WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – If the last Solheim Cup was any indication, golf fans should be in for a treat this weekend in Iowa.

In 2015 in Germany, the Americans rallied from 8 1/2 points down to beat Europe 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 – the largest rally in the history of the biennial event that began in 1990.

The Americans hold a 9-5 advantage in the series, winning three straight from 1994-98 and from 2005-09. But Europe has had the upper hand of late, winning in 2011 and 2013 before its collapse two years ago.

Here are some of the things to watch as play kicks off Friday at Des Moines Golf and Country Club:

THE COURSE

The par-72, 6,894-yard course, located roughly 10 miles from Iowa’s capital, is the second-longest in Solheim Cup history behind the Colorado Golf Club in 2013. The front nine figures to have its fair share of birdie opportunities, while the back nine could be much stingier. It also rained quite a bit Tuesday and Wednesday, softening the course that suffered through drought-like conditions all summer. “The greens are a lot more receptive than they thought it would be,” European captain Annika Sorenstam said. “Earlier on, the ball was rolling in the fairways, but now they won’t. So it’s going to add some distance to it.”

WIE’S JOURNEY

American Michelle Wie has been a member of every U.S. Solheim Cup team since she was 19. But after a dismal 2016 in which she made just 13 of 25 cuts, Wie needed a strong start to this season to make the team on points. She did just that, finishing in the top five seven times and tying for third at the Women’s British Open two weeks ago. “This year, more so than any other year, it’s more special to me just because of what I had to do to get here,” Wie said. “I clawed my way up here. I made my way on to the team. And for me this year it’s just so much more special because it’s already a victory for me just to be here, just to be part of this experience.”

ALTERNATES

Paula Creamer became the first alternate in Solheim Cup history to earn a spot on a 12-player team after Jessica Korda withdrew because of a forearm injury. But the Europeans were also forced to bring in another player, Catriona Matthew, after Suzann Pettersen withdrew because of a back injury. Pettersen will take Matthew’s spot as a vice captain. “Obviously was disappointed when I didn’t (earn a spot). But I’m very excited to be playing now,” the 47-year-old Matthew said. I’m “upset for Suzann not playing, but excited for myself to be playing now.”

CAREFREE AMERICAN ROOKIES

If U.S. rookies Danielle Kang and Angel Yin are nervous about the prospect of playing in front of packed galleries cheering them on for every shot, they weren’t showing it earlier this week during a relaxed and jovial press conference. Yin, 18, said she was mistaken for a junior player and remarked that “it means a lot, from Junior Solheim to two years later I’m playing the adult Solheim. The big Solheim.” Upon hearing that, Kang, 24, turned to her younger teammate and said, “Adult Solheim? Really?”

ROAD TRIP

The Europeans have traditionally struggled when the U.S. hosts the tournament, winning just once in seven tries in America. But that lone win came during their last trip to America four years ago – and it was a big one. Europe routed the U.S. 18-10 in Colorado.

115 golfers ranging from 25-74 years of age will descend on Humber Valley Resort from Aug. 21-24 for the 47th playing of the Canadian Women’s Mid-Am and Senior Championship.

Four individual trophies are up for grabs at the 54-hole tournament in Little Rapids, N.L.

Competitors over 25 will vie for the Mid-Amateur title, players over 40 will be eligible to compete in the Mid-Master competition and those over 50 will play for the Senior championship. Finally, those 60-and-over will compete for the Super Senior title over the tournament’s first 36 holes.

Humber Valley Resort – designed by renowned Canadian golf course architect Doug Carrick – features incredible views of the nearby Humber River and several holes run adjacent to the beautiful Deer Lake, with 105 uniquely designed bunkers dotting the course’s tranquil landscape.

“Our course is renowned for its stunning and challenging layout,” said Humber Valley’s general manager Gary Oke. “It’s in great condition and we’re thrilled to share our course with these talented women.”

“Humber Valley Resort boasts a beautiful layout and we are very excited for the competition to get underway,” added tournament director Adam Cinel. “The field is in for a tough, yet fair test, here this week in Little Rapids.”

In 2016 at Wolf Creek Golf Course in Ponoka, Alta., Judith Kyrinis (Thornhill, Ont.) took home three of the four trophies winning the Mid-Amateur, Mid-Master and Senior titles at 2 under par after a final round 4-under-par 68. Holly Horwood (Vancouver, B.C.) won the Super Senior division at 7 over par.

