Team Canada Women’s Head Coach, Tristan Mullally, added another trophy to the shelf on Thursday, winning the PGA of Canada’s Ben Kern Coach of the Year award at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.

The PGA of Canada awards the Ben Kern Coach of the Year based on a professional’s overall performance in coaching; unusual, innovative and special coaching programs initiated or implemented; articles published; as well as outstanding golfers the professional has coached.

Entering his sixth season at the helm of the women’s program, Mullally has coached many of Canada’s brightest young stars including Canadian sensation Brooke Henderson. A native of Ireland, Mullally has played a key role in developing a record number of Canadian amateurs to positions inside the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) top-100.

Mullally has also been heavily involved with industry-leading initiatives including Long-Term Player Development 2.0 and the Golf Association of Ontario’s high performance program.

Since 2013, PGA of Canada national award winners have been honoured during PGA of Canada Night. The PGA of Canada national award winners for the 2015 season are:

• Danny King (The Performance Academy at Magna), Mike Weir Player of the Year;
• Dean Manz (Wascana Country Club), Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year;
• Cory Southon (Henry Brunton Golf), Moe Norman Candidate for Membership of the Year;
• Adam Werbicki (The Derrick Golf & Winter Club), George Knudson Teacher of the Year;
• Adam Boge (Golf Mentor), Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year;
• Tristan Mullally (Golf Canada), Ben Kern Coach of the Year;
• Judy Forshner (Glencoe Golf & Country Club), Murray Tucker Golf Professional of the Year;
• Liam Mucklow (The Golf Lab), Tex Noble Award for Professional Development;
• Daryl MacLean (Cherry Hill Club), Stan Leonard Class “A” Professional of the Year;

What a proud moment for me to win this award,to have my dad,wife and kid here makes it all the more special #blessed pic.twitter.com/KVXgb8OBOw

— Tristan Mullally (@tmullallygolf) January 29, 2016

The 2016 golf season will see the implementation of a new Handicap cycle. This two-year cycle is effective March 1, 2016 – February 28, 2018. Below you will find information regarding the changes that have been made in the Golf Canada Handicap Manual for a quick reference Six significant changes are seen in the upcoming edition of the Golf Canada Handicap Manual, which will impact approximately 3.3 million golfers who hold a Handicap Factor® issued throughout Canada and 10 provincial associations. Those highlighted changes include:

Definition of a tournament score: Additional guidance is provided to Committees conducting competitions regarding the definition of a tournament score, placing greater emphasis on “significant events.” The definition excludes fundraising events and regular league play, in favor of designated competitions such as a member/guest or club championship, local amateur tournament or national qualifying and competition. (Section 2: Definitions)

Adjusting hole scores: A revised decision provides clarity for acceptable scores in limited situations where the player has not played a hole(s) under the Rules of Golf, but his or her score would be sufficiently accurate for handicap posting purposes. Three areas covered under the examples include: 1) where the Local Rule is not in effect, but a player chooses to use a Distance Measuring Device or preferred lies; 2) where a player does not wish to cause undue delay; or 3) where the situation is outside of the player’s control, such as an incorrectly marked golf course.  (Section 4: Adjusting Hole Scores)

Posting scores when a player is disqualified: To improve alignment with the Rules of Golf, the revised Handicap System is clearer about what scores are acceptable when a player is disqualified. In general, a score is acceptable for handicap purposes even when a player fails to hole out, or apply a Rule that affects the rights of another player. If the disqualification breach is determined to provide an advantage for the player, the score is deemed unacceptable for handicap purposes. (Section 5-1: Acceptability of Scores)

Anchoring and posting: A new reference concerns a player who anchors the club while making a stroke during a round and fails to apply the appropriate penalty or an adjusted hole score (Section 4-2). Since the score would not be reflected as playing under the Rules of Golf, it would be unacceptable for handicap purposes. (Section 5-1: Acceptability of Scores)

Playing alone and necessary peer review: To further support the key System premise of peer review, scores made while playing alone will no longer be acceptable for handicap purposes. This change underscores the importance of providing full and accurate information regarding a player’s potential scoring ability, and the ability of other players to form a reasonable basis for supporting or disputing a posted score. (Section 5-1: Acceptability of Scores). Playing alone means completely by yourself with no others in the group at all (one-some). If you play with three strangers, that is acceptable and the score would be post-able for handicap purposes. Even if a walking witness/attester (not playing) such as a family member or caddie was present, that score would still count for handicap purposes (if played under the Rules of Golf). Player names need not be supplied with your scores, that is simply an option that exists in the Golf Canada Score Centre for those that wish to provide them, and is not a requirement for a score to be posted/accepted for handicap purposes.

