JACKSON, Miss. – Ryan Armour shot a 4-under 68 to take a one-shot lead at the Sanderson Farms Championship on Friday.

The 41-year-old Armour has never won on the PGA Tour and has only four top 10s in 104 career events. He made four straight birdies on the back nine and finished just before a wave of thunderstorms swept over the Country Club of Jackson and suspended play for the day.

There were 30 players still on the course when play ended. They’ll finish their second rounds on Saturday in what’s expected to be much colder weather.

Armour is at 10-under 134. Tyrone Van Aswegen is one back after shooting a 65 on Friday. Vaughn Taylor shot 66 and is two shots back, along with Seamus Power, who has two holes left to play.

Canadian duo of David Hearn (Brantford, Ont.) and Ben Silverman (Thornhill, Ont.) sit tied for 9th at 6 under par.

A year ago, Bob Thompson and his wife, Lynn, began discussing a 2017 trip to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Living in Sundre, Alta., travelling to Atlantic Canada was something the couple had been eager to cross off their bucket list. It was a long way from home but for pure pleasure and personal reasons they always dreamed of getting to St. John’s, N.L., Halifax and Pictou, N.S., among other places.

Then last fall, Thompson was alerted that he was the lucky winner of Golf Canada’s inaugural East/West Contest, for which he received a grand prize package that included four nights of accommodation, air travel and car rental. And, of course, golf.

His choice of a round at either Banff Springs Golf Course in Banff, Alta., or Cabot Links or Cabot Cliffs in Inverness, N.S., was an easy one. With Fairmont Banff Springs just a couple hours southwest from Sundre, and having already played the Stanley Thompson gem a handful of times, the retired IT worker mapped out a dream vacation to Canada’s east coast.

“Cabot is so far away from here that, other than looking at the Canadian golf course rankings, you don’t think too much of places like that,” Thompson explained.

From late August to early September, the Thompsons’ eastern escape finally came to fruition. They bookended their trip as desired with stops in Newfoundland and around Nova Scotia but, for a golfer who typically plays his home track of Sundre Golf Club three to four times a week, Bob was anxious to get on the tee at the two Cape Breton beauties.

“It was breathtaking,” he said. “As far as the views from some of the fairways, I had a hard time keeping my mind on the task of golfing. The scenery was just outstanding, and that’s probably because if you’re landlocked like we are (in Sundre), you don’t get to see the ocean.”

Though the contest prizing included just one round at either the Links or Cliffs course, Thompson wasn’t going to venture across the country without experiencing both acclaimed tracks, which are ranked Nos. 1 (Cabot Cliffs) and 3 (Cabot Links) on SCOREGolf’s list of Canada’s Top 59 Public Golf Courses. Despite the slightly lower ranking Thompson found the Links layout, with its firm and fast greens and rugged fescue, to be a little more challenging and enjoyable. Meanwhile, the incomparable views and stunning scenery of the Cliffs course were not enough to offset the 72-year-old’s fatigue from walking up and down the imposing fairways.

Not even Mother Nature could spoil the memorable outing for the Thompsons, who got rained out halfway through their first day at the Links before getting back out a couple hours later. Instead, they were treated to the vacation of a lifetime simply by inputting scores into Golf Canada’s Score Centre. Each round logged this season, up until October 31, counts as a contest entry for this year’s draw, which takes place November 10, 2017.

Up for grabs is a once-in-a-lifetime retreat to either The Links at Crowbush Cove in Morell, P.E.I., or Fairmont Chateau Whistler in Whistler, B.C., with the prize trip to be fulfilled in the 2018 season. Bob Thompson wasted no time making his choice and has no regrets about the decision either.

“Seeing Peggy’s Cove would rank No. 2 to seeing both the Links and Cliffs. Being a golfer, nothing compares to being there and golfing there,” he concluded.

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

UXBRIDGE — Six players are returning to Team Ontario (U19) in 2018 and will be joined by eight new faces as Golf Ontario is pleased to announce the newest installment of the squad. The 2018 team will see an even split of seven boys and seven girls.