Kyrinis is back this year looking to become the first repeat champion in the Senior division since Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member Mary Ann Hayward won back-to-back titles in 2010-2011.

In addition to the four individual competitions, an inter-provincial team competition will take place during the first two rounds.

In 2016, the Ontario team of Kyrinis, Ivy Steinberg (Stouffville, Ont.), and Hayward (St. Thomas, Ont.) won the team competition with a two-day score of 12-over-par 300.

After 36 holes, the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties from the senior division. Further to that, all Mid-Amateurs and Mid-Masters postings a 36-hole score which is equal to the last player(s) to qualify for the final round, will make the cut. A minimum of 10 Mid-Amateurs (Age 25-39) and five Mid-Masters (Age 40-49) will make the cut.

A tie for the championship will be decided by a hole-by-hole playoff immediately following conclusion of play.

The senior division winner receives an exemption into the 2017 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur being contested at Waverley Country Club in Portland, Oreg., from Sept. 9-14.

Click here to learn more about the Canadian Women’s Mid-Am and Senior Championship.

NOTABLES

Hélène Chartrand, Pincourt, Que.
The 60-year-old won the 2014 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship and was the runner-up in 2016. Chartrand was second at the 2017 Quebec Mid-Amateur Championship and third at the 2017 Quebec Women’s Senior Amateur Championship.

Mary Ann Hayward, St. Thomas, Ont.
The 57-year-old Canadian Golf Hall of Famer is a three-time winner of this event (2010-11, 2013). Hayward finished T10 at this event in 2016. She reached the round-of-32 at the 2016 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur. Hayward won the 2017 Quebec Mid-Amateur Championship and was the runner up at the 2017 Ontario Women’s Senior Championship. She’s a four-time Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion (1993, 1996, 1999, 2004).

Judith Kyrinis, Thornhill, Ont.
The 53-year-old defending champion won her first Canadian Women’s Senior title in 2016. Kyrinis was the medallist after two rounds of stroke play at the 2016 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and reached the quarterfinals in match play. She reached the round-of-64 at the 2016 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. She was T22 at the 2017 Investors Group Ontario Women’s Amateur.

Jackie Little, Procter, B.C.
The 59-year-old won this event back-to-back in 2008-2009 and was tied for sixth last year. Little was third at the 2017 B.C. Senior Women’s Championship.

Alison Murdoch, Victoria, B.C
The 67-year-old Canadian Golf Hall of Famer has won this event four times, most recently in 2007. She was seventh at the 2017 B.C. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. Murdoch is a four-time Irish Senior Women’s Open Champion and won the 2007 Senior Ladies’ British Amateur.

Terrill Samuel, Etobicoke, Ont.
The 56-year-old is a two-time champion at this event, most recently winning in 2015. She finished third in 2016 at this event. She was third at the 2017 Ontario Women’s Senior Championship and 24th at the 2017 Investors Group Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship.

FAST FACTS

Five Canadian Golf Hall of Famers have won the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship: Marlene Streit, Gayle Borthwick, Alison Murdoch, Marilyn O’Connor, and Margaret Todd.

Streit (1985, 1987-88, 1993), Borthwick (1994-1995, 1999-2000) and Murdoch (2002, 2004-05, 2007) are tied for the most Canadian Women’s Senior Championship victories with four each.

Nancy Fitzgerald has the most consecutive Canadian Women’s Senior Championships wins – winning three straight titles from 1996-1998.

The last non-Canadian to win was American Ginny Burkey in 2006.

The senior division winner receives an exemption into the 2017 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur at Waverley Country Club in Portland, Ore., from Sept. 9-14.

COURSE FACTS

Par 72,

5,755 yards, slope 132

Architect: Doug Carrick

The course has 105 bunkers, 49 on the front nine and 56 on the back nine.

Humber Valley has Creeping Bentgrass greens and tees, Dwarf Kentucky fairways and fescue rough

Named ScoreGolf’s best new course in 2007

Click here for more information on the Canadian Women’s Mid-Am and Senior Championship.

Matt Every matched the Wyndham Championship’s first-round record with a 9-under 61 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead.

Every tied the opening-round mark set in 2010 by Arjun Atwal, who went on to win the PGA Tour’s final tournament before the post-season.

Henrik Stenson opened with a 62. Former Wyndham winner Webb Simpson was at 63 along with Cameron Smith, Vaughn Taylor, Tim Wilkinson, Harold Varner III, Brian Campbell and Sam Saunders.

