Springfield, Mo. – Canadian Mackenzie Hughes outlasted the field Sunday afternoon in Springfield to earn his first Web.com Tour victory at the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper.

The 25-year-old Team Canada Young Pro Squad member birdied the 72nd hole, fired a final-round 6-under-par 66 and posted 24-under-par 264 to finish one clear of Richy Werenski (66).

“This is the hardest day of my life,” said Hughes, who earned $121,500 for his effort at Highland Springs Country Club. “I’m so proud of the way I hung in there. I had to dig so deep. The thoughts were going crazy in my head.”

“Trying to quiet that down was the greatest challenge I’ve had in my life.” continued Hughes. “I kid you not, there were so many times I thought about the outcome and what it could mean to my family and everything like that. I had to bring myself back so many time. I just wanted to get across the line and it feels so good.”

Hughes moves from No. 88 to No. 14 on the money list virtually assured of securing one of the 25 PGA TOUR cards awarded at the conclusion of the WinCo Foods Portland Open presented by Kraft Heinz.

“That’s silly talk right there,” said Hughes, who was endanger of heading back to Q School before his victory in Springfield. “PGA TOUR? Let’s go. It’s exciting.”

Hughes knows what it takes to win. He took home the trophy at the Cape Breton Celtic Classic in 2013 on Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada. The Hamilton, Ontario native also finished No. 1 on the Order of Merit and earned Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year honors that year.

Werenski did his best to force overtime. He eagled the final hole and posted 23-under which tied Hughes for the lead.

Hughes opted to layup on the par-5 and was left with 108 yards for his third. He stuffed his approach to within a foot of the hole to answer Werenski’s effort.

“That is the moment of my career so far,” said Hughes. “There were some moments where I need to hit a shot and I needed to make a putt.”

Before his victory on Sunday Hughes’ plans were to try and regain his Tour card through Q School in December. The former Kent State University standout is also getting married to his fiancé Jenna Shaw on October 22nd and wasn’t sure when the two would be able to go on their honeymoon this fall before his maiden Tour win.

“When I think about what it means and everything that comes with this win, it just blows my mind,” Hughes said.

A 2-under day landed Hughes’ Young Pro Squad teammate Albin Choi of Toronto in a tie for 22nd at 14-under, while Langley, B.C., natvie Adam Cornelson finished the event T71.

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio – The final round of the U.S. Senior Open was postponed Sunday because of heavy rain, giving Miguel Angel Jimenez another night to sleep on the third-round lead.

The course at the Scioto Country Club absorbed 2.36 inches of rain late Saturday and Sunday, leading to the decision late Sunday afternoon. The USGA had hoped to get at least the first groups through during a break in the rain on Sunday, but the course was too wet to play.

Rain was forecast for Monday, too. The first groups are scheduled to off at 7:30 a.m.

“We’re going to have a drying period overnight, and we think we’ve got a shot to get it in tomorrow,” said John M. Bodenhamer, the USGA’s senior managing director of rules, competitions & equipment standards.

Jimenez was at 3-under 207 on Jack Nicklaus’ boyhood course, a stroke ahead of Gene Sauers, and in position to win after blowing leads in his last two tournaments.

Three weeks ago at Carnoustie in the Senior British Open, the 52-year-old Jimenez took a four-stroke lead into the last day, only to shoot 75 and tie for third – three strokes behind winner Paul Broadhurst. Last week in the 3M Championship, The Spanish player was a stroke ahead entering the final round and ended up losing when Joe Durant shot 63 and eagled the first hole of a playoff.

He said the delay in finishing the tournament is inconvenient more than anything else.

“I think all the people have the same effect, you know?” he said. “And everybody wants to finish a tournament on Sunday. That’s with everything. It will affect hotels, flights and everything. So anyway, we have to do what we have to do.”

Ian Woosnam, Loren Roberts and senior newcomer Billy Mayfair were tied for third at 1 over.

The 53-year-old Sauers said a delay and a soggy course won’t change how he’ll approach his round Monday.

“You have to just keep hitting fairways and greens and give yourself opportunities,” Sauers said. “I’m going to the range a bit right now and try to work out things, try to work the ball left to right, vice versa, and try to figure out how I feel today,” he said. “I wasn’t too comfortable yesterday. So I’m going to try to see where I feel today and hopefully continue it into tomorrow, just kind of not think about things and just kind of relax and clear my mind of all what’s been happening today, because I was ready to play today.”

