Baddeley said. “There were a couple holes there where it was like a two- or three-club wind, which is really unusual here in Vegas. But it’s just nice because it really brings out the good ball-hitters and also the people who can be patient in this type of weather.”

Charley Hoffman was 3 under after a 71 in his hometown event.

Nick Taylor is the top Canadian at 2 under after a second-round 71. Corey Conners shot 71 and is 1 under while David Hearn shot 73 and is 2 over. Ben Silverman is 1 under through 14 holes.

Bubba Watson was in position to make the cut on the number at 1 over in his first event of season, shooting 72-71. Defending champion Rod Pampling also was 1 over after a 73.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Team Canada duo of Joey Savoie and Josh Whalen fired a collective 2-over-par 142 in Friday’s second round to take a one-stroke advantage in the Tailhade Cup at the Los Lagartos Country Club.

Whalen (Napanee, Ont.) and Savoie (La Prairie, Que.) both hold individual shares of fifth at even-par in the 22nd edition of the event. Together, the pair of first-year National Amateur Squad members boosted Canada into sole possession of first place with a collective score of 284 (E). Brazil trails the Canadian contingent by one stroke, while host nation Argentina sits four back in third place.

Team Canada will look to win their third title in four years. Eric Banks (Truro, N.S.) and Tony Gil (Vaughan, Ont.) captured the event in 2015 while Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.) and dual citizen Austin Connelly (Irving, Texas) took home the title in 2014.

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When I analyze a golf swing I do so with a number of objectives in mind. Helping to create the desired shot is a very important one but also allowing enough variability to create a number of shots as required. Oftentimes I will suggest an adjustment in setup rather than alter an athlete’s swing mechanics. This is both easier to manage (as long as comfort is not the priority) and delivers almost immediate results.

Let’s focus on two parameters that change the resulting impact of ball flight dramatically: shoulder alignment and ball position.

Successful athletes like Alena Sharp, an Olympian with Team Canada at the 2016 Rio Games, know how to match these positions up to their desired result. She demonstrates here two different setup positions to deliver two different-shaped shots.

DRAW
Shoulder alignment to the right of target, ball position closer to the centre of your stance. This allows your path to move to the right of the clubface and encourages right-to-left shape to the shot.

FADE
Shoulders aligned to the left of the target with the ball position closer to your lead foot. This allows your path to move to the left of the clubface and encourage a left-to-right shape to the shot.

At first these positions may feel uncomfortable and contact may be inconsistent. But stick with it and try both address positions. At some point you may need both shapes to be successful on the golf course.

This article was originally published in the Fall Issue of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine.

LAS VEGAS – Kim Meen-Whee birdied two of his final three holes for a 6-under 65 and a one-stroke lead Friday in the PGA Tour’s Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

The 25-year-old South Korean player birdied all three par-5 holes at TPC Summerlin, Nos. 13 and 16 on his first nine and No. 9 on his second nine.

“I had a really good putting all day,” Kim said. “Didn’t miss any putts. I think I didn’t do any stupid mistakes all day. I think that was key. The greens were a little slower than what I expected like the last two years. But it was still fast and firm.”

John Huh was at 66 with J.J. Spaun, Ryan Blaum and Alex Cejka. Jimmy Stanger also was 5 under with three holes left when play was suspended because of darkness.

Kim was fourth two weeks ago in South Korea in the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup.

“It’s a nice start. I feel more comfortable,” Kim said. “I played really good and my fans were really happy. … Yeah, it’s nice. I think I’m in a really good position on Thursday right here in Las Vegas. I feel really comfortable. Just happy.

Huh birdied four of his last six holes and had only 24 putts.

“Any time you putt under 30, I think it’s a good round,” Huh said. “That’s the key that I was able to shoot 5-under par today.

Spaun rebounded from consecutive bogeys to birdie three of the last four.

“I feel like it’s more not trying to press so early on in a tournament,” Spaun said. “You feel like as a rookie you’ve got to come out guns blazing, and you’ve got to tear it up right away. Fortunately, today I kind of did that, but I wasn’t forcing it. It was just kind of staying patient.”

Blaum hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation.

“The iron play was solid,” Blaum said. “I put a new driver in the bag this week and it was working well off the tee. Even when I was missing the fairway, I was only a few feet off and had a good look at the hole location, whatever it was. I was missing it on the right side.”

Ben Silverman is the top Canadian after a 2-under 69, while David Hearn is even. Nick Taylor and Corey Conners were unable to finish their round. Taylor is 1 under through 17 and Conners is even through 15.

Billy Horschel was two strokes back at 67 along with Bryson DeChambeau, Jason Kokrak, Daniel Summerhays, Peter Malnati, Kevin Chappell, Kelly Kraft, Patrick Cantlay and Brett Stegmaier.

Horschel is coming off a seven-week break.