Leading the returning players for 2018 is Markham’s Victoria Zheng who captured the 2017 Ontario Juvenile Girls’ title at Sawmill Creek Golf Resort in Camlachie. Zheng will be joined by fellow returnees: Toronto’s Sarah Beqaj, who represented Ontario at the Canada Summer Games, Mississauga’s Matthew Anderson, Mississauga’s Robbie Latter, Markham’s Hailey McLaughlin, and Tillbury’s Hailey Katona.

The new members of the squad bring some impressive credentials from this past season. Sudbury’s Tristan Renaud won the Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship, Fonthill’s Freddy D’Angelo was the Ontario Juvenile Boys’ Champion, Aurora’s Vanessa Chychrun captured the Ontario Junior Girls’ Match Play title, and Caledon’s Raesa Sheikh was the Ontario Bantam Girls’ Champion. Also new to the team are: Waterloo’s Dylan Henderson, Windsor’s Shawn Sehra, Waterloo’s Bennett Ruby, and Windsor’s Jasmine Ly.

Entering his fifth season as the Head Provincial Coach is Milton resident Reggie Millage. Millage is joined by Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick Martichenko and Mental Skills Coach Charles Fitzsimmons. Delaney Howson will act as the Team Coordinator.

“The start of a new season is always exciting but this year even more so,” said Millage. “This group is filled with talented, young athletes that are striving to be better and willing to do the work necessary to achieve their goals. I expect one of the hardest working teams this year and I have no doubt that they will show their off-season work next spring.”

The team will train throughout the winter at Peak Performance Golf in Vaughan. They will have a pair of local camps, followed by three winter warm weather camps including the Can/Am Matches, during March Break with the South Carolina Junior Golf Association at the Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Shanshan Feng had three birdies before a lengthy rain delay and three more after it, shooting a 6-under 65 Friday to take a one stroke lead after the second round of the Sime Darby.

Play was halted for close to four hours because of heavy rain at TPC Kuala Lumpur. But Feng, a two-time champion from China, managed to stay steady on both sides of the interruption to lead at 11-under 131.

“I didn’t have as many birdie chances as yesterday, but I think I actually made more putts,” Feng said. “So that actually made me happy, and I think 6 under is still a very good score here.”

Madelene Sagstorm (66) is in second place, followed by Cristie Kerr (63) at 133. Kerr’s round was the lowest of the day.

“I have an easy time starting to think too much, so it’s about finding the right position,” Sagstrom said. “It’s not the job on the course. I’m just trying to get back into what I know works, and I kind of got back in that rhythm afterwards.”

Overnight leader Lydia Ko (72) couldn’t maintain her first-round form and carded four bogeys in the second.

Canada’s Brooke Henderson posted a 2-under-par 69 to sit tied for 23rd midway through the championship.

Maddie Szeryk’s recent success on the golf course not only provides reason for optimism amongst her supporters, but it also offers an indication of a bright future ahead for the amateur standout as a professional.

Currently in her senior year at Texas A&M University, the 21-year-old is eager to follow up on her record-setting junior year.

In her 2016-2017 season with the Aggies, the Canadian national team member ranked fourth in the NCAA with a school-record 71.24 season stroke average.

To put it in perspective her 71.24 stroke average ranks fourth all-time in the SEC and 14th all-time in NCAA Division I history.

Overall, Szeryk had nine top-10 finishes and six top-5 finishes in 12 events. Perhaps the biggest highlight of her junior year came in March when Szeryk captured the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational in Hawaii with a score of 9 under par.

Her remarkable season at Texas A&M University would score Szeryk First-Team All-American honours.

After completing her junior year in May, the national team member continued her stellar play into June as she won the Western Women’s Golf Association Amateur Championship at the River Forest Country Club – becoming the first Canadian to do so.

Later that month Szeryk would go on to capture the B.C. Women’s Amateur by finishing at 9 under par – winning the tournament by four strokes.