Bernhard Langer, tied for sixth place at 2 over, said some adjustments will be necessary Monday after the dry, hard course they played in the first three rounds.

“It will play quite different because it was pretty firm,” Langer said. “So (we’ll) probably get plugged balls in the fairways, mud balls. So don’t know if they’ll play preferred lies or not, and the greens will be softer, might spin balls back off the green instead of going over. So things like that. It will be different.”

Stephen Ames of Calgary is tied for 15th at 4-over, while Rod Spittle from St. Catharines, Ont., is T51 at 12-over.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Mackenzie Hughes accomplished his goal of getting into the final group on Sunday. The 25-year-old from Hamilton, Ont., birdied the final two holes of his third round and shot a bogey-free 8-under 64 to take the 54-hole lead at the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper. Hughes’ 18-under-par 198 total puts him one clear of Australian Steve Allan (63), Xander Schauffele (64) and No. 3 on the Web.com Tour money list Richy Werenski (66).

PGA TOUR veteran Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (66), Kevin Tway (68), Sam Ryder (67) and Chris Baker (69) are tied for fifth at 16-under-par 200. There are a total of 10 players within three strokes of Hughes heading into the final round.

Toronto resident and fellow Young Pro Squad member Albin Choi is tied for 21st at 12-under, while Adam Cornelson of Langley, B.C., sits T66 at 5-under.

“It’s going to be a new experience for me, but I’ve won tournaments before,” said Hughes, who has never led after any round of a Tour event in his career. “This is on a larger scale, but the things you have to do and the way you have to manage your emotions. It’s all the same, so I’m just going to try and do that tomorrow.”

Hughes has tasted victory on the professional level in the past. In 2013, the former Kent State University standout won the Cape Breton Open on the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada circuit. Hughes finished the year No. 1 on the Order of Merit in large part due to his triumph in Nova Scotia.

“I’ll definitely draw on that tomorrow,” said Hughes, who overcame a six-stroke deficit to take home the title. “There’s so many guys within three shots, it’s going to be a shootout tomorrow. I have to put my head down and try and make a bunch of birdies.”

Hughes has had no problem going low this week. The Charlotte, N.C., resident has feasted on the par 4s at Highland Springs Country Club. Through 54 holes he has played them in 10-under-par, lower than anyone else in the field.

Hughes entered the week No. 88 on the money list and in danger of losing his Tour card. His sophomore campaign got a huge boost at the LECOM Health Challenge in July where he finished tied for fifth after a sizzling final-round 66. He never imagined it would take him this long to settle in given his success in Canada, but remains optimistic that he’s heading in the right direction.

“There’s definitely a big adjustment,” said Hughes. “Everyone’s got a different learning curve out here. I feel comfortable now and I know that if I just play my game I can compete with these guys.”

SILVIS, Ill. – Ryan Moore shot two more rounds of 6-under 65 on Saturday to take the third-round lead in the John Deere Classic, finishing at 8:25 p.m. in nearly dark conditions.

After opening Thursday with a 65, Moore barely got on the course Friday in the tournament that finally got back on schedule Saturday when the players raced to finish before dark.

“It was a long day, Moore said. It was a lot of golf holes I played today, so to play that solid all day long, I’m very encouraged about it. I think that was 34 holes I played today. It will be nice to get to sleep a little bit tomorrow and be well rested and just ready to get after it again tomorrow.”

Play was delayed 3 1/2 hours Thursday when an inch of rain fell, then the start was delayed five hours Friday after an overnight storm dumped another 2.4 inches on the soaked course.

Morgan Hoffman and Ben Martin each shot 62 to pull within a stroke at 17 under.

The 33-year-old Moore has four PGA Tour victories, winning the CIMB Classic in 2013 and 2014. He was third in March in the Valspar Championship and has five top-10 finishes this season.

In the third round, Moore birdied the par-4 14th, hitting a 60-yard approach to a foot, and made a 6-foot birdie putt on par-3 16th. He parred the final two holes, putting out on the par-4 18th with a large scoreboard providing just enough light to see.

“There actually was plenty of light for the tee shot and the second shot,” Moore said. “I think we would have gone a lot faster on the green there if it wasn’t for that giant sign there that kind of lit it up. We could actually see just fine around the green and went ahead and played as normal from there. I think we would have finished one way or another.”