This decision was also made in an effort for Canada to to be more in alignment with the rest of the world’s handicapping policy on unaccompanied rounds, for the possible formation of a World Handicap System.

Committee responsibilities: In an effort to assist the Handicap Committee with its responsibilities, this revision addresses a player with a temporary disability or permanent disability who has a Handicap Factor that is no longer reflective of his/her current potential ability. In the particular instance cited, the Committee will no longer assign a local handicap (denoted with the letter “L” for local use only), but instead will issue a (temporary) modified Handicap Factor (denoted by the letter “M”). This change supports the portability of a disabled player’s handicap, so that it can be used outside the player’s home club. (Section 8-4c: Handicap Factor Adjustment by Handicap Committee)

An overview of these changes with more detailed information can be found here. The complete Golf Canada Handicap System Manual will be posted to golfcanada.ca/handicapping, and it will be available for purchase on the Golf Canada e-store before the start of our cycle.

Additional reading:

• Golf Canada’s position on 2016 Handicap System changes
• FAQ: Playing golf alone and peer review
• Solo play: a global perspective
• Reference document

Golf Canada is pleased to announce the six athletes – two female and four male – who have been selected to the 2016 Team Canada Young Pro Squad.

Comprising the team for 2016 is: Sue Kim (Langley, B.C.); Augusta James (Bath, Ont.); Albin Choi (Toronto); Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ont.) Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.); and Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.).

The focus of the Young Pro Squad – now in its third year – is to bridge the gap for top graduating amateurs transitioning into professional golf. The program was developed in partnership with the PGA of Canada and is generously funded by founding partners Canadian Pacific and RBC, as well as supporting partners Citi Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation Women’s Fund.

“We are very proud of the Team Canada Young Pro initiative and how it is helping to bridge the gap between amateur and professional golf,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “These fine athletes have demonstrated clear commitment to the game and the results over a short period have been tremendous.”

Heading up the female contingent is long-standing Amateur Squad member Augusta James, who is looking to build on a strong year competing on the Symetra Tour in 2015. Her rookie campaign was highlighted by a victory at the Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial and two runner-up finishes. The 22-year-old finished at No. 12 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list. A former Canadian Women’s Amateur champion and three-time Amateur Squad member, James will return to the Symetra Tour in 2016 with priority status.

“I’m grateful to be back with Team Canada, which has played a huge role in my development as an amateur athlete,” said James, who currently ranks fourth among Canadians on the Women’s Rolex World Golf Rankings. “Golf Canada has been with me for most of my golfing career and I am honoured to move up to the Young Pro Squad.”

Joining James on the Women’s Young Pro Squad is Sue Kim, who has been with the program since its inception in 2014. The 24-year-old had a win at the Symetra Tour’s Florida Natural Charity Classic to go alongside two additional Top-25 finishes. Kim completed the season at No. 32 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list and will hold priority status on the Symetra Tour for 2016.

“I’m very excited to be a part of this great program once again,” said Kim, a graduate of Team Canada’s Amateur Squad program. “The support I’ve received has been a huge boost for my professional career and I have big hopes for 2016.”

On the men’s side, four members of the 2015 Young Pro Squad will return to the program in 2016.

Taylor Pendrith makes his return to the men’s squad following a breakthrough season in which the 24-year-old compiled three runner-up finishes and two additional Top-10 finishes on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada. The Kent State alumnus also tallied two Top-25 finishes on the Web.com Tour to cap an impressive rookie year as a professional. Pendrith finished third on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Order of Merit to become one of five athletes to graduate onto the Web.com Tour with granted status for 2016.

“Having the Young Pro program so invested in my future success is very humbling,” said Pendrith. “I’m so happy to have all the guys back and am thankful for the continued coaching and advice from Derek (Ingram) and the sport science team.”

Mackenzie Hughes and Albin Choi, both members of the Young Pro Squad since its inception, will return for a third consecutive year.