“I’m just really happy about being able to play at a level where I’m always in contention.  I’m just trying to play consistent and steady golf and it’s good to know that I’ve been able to do that recently,” said Szeryk during an interview in August at the CP Women’s Open.

Looking back on her journey thus far, the 21-year-old is quick to credit her dad for getting her started.

“I started when I was about seven. My dad played a little bit and he took me out one time just to hang out with him and I was like ‘oh I want to try it out also’ and I really liked it,” recalled Szeryk who is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States.

Born in Allen, Texas, Szeryk – whose parents Neil and Karen relocated from London, Ont., just after getting married – took some time during the CP Women’s Open to reflect on her humble beginnings.

“I remember my dad initially signed me up for lessons at a summer camp and I went out with everyone; and then after I got an individual coach. I really liked the sport and I’ve been doing it ever since,” she said.

Szeryk is proud of her strong blood ties to the London, Ont. area.

“I grew up in the Dallas area but was back and forth from Dallas and London quite a lot as a kid.  I love going back to London to see all my relatives there,” she said.

As a youngster growing up, Szeryk not only found her passion on the links, but she also found a lot of success as well.

“I remember really enjoying being out on the golf course and I also remember winning a lot of local tournaments growing up and it made me want to stick with it; and I just wanted work as hard as I could to continue getting better,” said Szeryk, who today holds the distinction as Canada’s top amateur golfer.

Now in her fourth year with the national team program, Szeryk says she’s benefitted a great deal from her time on the team.

“We have a great coach in Tristan and have so much support in all aspects of our game. Being on the national team has given me the opportunity to travel and compete in so many prestigious tournaments around the world that I would not otherwise has a chance to,” she said. “It’s definitely played a big part in my development as a golfer.”

Canadian women’s national team head coach, Tristan Mullally, is someone who is familiar with Szeryk’s game and speaks very highly of it.

“Maddie is someone who is very aggressive and gets it close to the greens and is a fantastic putter. Once she gets it going, she can get it super low,” said Mullally about Szeryk who won the 2013 Canadian Junior Girls title and the 2015 Ontario Amateur title.

Mullally notes that since joining the national team program, Szeryk has been able to elevate her game to another level.

“She’s gotten a lot more consistent.  In the past she’s been sort of streaky. She would play extremely well in a tournament and then not so well in the next one. But this year she’s been super consistent.”

Mullally is also glad to see the 21-year-old gain valuable experience playing with the world’s best professionals this year as she competed in the Manulife LPGA Classic in June, the U.S. Women’s Open in July and the CP Women’s Open in August.

“She fired a 5 under in the second round of the Manulife which was very impressive; and she got to play in the U.S. Open and the CP Women’s Open so she’s had a chance to experience the travel and get a taste of what life would be as a pro,” he noted.

“It’s a big learning journey for her to go through and it’s great that she’s been able to get a bit of a head start.”

Mullally believes the amateur standout has the talent and all the intangibles to translate her amateur success onto the professional ranks when the time comes.

“I know she’s got goals to be on the LPGA and she’s played awesome recently and has gotten a lot of valuable experience that’s going to help her on that journey,” said Mullally.

“She’s definitely trending in the right direction and she’s a fierce competitor so if she keeps doing what she’s doing and continues to work hard then she’s going to have a bright future ahead as a professional.”

SHANGHAI – Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, close friends who live down the street from each other in Florida, are in the final group going into the weekend at the HSBC Champions. They are separated by one shot, so it might feel like one of their money matches when they play together at home.

There’s just one problem with that.

“We don’t really play much golf,” Johnson said after his 9-under 63 for a one-shot lead Friday at Sheshan International. “We go to the gym and we hang out, but we don’t go to the golf course together. We played last Saturday, and that was the first time we played in … I couldn’t tell you how long. All year, probably.”

They won both their matches as partners at the Presidents Cup, and Koepka says they saw each other for 14 out of their 21 days at home.

