The Golf Facilities in Canada 2015 report was published last week by Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada in cooperation with the U.S. National Golf Foundation.

While it contained interesting data about the current number, distribution and type of golf facilities in this country, it also provided the opportunity to analyze just where the game in Canada stands from some wider perspectives, historically and globally.

The “snapshot” summary of the report is available here. Snapshots aside, from a historical long view, the game remains popular and accessible, with almost six million people playing at least one round annually. In total, almost 60-million rounds are played in Canada each year.

The Golf Facilities report indicates that of the 2,346 golf facilities in Canada, more than 90 per cent are open to the public, putting to rest the misconception that the game is elitist and exclusionary. To the contrary, thanks to the variety and number of facilities, combined with the handicap system, it can be argued that golf is the most democratic of all sports.

Those who worry about the length of time it takes to play will be interested to find out that nine-hole layouts account for close to 40 per cent of the country’s courses. And it goes without saying that most 18-hole courses are composed of two returning nine-hole loops, making it possible to play in little more than a couple of hours.

Just as happened after golf booms in the 1920s and 1960s, course construction has dropped off following the spectacular growth of the game in the 1990s. In the 1960s, more than 420 facilities opened across Canada, closely followed by more than 310 new openings in the 1990s. Golf, like any other business and recreational activity, is tied to economic factors and changing consumer behaviours. As such, it cycles periodically and unpredictably. In the past 10 years, 158 facilities across Canada have closed for various reasons. Since 2010, 29 courses have opened in six different provinces and 31 18-hole equivalent facilities are in various stages of development.

When the report was released, it also pointed out some inarguable facts about the vital role golf plays across Canada.

“The golf industry is worth more than $14.3-billion to the Canadian economy and represents more than one per cent of our nation’s total GDP,” the report summary stated. “The $5-billion in direct revenues generated by Canada’s 2,346 facilities are more than the revenues generated by all other participation sports and recreational facilities combined ($4.8-billion). The numbers reinforce the massive financial, charitable, and environmental impact that golf has in communities across Canada including hundreds of thousands of jobs, billions in taxes, and a major tourism driver both domestic and international. Canadian golf facilities are a channel for major charitable giving with close to 37,000 events at Canadian courses raising more than $533-million annually for worthwhile causes.”

The accessibility, affordability and popularity of golf in Canada cannot be disputed.  A recent global study by the R&A in partnership with the NGF puts us third in total golf facilities behind the United States and Japan.

The R&A study also reported that there are 34,011 facilities in 204 countries worldwide, providing the opportunity for international participation in showcases such as the current Pan Am Games and the 2016 Olympics. Professional golf tours around the world also reflect this positive international trend.

(The Pan Am golf competition starts Thursday, July 16, at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont. The Olympic golf championship takes place next August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.)

Viewing the three- or four-decade downswing between previous golf booms, we can be hopeful the game will once again recycle in a few years. However, it is impossible to predict economic trends or whether the presence of the game on global stages such as the Pan-Am Games and the Olympics will enhance its popularity or encourage construction of more facilities.

What is known, in the wake of the release of last week’s study, is that there is plenty of golf to go around in Canada and plenty of people interested in taking advantage of it.

The complete Golf Facilities in Canada 2015 report including national and provincial data is available for download here.

For more information about the impact of golf in Canada, visit www.canadagolfs.ca.

After 22 years, Bill Paul, the veteran tournament director of the RBC Canadian Open stepped aside from his day-to-day job and into a more strategic role as Chief Championship Officer.

Golf Canada didn’t have to look very far to find his replacement. In fact, Brent McLaughlin was only one office away.

But the long-time lead of the rules department at Golf Canada – and the tournament director at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open – is far from your usual championship leader.

Here are five things you need to know about the 44-year-old McLaughlin.

His ice-fishing hut is parked at Glen Abbey

Dubbed the Heisenberg II – because of it’s glaring resemblance to the trailer from the critically-acclaimed television show Breaking Bad – McLaughlin’s ice-fishing hut is actually an old trailer he bought from Kijiji and fixed up.