Hughes, 25, earned status on the Web.com Tour in 2016 with a T21 finish at stage-three of Qualifying School in December. A former two-time Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, Hughes’ season featured seven Top-25 finishes on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, with his best result a T3 finish at the ATB Financial Classic. The former Kent State Golden Flash finished 13^th on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada’s Order of Merit in 2015.

“The ongoing support from Golf Canada and the program supporters is a huge boost for me and my goals to improve my game,” added Hughes. “I’m very thankful for what the Young Pro program has meant to my career and continued development.”

Choi recorded three Top-10 finishes including a victory on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada in 2015 to finish the year sixth on the Tour’s Order of Merit. An Amateur Squad graduate, Choi also added two wins on the SwingThought Tour to his résumé in 2015. The 23-year-old former Canadian Men’s Amateur champion will hold conditional status on the Web.com Tour this season as a result of his T14 finish at stage-three of Qualifying School.

“I’m thrilled to be back on the Young Pro Squad and continue my journey as member of the Team Canada family,” said Choi. “The program has been such a huge help for my career and I’m looking forward to making great strides in 2016 to perform at the highest level.”

Rounding out the male contingent is three-time Amateur Squad member Corey Conners. In 2015, the 24-year-old recorded two Top-10 finishes on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada, two Top-25 results on the Web.com Tour and a T3 finish on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica. Conners – who competed in the 2015 Masters because of a runner-up finish at the 2014 U.S. Amateur, finished his rookie year as a professional at No. 37 on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Order of Merit. He recently earned medalist honours at PGA Tour-Latino America Qualifying School to secure his playing status on that Tour in 2016.

“This will be my fifth year with the Team Canada program which has become a strong bond – almost like a family,” reflected Conners. “I’m thrilled to be back on the Young Pro Squad and am looking forward to a successful 2016 season.”

Men’s National Squad coach Derek Ingram and Women’s National Team coach Tristan Mullally, both PGA of Canada Class “A” members, will provide coaching to their respective Young Pro athletes. In addition to funding and coaching support, the athletes will have access to Team Canada’s sport science staff, which includes Psychologist Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood, and Physiotherapist & Strength Coach Greg Redman.

“I’m excited to see these young athletes further their progress through the professional ranks as they build upon their careers,” said Gary Bernard, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Canada. “The commitment Golf Canada has shown in collaborating with the PGA of Canada in our world class teaching and coaching certification programs is commendable.”

The continued success of the Young Pro Squad is due in large part to a focused fundraising effort on the part of the Golf Canada Foundation.

“Now entering our third year of support, generating funds for the Young Pro program remains a top priority for the Golf Canada Foundation,” said Foundation CEO Martin Barnard. “We look forward to the continued success of the Golf Canada Young Pro Squad in developing the next wave of professional Canadian golfers to inspire golfers of all ages and abilities.”

Throughout the season, Golf Canada will closely monitor the performance of elite Canadian amateurs transitioning to professional golf with the possibility of program expansion.

Click here to read Team Canada Young Pro Squad player bios.

Why will scores made while playing alone no longer be eligible for handicap purposes?

Peer Review is a key principle of the Golf Canada Handicap System and these changes have been made in part to support this.  This change helps golfers form a better basis to support or dispute scores that have been posted to a player’s scoring record, which in turn assists with the integrity of the Handicap System.

The majority of handicapping authorities around the globe have employed this policy for some time. With them, Golf Canada believes it provides a more accurate view of a golfer’s ability, supporting integrity, fairness and equitable play among all golfers.

What constitutes not playing alone?

As long as someone accompanies the player during the round (e.g., fellow competitor, opponent, caddie, marker for a tournament, friend riding along in a cart) the player is not playing alone.

How can you stop me from posting my scores for handicap purposes if I do play alone?

The Handicap System has always relied on:

• golfers to post their scores in accordance with handicap system procedures
• golfers having the ability to review their fellow club members scores and handicap
• Club Handicap Committee to fulfill its duties and responsibilities (help maintain the system at the club).

This decision doesn’t change any of those requirements going forward – those pieces are key to the successful implementation of the Handicap System at any club.

How many holes can a player play alone to post the score?