Hoffman had six straight birdies on Nos. 11-16 and parred the last two. He’s winless on the PGA Tour.

“It is really dark, and the last few greens are getting really soft and bumpy, too, so it was hard to read,” Hoffman said. “I guess they’re running in right now.”

Martin birdied the first five holes and four of the last five, chipping in for birdie on the par-4 18th. He won the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in October 2014.

“It was one of those days where all the putts were going in,” Martin said. “It would have been nice to get the first five and the last five, but strong start, strong finish.”

Johnson Wagner was fourth at 14 under after a 67.

Wesley Bryan, the leader Friday when play was suspended, was tied for fifth at 13 under after a 70. He earned a PGA Tour card last week with his third Web.com Tour victory of the year.

South Korea’s Whee Kim also was 13 under after a 64.

NCAA champion Aaron Wise was 11 under after a 63. Making his PGA Tour debut as a pro, the former Oregon player won a PGA Tour Canada event two weeks ago in Edmonton, Alberta.

Steve Stricker shot 68-68 to reach 7 under alongside Abbotsford, B.C., native Adam Hadwin. The 49-year-old Stricker, a former University of Illinois player from Wisconsin, won the event in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

“This is pretty hard today.” Stricker said. “It’s wet. It’s tough to control your ball out of the fairway. If you hit it in the rough, it’s thick and lush. So you have to be in the fairway. But even out on the fairway, it’s hard to control it because the fairways are wet. We’re lucky to be playing. The course took a lot of rain. It’s still in great shape, but it’s tough.”

Zach Johnson shot 71-71 to remain at 6 under. The 2012 tournament winner and two-time major champion is from nearby Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

“Frustrating. Long. Stale. Very stale,” Johnson said.

Jordan Spieth chose not to defend his title because he didn’t think it would be appropriate in light of his decision to skip the Rio Olympics.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Golf will crown its first Olympic champion for 112 years in Rio de Janeiro tomorrow, and all indications are that the sport will witness an epic battle for the medals at Reserva de Marapendi as Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Marcus Fraser go for gold.

Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, delivered a brilliant third round 65 to take a one-shot lead over Stenson, the reigning Open champion, in front of large and enthusiastic crowds in the Rio sunshine, many of whom might have been unfamiliar with the high quality of golf served up by the leading players.

Rose tees off last tomorrow standing at 201, 12-under-par, with Stenson’s hard-working 68 earning his second place total of 202. Fraser, who opened the competition with a course record 63 on Thursday, dug in hard to shoot a round of 72 for third place on 204. The highly motivated trio all have the glint of gold in their eye going into the home stretch of an absorbing Olympic contest.

Once again, Stenson is in contention when the big prizes are handed out. The Swede goes into the last round in second place, one stroke behind another major champion in Great Britain’s Rose, with Australian Fraser close behind.

However, the race for the gold, silver and bronze could run well beyond the final group. Major champions Bubba Watson of the United States (207) and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington (208) will be chasing a low score to post a clubhouse target to test the leaders as the quest for gold intensifies.

Rose, who bagged eagles at the third and fifth holes to soar to the top of the leaderboard, admitted it “felt great” to be in the gold medal position going into the final round.

He added: “Obviously I felt like today was an important day.  There were a lot of players in contention after yesterday and I felt like today could be a day to separate or at least keep some momentum and not give myself too much work to do tomorrow.  Obviously, this tournament has been very, very special and very, very different for all of us.”

Saturday is traditionally ‘moving day’ and that was very much in evidence in Rio. Rickie Fowler of the United States set the tone earlier in the day with a seven-under-par 64, the second lowest of the week, to climb 36 places into a tie for 14^th on 210. Another low score could earn Fowler a tilt at the minor medals while his compatriot, Watson, is very much in the shake-up after a second successive 67.

Harrington matched Watson’s 67 to sit on the coat-tails of the leaders on 208 while a 66 put Finland’s Mikko Ilonen into the mix, also on 208.

Graham DeLaet carded six bogeys through the day en route to a third-round 74. The product of Weyburn, Sask., is 2-under after three days of competition and will enter the final round in a four-way tie for 22nd.

David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., matched DeLaet’s 74 to claim a share of 44th at 4-over.

David Hearn Interview: Audio

Stenson, who admitted that his busy summer of contending for majors had tested his mental reserves of energy, is being kept company in the medal hunt by his fellow Swede, David Lingmerth, whose 68 for 207 propelled him ten places up the leaderboard and into the penultimate group alongside Watson and Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo (68-207).