It just didn’t involve much golf.

That figures to change at the final World Golf Championships event of the year, and it could be quite a show.

Johnson, the No. 1 player in the world who has been alternating between two putters over the last few putts, brought a third option to Shanghai. This had a mallet head, and it lasted all of one round. So he got a fourth one – a TaylorMade Spider with a metal insert that wasn’t quite as soft as the version he used to win three straight times in the spring. He hit a few putts, went onto the course and made just about everything.

“The guys here in China made me one. I got it right before I walked to the tee,” Johnson said. “I hit a few putts on the practice green with it and I was like, ‘Oh, this will work pretty well.’ Went out and holed a lot of putts today, so I kind of like it.”

Two of his closing birdie putts were in the 15-foot range, and he finished with a 5-foot slider on the 18th to reach 13-under 131.

Koepka, who led after the first round with a 64, had what he referred to as a relatively boring day, at least in the middle. He opened with two straight birdies, followed with 13 consecutive pars, and then birdied two of his last three holes for a 68.

They will be joined by Justin Rose (68), making that three of the last five U.S. Open champions in the final group Saturday.

Johnson and Koepka are naturals as friends. Both cut supremely athletic figures and are among the biggest hitters in golf. Neither gets overly worked up over anything. Their celebrations are subdued, even when winning U.S. Opens.

Koepka talks a little more, which is not much. He was one shot behind going into the final round of the U.S. Open and Johnson called him that Saturday night. Koepka described it as a “long phone call for us. It was like two minutes.” It was a rare conversation about golf. Johnson simply told him that he was playing well and not to worry about anything else.

“We both kind of have the same attitude,” Koepka said. “We’re not going to take things too seriously. We like to relax. We like to work out. We’ve got the same interests, and that makes it easy. To be honest with you, I don’t think we’ve ever really talked about golf. Maybe when we play practice rounds, that’s about the only time we ever talk about golf. When we’re away, we’re away and I think that’s kind of one of the beauties of our friendships.”

Johnson won the HSBC Champions in 2013, and he looks formidable when he’s making putts, as was the case on Friday. After a relatively slow start, with birdies on both par 5s on the front, he ran off seven over his last nine holes for a 29 on the back nine. The two holes he failed to birdie were No. 11, where he missed a 10-foot birdie putt, and the par-5 14th, where he had 6-iron into the green for his second shot.

Koepka felt as though he left his share of shots out there, too. On three of the par 5s, he missed birdie chances from 8 feet or in.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand had a 70 and joined Rose at 9-under 135. Patrick Reed, who has gone 14 months without winning, shot 70 and was six behind.

Johnson and Koepka first played together in the third round of the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, a vague memory for Koepka. He just remembers Johnson having to hit one shot left-handed, and neither of them having much of a chance against Martin Kaymer that week.

They last played together in the opening two rounds at Firestone in the Bridgestone Invitational, though they are regulars in practice rounds at the majors. Koepka would like nothing better than for them to have a chance on the final nine Sunday.

“I have no problem breaking Dustin’s heart. I can promise you that. I’m sure he’d say the same thing if he was sitting up here,” Koepka said. “We both have a lot of fun off the golf course, but when it comes to golf, I think we both want to kick each other’s butts. There’s no mercy out there. When we both show up, I think we’re both expecting to win.”

Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., slipped 17 spots down the leaderboard following a 2-over-par 74 to sit T38.

JACKSON, Miss. – Andrew Landry and J.J. Spaun are among five players who shot a 6-under 66 to share the lead after the opening round of the Sanderson Farms Championship.

Smylie Kaufman and 2015 Sanderson Farms winner Peter Malnati are part of a group of four players who are one back after shooting a 67.

The 30-year-old Landry got off to a blazing start at the Country Club of Jackson, shooting 6-under through the first five holes after starting on No. 10. The highlight was on No. 14 when he made eagle from 110 yards on a gap wedge shot that bounced once and into the hole.