Section 5-1 Acceptability of Scores in the Golf Canada Handicap Manual states the minimum number of holes that need to be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf for a score to be posted. This Rule holds true for the number of holes,  at least seven holes for a nine-hole score or 13 holes for 18-hole score, a player must be accompanied for a round to be acceptable for score posting.

For holes played alone (not accompanied), the player would treat these as not played under the Rules of Golf and post according to “par plus” any handicap strokes the player is entitled to receive.

(For more information, see Section 4-2).

Note: If a player plays nearly all holes accompanied but just a few alone, the holes played alone are determined using “par plus,” keeping in mind the maximum that can be played alone in a round eligible for posting is two holes for a 9-hole score and five holes for an 18-hole score. Some examples would be starting out alone and joining up with a player(s), or starting out accompanied and finishing the round alone.

I thought this was a game of honour and integrity which includes trust. This rule seems to go against that tradition of the game, it seems I’m presumed guilty if I play alone?

Golf Canada supports strengthening Peer Review in Handicapping – when scores are attested it adds to the integrity and credibility of the handicap system and Handicaps being issued.

Playing golf with others affords the benefit of having someone who can testify to your ability and acknowledge the accuracy of your Handicap when you happen to play that once-in-a-lifetime round to win an event.

Why the change/reversal by Golf Canada on the ‘rounds played alone’ position?

After much thought and discussion among our Board of Directors, our Handicap Committee, and after consultation with the USGA, Golf Canada now better understands all of the reasons and big-picture considerations that led to the adoption of the new rule regarding unaccompanied rounds.

Therefore, we have concluded that it is in the best interests of the game for Golf Canada to move towards adoption of all the new 2016 Handicap Rules, including the rule on unaccompanied rounds.

Isn’t one of your mandates to grow the game and be more inclusive? How does this decision support your mandates as it seems exclusive not inclusive?

This decision was twofold:

• to enhance “Peer Review” and thereby adding to the Integrity and credibility of the Handicap System
• to allow Golf Canada to be more aligned worldwide where the majority of rounds played alone are not accepted for handicapping purposes.

To be inclusive, Golf Canada is keenly interested in encouraging all golfers to maintain and post all of their scores. As such Golf Canada is working towards a solution to allow unaccompanied rounds to be entered into our Score Centre, so that golfers can continue to track their statistics, with the full knowledge that they will be excluded from the calculation of an Official Handicap.

Related Links

• Golf Canada’s position on 2016 Handicap System changes
• Changes to Golf Canada’s Handicap System for 2016 released
• Solo play: a global perspective
• Reference document

The mechanics and philosophy of handicapping are a mystery to the majority of golfers. A mystery vital to our enjoyment of the game and equitable competition with other golfers, but a mystery nonetheless.

To compound that, let’s get metaphysical.

We are all familiar with the centuries-old conundrum, “If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?”

Substitute “unaccompanied rounds” for that hypothetical tree and that may help you understand the recent decision by the USGA and Golf Canada to disallow solo round scores for handicapping purposes.

On Jan. 22, Golf Canada announced it would follow the USGA’s lead in this contentious matter.

That announcement was not without its own controversy as it represented a reversal from an earlier declaration that, in contrast to the USGA, Golf Canada would allow solo rounds to be posted for handicap purposes. But that criticism, in retrospect, was short-sighted and did not take into account the long-term view of the future of the game globally.

“After careful consideration and additional discussion among our Board of Directors and Handicap Committee, Golf Canada will align with all handicap rules changes announced by the USGA at the end of last year,” Golf Canada said in a statement posted on its website. “This also includes the provision that applies to unaccompanied rounds. These changes are part of a bigger picture to unify the handicap rules, and support the possible formation of a World Handicap System, which we wholeheartedly endorse.”

Last May, John Paul Newport foretold this in the Wall Street Journal.

“The USGA is leading an effort to get the world’s six handicapping authorities on the same page. The U.S. handicap system, including the USGA’s course rating and Slope system, would be the basis for the proposed World Handicap System, but it would incorporate the best elements from the other handicapping schemes. This initiative is the final piece in a long-term push for unified golf governance around the world. In the last decade or so, the USGA and its governing partner, the R&A (which oversees the game everywhere but in the U.S., Mexico and Canada) have pretty much consolidated the game in three other areas: the playing rules of golf, equipment regulations and most recently the code of amateur status.”