Davis Love III – the 53-year-old player who has won this tournament three times, most recently in 2015 – matched Martin Flores and Rick Lamb with a 64.

David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., and Ottawa’s Brad Fritsch both shot 67’s and are 3 under. Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., shot a 68.

For Every, a 33-year-old with two career victories on tour, this was a much-needed strong start to what he hopes is a long week.

“I played good, and have been playing good for a while,” Every said. “So it’s just nice to see it come together.”

Every arrived at par-70 Sedgefield Country Club in a tie for 183rd on the FedEx Cup points list. The top 125 qualify for The Northern Trust next week in New York.

His best finish this season was a tie for 14th at the Canadian Open, and he had a string of seven consecutive tournaments from April-June in which he either withdrew or missed the cut. Both of his victories came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in 2014 and ’15.

“I have a high regard for my talent. Like, I know I’m as talented as anyone out here – maybe like five guys are more talented than me – so I couldn’t let myself quit,” Every said. “There were a lot of low points, though. That’s life. Just everything that I’ve been through, I’ve brought on myself. So I don’t need any sympathy or anything. It’s just the way my path has gone so far in the last couple years.”

After the best round of his career, he sure looks like a safe bet to reach the weekend at Sedgefield.

Every started his round with an eagle on the par-4 first, holing out a 105-yard shot from the left fairway that bounced three times and rolled in. He birdied three straight holes from Nos. 3-5, then added another on No. 7 and three more on the back nine.

He had a chance at the overall course record of 60 with a 6-foot birdie putt on No. 18, but missed it and tapped in a 5-inch putt for par.

Stenson, the 2016 British Open champion and FedEx Cup winner in 2013, had eight birdies in his bogey-free round and could have had another one but missed a 6-foot birdie putt on No. 15.

Simpson, the North Carolina native and former Wake Forest player who won this tournament in 2011, started his round on the back nine and had five birdies and an eagle on his first nine holes. Bogeys on the 418-yard first hole and the 428-yard fourth hole left him two strokes behind Every.

Varner had five birdies on his front nine, and after a bogey on the 10th hole, he reeled off three straight birdies on Nos. 13-15 – and celebrated by dabbing. The former East Carolina player began the tournament at No. 138 on the points list.

Click here to view the leaderboard.

Amateur golfers over the age of 25 will gather for the 31st playing of the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Wascana Country Club from Aug. 22-25.

The field of 156 amateur golfers will navigate the course that is stretched out along the winding shoreline of the Wascana Creek. Established in 1911, the Wascana Country Club offers a peaceful wetland setting and identifies as one of the premier golf courses in Saskatchewan.

“We are truly honoured to host this prestigious tournament here at Wascana,” said Greg Dukart, CEO of Wascana Country Club. “We look forward to challenging this strong field with our ‘wetlands’ golf course, in addition to showcasing what the city of Regina has to offer.”

Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que., captured the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title seven times between 1987 and 2002. He is among a group of five other players who have captured this championship on multiple occasions, including 2014, 2015 and 2016 winner Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont.

“The Mid-Amateur is a great opportunity for Canadian amateurs to find success and experience on a national stage and we are excited to bring this talented field to Wascana,” said Tournament Director Mary Beth McKenna. “The course is beautiful and in great condition to draw out some exciting competition.”

In 2016, Rank finished at 19 under par to claim a six-stroke victory at Golf Château-Bromont for his third consecutive victory at the event. He became the third person to win the tournament three years in a row along with Dave Bunker (2008-2010) and Graham Cooke (2000-2002). Rank will look to become the first ever champion to win four consecutive titles.

The first round will take place on Aug. 25 and the field will be reduced to the low 70 and ties for the final two rounds.

The championship was first contested in 1987 and includes an inter-provincial competition which is held over the first 36 holes. In addition, the championship includes a Mid-Master competition for players over the age of 40 that runs concurrently with the tournament.

Team Ontario will attempt to defend its title in the inter-provincial team competition, and a new winner will try to win the 40-and-over Mid-Master division. Rob Couture, who won the division last year, will not be competing.

In addition to the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title, the 2017 champion will receive an exemption into the 2018 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

Additional information about the tournament, including the full field and tee-times is available here.

In any given profession, with success comes recognition.  And of course, the same applies in the sport of golf.

With that said, former world No. 1, Ariya Jutanugarn, from Bangkok, Thailand has certainly made her mark in Canada given her recent success on Canadian soil.