Stenson insisted he is fully focused on winning the gold medal and commented: “In my mind, we’re still going for one thing – gold.  Even though the consolation prizes might be better here than some other events in a way, it’s still the No. 1 spot that I’m looking for and I’m going to try my hardest to make that happen.  It’s been a long and tiring stretch for me the last month, so I’m just going to try and squeeze whatever I have left in the tank for the final 18 holes.”

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio – Miguel Angel Jimenez handled gusty winds and shot a 1-under 69 Saturday to grab the lead after the third round of the U.S. Senior Open Championship.

Despite three bogeys on the windy back nine, the 52-year-old Spaniard finished as one of just four players under par for the day. He’s at 3-under 207 through 54 holes at Scioto Country Club in suburban Columbus.

Jimenez started the day three shots off the lead. After two birdies on the front nine, he birdied the 12th before carding bogeys on the 13th and 14th, a birdie on the 15th and another bogey on the 16th. He finished with a pair of pars just as sheets of driving rain rolled in.

“The conditions, they are tough today, especially because of the wind,” Jimenez said. “The greens were softer on the first two rounds, but it’s the gusting wind there that (makes it) not easy to choose the club, the right club. Sometimes it will go a place that you don’t (want) to, you know?”

Gene Sauers also battled the wind and had an up-and-down day with four birdies and five bogeys, finishing with a 71 to put him in second place, one stroke off the lead. He shot a 68 on Thursday and 69 Friday.

“The heat, the wind, the rain on the last hole – it was a brutal day,” said the 53-year-old Sauers, who has never won a senior tournament in five seasons but has 17 top-10 finishes.

Ian Woosnam, Loren Roberts and Billy Mayfair were in a tie for third at 1-over par.

The leader after Friday’s round, Joey Sindelar, shot at 77 Saturday and slipped to 2-over and into a tie for sixth place.

“Golf’s hard,” he said. “U.S. Open’s harder. And I thought for the most part, I was pretty happy with the way I played. It wasn’t horrible. Just a couple of uglies, and it played hard out there. Problem is, we’ve got a pretty good guy out there in the lead and a couple more really good ones right behind him.”

Jimenez finished in the top 10 in six of the seven senior events he’s played in this year, winning the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic in April. He finished second at three others. He lost the 3M Championship in a playoff with Joe Durant, who made a double eagle on the first playoff hole.

As for Sunday, Jimenez said he’ll “just keep playing golf and give myself patience. That’s the main thing. Whatever happens happens.

“Of course,” he added, “you have to enjoy yourself.”

Calgary’s Stephen Ames holds a share of 15th at 4-over after carding a third-round 76, while St. Catharines, Ont., native Rod Spittle sits T51 at 12-over.

SILVIS, Ill. – Wesley Bryan took the lead in the rain-delayed John Deere Classic on Friday, five days after earning a PGA Tour card with his third Web.com Tour victory of the year.

Bryan played 26 holes in 10 under Friday at TPC Deere Run, birdieing three of the final holes to finish off a first-round 66 and shooting a 64 in the second to reach 12-under 130.

Area favorite Zach Johnson faced a long day Saturday after not even getting onto the course Friday.

Play resumed five hours late at noon after nearly 2.4 inches of rain overnight – on top of the inch Thursday morning and afternoon that delayed play 3 1/2 hours. Because of the wet conditions, the players were allowed use preferred lies in the fairways in the second round.

Bryan has made a fast rise since focusing on tournament golf last year after working as a trick-shot artist. The 26-year-old former South Carolina player dominated the Web.com Tour this season, winning in Louisiana, Mexico and Kansas and earning $449,392 in 13 starts.

Steve Marino was a stroke back after rounds of 66 and 65.

Johnson opened with a 65 on Thursday. The 2012 tournament winner is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Abbotsford, B.C., natives Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor sat T42 and T64 when play was halted. Dual citizen Austin Connelly is T112.

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio – Joey Sindelar, one of four former Ohio State players in the U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club in suburban Columbus, has felt the support of the hometown crowd all week.

It apparently was a big help Friday. The 58-year-old Sindelar shot a 4-under 66 on a hot and humid day to take the second-round lead. He had five birdies, including two in a row after a bogey on No. 5. After finishing the first round with a 69, he was at 5 under overall.

