KAPOLEI, Hawaii – Minjee Lee won the Lotte Championship on Saturday for her second LPGA Tour title, closing with an 8-under 64 for a one-stroke victory.

The 19-year-old Australian played a seven-hole stretch in 6 under with a chip-in eagle on the par-5 13th and four birdies. She rebounded from a third-round 74 to finish at 16-under 272 at Ko Olina.

“Yesterday I spoke to my coach and he was like, ‘You’re only five back. Just shoot 8 under and you’ll be fine,'” Lee said. “And I shot 8 under, so that was good.”

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., tied for 10th at 10 under to extend her top-10 streak to seven events. The 18-year-old closed with a 68.

Third-round leader Katie Burnett and U.S. Women’s Open champion In Gee Chun tied for second.

Lee made an 11-foot birdie putt on the par-4 17th and got up-and-down for par from short of the green on the par-4 18th, holing a 6-foot putt.

“I think after I went eagle-birdie-birdie, I think the second birdie I was like, ‘Oh, I’m going to be really close,” said Lee, projected to move up 17th to 12th in the world ranking. “I just did all I could do, and here I am.”

She won the Kingsmill Championship last year in Virginia.

“Definitely a big confidence boost,” Lee said. “Last couple of weeks I was there, but not quite there. Now my game seems to be coming together really well.”

Burnett shot a 70. She lost the lead with a three-putt bogey on the par-3 16th, then missed a 6-foot birdie try on 17 and a long birdie putt on 18. The 26-year-old Georgia player, winless on the tour, led most of the day, going bogey-free for 40 holes before dropping a shot at No. 7.

“I don’t think I gave it away by any means,” Burnett said. “That’s something, last year I struggled in the final rounds, especially when I had been playing well. So, to have played well today was really good for me. … I don’t necessarily feel like I lost the tournament. I feel like Minjee just won it. Eight under, I mean, that’s pretty solid.”

Chun finished with a 67, missing a 16-foot birdie try on 18.

“Very tricky on the green,” Chun said. “I try enjoy my game, so I’m still happy.”

She tied for second for the second straight event after sitting out a month because of a back injury. She was hurt when she was struck by a hard-case suitcase that rival South Korean player Ha Na Jang’s father dropped down an escalator at the Singapore airport.

Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn was fourth at 14 under after a 68.

Su-Yeon Jang was another stroke back after a 71. Playing on a sponsor exemption, the 21-year-old South Korean player was coming off a victory last week in the Korean LPGA event sponsored by Lotte.

Top-ranked Lydia Ko shot a 69 to tie for 23rd, her worst finish of the year, at 5 under. Ko won her last two starts in California and also has two seconds, a third and a tie for 15th this season. She will try to defend her title at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic next week in California.

Alena Sharp of Hamilton equaled her fellow Canadian’s final-round 68 to finish T39 at 3-under-par. Kelowna, B.C., native Samantha Richdale closed with a 77 to finish in 72nd place.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – For Luke Donald, it’s another chance to end his hard-luck history at Harbour Town Golf Links. For Jason Day, it’s a rare round to forget for the world’s No. 1 player.

While Donald took the lead Saturday at the RBC Heritage with a 2-under 69, Day – tied atop the leaderboard entering the round – had a season-worst 79 to fall nine shots behind.

“It’s obviously not the way I wanted to play,” said Day, the winner of two of his past three PGA Tour events.

It was exactly what Donald wanted at one of his most successful courses. He has mastered the swirling wind, tight fairways and really small greens better than just about anyone since 2009 with five top-three finishes over that span. The only thing he hasn’t accomplished? Victory.

He has learned from those close calls that he can’t sit back Sunday and allow others – like winners Brandt Snedeker did in 2011 or Matt Kuchar did in 2014 – to zoom past him as he pars his way home.

“I can’t sit back on my heels,” the Englishman said.