“I’ve worked really hard on my game,” Horschel said. “Todd Anderson and I have done some really good work. You’re always a little apprehensive coming out to your first event, and also on top of the work, seeing how is it going to translate over from practicing. It’s been really nice all week. Is it exactly where I want? No. But it’s a lot better than it’s been for the last year and a half.”

Charley Hoffman opened his hometown event with a 68. He eagled the par-4 15th after driving to 6 feet.

“I was able to make the putt,” Hoffman said. “That was nice to get the round going.”

Ryan Armour, the winner Sunday in Mississippi for his first PGA Tour title, also had a 68.

Defending champion Rod Pampling opened with a 70.

Bubba Watson had a 72 in his first round of the season.

(REGINA) – When the CP Women’s Open takes to the links in Regina in August, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation will be the official beneficiary of the seven day tournament. Through its CP Has Heart campaign, Canadian Pacific (CP) will once again make a substantial donation to the host community by supporting pediatric cardiology at the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2019.

“CP is very proud to partner with Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital for the 2018 CP Women’s Open,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “This is a natural partnership as CP is focused on heart health through our community investment program, CP Has Heart, and the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital is focused on helping the youngest hearts across the great province of Saskatchewan – a province that has been integral to our network for more than 130 years.”

Funds raised through the CP Women’s Open will support a dedicated pediatric cardiology space and specialized equipment in the Pediatric Outpatients Clinic at the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. With a nature theme running throughout the hospital, the “Frog Pod” will be specifically used to treat pediatric cardiology patients and will include three echocardiography exam rooms, a pulmonary function technology lab, an exercise challenge room, and a regular exam room. Directly across the hall, included in the pod, is a staff echocardiology reading room.

“On behalf of Saskatchewan children and families, we offer our heartfelt thanks to CP and the CP Women’s Open for helping us further develop the provincial pediatric cardiology program at our new children’s hospital,” said Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “It warms our hearts to know the impact this legacy gift will have for young patients, families, and the provincial pediatric cardiac team.”

The Pediatric Outpatients Clinic, which will see children for general pediatrics, cardiology, oncology, speech and language, hearing, and psychiatry, will offer three times more exam rooms than are available today. An anticipated 40,000 young patients will use this area of the hospital every year.

In the four years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open, $6.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada.

“Together with our incredible partners at CP and the LPGA Tour, Golf Canada is proud to bring world-class professional golf to The Wascana Country Club, the city of Regina and the province of Saskatchewan in 2018,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “I can’t say enough about the great work that CP does through the CP Has Heart campaign and there is great reason for Saskatchewan residents to be excited about the charitable legacy in support of pediatric cardiac care at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital that will make a difference in people’s lives.”

This is the first time Saskatchewan will play host to a major LPGA Tour event. The CP Women’s Open will run from August 20-26, 2018 at Regina’s Wascana Country Club. Tickets and corporate hosting are available for purchase at www.cpwomensopen.com

Canadian golf leaders, executives, professionals and enthusiasts were in attendance on Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Canadian golf industry expo for the state of the industry town hall conducted by the PGA of Ontario.

Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum was among the leaders who spoke from the featured panel at the Nottawasaga Inn Resort in Alliston, Ont.

The last time World No. 13 Brooke Henderson was in Japan, she was hoisting the individual title trophy at the 2014 Women’s World Amateur Games in Karuizawa. Henderson is making her first start at the TOTO Japan Classic, and a win this week would bring her record to 2-0 when playing in Japan.

“Playing in the World Am a few years ago, was a highlight of my amateur career, and experiencing playing in Japan for the first time was really cool,” Henderson said. “Going into Tokyo and doing a few extra things made it extremely memorable and I’ve been really looking forward to this visit back.”

So excited to be back in Japan! Last trip here was for World Amateur Team Championships 2014! Silver Medal for?? and Low Individual Honours pic.twitter.com/1kqlVf1Dma

— Brooke Henderson (@BrookeHenderson) October 30, 2017

Henderson is in top form heading into the TOTO Japan Classic finishing in the top 10 in three of her last four starts, including her second victory of the 2017 season at the MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open.

“I’d like to get another top 10, of course a win would be amazing, but top 10 is my goal,” Henderson said. “Keep the streak alive a little bit, but just to continue to play well and improve my world ranking and position in the Race to the CME Globe. Hopefully this week will be a boost in that direction.”

Entering this week, Henderson is fourth in the Race to the CME Globe standings, 241 points behind third place So Yeon Ryu. If Henderson holds her position in the top five, she will control her own destiny at the CME Group Tour Championship, meaning if she wins in Naples she will win the $1M CME Globe.

Augusta James (left) looks on as Brooke Henderson, (middle), and Brittany Marchand of Canada, high-five at the 18th hole on (Oshitate Course) during the first round at the 2014 Espirito Santo Trophy at Karuizawa 72 Golf East in Karuizawa, Japan on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. (Copyright USGA/Steven Gibbons)