“I’ve never been unconvinced that that many people in your corner, as the four of us have witnessed this week, cannot somehow kind of talk you into what might happen,” Sindelar said.

His highlight was a 40-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th, after pars on the six previous holes.

“I’m seeing the line very well, and I seem to be able to hit the ball where I’m looking, and so far it’s been a fun week with the putter,” said Sindelar, whose best finish in a senior event was a second in 2009.

Billy Mayfair, making his first senior start after turning 50 last Saturday, was a stroke back after a 67. He had four birdies and a bogey.

“Any time you put the words USGA in front of a tournament, first of all, they’re going to be the best venues you’re ever going to find, and they’re going to be set up very difficult,” Mayfair said. “You’ve got to drive the ball well. You’ve got to hit good, smart iron shots, and you’ve got to position the ball on the green really well. Usually, that’s below the hole. The greens will get firmer and firmer.”

Calgary’s Stephen Ames collected five birdies on the day en route to a 68. The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member holds a share of fourth alongside Glen Day of Little Rock, Ark. Rod Spittle of St. Catharines, Ont., posted a 70 and is T58 at 7-over.

First-round leader Vijay Singh followed his opening 66 with a 75 to drop into a tie for eighth at 1 over.

“I didn’t hit that many fairways,” Singh said. “It was a lot windier today. I got some bad breaks, didn’t putt as well. But all in all, I managed. I didn’t play as bad as what the score reads.”

Defending champion Jeff Maggert also was 1 over after a 71. He won last year at Del Paso in California.

Sindelar said stamina has been factor for the 50-and-over players in the blistering heat and high humidity. For one thing, Sindelar said he also had trouble keeping his hands dry on the club. The conditions also have worked in their favor, with the course playing hard and fast.

“Some of us have aged way different than others,” he said. “I’m extremely arthritic so the heat is good for me. It keeps me loose so I’m kind of enjoying it. But, boy, at night we’re cramping no matter how much you drink. Everybody got beat down a little. It’s just tough physically to go through that out there.”

John Daly had an 81 to miss the cut. He had three double bogeys, six bogeys and a birdie.

Bernhard Langer was tied for 23rd at 3 over after a 70.

Because of the threat of rain Saturday, the players will play in threesomes starting at about 7:30 a.m.

CALGARY (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) are pleased to announce the names of 14 players who have received exemptions into the 2016 CP Women’s Open taking place August 22–28 at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club.

Calgary natives Jaclyn Lee and Jennifer Ha will have a home crowd advantage as they compete at the 44th playing of Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.

Lee, 19, is enjoying a stellar year on the course. The Ohio State University sophomore won the Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship, tied for third at the Women’s Porter Cup and finished as a quarter-finalist at the PNGA’s Women’s Amateur Championship.

Ha, 22, is playing her first full year as a professional. She earned her first pro win in April at a National Women’s Golf Association (NWGA) event in Florida. The Kent State graduate won another NWGA title the following month at another event in Florida.

Both Lee and Ha play out of Glencoe Golf & Country Club, which is approximately 40 kilometres north of Priddis Greens.

Naomi Ko of Victoria is also enjoying a banner year. The 19-year-old N.C. State sophomore claimed the Canadian Junior Girls Championship last week in Nova Scotia at the Links at Penn Hills. The CP Women’s Open will be the third LPGA event of 2016 for Ko. In May, she claimed medallist honours at a sectional qualifier to earn entry into the U.S. Women’s Open. A month later she won the Portland Classic Amateur Championship to earn a spot in the Portland Classic, where she would play the weekend after making the cut.

Maddie Szeryk, 20, a dual-citizen of Canada and the United States is currently ranked No. 41 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Szeryk, who plays collegiate golf for Texas A&M, will be competing in her second CP Women’s Open.

Lee, Ko and Szeryk are members of the Team Canada’s National Amateur Team, while Ha is a program alum.

Seven Canadians who primarily compete on the Symetra Tour – the LPGA’s developmental circuit – have also been granted CP Women’s Open exemptions, including Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Sue Kim of Langley, B.C.

Other Canadian Symetra Tour players granted exemptions include Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C., Sara-Maude Juneau of Fossambault-sur-le-lac, Que., Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. and Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Quebec City.

Hannah O’Sullivan, a former World No. 1 now ranked No. 3 in the world, will also be competing in Calgary. The 18-year-old Arizona native competed in both the 2016 U.S. and British Women’s Opens.