Donald was at 7-under 206 through 54 holes, a stroke in front of Jason Kokrak and Charley Hoffman. Kokrak shot 68 while Hoffman had a 71. Patton Kizzire shot a 71 and was another shot behind in fourth. British Open champion Zach Johnson, after a 70, was among three at 4 under.

Donald was a stroke behind when the round started and quickly moved up with three birdies on his first eight holes to reach 8 under. He bogeyed the 13th and trailed Hoffman by a shot. But Donald steadied his game with five straight pars over the windy back nine to get himself on top once more.

Donald has won more than $2.5 million at the RBC Heritage, the third-highest total. But he’s known as much for his disheartening defeats on Pete Dye’s tricky layout. Snedeker rallied from six shots behind Donald to force a playoff and win in 2011.

Three years later, Kuchar’s chip in from a bunker in front of the 72nd hole capped a four-shot comeback and left Donald, whose last of five PGA Tour wins came in 2012, in second once more.

“I think it’s a bit dangerous to say a place owes you,” Donald said. “Certainly, I’ve knocked on the door many times. I’d love to put that tartan jacket on tomorrow.”

One who figured to join the battle was Day, but his round went bad right from the start.

Tied for the top and playing in the final group, Day came up short of the first green and made bogey. Two holes later he drove into water after hitting some trees way right of the third fairway for a double-bogey 6. The wheels came off for good during an awful stretch around the turn – Day made five bogeys in a six-hole span.

His 79 was his highest round of the year and his worst showing in 63 rounds since an 81 last year in the second round of The Players Championship.

“I felt like there was a good score out there today if you hit it in the right spots,” Day said. “And unfortunately, I just kept missing it in the wrong spots.”

Day attempted to take his poor play in stride, signing autographs for fans behind the 18th green. After winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The WCG-Dell Match Play, finishing 10th at the Masters, Day said several times this week he was ready for a break – which the PGA Championship winner will get next week.

Hoffman also has a score to settle with Harbour Town. He was the 54-hole leader here in 2013, yet ballooned to a 77 in the final round. He looked like he would hold the lead after moving to 8 under, one up on Donald, with a birdie on the 16th hole. Yes, he missed a 6-footer for par on No. 17 and a 17-foot putt from the back fringe on No. 18.

“Hopefully, I can reach down deep,” Hoffman said. “I know I’ve done it before.”

Jason Bohn continued his up-and-down play in his first tournament back since a heart attack in February. Bohn ballooned to a 4-over 75 on Saturday – a round that including back-to-back double bogeys.

Boeing, the presenting sponsor, showed off another of its 787 Dreamliners to the RBC Heritage crowd. The sleek aircraft glided along the 18th hole over Calibogue Sound before leaving. It’s the fourth time the company, the presenting sponsor of the tournament, has showcased its aircraft with a flyover.

Past RBC Heritage champion Carl Pettersson was among seven players who missed the cut after the third round. New pro Bryson DeChambeau briefly got himself into the mix with three birdies on his first four holes. He made four bogeys after that and stands five shots back of Donald.

A 1-over 72 performance has Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., in a tie for 13th to lead the Canadian contingent. Abbotsford, B.C., native Adam Hadwin carded a 73 and sits T55. Fellow Abbotsford product Nick Taylor survived the third-round cut, but will not advance to the final round after shooting a 77 on the day.

DULUTH, Ga. – Wes Short Jr. shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday in the PGA Tour Champions’ Mitsubishi Electric Classic to take a lead into the final round for the first time in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event.

Short had a 7-under 137 total at TPC Sugarloaf for a one-shot advantage over Colin Montgomerie, Todd Hamilton and Mark O’Meara. Montgomerie shot 66, Hamilton 69, and O’Meara 70. Miguel Angel Jimenez, the 2014 winner, was 5 under after a 67.

Tom Watson, tied for the first-round lead at 68, fell back with two early double bogeys and finished with a 76. The 66-year-old Watson was seven shots behind Short.

