The old adage, “practice makes perfect” has fooled many golfers.  How you practice makes a difference.  We all develop habits based on doing something repeatedly, but formed habits can be good or bad.  Many times I have been asked why a player cannot translate time spent on the practice area into results.  Volume is usually not the issue.  If you are dedicated to the game, and want to spend time practicing, I want you to get the most out of your time.  Let’s look at practice in detail and try to make a plan so you can improve every time you practice.  Practice has five core elements:

1. WARM UP
2. MAINTENANCE
3. TECHNICAL AWARENESS
4. TARGET / RESULT AWARENESS
5. REFLECTION

1. Warm up: During your warm up, focus not only on your body, but also on your mind. Tune in to how each stretch or exercise feels and spend longer in areas that need more time. The goal is to prevent injury but also ready yourself to perform your best; that means also being mentally alert.
2. Maintenance can have many meanings. When I talk of maintenance, I am talking about what happens before the shot. Almost every player in the game has certain tendencies – or bad habits – they need to remind themselves of at set up.  It may be your grip, your ball position or your alignment.  Your set up has a tremendous effect on your technique; I want you to gain the benefits from your technical practice because you are consistent in set up.  Write down, or have someone photograph your tendencies in set up, and try to find a way to keep an eye on these positions.
3. Technical awareness. This is the area players spend the majority of their time, but unfortunately without significant improvement. Taking the time to warm up and maintain areas you commonly get a little away from allows your technique to gain traction.  When I think technique I think positions, feelings and reference points. I focus on the feel or the movement and rate myself on how close I got to where I wanted.  Use a scale of 1 to 5 for how close you got to your ideal positions through feel rather than solely the result.  Ideally, each session will have a technical element, but it will be a par t of your practice rather than the sole ingredient.
4. Results. When I talk about results, I talk about learning your tendencies. If I aim at a target and hit 2 0 balls, I w ant to know how many were close, left , right, short, or long.  Every time I do this I want to know more about my game.  This gives me fantastic information I c an use on the course.  Or, if I am not happy with my play, it gives me information to talk to my coach about.  Use this section to test yourself: how many fairways can you hit between two imaginary points?  How many balls c an you land within 20 feet of a target?  Can you hit different shaped shots into a flag?  Record your test results to help guide future course decisions.
5. Reflection. How was your session? After each and every session, ask yourself the following: “If I had that time over again, what would I have done differently?”  It may be that you did not warm up consciously, something within your maintenance felt a little strange or within the results section you focused on technique instead of just performing the task.  Something always crops up.  Use this information and write notes to guide your next session.  Driving to and from practice you should know exactly what you are going to work on and how you are doing afterwards.

Remember, how you spend your time forms habits.  If you can warm up, be consistent in set up, practice technique and know more about your game each time you practice you will form the type of habits that produce results.  Perfection is unattainable in golf but consistently paying attention and doing the right things allows you to gain the best results more often.  Practice, after all, should make a permanent improvement.

CALGARY—Three of golf’s top stars, and most colourful characters, are the first three players to book their tickets to Calgary this summer to compete in the third annual Shaw Charity Classic August 5-9, 2015.

Mark O’Meara, who will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in July, will make this third appearance at the Shaw Charity Classic. Calgary golf fans will also welcome Welshman Ian Woosnam and American Peter Jacobsen to the fairways at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club for the first time this year.

“The Shaw Charity Classic remains committed to improving our field and event experience each year. Mark is one of the hottest players on Tour this year, and having Ian and Peter in Calgary for the first time helps us achieve that goal,” said Sean Van Kesteren, tournament director, Shaw Charity Classic. “These three names are synonymous with the greatest golf names in the world, and I can’t think of a better way to officially kick off the golf season here in Calgary then by adding these international stars to our field.”

One of the most popular figures in international golf, O’Meara is off to a strong start in 2015. The two-time major winner has three top-five finishes on the Champions Tour this year and was the top player over 50 at the Masters where he placed T22. A winner of 16 victories on the PGA TOUR, O’Meara has won twice on The Champions Tour including one major in 2010 – the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship

“There is still a tremendous buzz on Tour about the success of the Shaw Charity Classic. Calgary is a wonderful place, an incredible city. I love the Rockies and I’m excited to return this year,” said O’Meara. “The crowds are so enthusiastic that come out and support this event in Canada. I know all the players are excited to have the opportunity to come there and play, and I hope the fans will come out and support us again.”

O’Meara will be joined by two first-timers to Calgary.

Former European Ryder Cup Captain, Ian Woosnam, will make his first trip to the Stampede City. Woosie, who won his first Champions Tour title earlier this month at the Insperity Invitational, brings an impressive resume with him to Calgary. The Wee Welshman, who was recognized as one of Europe’s ‘Big 5’ with Ballesteros, Faldo, Langer and Lyle who dominated world golf in the 1980’s and 1990’s, has racked up 48 victories worldwide including the 1991 Masters. A two-time winner on the PGA TOUR, Woosnam was a member of nine European Ryder Cup Teams, Vice-Captain of the 2002 winning squad, and also Captained the Europeans to victory in 2006.

“I have had a goal to play more in America and get into the top-30 so it was nice to get the win in Houston,” said Woosnam. “I knew my game was coming around. I have played some great golf and I was fortunate to hole that long putt on the first playoff hole, and now be exempt for the next year. I’m excited to build on this success and have a shot at getting my first win in Canada.”

Another Calgary first-timer will be Peter Jacobsen. One of the most humerous characters on the Champions Tour, Jacobsen was a member of two American Ryder Cup teams who captured seven victories on the PGA TOUR. His last PGA TOUR win came in 2003 at the Greater Hartford Open when he was 49. Since turning 50, Jacobsen won the U.S. Senior Open during his rookie season. He backed that up with a win at the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship the following year. One of the most colourful characters on Tour, Jacobsen regularly entertains fans with his impressions of other players. A self-taught guitarist, he is also known to keep galleries laughing with his comical stories.

The Shaw Charity Classic is giving one lucky fan – and three friends – the chance to feel like a professional golfer for just one day. Canadian golfers who record a hole-in-one during the 2015 contest period must register through the tournament web site at www.shawcharityclassic.com for a chance to win the grand prize. The hole-in-one must be attested by the golf facility’s general manager, chief operating officer, club president, head professional or director of golf. Participants between the ages of 13 and 18 must also have parental consent. The Shaw Charity Classic will aim to profile each hole-in-one on its social media platforms.

Some of the greatest names in the game will play for a purse of $2.35 million, an increase of $100,000, when they return to Calgary’s Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club for a third straight year. Tickets and corporate packages for the Shaw Charity Classic are available online at www.shawcharityclassic.com. Youth 17 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult.

Athletes from the country’s top university and college golf teams will put their games to the test at Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ont., from May 25-29 for the 13th playing of the Canadian University/ College Championship.

Conducted by Golf Canada, the Championship was created to provide an opportunity for Canada’s best university and college golfers to compete in a national event. This tournament also serves as a qualifier for the 2015 World University Golf Championship. The global competition will be played between July 8-11 in Gwangju, South Korea.

The University of Guelph Gryphons will play host to this year’s event for the first time at their home club of Cutten Fields located in downtown Guelph, Ont. Established in 1931, Cutten Fields is a Stanley Thompson design recognized for its changes in elevation that provide scenic views to golfers. While adding to the course’s natural beauty, the hills and valleys also thoroughly test competitors with uneven lies in the fairways and challenging putts on the contoured greens.

“As the home of the University of Guelph Gryphons, Cutten Fields is honoured to be hosting this championship,” commented Steve Bryant, Director of Golf for Cutten Fields. “Our membership is extremely proud to share the history and legacy of Cutten with the Canadian golf community. We are thrilled at the opportunity to showcase our course to the best university and college students in the country.”

The 72-hole stroke play competition will feature 20 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams from universities and colleges across the country. These athletes will be competing for both team and individual honours. Following the third round, the field will be reduced to the top 10 men’s teams and the top six women’s teams; in addition, any individuals within 15 shots of the lead will move on to the final round.

“The Canadian University/ College Championship is a great stage to display the talented athletes playing collegiate golf in Canada,” said Tournament Director Russell MacKay. “These student athletes will proudly represent themselves and their schools as they battle for the right of representing their country in South Korea this summer.”

The University of Manitoba Bisons men’s team is looking to defend its national title. In 2014, the Bisons won by 12 strokes on home soil at Southwood Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg, Man. Returning players from the winning squad include Charlie Boyechko, Brodie Gobin and Scott Mazur.

In individual play, University of British Columbia Thunderbird Scott Secord went wire-to-wire to claim victory. He will be in the field this year to defend his title and assist his teammates in their quest to improve upon their runner-up finish from 2014.

His fellow Thunderbirds on the women’s side have their sights set on defending their 2014 win. Winnie Hyun and Kat Kennedy will return for the Thunderbirds in an attempt to capture the university’s 11th national women’s title in this competition.

Megan Woodland – now graduated after having completed her studies at the University of Victoria – won the 2014 women’s individual title.

The following teams will be competing in the 2015 Canadian University/ College Championship. Additional information on the tournament and full team rosters are available here.

Men’s Teams:
University of Manitoba Bisons
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds
University of Victoria Vikes
University of Calgary Dinos
University of Alberta Golden Bears
University of Waterloo Warriors
University of Ottawa Gee Gee’s
Brock University Badgers
Western University Mustangs
University of Toronto Varsity Blues
University of Ontario Institute of Technology Ridgebacks
Queen’s University Gaels
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades
Humber College Hawks
Université Laval Rouge et Or
Université de Montréal Carabins
Concordia University Stingers
École de technologie supérieure Piranhas
University of Guelph Gryphons
Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks

Women’s Teams:
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds
University of Victoria Vikes
University of Alberta Pandas
University of Toronto Varsity Blues
University of Waterloo Warriors
Western University Mustangs
Queen’s University Gaels
McMaster Marauders
Université de Montréal Carabins
Université Laval Rouge et Or
St. Clair College Saints
University of Guelph Gryphons

Canadian Amateur Christina Foster of Concord, Ont., has qualified for this year’s U.S. Women’s Open hosted at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, Pa., July 9-12.

The 19-year-old stamped her ticket to the major championship with a two-round score of 145 at her sectional qualifier on Monday held at the Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette, Ill. Foster’s score gave her a one shot edge as she beat out the competition to claim one of two spots.

The golfer’s best finish came at the GAO – Women’s Match Play Championship, when she was runner up to Robyn Doig.

Foster joins fellow Canadian Brooke Henderson, as the only Canucks in the field to date. There are sectional qualifiers running until June 15^th.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – When Rory McIlroy rolled in an 8-foot birdie putt on the 13th hole, he started thinking about shooting 59.

He didn’t quite get there Saturday, settling for an 11-under 61 to break the Quail Hollow record and take a four-shot lead in the Wells Fargo Championship.

After making nine birdies in a 10-hole stretch, the top-ranked McIlroy pushed his 7-iron on the par-3 17th hole to the right side of the green 40 feet from the cup. He settled for par and the dream was dashed.

“I was little disappointed with not finishing it off the way I wanted to, but still it was a great run,” McIlroy said.

It was McIlroy’s best round on the PGA Tour, but not his best ever.

He said he had a putt for 59 on the 18th hole at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Florida, leading up to the Masters, but missed it.

“I left it short,” McIlroy said with a laugh.

He didn’t leave much short Saturday.

He started the balmy afternoon three shots behind Webb Simpson and Robert Streb.

But after two pars to start the day made five birdies on the front nine for a 31. He didn’t let up on the back, birdieing six of the first seven holes.

McIlroy had a sense early on this could be his day to go low after he saw Justin Thomas shoot a 65 and a few others go low in the morning.

“I knew that there were scores out there to be had – and I got a little more aggressive,” McIlroy said.

That included driving the green on the 345-yard, par-4 14th hole for the fourth time in his career – more than any player in tournament history.

“I feel like it’s one of these courses I can get on a roll with,” McIlroy said.

McIlroy is looking to become the first two-time winner of the event. At 18-under 198, he’s on pace to shatter the tournament record of 16 under set by Anthony Kim in 2008.

McIlroy said the Quail Hollow course sets up perfectly for him, which is why he decided to play the event after some debate.

He set the previous course record of 62 in the final round of his 2010 Wells Fargo victory, and Brendon de Jonge matched it last year.

“It’s funny that it has happened here again,” McIlroy said.

Simpson was second after three rounds, four strokes back after a 68. Streb shot a 71 and was seven shots behind heading into the final round on Sunday.

Phil Mickelson was playing well before a triple bogey on the 18th hole, which has become his nemesis. That dropped Mickelson to 71 on the day and left him 10 shots behind McIlroy and out of contention for a tournament he has never won.

Mickelson double bogeyed the 18th hole Thursday.

When asked what he took away from McIlroy’s round, playing partner Will MacKenzie said: “That he’s way better than me at golf.”

“It’s going to be tough to beat him,” MacKenzie said. “I’m glad that he doesn’t play every week. I mean that guy, he’s just – he’s head and shoulders above me.”

McIlroy’s run proved to be a bit demoralizing for the competition.

Simpson looked up at the scoreboard after his own birdie at 13 figuring he was tied for the lead, only to learn he was three shots back.

“I gave that look like, `Oh, really – on this golf course?'” Simpson said.

Six players have shot 59 in official PGA Tour events. Al Geiberger did it in the 1977 Memphis Classic, Chip Beck in the 1991 Las Vegas Invitational, David Duval in the final round of his 1999 victory in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Paul Goydos in the 2010 John Deere Classic, Stuart Appleby in the 2010 Greenbrier Classic and Jim Furyk in the 2013 BMW Championship.

Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa shot the lowest round on a major tour, a 12-under 58 to win the 2010 Crowns on the Japan Tour.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – France’s Perrine Delacour took advantage of Alison Lee’s late two-hole meltdown to take the third-round lead Saturday in the Kingsmill Championship.

The 21-year-old Delacour birdied three of the final five holes for a 4-under 67. She had an 11-under 202 total on Kingsmill Resort’s River Course.

“I think tomorrow I will be nervous because that’s the first time in the lead,” Delacour said. “So, I’m going to be nervous, but I’ll try to do my best and we’ll see after 18 holes.”

She’s comfortable on the River Course.

“It’s good,” said Delacour, winless in 19 career starts in two seasons on the LPGA Tour. “Pretty similar to European golf courses. It’s good for my game.”

After opening a four-stroke lead, the 20-year-old Lee dropped back with a bogey on the par-4 16th and a four-putt double bogey on the par-3 17th. She finished with a 70, leaving her a stroke behind.

“Poor putting. That was a huge mistake,” Lee said. “That first putt, I didn’t think I would leave it that short. The second putt, I thought it would break right to left. I hit a really firm stroke, felt confident, and ended up breaking to the right and I had a poor putt coming back.”

Still a student at UCLA after turning pro in December, Lee tied for fourth in the Kia Classic in March in California and has three top-25 finishes.

“I’m not too disappointed with my round,” Lee said. “Obviously I am disappointed with those two holes, and definitely affects where I am in position going into tomorrow. I mean, one stroke is a lot out here, and unfortunately I lost two strokes on this hole. Just need to go into tomorrow with confidence and remind myself I’m hitting it well and not think about that hole or putt too much.”

Delacour birdied Nos. 14, 16 and 18 to take the lead.

Paula Creamer, So Yeon Ryu and Minjee Lee were 9 under. Creamer shot 66, Ryu 68, and Minjee Lee 69.

“It was kind of a grind,” Minjee Lee said. “I mean, I didn’t really stuff it up and just play amazing golf. I was just kind of in between. I had a good couple birdies and I had good scrambles.”

Lexi Thompson was 8 under after a 67.

Kelly Tan had a 64, the best round of the week, to move into a tie for 11th at 6 under. She had seven birdies in her bogey-free round.

“My putter was just so hot,” Tan said. “I was hitting my iron shots really good, too. This is a great golf course. Tough to really stick the ball really close to the hole, so I mean, I get a lot of 15-, 20- footers and even 10-footers, and I just didn’t seem to miss them.”

Top-ranked Lydia Ko was tied for 20th at 3 under after a 70.

Youngster Brooke Henderson shot a round of 74 today, placing her 12 shots back of Delacour.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The 18-round battle between Jeff Maggert and Kevin Sutherland ended with dueling putts in a sudden downpour.

Round 18 went to Maggert.

He birdied the final two holes for a 4-under 68 and sole possession of the lead Saturday after the third round of the Champions Tour’s Regions Tradition. Finishing in heavy rain, Maggert reached 14 under after entering the day tied for the top spot with Sutherland at Shoal Creek. Sutherland was left a stroke back when his birdie attempt on No. 18 was short by a couple of inches to set up a tap-in for a 69 under the driving rain.

Both had huddled under umbrellas with their caddies on the suddenly wet green.

“That green, I think, slowed up a little bit,” Maggert said. “Kevin had a really good putt and it just rolled up a little bit short of the hole. If the water hadn’t been on the green, he probably would have made that one. Mine just ran out of gas right on the front in and dropped in.”

Sutherland was alone at the top until a bogey on No. 16 brought him even with Maggert, who had a bogey-free round. Both birdied No. 17.

It’s the lowest 54-hole total in the tournament since Brad Bryant entered the final round at 15-under.

Fred Funk was third at 18 under after a 67. He won the tournament in 2008 and 2010 and nearly closed the gap further on No. 18, grimacing after a near-miss for birdie. Only Jack Nicklaus has won the Tradition more than twice, winning four times.

Maggert is seeking his second win on the Champions Tour. No second-round leader has won the Tradition since Tom Watson in 2003.

He hit a 90-yard wedge shot to a foot on 17. For the second straight day, he set up a birdie from the fairway bunker on 18, this time making about a 12-footer.

“I made some nice par-saving putts,” Maggert said. “I didn’t make a lot of birdies until the end. I was just trying to hang around, be patient. Kevin had a 1-2 shot lead on me most of the day and I just didn’t want him to run away from me too far. “

Seeking his first win on the 50-and-over tour, Sutherland was even-par through seven holes before starting rolling with back-to-back long birdie putts – about 20 feet on No. 8 and 45 feet on the next hole. He had a run of three birdies in four holes starting on No. 8 and wasn’t sweating the ever-so-close last putt.

“I’m not going to lose any sleep over it,” Sutherland said. “It would have been nice to hit it a little bit harder.”

His best Champions Tour finish was a second-place tie at Mississippi in March.

Jeff Hart and Gene Sauers both had 68s to finish five strokes back. Bernhard Langer (70), Tom Pernice Jr. (68) and defending champion Kenny Perry (70) are 7 under.

Funk had three birdies in a four-hole stretch on the first nine holes and birdied three of five holes during another hot streak.

He had been slumping with finishes of 38th, 30th and 59th in his last three Champions Tour tournaments after missing two-plus months starting in February with tendinitis in his left elbow. Funk said he spent about $20,000 on what he described as a magnetic pulse machine that helped speed his return.

“It’s already paid for itself just by getting out here,” he said.

“It is exciting and fun to be back in contention,” Funk said. “I hated watching these guys on TV because I wanted to be out here, and I watched every one of them.”

John Huston, who was sidelined for nearly 18 months with a nerve disorder in his neck, shot a bogey-free 65. He was tied for 10th at 5 under.

TERRASA, Spain – English duo James Morrison and David Howell shared a two-shot lead Saturday after the third round of the Spanish Open.

Morrison carded a 4-under 68 while Howell shot 69 to leave both on a total of 7-under 209 entering Sunday’s final round at the Real Club de Golf El Prat.

Morrison recovered from a double bogey on the second hole by making seven birdies the rest of the way, with one bogey.

“It’s been three very silly days,” Morrison said. “The first day I was 3 over after five holes and today made a seven at the second out of nowhere and fought my way back again. It’s what you’ve got to do really. It takes one good shot to get back in it.”

Howell also double bogeyed the eighth hole but hit seven birdies along with two bogeys.

Francesco Molinari could have joined them atop the leaderboard if not for a double bogey on the 17th, which left the Italian two strokes back after a 70.

Overnight leader Edouard Espana slumped to a 76 that included a double bogey and three bogeys, falling four shots off the pace in sixth place.

Sergio Garcia climbed to a tie for seventh after a 67, while defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez (72) was another stroke back.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Webb Simpson a calé deux approches coupées pour des oiselets lors d’une ronde de 67 (moins-5), vendredi, et il partage la tête avec Robert Streb après deux rondes au Championnat Wells Fargo.

Streb a remis une carte de 69 afin de rattraper Simpson à moins-10 après 36 trous à Quail Hollow.

Simpson sait toutefois qu’il aura besoin de nombreux autres bons coups au cours du week-end afin de l’emporter, puisque plusieurs gros noms du golf suivent pas très loin derrière.

Le golfeur no 1 au monde Rory McIlroy et Phil Mickelson accusent trois coups de retard sur les meneurs. Mickelson a joué une ronde de 66 et McIlroy, 67. Martin Flores et Patrick Rodgers partagent le troisième rang à moins-8.

Simpson, qui habite à Charlotte, a envoyé son approche à partir du côté droit du vert dans la coupe au neuvième trou, une normale-4. Il a répété l’exploit au 17e trou, une normale-3, afin de passer en tête.

Les six Canadiens en lice – David Hearn, Nick Taylor, Corey Conners, Adam Hadwin, Roger Sloan et Mike Weir – n’ont pas été en mesure de respecter le seuil de qualification pour les rondes du week-end.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Webb Simpson has plenty of hometown knowledge when it comes to playing Quail Hollow Club.

He might need every bit of it if he hopes to hold off Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson this weekend.

Simpson chipped in twice for birdie and shot a 5-under 67 for a share of the second-round lead with Robert Streb in the Wells Fargo Championship. Streb had a 69 to match Simpson at 10-under 134.

“Playing here quite often, I know where the best places are to miss (the green),” said Simpson, who lives in Charlotte and has played the course countless times.

Simpson knows it will take a lot more big shots over the weekend to win with some of golf’s top names lurking behind him.

McIlroy and Mickelson were three shots back. Mickelson had a 66, and McIlroy matched Simpson’s 67.

Martin Flores and Patrick Rodgers were tied for third at 8 under.

“I know I have to make birdies,” Simpson said.

Mickelson made seven Friday.

One day after joking that he “turned a 66 into a 71” in the opening round with some missed opportunities, Mickelson got his 66.

“Right now nobody is turning 66s into 71s better than me,” Mickelson joked, so it’s nice to finally shoot that 66 and get the score that reflects the way I feel I’m playing.”

Mickelson thought he didn’t play all that bad last week, but still missed the cut at The Players Championship. He appears to be back in a big way.

McIlroy was on his game, too.

The world’s top-ranked player said his focus Friday was on eliminating mistakes after an up-and-down 70 the day before. He did just that, posting five birdies and no bogeys. He was never in any real danger of making bogey in what he called a “stress-free round.”

“Anytime you can play a round of golf with no bogeys you’re doing something right,” said McIlroy, who won the 2010 event for his first PGA Tour victory.

McIlroy rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt on the first hole to gain some early momentum. He went on to hit 14 of 18 greens in regulation with 29 putts.

With four top-10 finishes in six events this year, McIlroy’s confidence keeps growing. He said his biggest strength now is his patience, understanding that he doesn’t have to go for every birdie opportunity.

“Just knowing from experience what a good score is and (that) sometimes, if it’s just not happening, you’re not losing any ground,” McIlroy said. “I felt like I could have shot 63 or 64, but realizing that 67 is still a good score and puts me in position going into the weekend.”

The biggest surprise high on the leaderboard is the 22-year-old Rodgers, a regular on the Web.com Tour who is playing on a sponsor’s exemption. He ranks 333rd in the world and has never finished in the top 25 on the PGA Tour.

That clearly didn’t affect his confidence.

Rodgers, who played at Stanford, rents a house with Jordan Spieth in Jupiter, Florida. He plays golf with the Masters champion regularly at The Bear’s Club. He said being around one of the best golfer’s in the world is making him better.

“The young guys are ready to come out here and win,” Rodgers said. “I feel no different. I feel really prepared. That’s why I turned professional. I’m excited to get in the mix this weekend.”

Flores is in the mix too for the second straight year.

He shared the lead at the midway point of the Wells Fargo Championship last year with Angel Cabrera and turned in a career-best third place finish. He shot 67 on Friday.

“Certain courses kind of fit your eye,” Flores said. “This is one of them.”

Simpson’s eye was just fine, too.

He chipped in on the par-4 ninth hole from the right side of the green, then duplicated the feat on the difficult par-3 17th hole to move into a tie for the lead when Streb stumbled on No. 16 and recorded his only bogey of the tournament.

But the shot of the day belonged to Colt Knost, who had a hole-in-one on the difficult 227-yard 17th hole. Knost knocked his tee shot over the water and it rolled 30 feet to the hole, hitting the flag stick and fell in.

He grabbed the ball out of the cup, turned and lobbed it into the cheering gallery.

He was right on the cut line, but the eagle there and a birdie on the 18th earned him an opportunity to stick around for the weekend.

The tournament was not so kind to some former Wells Fargo champions as J.B. Holmes, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh and Derek Ernst all failed to make the cut.

Canada’s David Hearn, Nick Taylor, Corey Conners, Adam Hadwin, Roger Sloan and Mike Weir also missed the cut.