Spaun made seven birdies and one bogey. He’s in his second year on the tour after having three top 10 finishes last season.

The other co-leaders are Conrad Shindler, Ryan Armour and Wyndham Clark. None of the five leaders have ever won on the PGA Tour.

Canadians David Hearn (Brantford, Ont.) and Ben Silverman (Thornhill, Ont.) both shot 4-under-par 68s to hold shares of 10th place.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Lydia Ko fired a 64 for her best opening round of the year to lead the LPGA Tour’s Sime Darby event at 7 under on Thursday, and is hoping her best start will lead to her first title of 2017.

The former No. 1-ranked Ko is one shot ahead of Su Oh and two ahead of defending champion and two-time winner Feng Shanshan, Madelene Sagstrom and Eun Hee-Ji, who won by six strokes in Taiwan last week for her first LPGA Tour title since 2009.

“Today I tried to be positive and as confident as I can,” said Ko, who finished second in Taiwan last week. “I think playing well last week really gave me good momentum going into today.”

Ko opened with a birdie, one of seven in an unblemished round on the par 71, 6,246-yard course at the TPC Kuala Lumpur.

“Made a string of birdies late in my front nine and I was able to keep that momentum going into the back nine,” she said.

Ko has three top-10 finishes since September, and 10 overall this year.

No. 6-ranked Feng, who has been runner-up here twice along with her victories in 2014 and ’16, said her ball striking was “super” but she missed some birdie chances.

“I think that means maybe I can still make more over the weekend,” she said, “I think it’s a good start.”

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., sits tied for 20th after opening at 1 under par.

SHANGHAI – The HSBC Champions is the first stop for Brooks Koepka on his four-week Asian adventure that will include two weeks on the beaches of Vietnam and Thailand and a title defence in Japan.

Splotches of mud on his shirt were evidence that it started with a wild ride at Sheshan International.

“Yeah, I had some fun in the water,” he said.

Koepka played so beautifully on Thursday that the U.S. Open champion had reason to believe his 8-under 64 for a one-shot lead could have been much lower. He burned the edge of cup on a few birdie putts, missed one birdie attempt from 4 feet and turned a certain birdie into an aggravating bogey when he three-putted from 4 feet on No. 3.

But he got away with his worst swing of the day.

Wanting to play conservatively on the par-5 eighth, Koepka hit 3-iron off the tee and pulled it so badly that he disappeared down the banks of a winding stream along the entire left side of the fairway. Enough of the golf ball was showing from the shallow stream that he removed his shoes and tried to whack it out. He did well enough to advance it some 50 yards, leaving him 275 yards remaining over a pond that guards the front of the green.

Koepka hammered a 3-wood right at the flag, and the ball settled about 20 feet behind the cup. He made it for birdie and a wry smile.

“It was an interesting hole to say the least,” Koepka said. “I hit an awful 3-iron, hit it in the water and was lucky enough to at least hit it and advance it and hit a great 3-wood in there just past the pin. We were laughing. It was almost kind of destiny to make that putt.”

Along the way, he ticked off another goal for 2017 – the lead to himself after the opening round.

It wasn’t much – just one shot over Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand and Gavin Green of Malaysia – but it was where he wanted to be.

“Any time you can get off to a good start and be close to the lead or have the lead, that’s what you want,” Koepka said.

Kiradech dressed in black out of respect to the five days of funeral ceremonies back home for King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died last October. This week ends a year of mourning, and Thais throughout the country were clad in back in honour of the late king.

Kiradech made 10 birdies, including seven in a row around the turn.

“I wore all black today as my own tribute,” Kiradech said. “It is a special day as the final day of official mourning. It would be a great honour if I could win and take this trophy back to Thailand and dedicate it to our late king.”

Patrick Reed and Haydn Porteous of South Africa were at 66, while the group at 67 included Matt Kuchar and Justin Rose.

“Drove it well. Found a lot of fairways,” Kuchar said. “If you’re not playing in fairways, you’re just hoping for pars.”