Short, from Austin, Texas, won his lone PGA Tour title in Las Vegas in 2005. He took the 2014 Quebec Championship for his only PGA Tour Champions victory.

An even-par round has Rod Spittle of St. Catharines, Ont., in a tie for 25th, while a second-straight 73 has Calgary’s Stephen Ames at T46.

SOTOGRANDE, Spain – Mike Lorenzo-Vera of France shot a par-71 third round to take over the lead of the Spanish Open on Saturday.

The new leader, who has never won on the European Tour, eagled the 17th hole to build a two-shot advantage, but a bogey on his last left him one stroke ahead of a trio including Germany’s Martin Kaymer (71), Joost Luiten of the Netherlands (70), and Andrew Johnston of England (74).

“I’m very excited,” Lorenzo-Vera said. “I’m going to have a big nap tonight because it takes so much energy to stay patient here. I’m just going to try to relax and enjoy it as much as I can tomorrow.”

Defending champion James Morrison (74) and fellow Englishman Ross Fisher (72) were another shot back.

Heavy winds kept scores low at the Valderrama course for a second straight day. On Saturday, only Luiten and Alex Noren shot rounds under par.

Lorenzo-Vera, whose double bogey on No. 4 was sandwiched by birdies, said the key was to remain calm even when struggling to make par.

“I’m just trying to look at the pace of the leaderboard and accept that you’re going to have a lot of bogeys here,” he said. “A bogey on the hole is never really a bad score so you just try to accept it. Take the bogey and get out of there.”

KAPOLEI, Hawaii – Katie Burnett chipped in for birdie from 75 feet on the par-4 18th Friday for a 5-under 67 and a one-stroke lead in the Lotte Championship.

Winless in 59 career starts on the LPGA Tour, the 26-year-old Georgia player had her second straight bogey-free round to take a 13-under 203 total into the final round at Ko Olina.

“I’m from the coast so I’m used to the wind,” Burnett said. “I’ve been home for two weeks and it was really windy at home, so I have pretty much been working on a pinch shot or three-quarter shot so it doesn’t get so affected by the wind. Been doing that with my driver.”

Burnett’s only top-10 finish on the LPGA Tour came in 2014 at Ko Olina when she tied for ninth.

“I’ve had some success here,” said Burnett, ranked 195th in the world. “I really like the golf course. I think it sets up really well for my game. … To me, if you’re not hitting like a really good three-quarter shot or really in command of your ball flight, the wind can wreak havoc on the ball.”

Burnett began the day two strokes behind second-round leader Minjee Lee. The former University of South Carolina player birdied the par-5 fifth, added another on the par-4 11th and hit wedges close to set up consecutive birdies on the par-5 14th and par-4 15th.

“It was a solid round,” Burnett said. “I just tried to stay patient. I had a few opportunities early that I kind of like let slip by. … I just really focused on the back nine, just staying with my process and being patient and knowing that eventually I would make a few birdies.”

Su-Yeon Jang was second after a 67 in calmer conditions after the brisk tradewinds dropped dramatically. Playing on a sponsor exemption, the 21-year-old South Korean player is coming off a victory last week in the Korean LPGA event sponsored by Lotte – a win that earned her a spot next year at Ko Olina.

“Just trying to take every moment to enjoy and think of it as a learning opportunity,” Jang said. “I have not put too much pressure. It’s been a great learning experience for me.”

U.S. Women’s Open champion In Gee Chun and Moriya Jutanugarn were 10 under. Chun had a 65, and Jutanugarn shot 68. Defending champion Sei Young Kim was another shot back after her third straight 69.

Lee shot a 74 to drop into a tie for sixth at 8 under. She and Lizette Salas (73) were the players among the top 44 to shoot over-par rounds.

Top-ranked Lydia Ko, coming off consecutive victories in California, was 11 strokes back at 2 under after a 71.