The grounds crew at Glen Abbey lets him park it in the maintenance yard during the summer months before he takes it up to Cook’s Bay and Lake Simcoe for the winter.

“It has a woodstove in it, three fishing holes… it’s hilarious. I originally stored it in the parking lot of Glen Abbey,” he says. “Being from (Sault Ste. Marie) I love the outdoors. I love fishing and hunting. I just can’t shake it.”

He’s riding home from the CP Women’s Open in Vancouver on his motorcycle

At the conclusion of the CP Women’s Open, McLaughlin will be taking a well-deserved vacation.

But not just any vacation.

McLaughlin, who says he has driven across Canada a few times, will be riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle back to Oakville from Vancouver, through the U.S. The ride will take 10-12 days, and admits he has a bunch of landmarks chosen to stop at.

However, he says he hasn’t arranged hotels in every city. He’ll be bringing a tent with him, just in case, on his self-described, “hippie trip.”

“I’ve always love the bad-boy image of the Harley, and I’m a true-and-true Harley guy now. I love the sound of it,” he explains. “I’ve got my bike shipped out (to Vancouver) and I’ll just take my time getting home.”

He went on tour with the Barenaked Ladies

In the early-1990s, the Barenaked Ladies were one of Canada’s biggest bands. Their song “If I had $1,000,000” was burning up the charts and they were about to embark on their first cross-country tour, called the “Mr. Rockin’s All You Can Eat Salad Bar” Tour.

And, McLaughlin would be along for the ride.

“I was shipping lumber at Lansing Build-All and my roommate was scheduled to go on this tour as a roadie with another buddy. In the 11th hour, literally two days before it started, he bailed. (My roommate) was looking for someone, so I said I was in,” McLaughlin explains. We picked up tour buses in Victoria and went all the way to Newfoundland and back to Toronto. It was an unbelievable trip.”

Six months prior, McLaughlin began dating a girl. He told her he was going on this tour and left. But, she was waiting for him when he got back.

That girl is now his wife.

He has a great Justin Leonard story

In 1996, Justin Leonard was playing in the Canadian Open as a young PGA Tour pro. Although “kind of a nobody” according to McLaughlin, he could not have been nicer, and the Texan and McLaughlin ran into each other a few times at Glen Abbey.

The next year, Leonard won the British Open and went on to be, well, Justin Leonard.

Fast-forward to 2015, and Leonard is still as nice as ever to McLaughlin, but for a slightly different reason.

“When I first took over this job, I got an email from Leonard saying he needed a larger rental vehicle because he’s bringing his family,” McLaughlin says, laughing. “He doesn’t know me from a hole in the ground, but I’m going to tell him that story. He’s emailed me, he congratulated me on the job, but he still needs that van.”

Bill Paul gave him awesome advice

McLaughlin knows he can lean on more than two decades of knowledge from Bill Paul, and, he’s been thrilled to receive two pieces of advice that he’s constantly coming back to.

Firstly, he was told to enjoy the experience.

“It’s such a unique job,” he says. “There’s just one tournament director for the RBC Canadian Open, so even when you’re worried about how many people can park on site, or, the fact that the washrooms are overflowing in The Valley, you have to take a step back and realize you have a great job.”

Secondly, family comes first.

“You get all consumed with (the tournament) and you have to have a life,” McLaughlin explains. “Steal a little time away with your family and enjoy the summer time, because it’s so short. I’m trying to live by that.”

SILVIS, Illinois – Jordan Spieth made it a lot tougher on himself than it needed to be.

In the end, Spieth got exactly what he was looking for from the John Deere Classic: a win and some positive energy ahead of the British Open.

Spieth beat Tom Gillis on the second hole of a playoff to win at TPC Deere Run on Sunday for his fourth victory of the season.

Gillis and Spieth, who opened the tournament with an even-par 71, finished the final round at 20-under 264. Zach Johnson and Danny Lee tied for third at 19 under.

“To be able to shoot 20-under in three rounds is nice momentum,” Spieth said. “The finish, when I really didn’t feel like tee to green I had much (Sunday), gives me a lot of momentum to draw on if I don’t have my best stuff. “

The 46-year-old Gillis, who was attempting to become the oldest first-time winner on the PGA Tour in 20 years, sent an approach into the water. Spieth made par for his second win at this tournament in three years.

Now Spieth heads to the British Open in search of his third consecutive major championship.

Spieth is the first golfer to win four times before the Open Championship since Tiger Woods in 2000 – and he silenced many of the critics who questioned why he played this tournament instead of heading overseas early to prepare for St. Andrews.

“I really didn’t care anyways. I came here for a reason, and we accomplished that reason,” Spieth said.

After shooting a career-best 10 under on Saturday, Spieth entered the final round with a two-shot lead.

But the field caught up to Spieth when he turned in a pedestrian front nine.

Spieth bogeyed two of his first three holes and was soon passed by the likes of Gillis and Johnson. Spieth was even at the turn and two shots back of Gillis, who in 171 previous PGA Tour starts had only finished in the top three twice.

Spieth’s low point was a bogey on the par-4 11th hole after a putt from the fringe went left.

But Gillis played his final six holes at even par. Spieth roared back into contention with four birdies in five holes, including a 21-foot chip from the fringe on No. 16.

Spieth had a 30-foot putt for the win on No. 18, but he pushed it left. He nearly won on the first hole of the playoff, but his 33-foot try lipped out.

Even though Spieth ultimately outlasted the field, he knows he has some work to do – specifically with his driver, which abandoned him at times this weekend – if he hopes to make it three majors in a row.

“I need to fine tune my driver. I love where my putter is at. My pace control, my speed is awesome right now,” Spieth said.

Gillis matched Spieth with a par on the first hole in sudden death. But a tee shot that went into the rough led to a shot in the water, effectively ending his bid for an elusive victory.

Gillis shot a 7-under 64 in the final round.

“When you’re going to be 47, the window is closing,” Gillis said. “What I saw (Sunday) and the last three days, I’d have to say makes me think I’ve still got some tread on the tires left.”

Canadians Adam Hadwin and Roger Sloan finished in a six-way tie for 18th at 12-under while David Hearn finished at 1-under for the competition.

LANCASTER, Pa. – In Gee Chun’s modest goal for her first U.S. Women’s Open was to enjoy every new experience.

Boy, did she enjoy herself.

The 20-year-old South Korean stormed from behind, posting birdies on four of the last seven holes to rally for an unlikely one-stroke victory Sunday.

Chun shot a 4-under 66 in the final round and finished at 8 under, becoming the first player to win her U.S. Open debut since Birdie Kim in 2005.

“Everything I faced and I did here was completely new,” Chun said. “So all I did was enjoy the new stuff … I enjoyed it and had a lot of fun. Even though I’m Korean, here American fans supported me a lot and they gave a lot of claps. That has put me in the great rhythm of play, and I enjoyed that tournament rhythm.”

A bright smile rarely left Chun’s face, and that was part of the plan.

“Without thinking any negatively, all I could do was just enjoy the game,” she said. “That’s what has brought me to the U.S. Open win, I believe.”

The win was Chun’s fifth of the year after three in Korea and one in Japan. She credited her experience in four LPGA Tour events earlier this season for her success in the other events and preparing her for the rigors of the U.S. Open.

“With all those four wins this year, I got a lot of confidence coming into this tournament,” Chun said. “And that’s why I could enjoy every moment of the tournament.”

Third-round leader Amy Yang struggled in the middle of her round and then pulled within one by going eagle-birdie at Nos. 16 and 17. But she bogeyed the 18th and fell a stroke short.

Playing in the final group on the last day of the championship for the third time in four years, Yang squandered a three-stroke lead and settled for a 1-over 71 and second at 273.

Two-time champion and top-ranked Inbee Park (67) overcame putting woes and rallied late, tying for third with Stacy Lewis (70) at 5-under 275. Lewis was three back at the start of the round.

Defending champion Michelle Wie battled hip and leg injuries and limped in with an even-par 70, placing 11th at 2-under 278.

As Yang and Lewis drew most of the focus as the last grouping, Chun went about picking up strokes on the leaders. At 4 under heading into the final round at Lancaster Country Club, Chun picked up two strokes on the front nine, closing within two of the lead.

“I knew it wasn’t going to come down to the two of us,” Lewis said. “I knew somebody was going to shoot a number to get up there.”

Chun got within a stroke with a birdie at the 12th, and then rolled in a nine-foot putt at No. 15 for the first of three straight birdies. She moved into the lead with a birdie at 16 as Yang and Lewis struggled. She added another birdie at the 17th to stretch her lead to two strokes.

At the troublesome 421-yard, uphill closing hole, Chun drove into the rough, chipped short and went on to make bogey, falling into a tie for the lead with Yang, who birdied 17.

But Yang failed again in her bid to claim the biggest prize in women’s golf. She also drove into the rough at the last hole, chipped short of the green and failed to get up-and-down for par, giving Chun the win.

“I did my best out there today,” Yang said.

Yang was tied for the lead heading into the final round of 2014 and second after 54 holes in 2012. She tried to put another failed final round into perspective.

“It was another good experience,” she said. “It just didn’t go as well as I thought, but I learned another great lesson here. And it’s going to make me better player, improve my game.”

Lewis’ bid for her first U.S. Open title was foiled by a pair of double-bogeys, with the most costly one coming at 15, a hole after she had moved into a tie for the lead. At the 15th, she drove into the rough, hit her second shot through the fairway, and then dumped her third shot into a greenside bunker before taking a 6 and falling out of contention.

“I think anytime you have a championship like this, you want to have somebody go out there and win it, and that’s definitely what happened there at the end,” Lewis said.

But, the two-time major winner admitted the loss stung.

“I’ll get over this eventually, but it will take a day or two,” Lewis said.

Park had three birdies on the back nine. Within two shots of the lead through 16 holes, the putting woes that dogged the 2008 and 2013 winner returned and her bid ended with a three-putt bogey at the 17th.

Wie grimaced in pain throughout the round. The nagging left hip and leg issues that have made this a forgettable season for the 25-year-old four-time LPGA Tour winner seemed to intensify in the final round. She repeatedly cringed and tried to take weight off her right side after drives. Her round did have one highlight, with her drive at the 234-yard, par-4 16th hitting the flagstick before she rolled in the short eagle putt.

Megan Khang was the championship’s low amateur. The 17-year-old from Rockland, Massachusetts, closed with a 1-over 71 and finished at 5-over 285.

Fan favorite Laura Davies, who is to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame at St. Andrews on Monday, closed with her worst round of the championship, a 5-over 75. The 1987 champion, who was the oldest player in the field at 51, finished at 287.

The event set a U.S. Women’s Open attendance record with 134,016 spectators for the week, the USGA said, surpassing the 131,298 in 2005 at Cherry Hills outside Denver.

Canadian teenager Brooke Henderson helped her bid to lock up LPGA Tour playing privileges for next season. The 17-year-old had a closing 4-under 66 and rocketed up the leaderboard, tying for fifth at 3-under 277.

GLENVIEW, Ill. – Jerry Smith shot a 2-under 70 on Sunday to win the Encompass Championship for his first title on the Champions Tour.

Smith had a three-stroke lead heading into the final round of the 54-hole tournament, but the margin was down to one over David Frost when he reached the 579-yard, par-5 16th hole. The 51-year-old Iowa native hit his second shot left into a greenside bunker, but holed out for a crucial eagle with two holes to play.

“Bunker play’s not my forte, but I’ve worked a lot on it and I did like what I saw when I walked up to it,” Smith said. “I didn’t think it was a real difficult shot, so I felt like I could make four. Making three was obviously a bonus and probably helped me to get to the house the last two holes.”

Smith finished at 16-under 200 at North Shore Country Club, setting a tournament record. Frost had a 68 in the final round and was three strokes back in second.

“It’s always a journey,” Smith said. “I’ve always said that.”

Smith’s only tour victory had been the 1998 Guam Open on the Asian circuit. He lost his PGA Tour card after the 2007 season and had taken two club pro jobs before turning 50 and earning his Champions Tour card. He played in Europe last year and took third last week in the Swiss Seniors Open.

“Well, obviously in your career you don’t really think about winning and so forth – at least a guy like myself, who’s kind of been a so-called journeyman player all these years,” Smith said, and then called the victory, “surreal.”

Frost made five birdies and had three putts on the closing holes get to the edge of the cup without falling.

“But it was a good day,” Frost said. “I’m happy for Jerry. He’s quite a journeyman, so there’s room for everybody out here.”

Wes Short fired a final-round 68 to take third at 204. Bart Bryant and Woody Austin tied at 11-under 205.

Smith started the day with bogeys on the first two holes.

“I hit two perfect drives on 1 and 2, so those butterflies were kind of taken away,” Smith said. “But I just hit two very poor iron shots and, who knows, maybe it was a good thing in hindsight but it wasn’t the start I was looking for.”

Smith said he never looked at the scoreboard at 16 before teeing off.

“And obviously, maybe had I looked at the leaderboard on 16, who knows, maybe I don’t go for it in two, maybe I don’t make eagle,” he said.

GULLANE, Scotland – Rickie Fowler birdied three of his last four holes to overhaul fellow American Matt Kuchar and win the Scottish Open by one shot on Sunday for his second victory of the year.

Kuchar was on the practice range, preparing for a playoff, when Fowler sent his approach on No. 18 to within 18 inches. He tapped in the putt for a 2-under 68 – the same score as Kuchar – and an overall 12-under 268.

It is the fourth title of Fowler’s professional career, coming two months after winning The Players Championship, and the second outside the United States after the Korea Open in 2011. And his links game looks in good shape ahead of next week’s British Open at St. Andrews.

Raphael Jacquelin of France birdied the last hole for 70 to tie for second place with Kuchar, and claim one of three British Open places on offer along with third-round leader Daniel Brooks, the No. 528-ranked Englishman, and Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg.

Fowler took the outright lead in the tournament for the first time with his last shot of the week, from the middle of the 18th fairway.

After knocking in the putt, he doffed his cap and acknowledged the crowd. But he had to wait for the final pairing of Jacquelin and Brooks to play the last before really celebrating.

Jacquelin was the only one who could force a playoff but he needed an eagle 2. That almost happened, with his approach spinning back to a foot from the cup.

It was a successful return to Scotland for Fowler and Kuchar, who were last here for the American team’s loss to Europe in the Ryder Cup in September 2014.

“I think we’ll be OK,” Fowler said when asked how Kuchar will feel about being edged out. “He did it to me at The Players (in 2012). Maybe this was payback.”

Fowler decided to alter his schedule and play the Scottish Open the week before British Open for the first time last year, after seeing Phil Mickelson win both events in 2013.

He is halfway toward emulating his compatriot two years on.

Marc Warren of Scotland shot 64 to finish in a three-way tie for fourth on 10 under, with Eddie Pepperell (69) and Joost Luiten (70).

Brooks started the final round with a one-stroke lead over Jacquelin, but his driving was poor and he was forced to scramble for a 73 that still clinched him an Open berth for the first time. He was tied for seventh with Luke Donald (66) and Ross Fisher (68).

BOISE, Idaho – Martin Piller completed a wire-to-wire victory Sunday in the Albertsons Boise Open for his fourth Web.com Tour title.

Piller shot a 4-under 67 at Hillcrest Country Club for a 28-under 256 total, the second-lowest 72-hole score in Web.com Tour history and the third-best mark in relation to par.

“It means everything. The last couple of years have been tough,” Piller said. “I think this validates that if I play good I can be in contention.”

Steve Wheatcroft set the tour record of 255 in the 2011 Prince George’s County Open, finishing at 29 under, and Daniel Chopra was 30 under on a par-72 course in the 2004 Henrico County Open.

Piller broke the tournament mark of 24-under 260 set last year by playoff winner Wheatcroft and Steven Alker. The 29-year-old Dallas player won by six strokes to tie the event record set by Tim Clark in 2000 and matched by Roger Tambellini in 2003.

Piller earned $144,000 to jump from 52nd to fourth on the money list with $198,852, enough to earn a PGA Tour card next season. He played the PGA Tour in 2011.

“Sometimes you think, `Will I ever get back to the PGA Tour,” Piller said. “The fact that this happened, it gives me certainly a lot of confidence and belief that when I do play well I can be in contention and win tournaments.”

His wife, Gerina Piller, is an LPGA Tour player.

“The first thing I thought about was my wife and just the way she supported me all these years,” Piller said. “That’s what I was thinking about mostly when I was walking up 18.”

The former Texas A&M star opened with rounds of 61, 63 and 65 to break the 54-hole record at 189 and match the mark for relation to par at 24 under.

On Sunday, Piller birdied the par-4 first and holed out for eagle from a greenside bunker on the par-5 second. He parred the next 10 holes, bogeyed the par-3 13th, got back the stroke with a birdie on the par-4 15th and hit a wedge to 2 1/2 feet for a birdie on the par-3 17th.

“I pured it,” Piller said about his bunker shot on No. 2. “I hit it just the way I wanted to.”

Argentina’s Jorge Fernandez-Valdes shot a 68 to finish second.

Cody Gribble and Jin Park tied for third at 21 under. Gribble had a 62, the best round of the day, and Park shot a 67.

Brad Fritsch posted a final round 65 to move up the leaderboard and finish T30 alongside fellow Canadian Ryan Yip. Adam Svensson finished the competition at 10-under and T57. Wes Heffernan finished T70.

Winnipeg, Man. – In just his fourth start as a professional, Taiwan’s C.T. Pan claimed his first Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada victory at The Players Cup, carding a 5-under 66 on Friday at Pine Ridge Golf Club to win by two over Sweden’s Robert Karlsson.

The 23-year old, who recently finished a standout collegiate career at the University of Washington that saw him named an All-American four times and a finalist for the Ben Hogan Award in 2015, produced a bogey-free 31 on the final nine holes for a 5-under 66 and the two stroke victory.

“This something I’ve always dreamed of. I didn’t expect it so soon, but I guess it happened and it’s awesome. I’m beyond happiness,” said Pan.

Starting the day three shots off the lead held by Newport Beach, California’s J.J. Spaun, Pan made the turn at 1-under, then rattled off birdies at the 12th and 14th holes to take over the solo lead. Karlsson and Spaun would both tie Pan at 13-under briefly on the back nine, but the Mackenzie Tour rookie closed like a veteran with birdies on the 16th and 17th to post 15-under par in the clubhouse. Neither Karlsson nor Spaun could match him, giving Pan the Players Cup title.

“I knew I needed to make a couple of birdies,” Pan said of the back nine battle with Spaun and Karlsson. “Before the round I told myself I needed to finish better. I shot 3-over my last five holes the first round and didn’t make any birdies the last two rounds, so I needed to finish better. I knew if I finished better I would have a chance, and I guess it worked.”

Pan’s birdie at the 17th was especially strong, with the pin cut over a ridge in a spot Pan admitted he labelled ‘un-approachable’ in his yardage book. After safely finding the green, he drained a 40-footer for his fourth birdie in six holes, giving him a two-shot cushion.

“I wanted to make it, but I did not expect it to drop. I wanted to give it a shot and I hit it pretty hard – it turns out it dropped, I guess,” Pan said with a smile.

Pan, who erased a three-shot defeicit, becomes the fourth player in five events to come from behind to win on the Mackenzie Tour this season.

“I knew if there was a guy to be worried about, it was going to be him, to be honest,” said 54-hole leader Spaun, who carded a 1-over 72. “I knew he was in a good position starting the day because he wasn’t that far back but he was far enough back to not really care what happens to him. Good credit to him, he’s a good player.”

Pan graduated with a degree in Communications this spring, and joins Chris Killmer, Brock Mackenzie, 2014 Order of Merit winner Joel Dahmen and this year’s Syncrude Boreal Open presented by AECON winner Kevin Spooner as former University of Washington Huskies in the Mackenzie Tour winner’s circle, along with 2013 Mackenzie Tour graduate and 2014 PGA TOUR winner Nick Taylor.

“Nick Taylor, Brock Mackenzie, a lot of [University of Washington] alumni that were here after their collegiate life showed me this is the way to do it, and I just followed their path,” said Pan. “I want to be one of them and I want to compete on the PGA TOUR. I just want to thank them for showing me this path.”

Pan made his professional debut earlier this year at the U.S. Open, where he finished T64. He also played on the PGA TOUR the following week at the Travelers Championship and finished T25.

HUGHES WINS FREEDOM 55 FINANCIAL TOP CANADIAN AWARD

With a total score of 10-under, Dundas, Ont.’s Mackenzie Hughes claimed Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Week honours on Sunday along with a $2,500 prize. Each week, the top Canadian on the leaderboard will earn the award, with the top Canadian on the Order of Merit at season’s end earning the Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year and a $25,000 prize.

Hughes becomes the third member of Team Freedom, which is composed of fellow players Taylor Pendrith, Albin Choi, Adam Svensson and Matt Hill, to win the award this season, joining Pendrith and Choi.

SILVIS, Illinois – Jordan Spieth’s tee shot on the par-5 17th hole landed in the trees.

Spieth’s second shot landed in the fairway.

His third one landed in the hole.

Spieth’s decision to spurn Scotland for the John Deere Classic looks more prescient with each passing round.

Spieth, bolstered by a 106-yard eagle on No. 17, shot a career-best 10-under 61 in the third round Saturday to grab a two-shot lead.

“With some good breaks and really good putting, a round like (Saturday) comes together,” said Spieth, who will go for his third straight major title next week at the British Open.

Spieth was at 17-under 196 after the best round of the tournament since Steve Stricker shot a 60 five years ago. Danny Lee is second after shooting a 62, followed by Shawn Stefani, Justin Thomas and Johnson Wagner at 14 under.

The round was suspended for close to three hours because of two weather-related delays.

The rain made the course even softer than usual, setting the stage for the low scores.

No one took advantage of the favorable conditions more than Spieth, who has done his best to answer the critics who felt he would be better off prepping for the Open Championship in Scotland compared to Illinois.

Spieth got off to a fast start on No. 2, sticking a 260-yard approach within three feet for an eagle.

Spieth’s approach on the par-4 eighth hole came so close to going in that it left a divot on the cup before spinning 10 feet forward. Spieth then converted the birdie putt.

Spieth made three more birdies on par 4s, and he hit a 12-footer on No. 16 to join Lee in first. But it was the next hole that really made Spieth’s day.

He escaped trouble by putting his second shot in the fairway. He then stuck his approach with a sand wedge directly behind the cup, where it spun in to the disbelief of even Spieth – who said he “mishit it.”

“I certainly didn’t think it had a chance to go in. I thought it was going past the hole,” Spieth said.

But as if to prove it wasn’t a fluke, Spieth sent his final tee shot of the round into the trees as well – and still picked up a birdie.

“I had a fist pump on the last shot because walking up after the second shot I said to (caddie) Mike (Greller), `I just saw the board and I think this is for my lowest round that I’ve shot on the PGA Tour,'” Spieth said. “I said that’s pretty cool, and he said (that) it doesn’t matter where you’re at. Just keep on trekking. And I said `Yeah, but I appreciate this and I really want to make this thing.'”

Though overshadowed by Spieth, Lee put himself in position for some history of his own on Sunday.

Lee, who was born in Seoul and raised in New Zealand, picked up his first career win at The Greenbrier Classic just last week. He will try to become the first player since David Duval in 1997 to get his first two PGA Tour wins in back-to-back tournaments.

Lee knows he is a heavy underdog. But Lee hit nine birdies on Saturday and is playing as well as anyone on the tour outside of Spieth.

“All I know is there’s going to be a lot of people watching us,” Lee said. “I think it’s going to be a fun day. I cannot wait.”

LANCASTER, Pa. – Amy Yang is back in the final pairing at the U.S. Women’s Open, and this time she’s prepared for the daunting challenge ahead.

The 25-year-old South Korean beat back all of Stacy Lewis’ challenges in the third round at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, and the day ended as it started: with Yang three strokes ahead of Lewis.

On Sunday, for the third time in four years and fourth time in six, she’ll be in the final group at a U.S. Open. This time, she’ll have a three-stroke cushion over her nearest competitor and plenty of experience to draw on.

“It was good experience, the last two – the final group experience,” she said. “Me and my coach, we prepared. We practiced hard. I’ll go out there and I’ll just do my best, like what I practice.”

Yang shot a 1-under 69 Saturday, the same as Lewis, as the last pair off went toe-to-toe, giving the pairing a match-play feel.

Yang pushed her lead to four strokes at the 13th before Lewis capitalized on a two-stroke swing at the 14th, closing within two. But Lewis’ struggles with putting carried over to the 17th, where she made a three-putt bogey, sending Yang’s advantage back to three.

Yang’s three-day total of 8-under 202 is the second-lowest in championship history behind Julie Inkster’s 201 in 1999. Lewis was at 5-under 205.

On “moving day,” all the action was outside the top two spots.

In Gee Chun, playing in her first U.S. Open, shot a second 2-under 68. The 20-year-old from South Korea is alone in third place at 4-under 206. Japan’s Shiho Oyama is fourth at 3 under after a 71.

Defending champion Michelle Wie played with nagging hip and ankle pain, firing a 68. She is in a four-way tie for fifth at 2-under 208, along with two-time winner Inbee Park (70).

History was made in the third round when South Korea’s Chella Choi shot the first nine-hole score of 29 for the championship. But the 24-year-old missed a three-foot putt on her final hole that would have tied the championship’s single-round scoring record. She settled for a 6-under 64, shooting up the leaderboard into the pack at 2 under.

On Sunday, Yang will again be one of the last to tee off in the U.S. Open. She has been in the last grouping two of the last three years, and in 2010. At Pinehurst No. 2 in 2014, she played with Wie, was overtaken by eventual runner-up Lewis and settled for fourth. In 2012, she finished second to Na Yeon Choi, and placed fifth in 2010.

Lewis, a two-time major winner, figures she needs to solve the slippery, sloping greens of Lancaster Country Club if she’s to overtake Yang.

“It’s just the severity of these greens,” said Lewis, who is tied for 26th with 96 putts over three rounds. “And the moment you do try to hit one of those down the hill, that’s when you knock it five feet by. I don’t think the speed of the greens is that inconsistent; I just think it’s the slope within the greens.”

Chun is enjoying her run through her first U.S. Open. She was paired with two-time champion Karrie Webb on Saturday, saying she was 4 years old when the seven-time major winner turned pro. She offset three bogeys with five birdies in her round to stay in contention, albeit four strokes off the lead.

“Everything I experience here, it is new, completely new,” she said. “So this is an adventure to me. So tomorrow it’s going to be the same thing. Everything is going to be very fun. I just want to be enjoying every bit of the time.”

The hilly course in the heart of Amish country is taking its toll on the hobbled Wie. At one point Saturday, the 25-year-old, four-time winner was kneading her hip and thigh, trying to loosen her muscles.

“I just feel like there’s a knot in it sometimes and just trying to get it to go,” she said.

“Unfortunately it does get a little bit worse. It’s just a pretty hilly golf course. On flat lies, it’s OK. It’s just on the uphill shots,” she said.

Wie, 57th after the opening round, finally got into red numbers with a birdie at the second, but struggled to stay below par on the front nine. She gave a stroke back at the fourth before following consecutive birdies at the sixth and seventh with back-to-back bogeys closing out the side.

She finally got on track on the back side, posting birdies on the 10th, 12th and 13th to reach 3 under. But she gave another stroke back at the 16th and limped in with pars.

Wie is refusing to let the injuries that forced her to withdraw from Kingsmill earlier this year hamper the defense of her major title.

“It was a long day today,” Wie acknowledged. “I’m glad to be done … I’ve played with the pain for a while. I know what to expect, nothing is unexpected.

“I just feel like it’s coming together. I just want to keep the good feelings going and keep improving on them, gaining confidence in my good shots and learn from the bad ones.”

Of the five amateurs who made the cut, Megan Khang has the lowest score at 4-over 214, good for a tie for 37th.

There was a hole-in-one Saturday. Lee Lopez used a 6-iron to ace the 156-yard sixth hole, the 23rd hole-in-one in U.S. Women’s Open history.