Last August after winning the 2016 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open by four strokes at the Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Jutanugarn expressed how much she enjoyed playing in Canada and also spoke about how much she looked forward to coming back.

And she wasn’t kidding.

In early June, she returned to Canada for the Manulife LPGA Classic in Cambridge, Ont. – and the 21-year-old did it in style as she won the tournament in a dramatic three-way playoff.

#TBT to Ariya @jutanugarn winning the Canadian women's "Triple Crown"

2012 – #CDNWAm ?
2016 – @cpwomensopen ?
2017 – @ManulifeClassic ? pic.twitter.com/yMsZqNS5tc

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) June 15, 2017

In the final round at the Whistle Bear Golf Club, Jutanugarn shot a 3-under-par 69 to pull into a three way tie with Lexi Thompson of the United States and In Gee Chun of South Korea after 18 holes.

With both Thompson and Chun missing their birdie attempts on the first playoff hole, Jutanugarn calmly stepped up and sank a 25 foot putt to claim the victory; and also the distinction as the world No. 1 at the time.

“She made a really good putt.  It was perfect,” said Chun, the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open Champion and 2016 LPGA Rookie of the Year.

The title at the Manulife LPGA Classic was Jutanugarn’s first of 2017; and in her post-victory press conference she spoke about the level of her game leading up to start of the tournament – which she felt was anything but perfect.

“I just can’t believe I won the tournament. I didn’t expect anything at all, because when I got here I didn’t feel comfortable with my swing. I (felt) like my tee shot (was) not that good,” she said candidly.

A couple days later at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan, after having some time to soak in her accomplishment and reflect, Jutanugarn spoke about of the significance of reaching world No. 1 – specifically as it relates to the people in her native Thailand.

“I think they (are) really excited about that and I’m really happy to be representing Thailand and I’m very proud of myself that I can make them happy,” said Jutanugarn, who is the first male or female golfer from Thailand to have reached world No. 1.

New number one on Rolex Rankings is @jutanugarn the 10th in the rankings history @LPGA pic.twitter.com/K9YkF5h1EY

— TSN Golf (@TSNGolf) June 5, 2017

According to the 2017 Meijer LPGA Classic champion, Brooke Henderson, Jutanugarn’s success has a lot to do with her unique combination of power combined with her soft hands on the greens.

“Ariya is an amazing player and a very powerful player – she hits it a long way.  And she has an exceptional short game which is usually uncommon for that powerful of a player,” said the 19-year-old from Smith Falls, Ont. about Jutanugarn during a media day lead up to the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

Henderson adds that she is motivated by Jutanugarn’s success and also has aspirations of reaching the pinnacle of her profession one day.

“I think that’s everyone’s goal out on the LPGA Tour which is to be the best player they can be; and to be the top player amongst everybody,” said the former Canadian national team member, who climbed to world No. 2 last summer.

“Becoming number 1 is a tough thing to accomplish because there’s a lot of hard work involved and a lot of good breaks that need to go your way.”

Despite losing the world No. 1 ranking to So Yeon Ryu after South Korean’s victory at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, Jutanugarn still holds the distinction as the reigning champion for the only two Canadian events on the LPGA schedule.

#LPGAWinnerSelfie with Ariya @Jutanugarn @ManulifeClassic. There are no repeat winner selfies so far in 2017! pic.twitter.com/RE6WA5Ut35

— #SolheimCup2017 ???? (@LPGA) June 11, 2017

However, that is something Henderson hopes to change when the CP Women’s Open tees off from Aug. 24-27 in her home golf course at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club.

The 19-year-old revealed recently at the media day for the CP Women’s Open that winning the title is one of the things on her bucket list.

With both Jutanugarn and Henderson currently playing their best golf, it bodes well for the potential of a budding rivalry between the two young stars over the summer and beyond.

While both share a healthy competitive spirit to be the best of the best in their profession, their success has also earned them recognition as role models and ambassadors of the sport.

Given that responsibility and honour, Jutanugarn was asked after her recent victory in Cambridge what her advice would be for the aspiring young golfers with the goal of reaching the pinnacle of the sport one day.

“Follow your dream and never give up,” replied the 21-year-old from Thailand. “That’s the key for me.”

Click here to buy tickets to see Jutanugarn, Henderson and the stars of the LPGA at the 2017 CP Women’s Open at Ottawa Hunt from August 21-27.

Lake Mary, Florida’s Jhared Hack shot a 7-under 64 on Thursday at Hylands Golf Club to take the first-round lead at the National Capital Open to Support Our Troops, the ninth event of the 2017 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada season.