Jang, an eight-time winner on the Korean LPGA who is making her first start in the United States, birdied the final four holes on the front nine. She dropped a stroke on the par-3 12th, birdied the next three and made another bogey on the par-3 16th.

Chun eagled the par-5 13th, hitting a 3-wood from 230 yards to 20 feet. She’s making her second start after sitting out a month because of a back injury. She was hurt when she was struck by a hard-case suitcase that rival South Korean player Ha Na Jang’s father dropped down an escalator at the Singapore airport.

“I am about 90 percent of where I should be,” said Chun, coming off a second-place tie in the two weeks ago in the ANA Inspiration. “Doesn’t necessarily impact my swing. Doesn’t hurt when I’m swinging. Just if I’m sitting for a long time it does hurt a little bit. I think the last couple days I did feel a little bit of pain, so hopefully I’ll look into that today and get ready for tomorrow.”

Chun will play in the final group Saturday with Burnett and Jang, her high school classmate.

Kim bogeyed the 16th and 17th holes to drop back.

“Without that I play well today,” Kim said.

Last year at Ko Olina, she won by holing out from 154 yards for eagle on the first hole of a playoff with Inbee Park. Kim forced the playoff by chipping in for par on the final hole.

“I keep the like aggressive play,” Kim said about the final round. “Even if the wind strong, I try to.”

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., shot 1-under 71 and is tied for 12th at 6-under-par. Hamilton’s Alena Sharp sits T51 at 1-over 217. Kelowna, B.C., native Samantha Richdale shot 74 on the day.

LAKE MARY, Fla. – Canada’s streak of success on the National Women’s Golf Association (NWGA) Tour continued on Thursday with Calgary native Jennifer Ha securing her first professional victory at the Timacuan Golf Club.

The 22-year-old Kent State alumna fired three birdies on the day to card a final-round 70 (-2), edging out runner-up Maria McBride of Sweden by one-stroke to seal the victory.

Ha’s two eagles led the way at Timacuan, boosting her to a 4-under par (72-72-70) finish overall. With the win, the Team Canada graduate takes home $2,500 (USD).

Her win follows a pair of victories from fellow Canuck Augusta James of Bath, Ont., who recorded wins in both March and February.

Canada’s Anna Young of Saskatoon was also in action in Lake Mary, closing at 9-over par (71-80-74) to finish T13.

Click here for full scoring.

Don’t let the label “Iron Lady Golf” mislead you.

Lindsay Knowlton is anything but an “Iron Lady”, despite the title of her initiative of the same name (www.ironladygolf.com), aimed at introducing women to golf.

In fact, Knowlton’s entrée to the game was a touch romantic. “As a teenager, I went to the course with my dad and saw a good-looking guy there and thought, ‘Hmm. Maybe if I hang out here enough, he might notice me.’”

While the outcome of that summer crush remains unreported, it led to a lifetime commitment to golf and the eventual upshot for women looking to get into the game is indisputable.

Knowlton, a former Golf Canada team member, attended Ohio State University on a golf scholarship where she captained the team and was named an all-American. Upon graduation, she moved into a sports-related career with TaylorMade adidas Golf, LANG Marketing and Puma.

As is often the case, it was a chance encounter that focused her ambitions.

“I was sitting in a coffee shop with a friend, talking about a concept I had about taking the intimidation factor for women out of golf, when I noticed a gentleman nearby listening intently.”

That gentleman was a senior executive at one of Canada’s largest insurance companies. He gave Knowlton his card and asked her to call him. Shortly thereafter, she was speaking to a group of women executives at his company about how to get into the game.

“I told them they should say ‘yes’ to golf for so many business and social reasons. My objective was to help them overcome the fear and intimidation that so many women have about getting into the game.”

That was five years ago. It was a message well-received. And it was the genesis of Iron Lady Golf.