The 14 players earning exemptions into the CP Women’s Open will join a world-class field at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club that features the Top-3 on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings: No. 1 and three-time champion Lydia Ko; No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand; and No. 3 Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.

Other LPGA Tour stars confirmed to compete include international fan favourites Stacy Lewis, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Suzann Pettersen, Sandra Gal, Charley Hull, Stephanie Meadow and Morgan Pressel.

The Canucks receiving exemptions will join a Canadian contingent led by Henderson, Canadian Pacific ambassador Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, as well as fellow LPGA Tour players Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que., and Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C.

Sharp and Henderson are representing Canada at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games from August 17-20.

In total, 16 Canadians will compete at Priddis Greens.

“The CP Women’s Open is not only set to feature arguably the strongest field on the LPGA Tour, but also the very best rising talents in Canadian and international golf,” said Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “Golf fans are sure to be treated to an unbelievable showcase of world-class golf.”

A field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse when the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open makes its return to Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club for the first time since 2009 and the third time in tournament history.

On Monday, August 22, the LPGA Tour will conduct an 18-hole stroke play qualifier at The Hamptons Golf Club in Calgary to determine the final four exemptions directly into the 2016 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

Free Admission for Juniors…
Golf Canada and CP are proud to offer free admission to the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open to any spectator aged 17-and-under. In addition to free admission for juniors, parents can take advantage of discounted tickets by using the promotional code JUNIOR and clicking here.

Tickets…
Juniors – 17 & Under                       Free
Early Week (Mon-Wed)                 $10.50
Anyday Grounds (Thurs-Sun)     $31.50
Weekly (Mon-Sun)                            $78.75

First conducted in 1973, Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has allowed the brightest stars of the LPGA Tour to shine on Canadian soil and inspire the nation’s next generation of female golfers.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Texan Brad Elder turned in a flawless 10-under-par score to take the first-round lead at the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr. Pepper. Elder’s 62 was two shy of Highland Springs Country Club’s course record, but is the lowest score the three-time Web.com Tour champion has recorded in 734 rounds on Tour.

Bhavik Patel, who sits at No. 25 on the money list, and Lincoln Land Charity Championship winner Martin Flores are three back of Elder heading into the second round.

Rounding out the top five are Ryan Brehm, Chris Baker and Blake Adams, who are 6-under-par after 18 holes.

Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Toronto’s Lucas Kim trail by one stroke in a tie for seventh place.

Fellow Toronto resident and Young Pro Squad member Albin Choi posted a first-round 69 to pull one stroke ahead of former Young Pro Squad member Adam Svensson from Surrey, B.C. Richmond Hill, Ont., native Taylor Pendrith completes the Team Canada contingent knotted at 71 with Calgary’s Ryan Yip.

“I hit some good quality iron shots,” said Elder, who hit all 18 greens in regulation on Thursday. “I seemed to have good speed on the greens and seemed to get the ball over the edge.”

Elder entered the week No. 92 on the money list. In 18 starts this season, the 41-year-old from Tulsa, Oklahoma has made 12 cuts and recorded top-25s at the Club Colombia Championship Presented by Claro (T23) and the Digital Ally Open (T23). The top 75 after the WinCo Foods Portland Open presented by Kraft Heinz qualify for the Web.com Tour Finals and more importantly keep their Tour card for the next season.

“I’ve played some good golf this year,” said Elder. “It’s been pretty good but also disappointing because I can’t get up there in the big money. Hopefully I’ll have a good week.”

Patel entered this week on the bubble. There are just 11 rounds left to decide the first 25 players headed to the PGA TOUR next season. That can be a lot of pressure for a player on the cusp of reaching the pinnacle of golf for the first time in his professional career.

“I’ve been doing a pretty good job of not really thinking about it,” said Patel, when asked about being No. 25 on the money list. “There’s not much I can do other than go out there and play as good as I can.”

Flores recorded two eagles and three birdies playing alongside Elder on Thursday afternoon. At No. 4 on the money list, Flores is locked into the TOUR next season. That security has allowed the 34-year-old from Dallas, Texas to set his sights higher.

“Every day matters,” Flores said. “I’m just trying to do the best I can every day. Wesley Bryan has a pretty comfortable lead on the No. 1 spot. That would be something great to win two more events and get to there. I just want to keep improving every day and get on the leaderboard as much as possible.”