The 27-year old carded eight birdies and one bogey to sit one stroke ahead of Kimberley, British Columbia’s Jared du Toit, Dallas, Texas’ Kramer Hickok and Maysville, Kentucky’s Mark Blakefield after one round in Ottawa.

“I just stayed patient, man,” said Hack, who came to Ottawa motivated after a disappointing weekend in Calgary last week, where he shot rounds of 78-82. “I know I’ve said that a lot this year, but I kind of had a rough weekend last week and just wanted to learn from that. I made a lot of sloppy mistakes and decisions, and I wanted to be as stress-free as I could today. Obviously when you shoot 64, you’re not trying to – it just kind of happens.”

Already with two T3 finishes this year at the Bayview Place Cardtronics Open presented by Times Colonist and the Players Cup, Hack said he’s close to breaking through, especially after making the switch to a cross-handed putting grip before Thursday’s opening round.

“I switched to cross-hand for today. The putter’s been a little balky this whole season, so I just tried to find something to kind of believe in and feel like it’s consistent,” said Hack, who was pleased with the results. “I made some nice putts today that I definitely haven’t been making, and they went in with some conviction, so it’s nice to see that.”

Hickok, Blakefield and du Toit each managed opening rounds of 65, while nine players were at 5-under 66 after Thursday’s play. A total of 26 players were within three shots of the lead after Round One.

du Toit is coming off a standout amateur career that concluded in June with his senior season at Arizona State University, where he was named a 2017 NCAA 2^nd team All-American.

The Kimberley, B.C. native is a member of Golf Canada’s National Team and captured the attention of the nation last year when he played his way into the final group on Sunday at the RBC Canadian Open before finishing T9.

“I think my biggest thing is staying patient. My time will come. If it’s this week, great. If it’s a year from now, great. If it never comes, who knows,” said du Toit. “One of the things I focus on is trying to stay patient, and I’ll do my best to string four good rounds together.”

Blakefield is making his eighth career start on the Mackenzie Tour this week. The University of Kentucky grad earned conditional status with a T9 finish at the USA East #1 Q-School this spring and has made five of seven cuts this year, including a season-best T11 finish at the Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel.

In 2006, Blakefield helped the University of Kentucky to the SEC Championship along with teammate and current PGA TOUR member J.B. Holmes.

Hack is making his ninth career start on the Mackenzie Tour this week. He finished T3 earlier this year at both the Bayview Place Cardtronics Open presented by Times Colonist and the Players Cup and sits 11th on the Order of Merit.

In 2007, Hack won the prestigious Western Amateur, defeating Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson in Match Play on the way to the title. He turned pro after one semester at the University of Central Florida and owns 54 wins on various mini tours.

Hack spent the last two years on the Web.com Tour, recording three top-25 finishes in 35 starts. He finished 132nd and 109th on the Web.com Tour Money List in 2015 and 2016, respectively, and also owns extensive experience on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, with six top-10s in 25 career starts.

25-year old Hickok is in his first season on the Mackenzie Tour and ranks No. 3 on the Order of Merit thanks to a win at the Players Cup and a runner-up at the Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel.

The University of Texas alum is a roommate of two-time major champion Jordan Spieth.

Hickok owns one pro win earlier this year on the Adams Tour and earned Mackenzie Tour status with a T15 finish at the British Columbia Q-School.

Click here to view the full leaderboard.

Canada’s Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., shares some expert tips to help you with chipping around the green.

Watch her perform in person this summer at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club from Aug. 21-27 – tickets are available here.

Team Canada Amateur Squad’s Hugo Bernard cruised to victory in his round-of-64 match at the U.S. Amateur at The Rivieria Country Club, in Palisades, Calif., defeating John Hilliard Catanzaro (Gadsden, Ala.) 4 and 3 to advance to the round-of-32.

The Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., product got off to a strong start winning first four of the first five holes to hold a 3-up lead.

After Catanzaro battled back to 1-down heading to the back nine, Bernard, closed him out by winning holes No. 11, 12, and 14 before halving the fifteenth when Catanzaro was dormie.

"18 holes of match play will teach you more about your foe than 18 years across a desk.” #WednesdayWisdom #USAmateur pic.twitter.com/in7YOfywO9

— USGA (@USGA) August 16, 2017

Bernard will play No. 52 seed Will Zalatoris (Plano, Tex.) at 9:45 a.m.