Knowlton sensed that this was an untapped and, historically, a challenging demographic segment for golf.

“I got such a positive reaction every time I spoke to women at every level, from corporations to high schools to schools of business. My challenge was to overcome that intimidation factor, that fear of the unknown, that women have about golf.

“I guess you could call me a ‘golf therapist.’ My approach is far less about the swing itself than opening the door to an opportunity to build relationships, socially and in business.”

Knowlton’s business now includes clinics, group and private lessons, and retreats.

“I wish I could explain why women seem to have more psychological and sociological barriers than men when it comes to trying golf. I guess we’re just wired differently. It is something we must overcome and my concept is dedicated to that.

“What is most important to me is seeing someone, a total newbie, who is petrified when they walk in the door and then they leave with a smile on their face after one of my sessions and tell me, ‘I can’t wait to golf.’ That makes everything worthwhile.”

For the record, even though that summer crush is long gone, Knowlton still plays golf with her father.

“In what other sport could I do that? That is just one of the reasons you should love this game.”

Golf Canada is fortunate to be represented by a knowledgeable team of individuals who truly believe in the game of golf and everything for which it stands. In addition to the wonderful work being put forth by the Provincial Golf Associations, Golf Canada’s Regional Directors serve to better connect the National Sports Federation with the thousands of golfers across the country – to hear their voices and to tell their stories – in an effort to strengthen Canada as a golfing nation.

When he was 10, Jeff Hutt picked up his first set of golf clubs at the Fredericton Golf Club and hasn’t been able to put them down since. Nothing stops Jeff from playing – after suffering a bad shoulder injury in 2008, he switched from left- to right-handed for the following two summers and became a 7-handicap on both sides of the ball.

In 2002, Jeff took on his first job in the golf industry, learning the importance of member satisfaction and customer service at Fredericton’s Kingswood Golf Course.  After a few summers, he was promoted to the proshop where he gained valuable experience in sales, club repair services, merchandising, and retail management. Four years later, he completed the Holland College Golf Club Management Program and then graduated with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism from the University of New Brunswick.

Jeff began working for Golf New Brunswick in 2010 in support of junior development and the provincial marketing program.  Within three years, he transitioned into marketing and administration for the Provincial Golf Association.

Armed with 15 years of practical experience and in-depth knowledge of the golf industry, Jeff Hutt joined Golf Canada in 2016 as Regional Director for the Maritimes.

Guy Bernier entered the golf industry in 1981 as a sales representative for Spalding-Top Flite Canada. The Montreal native’s journey with the game led him to Callaway Golf in the role of territory manager for 13 years where he serviced Quebec and the Ottawa Valley. At the end of 2008, Guy answered the call of retirement, but realized after two months that he could not stay away.

The lure of golf drew Guy back to the game and he opened a sales agency, working with golf’s biggest brands. Guy went on to spend time exploring other interests in life, but whichever direction he pursued, he always found himself drawn back to the sport he loved.

2016 provided Guy with an exciting opportunity to give back to golf and once again work in the sport which has given him so much. Through the support of a loving wife, two proud sons and his status as a newly-minted grandfather, Bernier considers himself to once again be the happiest “Guy” in the golf business. With an inspiring passion for the game and a deep familiarity with the region, Guy Bernier joined Golf Canada as its Regional Director for Quebec and the Ottawa Valley.

Christine Dengel is a PGA of Canada golf professional who has accrued more than 30 years of experience in almost every facet of the golf industry.

Prior to joining Golf Canada, Christine was a Territory Sales Manager for Callaway Golf Canada for 19 years. During her time with Callaway, she managed the Greater Toronto Area and Southwestern Ontario territory from 1992-2005 and has managed the Southern Ontario territory since 2006.

Throughout her journey with the game, the Chatham-Kent, Ont., resident has developed an unwavering passion for golf and a steadfast commitment to its development and promotion. Since 2011, Christine has served as Golf Canada’s Regional Director, Membership, Ontario and Atlantic Canada.

Blair Armitage’s love for the game has seen him travel across the nation, having served as General Manager of Dalewood Golf Club in Port Hope, Ont., before taking the post of General Manager at Quilchena Golf & Country Club in Richmond, B.C.

The Vancouver resident is a past President of the Canadian Society of Club Managers, Pacific Branch and a former Director of the British Columbia Golf Marketing Alliance. These experiences have not only broadened his understanding of the intricacies of the sport, but also deepened his appreciation for the game he loves.

Blair began his tenure with Golf Canada as its Regional Director of Membership for Western Canada in 2009.

Golf Canada’s quartet of Regional Directors serves as ambassadors for the National Sports Federation at the club and regional levels. They support Golf Canada programming and liaise with the Provincial Golf Associations with the goal of building a golf community that reaches coast to coast. Region-specific questions and comments can be directed to each Regional Director at:

• Blair Armitage – Western Canada – barmitage@golfcanada.ca
• Guy Bernier – Quebec and Ottawa Valley – gbernier@golfcanada.ca
• Christine Dengel – Ontario and Atlantic Canada – cdengel@golfcanada.ca
• Jeffrey Hutt – Maritimes – jhutt@golfcanada.ca

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru is pleased to announce a one-year agreement with adidas Canada, who have signed on as the exclusive apparel partner of the program.

Committed to growing women’s participation, Golf Fore the Cure boasts over 100,000 participants throughout 12 seasons. During that period, the program has raised over $5.4 million dollars for the Canadian Cancer Society and Québec Breast Cancer Foundation in support of breast cancer research.

“Golf Fore the Cure has a long track record of growing participation in the sport and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Lesley Hawkins, Brand Director of adidas Golf. “We are excited to enter into this partnership and are honoured to be the exclusive apparel partner for a program centred around such a great cause.”

As a Pink Partner of Golf Fore the Cure, adidas Canada will provide uniforms for each site coordinator and National Event participant, a $100 online gift card to the leading fundraiser at each event, full outfits for the top-three fundraising teams and a cash investment towards the program.

“adidas has a lengthy history of supporting recreational sport and we are thrilled to align the brand with Golf Fore the Cure,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “The iconic adidas mark represents a fantastic opportunity to engage more women in our sport and we look forward to a very successful partnership.”

There is no cost to you or your club to participate! Click here to register for Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru.

In a time when some question the future of our sport, golfers in the Brantford area have been very passionate recently in defence of one of the city’s municipal golf facilities that was on the verge of closure. Council has just voted to keep the course open after the rallying cry of area residents.  Now…what is next for Arrowdale Golf Club?

Enter Director of Operations, Jeff Moore – a PGA of Canada Professional with a long history of successful junior programs. Jeff has a new focus and a new vision for Arrowdale – as the perfect place to begin learning and enjoying the game.  Jeff believes that “if you take care of the kids, the parents are not going to be too far behind.” It’s important to look at the present…and the future.

I have long said that golf has been good to my family and I would not trade our memories made on the golf course over the years for anything.  I believe that the strength of our future as a sport lies in being a fun family activity. Our great game is time well-spent together outdoors with great conversation – whether it be close to home or a destination around the world – where all generations can and should be included.

Jeff Moore recently spoke with the Brant News about building this family dynamic, starting with the juniors at Arrowdale this season and the progression that can follow. It’s an interesting article and you can read it here.

Christine Dengel is a PGA of Canada golf professional with more than 30 years of experience in multiple facets of the golf industry, and a lifelong passion for and commitment to the game of golf.Prior to joining Golf Canada, she was a Territory Sales Manager for Callaway Golf Canada for 18 years. During her time with Callaway, Dengel managed the GTA and Southwestern Ontario territory from 1992-2005 and has managed the Southern Ontario territory since 2006.