Contrary to popular belief, the R&A does not oversee handicapping. In 1927, they handed that responsibility to the Council of National Golf Unions for golfers in Great Britain and Ireland. The European Golf Association controls handicapping on that continent. Corralling CONGU, the EGA and the other bodies into the fold remains a challenge for the USGA, but they are working hard to do so. It is an admirable goal for the eventual betterment of the game.

Many years ago, when I was working for the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada), I was involved in the conversion of our course rating system to the USGA’s revolutionary Slope system, the brainchild of Dean Knuth. It leveled the playing field, handicap-wise, for golfers across North America and has been adopted in more than 160 countries. Although some countries still maintain the antiquated and inequitable Standard Scratch Score system, the hope is that in the near future, the Slope concept will be accepted globally. Likewise, the new handicapping rules.

In my view, the USGA and Golf Canada should be applauded for seeking global consistency on handicapping and course rating. This will face significant challenges, but it will be a goal worth attaining, hopefully sooner than later.

Like the tiny percentage of golfers who play solo rounds, most of my outings are a few holes very early on a summer morning or at twilight. I carry half a set, play a couple of balls and do not strictly abide by the Rules of Golf. My anecdotal observation is that I am typical of my fellow solo golfers.

Keeping in mind that peer review is fundamental to posting scores, I don’t feel this decision by Golf Canada impugns my integrity. Neither do I subscribe to the popular theme that Golf Canada is kowtowing to our neighbour to the south.

I don’t post those unaccompanied scores.  Never have.

As a result, my figurative tree makes no sound when it falls, handicap-wise.

Truth be told, that makes my solitary outings more enjoyable. They are a secret between me and the game.

So, fellow soloist, please don’t lose sight of golf’s global forest for the sake of your solitary tree.

Related Links

• Golf Canada’s position on 2016 Handicap System changes
• Changes to Golf Canada’s Handicap System for 2016 released
• FAQ: Playing golf alone and peer review
• Reference document

LA QUINTA, Calif. – Jason Dufner birdied seven of his final nine holes Saturday at La Quinta Country Club to take a two-stroke lead in the CareerBuilder Challenge.

Dufner finished with an 8-under 64 to reach 23-under 193 with one round left at PGA West’s TPC Stadium Course. He opened with a 64 on Thursday on the Nicklaus Tournament Course for a share of the lead and had a 65 on Friday on the Stadium Course to take a one-stroke advantage.

“I made the turn at 1 under, and told the guys we were going to have a good back nine,” Dufner said. “I told my caddie and my amateur partners, ‘I’m about to do something good.’ So, when you start thinking like that, good things happen. So, that’s just kind of where my mindset is right now.”

Jamie Lovemark was second after a 65 on the Stadium Course.

“Any time you go out there and shoot 7 under, it’s a good day, no matter what,” Lovemark said. “I was pleased with the way I played the entire round. I’m in good position to compete for a win tomorrow.”

Adam Hadwin had a 64 on the Nicklaus Course to get to 20 under. The Canadian missed a chance to get closer, bogeying the par-5 15th after hitting into the water and closing with three pars.

“It’s just going to be a question of handling the nerves and making sure those putts kind of keep hitting the lines tomorrow,” Hadwin said.

Phil Mickelson was tied for fifth at 17 under in his first start since the Presidents Cup in October and first since splitting with swing coach Butch Harmon to work with Andrew Getson. Lefty had a bogey-free 66 at the Stadium Course, holing a flop shot for birdie on the 10th hole.

“It’s been a good three days,” Mickelson said. “It’s been a good start.”

Dufner started the birdie spree on the first hole, hitting a lob wedge to 10 feet. He made a 20-footer on No. 3, hit a 9-iron out of a bunker to 3 feet on 4, two-putted the par-5 fifth and sixth, and made it five in a row with a 12-footer on 7. He rolled in another 12-footer on 9 for his 10th birdie of the day.

“I don’t worry about zones and talking about stuff like that,” Dufner said. “I’m just trying to hit each shot as good as I can and not let results and outcome dictate how I feel or how I think out there. … I’m just playing golf like I should.”

The 2013 PGA Championship winner earned his PGA Tour card at PGA West in 2008. He’s comfortable on the Stadium Course, the Pete Dye-designed layout that is being used in the tournament for the first time since being dropped after its debut in 1987.

“Conditions are perfect for scoring,” Dufner said. “I’m not too worried about what other people are saying about golf courses. I feel like I can play pretty good. You got a lot of scoring clubs in your hand on that course.”

The Stadium Course had a three-day average of 70.908. The Nicklaus Course finished at 68.930, and La Quinta at 69.149. The cut was at 9 under, with 70 players returning to the Stadium Course on Sunday.

“I don’t feel as though this is a similar final-round course like we’ve had in the past,” Mickelson said. “You could get away with some wayward shots and still shoot in the 60s. But if you come out here and play a little sloppy, you’re going to shoot in the mid- to high-70s. It’s a very penalizing course for anything less than perfectly struck shots.”

David Lingmerth was five strokes back at 18 under after a 62 on the Nicklaus Course. The Swede had six straight birdies from No. 14 to No. 1, eagled the par-5 fifth, birdied the seventh and closed with two pars.

“I was hoping to catch up and get a little bit closer than I am right now,” Lingmerth said.

Kevin Na matched Lingmerth with a 62 on Nicklaus Course, playing his last seven holes in 8 under with an eagle and seven birdies to get to 17 under. “Every shot was at the flag,” Na said.

Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., shot a 69 for a second straight day to reach 11-under and sits T35.

DIVOTS: Dufner tied for ninth in his last two PGA Tour starts, at the RSM Classic in November and the Sony Open last week in Hawaii. In between, he teamed with Brandt Snedeker to win the Franklin Templeton Shootout. … Defending champion Bill Haas was 15 under after a 69 on the Stadium Course.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler were part of a five-way tie for the lead at the Abu Dhabi Championship after Andy Sullivan made a triple-bogey in fading light to relinquish a two-shot advantage late in a fog-affected third round on Saturday.

Sullivan drove into a bush, couldn’t find his ball, returned to the tee and eventually made a 7 at No. 9 in a dramatic finish to the day’s play, which ended with most of the field yet to finish their third rounds.

Sullivan dropped to 9 under and was a shot behind McIlroy, Fowler, Branden Grace, Ian Poulter, and Joost Luiten, who all have holes to play early Sunday before starting the final round.

“It’s a really bunched leaderboard,” said McIlroy, who ended his second round on Saturday morning with a birdie-eagle finish to be tied for second. “It will be a bit of a sprint to the finish.”

There are 21 players within three shots of the lead – and Jordan Spieth is among them.

The top-ranked American started the third round seven shots back and finished it in the gathering gloom and in a six-ball – a career-first – after barely beating the horn on the 9th tee. Indeed, the claxon sounded at the top of his backswing as he rushed to avoid an early morning return on Sunday.

Spieth is three shots back after a 4-under 68, and in need of what he called a “crazy round” to take victory in his first regular European Tour event.

Sullivan is one of five players a shot behind – with 2012 champion Robert Rock, Henrik Stenson, Thomas Pieters, and Rafael Cabrera-Bello – after his nightmare on his ninth hole, when he went way right off the tee. He searched for his ball in two separate bushes – McIlroy even came to help him – but had to reload.

Sullivan’s second drive found the rough on the right, his approach was short, his chip onto the green poor, and he two-putted from 10 feet.

“It wasn’t great to see,” McIlroy said. “I was hoping he would have made that putt just to give him a little bit of momentum going into tomorrow.”

McIlroy chased down Sullivan in the final round of the season-ending World Tour Championship in November, to clinch the Race to Dubai title. This time, it has happened earlier – and it was Sullivan who imploded.

The other member of the final group was Bryson DeChambeau, the American amateur with the self-styled nickname of “The Golf Scientist,” who plays with a set of home-made clubs that are all the same length. He started the third round tied on 8-under par with McIlroy, but dropped back to 7 under by the time play was suspended. The group still had nine holes to play.

DeChambeau removed his earphones, took off his flat cap, and approached McIlroy on the practice green ahead of his first round with the four-time major winner.

“I’m Bryson, nice to meet you,” DeChambeau said. And in another display of reverence, the U.S. Amateur and NCAA champion applauded when McIlroy’s name was announced on the first tee.

DeChambeau was about to learn just how much pressure is involved in contending in a top-class field at a high-profile professional event. He drove into the bunker on No. 1, then drove into the tree on the right on No. 2 to make bogey.