Koepka would have taken one on No. 8, and instead he did one better.

The rest of the round – except for that three-putt bogey from 4 feet – was crisp for Koepka considering he had not played since the Presidents Cup.

Starting on the 10th hole under abundant sunshine at Sheshan International, he capped off the back nine with a 7-iron into 20 feet on the 17th for birdie and then a massive drive on the par-5 18th that left him only a 6-iron to 20 feet, which he holed for an eagle.

He already was 6 under for the round and looked to go even lower with a shot into 4 feet at No. 3, only to walk away with bogey.

“I felt like I played really well,” he said. “I drove it pretty well and putted extremely well except for litlte hiccup.”

Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson were among those at 68. Johnson, who won this World Golf Championship in 2013, was moving closer to the lead until his wedge into No. 8 went just over the green, his chip ran 6 feet by and he took a bogey. It was on this hole two years ago that Johnson’s shot hit the pin and caromed back into the water, which he says is the most irritated he’s ever been on the golf course.

Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama opened with a 74.

Kiradech didn’t feel his game was sharp except for the putter, which can atone for a lot. He mainly was happy with his start, and his ambitious goal to honour the king the best way he can by bringing home the trophy.

“It’s not an easy situation because it’s hard to explain how deeply our king was loved, and how sadly he is missed,” Kiradech said. “He will always hold a special place in my heart, but he loved sport and he would have been the first to stay the show must go on.”

Canada’s Adam Hadwin recorded a 3-under 69 to hold a share of 21st, five back of the leader.

The Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada announced its 10-man team for the second annual Aruba Cup on Thursday, led by two-time winner and 2017 Player of the Year Kramer Hickok.

The team, consisting of the top-10 players on the 2017 Mackenzie Tour Order of Merit, will compete against a team of 10 players to be announced from PGA TOUR Latinoamérica in a Presidents Cup-style event at Tierra del Sol Resort and Golf in Aruba, Dec. 11-16, 2017. The three competition days will four-ball, foursome and singles matches on December 14, 15 and 16, respectively. The PGA TOUR Latinoamerica team will be announced following the season-ending Shell Championship in Miami, Florida, from Nov. 30-Dec. 3.

“I’m so excited to tee it up with the guys and compete for the Aruba Cup this year. We had so many strong players compete on the Mackenzie Tour this year and I can’t wait to play alongside these guys.” said Hickok, who won twice in 2017 on the way to earning Player of the Year honours and exempt status on the Web.com Tour for 2018. “It’s going to be a great way to celebrate the end of an awesome year, and I’m really looking forward to spending some time with the team in Aruba.”

Joining Hickok (Dallas, Texas) on the team are Robby Shelton (Wilmer, Alabama), Johnny Ruiz (Camarillo, California), Patrick Newcomb (Benton, Kentucky), Rico Hoey (Rancho Cucamonga, California), Lee McCoy (Tampa, Florida), Max Rottluff (Dusseldorf, Germany), Chase Wright (Muncie, Indiana), Jordan Niebrugge (Mequon, Wisconsin), and T.J. Vogel (Jacksonville Beach, Florida).

Shelton, McCoy and Niebrugge have International match-play experience as former U.S. Walker Cup team members, while Hoey, Rottluff, McCoy and Shelton all played in the Arnold Palmer Cup.

“These players have proven themselves as great players this year and throughout their young careers so far. I’ve already gotten to know the guys a little bit and I’m so excited to lead them into competition this year at the Aruba Cup,” said Mackenzie Tour Team Captain Ben Silverman. “We know the team from PGA TOUR Latinoamérica will be tough to beat, and I’m looking forward to some great matches in Aruba.”

The inaugural Aruba Cup took place in 2016, with the team from PGA TOUR Latinoamerica defeating the Mackenzie Tour team, 13-7. The 2017 Aruba Cup consists of three competition days, featuring four-ball, foursomes and singles matches from Dec. 14-16.

Below is the 10-man roster for the Mackenzie Tour team: