DUBLIN, Ohio –

A trio of Canadians are near the top of the leaderboard following the opening round of the PGA Tour’s Workday Charity Open on Thursday.

Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., posted the highest score among Canadian golfers with a 6-under 66. He’s one stroke behind leader Collin Morikawa who shot a 7-under 65.

Nick Taylor, also of Abbotsford, was in a group of four golfers two shots behind back at 5 under, while Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C. shot a 4-under 68 Thursday. He is in an 11-way tie for seventh place.

Taylor is playing in his first tournament on tour since the PGA restarted last month during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hadwin, who shot his eighth consecutive round in the 60s, is coming off a tie for fourth last week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit.

Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., shot 2-under 70, while David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., carded a 71.

Hadwin bogeyed his first hole before reeling off seven birdies.

“Even the first two weeks back, I felt like I played some pretty decent golf. I just kind of made some rusty mistakes,” Hadwin said.

“I’d hit a ball out of bounds or in the water where I shouldn’t have or maybe try to get too much out of a shot, whereas I think last week it kind of came together. I was doing a lot of the similar things, but I didn’t make any of the mistakes. I felt like there were times where last week where I probably could have gotten a few more shots, but I really didn’t have any risk. It was kind of a free-flowing easy type round and just not a lot of stress. When you can do that through multiple weeks, it helps a lot.”

Taylor took time off as the tour restarted to be with his eight-month-old son.

“Obviously the break was great timing for a lot of reasons … Have a bit of a cushion, take some more time off, I just really enjoyed being home, so just waiting an extra few weeks, (it) was great to be home,” Taylor said. “Yeah, I’m excited to get back out here and play, but it was nice to be home.”

Chemical Engineering major and Canadian LPGA Tour golfer Brittany Marchand offers up a home schooling lesson on the science behind the golf swing.

Stuart Macdonald wasn’t quite sure what Golf Canada’s Derek Ingram wanted to talk about when he was called up to his hotel room in early January, but the men’s head coach was direct as soon as the conversation got going.

Ingram told Macdonald that he should fly out of Golf Canada’s training camp in Phoenix for the Monday qualifier at The Club at Weston Hills in Miami to try and enter the field for the Korn Ferry Tour’s Panama Championship, a sentiment echoed by fellow Canadian golfer Taylor Pendrith.

Macdonald made the trip and earned one of the two spots to play in Panama. He tied for 42nd in that tournament and has since played in the El Bosque Mexico Championship, the Utah Championship and last week’s TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes.

“If I didn’t Monday qualify for Panama and then get in and make a cut there who knows where I’d be right now,” said Macdonald, who will be playing in this week’s TPC San Antonio Challenge at the Canyons in Texas. “I’d probably be playing some mini-tour somewhere.”

Macdonald’s original plan for the season, before being redirected by Ingram, was to return to the PGA Tour China, which was scheduled to begin in March but has had its season derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ingram said Macdonald’s plans for 2020 had been on his mind for days before he actual sat the 25-year-old from Vancouver down for that fateful talk.

“I was thinking to myself ‘here’s a guy who can do it, he’s good enough,’ and yeah, there’s only four guys that can make the tournament out of 150 but, why not you?” said Ingram.

“I just sat him in my hotel room at our training camp in January and said ‘I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t be playing in that.”’

Macdonald is currently ranked 139th on the Korn Ferry Tour and was encouraged when he tied for 28th at the Utah Championship at the end of June. He’ll be joined by Pendrith, from Richmond Hill, Ont., Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., and Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., in San Antonio this week and next – the TPC San Antonio club will host back-to-back tournaments on different courses.

Because of the golf season being suspended for several months by the global pandemic, the PGA Tour has determined that all players’ statuses, including Macdonald’s conditional status, will carry over until 2021, effectively giving him 18 months to qualify for either a full Korn Ferry Tour card or even make the PGA Tour.

`It’s really nice to think that I’ve got another 20-something events to do what I want to do and have a chance to work hard.” said Macdonald. “It’s a bit of relief because there’s so many guys right now that may be playing great golf but if you’re not playing on a PGA Tour sanctioned tour it’s not really getting you anywhere.”

As far as Ingram is concerned, there’s no reason why Macdonald won’t be able to succeed at the highest levels of professional golf.

“Ultimately, I see Stuart Macdonald as a PGA Tour player,” said Ingram, recalling the conversation in the hotel room. “You’re good enough to Monday qualify, to make cuts, and reshuffle, and make this tour full time.”

If it seems like it’s been harder to get a tee time this summer, it’s not just your imagination.

Golf Canada reports that there were 17 per cent more scores registered with the national sport body this June compared to the same month last year. A total of 1,483,506 rounds were submitted to Golf Canada’s handicap calculator last month compared to 1,271,782 in June 2019.

“It was a pretty big jump from last year, comparing 2019 numbers to this year,” said Adam Helmer, senior director of golf services for Golf Canada, on Wednesday. “We were expecting that as golf has emerged as one of the safest activities, where people can be physically distant and we’ve reduced touchpoints.”

 

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What a month CANADA! June 2020 was the greatest month of scores posted to the Golf Canada Score Centre in recorded history ? Special thanks to all golfers, member clubs and operators for accomplishing this while keeping everybody safe. Here’s to beating this number in July – go low Canada! ??

A post shared by Laurence Applebaum (@laurence.applebaum) on Jul 14, 2020 at 7:44pm PDT

The surge in June ended a streak of three months when recreational rounds played in Canada dropped precipitously due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As restrictions were lifted across the country in May, the number of scores registered increased.

In May, 165,026 rounds were registered between the 1st and the 15th but 265,480 scores were submitted in the final two weeks of that month. The May 1-15 numbers are a nearly 40 per cent drop from the same period in 2019 (211,809) but the May 16-30 numbers are just five per cent lower than last year (269,266).

Helmer said he expects the number of rounds submitted to Golf Canada to continue to climb through July and into August.

“We’ve heard anecdotally that a lot of newcomers have joined the sport, especially now that school is done we’re going to see an increase in juniors too. We think the trend is going to continue,” said Helmer. “Golf has seen a pretty big lift and it’s emerged as the sport of the summer.”

The upward trend comes even as Golf Canada had to cancel all of its amateur and professional championships due to travel restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

A shift in how scores are registered has also been seen, with most recreational players entering their scores online instead of in the course’s clubhouse or pro shop, which have largely been closed this summer because of physical distancing protocols.

Golf Canada plans to launch an updated version of its scoring app later this month, helping to keep players physically distant and improve their game.

The PGA of America, Ryder Cup Europe and the PGA TOUR jointly announced today that both the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup have been rescheduled and will now be played one year later than originally planned.

The 43rd Ryder Cup, scheduled for September 22-27, at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, has been rescheduled for September 21-26, 2021.

Likewise, the Presidents Cup, initially slated for September 30-October 3, 2021, at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, will now be played September 19-25, 2022.

The decision to reschedule the Ryder Cup was based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in conjunction with the state of Wisconsin and Sheboygan County, with the health and well-being of all involved as the top priority.

“Unlike other major sporting events that are played in existing stadiums, we had to make a decision now about building facilities to host the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “It became clear that as of today, our medical experts and the public authorities in Wisconsin could not give us certainty that conducting an event responsibly with thousands of spectators in September would be possible. Given that uncertainty, we knew rescheduling was the right call. We are grateful to PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan and our partners at the TOUR for their flexibility and generosity in the complex task of shifting the global golf calendar.

“As disappointing as this is, our mandate to do all we can to safeguard public health is what matters most. The spectators who support both the U.S. and European sides are what make the Ryder Cup such a unique and compelling event and playing without them was not a realistic option. We stand united with our partners from Ryder Cup Europe, the NBC Sports Group, Sky and our other broadcast partners around the world. We look forward to delivering the Ryder Cup’s renowned pageantry, emotion and competitive drama to a global audience in 2021.”

Guy Kinnings, Europe’s Ryder Cup Director, said: “The Ryder Cup is rightly celebrated as one of the world’s greatest sporting occasions, made special and totally unique in our sport by the fervent atmosphere created by the passionate spectators of both sides.

“While that point is significant, it is not as important as the health of the spectators which, in these difficult times, is always the main consideration. We considered all options including playing with a limited attendance but all our stakeholders agreed this would dilute the magic of this great occasion.

“We therefore stand beside our partners at the PGA of America in the decision to postpone the Ryder Cup for a year and join with them in extending our thanks to the PGA TOUR for their willingness to move the dates of the Presidents Cup.

“We also thank NBC, Sky and our many broadcast partners around the globe, in addition to the worldwide partners of this great event, whose support and commitment are second to none.”

With the decision to play the 2020 Ryder Cup in September 2021, all subsequent Ryder Cups after Whistling Straits will also shift to odd years: 2023/Marco Simone Golf and Country Club (Rome, Italy); 2025/Bethpage Black (Farmingdale, New York); 2027/Adare Manor (County Limerick, Ireland); 2029/Hazeltine National Golf Club (Chaska, Minnesota); 2031/Europe (to be determined); 2033/The Olympic Club (San Francisco); 2035/Europe (to be determined); 2037/Congressional Country Club (Bethesda, Maryland).

With the momentum of the successful 2019 Presidents Cup played in Melbourne, Australia, the 14th playing of the Presidents Cup will now be hosted for the first time in the Southeast United States at Quail Hollow Club in 2022.

“These two premier international team events are lifted by the spirit of the fans,” said Monahan. “With the uncertainty of the current climate, we fully support the Ryder Cup’s decision to delay a year in order to ensure fans could be a part of the incredible atmosphere in Wisconsin, and the delay of this year’s Presidents Cup was the right decision in order to allow for that option. We are thankful that our global partners, our friends at Quail Hollow Club, our long-time annual title sponsor in Charlotte and all associated with the Presidents Cup and the Junior Presidents Cup have approached this change with a unified, positive spirit. We are confident the move will give us even more runway as we bring the Presidents Cup to Charlotte in 2022.”

Additionally, as a result of the Presidents Cup date change, the Wells Fargo Championship will be played at its traditional venue at Quail Hollow Club in 2021, at TPC Potomac in 2022 during the Presidents Cup year and will return to Quail Hollow in 2023. Presidents Cup 2022 qualifying will be determined at a later date.

The Ryder Cup, which began in 1927, brings together the finest tour professionals from the United States and Europe.

“While it is disappointing that the Ryder Cup won’t be played this year, the decision to reschedule is the right thing to do under the circumstances,” said U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker. “At the end of the day, we want to stage a Ryder Cup that will rival all other Ryder Cups in my home state of Wisconsin, and now we have the opportunity to showcase the event as it was meant to be seen.”

Pádraig Harrington, Captain of the European Ryder Cup Team, said: “Rescheduling the Ryder Cup was never going to be an easy decision given the many factors to take into consideration. But I believe it is the right assessment given the unprecedented circumstances we are facing at this time.

“When you think of the Ryder Cup you think of the distinctive atmosphere generated by the spectators, such as around the first tee at Le Golf National two years ago. If that cannot be responsibly recreated at Whistling Straits in September, then it is correct that we all wait until it can be.

“I know, right now, that September 2021 feels like a long time away. But it will come around quickly and I guarantee that the European players and I will be ready when it does.”

For Ryder Cup qualifying, both the United States and European teams will revisit their respective selection processes in the near future.

In a corresponding decision, the PGA of America and Ryder Cup Europe also announced that the Junior Ryder Cup will be rescheduled for September 20-21, 2021 at Blue Mound Golf & Country Club in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. It was originally scheduled for September 21-22, 2020.

Master Craftsman Bob Vokey’s long-trusted T Grind – an original Vokey grind still in the bags of many tour players including Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas – is now available through WedgeWorks.

Inspired by Vokey’s work with one of the game’s all-time best wedge players, the T Grind was designed for great hands and a vivid short-game imagination. Available in 58º and 60º lofts, it is ideal for a shallow angle of attack in firm conditions, with low bounce and a narrow crescent surface. Compared to Vokey’s L grind, it has a wider back flange which allows for lower measured bounce.

“Wedge play is an art, and the T Grind brings out the best in the artist,” Vokey said.

“The leading edge stays low to the playing surface as the wedge is rotated which allows you to hit a variety of shots from tight lies. This is the wedge that really made Vokey Grinds an important part of our process – and still to this day is a great option.”

T GRIND ON TOUR

Both Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas have recently added Vokey T Grind lob wedges to their setups. Spieth first used the T Grind during his college career. At last season’s Players Championship, Spieth asked Vokey PGA Tour Rep Aaron Dill to build him a 60-degree T Grind – and it has stayed in the bag ever since. Justin Thomas tested a series of low-bounce options leading up to the 2019 Presidents Cup, ultimately deciding the T Grind best fit the conditions and his game at Royal Melbourne. He now keeps a 60T in his travel bag and selects either the T Grind or a low-bounce K Grind based on the week, course and conditions.

The T Grind continues to grow in popularity on tour, especially in Europe where players are more often faced with links-style conditions.

Said Will Harvey, Vokey’s European Tour Rep: “I’ve had players say they feel like they can hit any shot with the T – the combination of the forward bounce for low pitch shots and the grind for the soft control shots is something needed with the vast amount of shots required on links or firmer course set ups.”

SM8 TECHNOLOGY

WedgeWorks T Grind wedges are designed with the same advanced technologies that have made Vokey Design SM8 wedges the #1 wedge on tour:

• Reimagined Progressive CG is pushed forward from the face for increased MOI – producing improved distance and trajectory control, better feel and a club face that simply wants to square up at impact for more consistent results. To achieve this in the T Grind and all SM8 lob wedges, Vokey’s team lengthened the hosels and counterbalanced that weight with high-density tungsten low in the toe.

• 100% Inspected Spin Milled Grooves are cut with a level of precision that is unique by finish, producing maximum spin and shot control. Micro-grooves are individually cut in between grooves, which maximize spin on partial shots. A proprietary heat treatment is applied to the impact area to double the durability of the groove without impacting feel – making it the most durable groove in golf.

ADVANCED PERSONALIZATION AND CUSTOM OPTIONS

Consistent with SM8, the T Grind features a modern, clean look, which also provides a big canvas for customization. Inspired by Aaron Dill (@VokeyWedgeRep), the WedgeWorks custom options are expanded to include:

• Six unique toe engravings;
• Expanded stamping options: 10-character Straight/Freestyle; 15 characters around toe; 5-character staircase style; and
• Custom paint-filled Loft and Grind markings and BV Wings logo.
• Hand Grinds: Raw finishes can be hand ground to exact specs, including both performance grinds and profile adjustments – a true tour van experience.

SM8 wedges can also be custom ordered with an industry-leading selection of shafts, grips, shaft bands and ferrules. For a complete list of options, visit Vokey.com.

LOFTS, FINISHES & AVAILABILITY

The WedgeWorks T Grind will be available for custom order in golf shops and on Vokey.com in both 58° and 60° lofts in Tour Chrome and Raw finishes. RH only. Price ($269) includes custom stamping, custom ferrule and custom shaft band.

Something strange happened on the way to this article.

The original theme was to explore how Canadian courses are dealing with the myriad of challenges reopening in the midst of a pandemic.

Chatting with course managers, I heard the usual explanations of sending carts out with just one rider, physical distancing at all times, F&B nightmares, cancellations of events like tournaments and weddings, and on and on.

Then I started to hear comments like these:

“Our leagues are at an all-time high and our memberships and junior memberships are showing a significant increase.” Michael Todd, the President and Director of Operations at Legacy Ridge Golf Club in Owen Sound, Ont., found a silver lining inside the COVID cloud that compensated somewhat for the loss of other revenue streams.

Although his club (originally the Stanley Thompson-designed Owen Sound G&CC) turns 100 years old this summer, there will be no centennial bash but golfers will still get to play. More golfers than ever, in fact—a theme I found repeated over and over, across the country.

“Golf is back!” exults Scott Atkinson, CEO of multi-course owner/operator Play Golf Calgary Facilities. “Golfers are playing more. Golfers are finding their way back after years of not playing and plenty of people are taking up the game for the first time. Our short-course play has doubled. Tons of families and lots of couples are playing together. It’s wonderful!”

You may have heard the phrase, “It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good.” If not, it refers to an unfortunate event that somehow benefits someone.

A clearer, more pertinent explanation comes via Ashley Chinner, the former touring pro who now works in the insurance business in the Toronto area. “I talked to a public course manager who told me his tee sheet has been slammed every day. ‘Hate to say it but COVID could be the best thing for golf since Tiger.’”

This is not to make light by any means of the coronavirus that has killed hundreds of thousands globally and affected millions of others.  It does, however, demonstrate that there are glimmers of good news.

Membership at the semi-private Granite Ridge GC in Milton, Ont., is up 30 per cent and leagues are better attended than ever. Public tee times are booked solid several days in advance.

Scott MacLeod, a PGA of Canada member and the editorial director/associate publisher of Flagstick Golf Magazine, said he spoke to a colleague in New Brunswick who told him membership at his club increased to 550 from 390 this spring.  In fact, Golf New Brunswick reports that many facilities in that province are seeing increases in both memberships and greens fee play.

In Calgary, Rob Ward told me Willow Park G&CC had 5,000 rounds in May compared to 3,700 the same month a year ago. Michael Turner reports anecdotally that courses in Metro Vancouver are seeing “exponential growth.”

From Manitoba, self-described struggling golfer and keen observer of the game Jim Geruzzi says he’s heard the same refrain from various courses. “Seems like rounds played are way up (20%++). Just in time, too, as some courses where facing hard decisions even before COVID.”

“We have to keep reminding ourselves that even in these tough times, we are still a club,” emphasizes Cory Johnson, the General Manager of Breezy Bend Country Club in Headingley, Man. “And that can be tough when you can’t socialize the same way you could before the virus.”

Johnson and his team have adapted many traditions to cope with our new and ever-changing reality with some surprising success. For example, the annual general meeting was held via video conference and had the highest turnout ever. From the time the course opened May 3, it has been busier than usual with the necessary protocols in place.

Sean Joyce, the Director of Golf at Mill River Resort in P.E.I., says their junior membership has doubled and adult memberships are up as well.

But there are COVID caveats, too.

Ian Leggatt, the former PGA TOUR professional who now is director of golf at Summit GC in Richmond Hill, Ont., has seen a growth in membership because, in his opinion, “people are reallocating their summer spend that they likely would have used for a vacation.

“I’ve said all along that this [COVID-19] would have a positive impact on golf. Now we just need to stay open and not let a few bad apples misbehave and get the courses shut down again.”

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the staff at courses. I’ve heard horror stories of golfers, private club members and public players alike, abusing staff and disregarding safety protocols put in place to protect them. In fact, I had an acquaintance quit his job at a course because of the constant abuse and the lack of back-up from management.

Ken Bruneski, the Superintendent at Nk’mip Canyon Desert Golf Course in Oliver, B.C., is appalled by the way some people are taking advantage of the new guidelines, like by requesting separate carts even though they arrived at the course in the same vehicle. “We are running into a lot of troubles here. With reduced tee times and hours of operation, combined with the limited number of carts, we are finding it impossible to get league play going or opening up the tee sheet fully to increase revenue. It’s more than a little bit frustrating.”

And the negative impact on other sports and activities must be acknowledged. They are the unfortunate and undeserving victims of that “ill wind”, for sure. Kids can’t play softball or soccer, older folks can’t lawn bowl, families can’t travel on vacation.

“Really, it’s the only game in town,” notes a tweet from Pointe West GC in Windsor, Ont.

One of my favourite sayings comes from J.H. “Doc” Holliday, a pal of Wyatt Earp and OK Corral shootout fame.

“There’s no such thing as a normal life,” he allegedly once said.

“There’s just life.  And you deal with it.”

Such is life—and golf—in the time of COVID.

BERTHOUD, Colo. – Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Taylor Pendrith posted the best finish of his career on the Korn Ferry Tour on Saturday, tying for third at the TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes.

Pendrith, from Richmond Hill, Ont., was 13 under for the tournament after shooting a 2-under 70 in the fourth and final round.

The 29-year-old Pendrith and four other golfers finished two strokes behind winner Will Zalatoris of the United States. Fellow American Chase Johnson was second at 14 under.

Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., tied for 10th at 10 under, while Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald tied for 63rd at one over.

The result pushes Pendrith up 23 spots to 26th on the Korn Ferry points list. The top 25 at season’s end earn PGA Tour cards.

Pendrith’s previous best showing on the PGA Tour’s top feeder circuit was a tie for fourth in 2016 at the Club Colombia Championship.

One shot back entering the final round Saturday, Pendrith moved into a tie for the lead after draining three birdies on his front nine. But bogeys on Nos. 10 and 14 dropped him back before a birdie on No. 16 allowed Pendrith to notch the career-best result.

The tour shifts to San Antonio for its next two events.

BERTHOUD, Colo. – Canadian Taylor Pendrith is in contention for his first Korn Ferry Tour victory with one round to go at the TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes.

Pendrith, of Richmond Hill, Ont., fired a 5-under 67 on Friday to reach 11 under through three rounds – leaving him in a tie for second place only one stroke back of leader Will Zalatoris.

Pendrith began the day in sixth after shooting 68-70 in the first two rounds. He followed that up on Friday with his best round of the tournament, going bogey free with five birdies to climb the leaderboard.

Zalatoris got to 12 under by shooting 70, while Erik Barnes sits tied with Pendrith after matching him with a 67.

Pendrith’s best finish this season came two weeks ago at The King and Bear Classic at World Golf Village, where he placed 14th.

Pendrith, who earned two victories last season on Canada’s Mackenzie Tour, is the top-ranked Canadian on the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour, sitting 49th.

Meanwhile, Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., has moved into the Top 10 with 18 holes to play. He is 7 under following a 4-under 68, while Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald is 2 over after firing a 75.

Mackenzie Hughes doesn’t think of himself as an ambassador for golf, but when he has the opportunity to promote the sport he loves he embraces that role.

The Canadian became something of an online sensation Sunday after he drained back-to-back putts of more than 43 feet to birdie his final two holes and finish third at the Travelers Championship. Video of the two putts – especially the 48-footer on No. 17 that took almost a 90 degree turn to find its line – has had his phone buzzing for days.

A tweet from the PGA Tour of Hughes’s impressive putts has had more than 2,500 retweets and nearly 18,000 likes, even drawing casual fans into golf.

Piece of ? pic.twitter.com/MUsWWiNss6

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) June 29, 2020

“We’re just trying to put on a good show and entertain whenever we play,” said Hughes. “I’d love to get as many people as possible into the game because, obviously, I think it’s a great game.”

It’s not the first time Hughes has put on a show for fans.

At the 2019 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf Club – essentially Hughes’s home course, having grown up in nearby Dundas, Ont. – he drew raucous cheers when he pulled on a Kawhi Leonard jersey before teeing off at No. 13 when the Toronto Raptors were in the thick of the NBA’s post-season.

“I knew that was going to get a good reaction,” said Hughes, who added that he likes to engage fans. “I think it reminds you to not take things too seriously and have a little bit of fun out there. I think when I do that I play better.

“I mean, we’re in an entertainment business so we are trying to, in essence, put on a show for people. If I can help in any way, then that’s awesome.”

Hughes is skipping this week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club, instead spending time with his wife, son and family at a cottage in western New York to celebrate Canada Day and Independence Day.

Happy Canada Day! Proud to be Canadian and to represent Canada wherever I compete #CanadaDay ??

— Mackenzie Hughes (@MacHughesGolf) July 1, 2020

There will be four Canadians in the field when the event tees off on Thursday with Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont., Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., and Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., playing.

Hughes had intended to play in the Rocket Mortgage but, with the PGA Tour having to re-shuffle its calendar because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it meant that there were seven high-quality events in a row. As a result, he reluctantly withdrew from the tournament in Detroit.

Tying for third at the Travelers Championship has been a big benefit to Hughes’s season.

He now sits 46th in the FedExCup standings and 98th in the world golf rankings. Hadwin is 60th and Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., is 66th in the world, putting three Canadians in the top 100 of the world golf rankings for the first time ever. With Nick Taylor, from Abbotsford, sitting at 102, there could be four in the top 100 sooner rather than later.