Fowler shot 68 in the second round and continued that form by picking up three birdies in the 10 holes he managed in the third round. Poulter, playing with a taped-up thumb that he “took a chunk out of” on Thursday, made four birdies in five holes around the turn and was 5-under after 13 holes of his third round.

Play started nearly three hours late – for the second straight day – because of thick morning fog.

Resuming on No. 14, McIlroy made three straight pars, to take his number for the round to 15, before landing approach shots inside two feet on Nos. 17 and 18. He nearly holed a wedge shot on No. 17, before hitting a 5-wood from 268 yards to 18 inches on the last. He tapped in his eagle putt for a 70.

After careful consideration and additional discussion among our Board of Directors and Handicap Committee, Golf Canada will align with all Handicap Rules changes announced by the USGA at the end of last year. This also includes the provision that applies to unaccompanied rounds.

These changes are part of a bigger picture to unify the Handicap rules, and support the possible formation of a World Handicap System, which we wholeheartedly endorse.

KAUPULEHU-KONA, Hawaii – Tom Watson bettered his age Friday in the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, leaving him two strokes behind leader Duffy Waldorf in the PGA Tour Champions’ opener.

The 66-year-old Tom Watson had a 7-under 65 at Hualalai Golf Course to move into a tie for fifth place. Waldorf also shot 65 to reach 12-under 132.

“Today, the wind laid down,” Watson said. “I took advantage of those conditions, hit some good shots. I was very happy about my overall performance today. It was pretty good for an old guy, 66.”

Watson won at Hualalai in 2010 and has 14 senior titles, the last in 2011 in the Senior PGA Championship. He won eight major titles and had 39 victories on the PGA Tour.

“I still enjoy preparing for a tournament and I don’t enjoy playing poorly,” Watson said. “Days like today make me feel like I’m doing something useful out here.”

Waldorf had a one-stroke lead over Davis Love III, Tom Lehman and Tom Pernice Jr. with a round left in the event for major champions from the last five years, tournament winners in the last two seasons and sponsor invitees.

“My iron play’s been a little off, but I’ve been able to save myself when I got in trouble,” Waldorf said. “When I do hit a good shot or play a par 5 I’ve been able to make birdie, so I’m really getting a lot out of my game right now. I’m going to have to play a lot better tomorrow to have a chance.”

Lehman had a 65, and Love and Pernice shot 67. Lehman played the four par-5 holes in 7 under with three eagles and a birdie. He made a 25-foot putt on No. 4, just missed another eagle on No. 7 to set up a tap-in birdie, and holed a 3-footer on 10 and a 45-footer on 14.

“I did it on the Hogan Tour in Reno in 1991,” Lehman said about making three eagles in a round. “I’m not sure if I’ve done it since then but I remember specifically that I shot 62 that day, made three eagles. You don’t hear that very often, especially without holing one from the fairway on a par 4, so the par 5s were very good to me.”

Love played in the PGA Tour’s Hawaii events the last two weeks. The U.S. Ryder Cup captain tied for 29th at Kapalua in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and made the 36-hole cut but failed to advance to the final round in the Sony Open in Honolulu. He won the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship in August at 51 years, 4 months, 10 days to become the third-oldest champion in tour history.

“I drove the ball better today than I did yesterday and just didn’t get quite as much out of it, but I’m happy with the way I’m hitting it,” Love said. “Just got to get the wedges, 8-irons, 9-irons a little bit closer to the hole. Had a lot of opportunities today and hopefully I can do that tomorrow.”

Watson was tied with Olin Browne (66) and first-round leader Joe Durant (69).

MAZATLAN, Mexico – West Vancouver, B.C., native David Rose shot a final-round 70 to claim medalist honours and earn full status  on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica in 2016.

The 26-year-old began the day with a two-stroke lead over American William Kropp. Rose finished at 15-under to claim a one-stroke victory over Mexico’s Gerardo Ruiz.

Rose – a former Lynn University Fighting Knight and the 2011 B.C. Amateur champion – becomes the second Canadian in as many weeks to finish atop the leaderboard at PGA Tour Latinoamérica Q-School. He joins Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., who earned fully exempt status on tour last week in Sebring, Fla.

Complete results from the PGA Tour Latinoamérica Qualifying Tournament in Mexico can be found here.