Last week at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship Bernard played in the last group during the final round, but fell short of defending his 2016 title firing a 2-over-par 72 to finish in a tie for fourth.

Montreal’s Joey Savoie lost 2-down in the round-of-64 to the 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion Zach Bauchou (Forest, Va.).

The third Canadian to advance to the round-of-64 Richmond, B.C., native Chris Crisologo lost 4 and 3 to the No. 1 seed Hayden Wood (Edmond, Okla.).

Click here to view the U.S. Amateur bracket

As if it were scripted, two best friends were part of a three-person playoff Wednesday afternoon at Scarboro Golf & Country Club to decide the winner of the 2017 DATA PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.

In the end, it was Brittany Marchand of Mono, Ont., outlasting her old pal Augusta James of Bath, Ont., rolling in a 25-foot birdie putt on the third playoff hole.

“For me, I was glad to be in a playoff with my best friend,” Marchand admitted shortly after the win. “If someone was going to beat me, I’d want it to be her.”

Marchand and James grew up playing junior golf together in Ontario; both attended NC State University; were an integral part of Team Canada’s National Team; and are travel mates in their early professional golf career.

“Brittany and I have a pretty special relationship,” James said after the playoff defeat. “We can complete with and against each other and then hop in the car and drive in the next event,” she said, adding, “so we have a balanced friendship and that’s really hard to come by.”

Marchand echoed James’ sentiments.

“We play like two-to-three times a week together, we room together, we pretty much do everything together,” Marchand said of the pair.

Marchand, James and Samantha Troyanovich all finished the championship at 5-under-par, leading to the playoff. On the first extra hole, Troyanovich missed a birdie convert from five-feet for the win, allowing Marchand and James to stay alive with a pair of pars. The second playoff hole saw James and Marchand both make par, while Troyanovich made bogey after a three-putt. On the third playoff, Marchand rolled in a 25-foot birdie for the win.

“The putt was actually pretty straight,” Marchand admitted. “It was down hill and I had to do was just get it started.”

With the win, Marchand joins the likes of Lorie Kane, Brooke Henderson, Alena Sharp, Cathy Sherk, Gail Graham and Nancy Harvey as champions of the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.

“Some of the best Canadian golfers ever have won this championship before and it’s cool to have my name right there along with them too,” Marchand said.

Fellow Canadian Anne-Catherine Tanguay finished fourth at 4-under-par, with American Jenny Lee rounding out the top-five at 3 under.

Rebecca Lee-Bentham captures the club professional division, bettering Hannah Hellyer by a pair of shots.

Marchand’s win at the DATA PGA Women’s Championship of Canada is her second major title of late, winning. the Symetra Tour’s PHC Classic earlier this month.

The 25-year-old will tee it up next week on the LPGA Tour for the CP Canadian Women’s Open and then will back on the Symetra Tour at month’s end looking to continue her journey of earning full-time LPGA Tour playing privileges for 2018. She’ll also play in next months Evian Championship—an LPGA Tour major—in France.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence heading into the next couple weeks, but at the same time I don’t want to think about it too much and put a lot of pressure on myself,” Marchand said.

The next PGA of Canada national championship takes place Sept. 17-20 at Richmond Country Club for the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf.

Click here to view the full leaderboard.

In a preview of next week’s Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur & Senior Championship, Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member Mary Ann Hayward defeated reigning champion and fellow Canadian Judith Kyrinis in a playoff to win the Women’s North and South Senior Championship at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, N.C.

Hayward – who was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2007 – adds her victory at the prestigious event to an already impressive resume.

The St. Thomas, Ont., native is a three-time winner of next week’s Canadian Women’s Senior Championship and a four-time Canadian Women’s Amateur champion.

Kyrinis – the defending Women’s North & South Senior champion – put up a valiant effort in defending her title, matching Hayward’s score of 5 over par through 54 holes of stroke play, before falling short in the playoff.

North South Senior Champion!! pic.twitter.com/vrhUexiroL

— Mary Ann (@maryannhayward) August 16, 2017

The Thornhill, Ont., native is also the defending champion at next week’s Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur & Senior Championship.

Kyrinis will look to build off her strong performance at the North and South when she heads to Humber Valley Resort, in Little Rapids, N.L., from Aug. 21-24 trying to become the first back-to-back winner of the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship since Hayward herself won in 2010 and 2011.

Click here to view the full North and South Senior leaderboard.

Click here to learn more about the Canadian Women’s Mid-Am Senior Championship and view the full field.