Canadian apparel & lifestyle brand Levelwear announced today the signing of 10 Ambassadors to their Global Tour Staff.

Talor Gooch, the former Oklahoma State Cowboy and graduate of the Canadian Tour in 2016 has signed a multi-year agreement and will join a growing stable of young and talented PGA Tour Athletes. The agreement will see Gooch wear Levelwear’s premium collection of polos, pullovers, and pants while teeing it up each week on Tour.

“While playing the RBC Canadian Open in 2018, I had the pleasure of meeting and playing the Pro-Am with members of the Levelwear Executive Team. That was the start of a relationship that led to our multi-year partnership.  The product is modern, clean and fits great and is extremely comfortable to play in regardless of the elements. I’m excited to become part of the Levelwear family.” – said Gooch. Gooch played this past week in La Quinta, California at The American Express finishing T16.

Corey Conners who won for the first time on Tour in 2019 when he captured the Valero Texas Open has resigned a multi-year agreement. The Canadian had a stellar 2019 season that saw him make the Tour Championship where he finished tied for 26th.  Currently 56th on the Official Golf World Rankings, Connors has been a key member of the Levelwear family since the 2017 season.

Michael Gilgic won the Panama Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour and secured PGA TOUR membership for the first time by finishing No. 17 on the Korn Ferry Tour Regular Season points list, entering the 2019-20 season 32nd in the final priority ranking. He finished the Korn Ferry Tour season with two top-10s and 15 made cuts in 22 starts. Gilgic played this past week at The Americans Express where he finished T22.

Ryan Brehm who played college golf at Michigan State University where he won 5 times and who helped lead MSU to 3 Big Ten Championships, has also resigned.  Brehm finished T4 at The American Express this past week.

European Tour Members; Paul Waring and Fabrizio Zanotti have also resigned.  Waring is currently 74th on the Official Golf World Rankings.  Waring’s first European Tour win came in 2018 when he won in a playoff at the Nordea Masters.  Waring finished last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA tournament at T12.

Zanotti has 6 professional wins and 2 European Tour wins with the last one coming in 2017 at the Maybank Championship. Zanotti turned professional in 2003 and played last weeks Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA.

Taylor Pendrith had an incredible year on the Mackenzie Tour Canada in 2019.  The Canadian played in all 12 Mackenzie Tour events, making 10 cuts, registered two wins and six top-10 finishes overall.  He finished the year number 2 on the Order of Merit to earn membership on the Korn Ferry Tour. He also won the Canada Life Canadian Play of the Year Award for the second time in his career.  Pendrith has been a member of the Levelwear family since turning professional.

As key members of the LPGA Tour, Levelwear is excited to have Kristen Gillman and Amy Olson join the company.  The women will wear Levelwear’s premium collection of polos, pullovers, shorts, and skorts.

Gillman is currently ranked 45th on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.  She made 22 cuts in her rookie campaign in 2019 with a career-best T3 at the Buick LPGA Shanghai event.  Her successful rookie season saw her finish second in the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year standings.

“I’m thrilled to join the Levelwear family and be an ambassador for the company.  I’ve never felt more comfortable on the golf course in terms of both style and performance, and I am so proud to represent the brand.  Whether I am competing to hold up a trophy, training in the gym, or traveling between tournaments, Levelwear has a full line of golf and athleisure clothes to make sure I am always on my game and look great while doing it,” said Gillman.

Olson is currently 66th on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking.  She turned professional in 2013 after her collegiate career at North Dakota State University where she won a NCAA record 20 collegiate events.  Her best professional finish was in 2018 with a T2 at The Evian Championship. By the end of 2018, she posted a career-best 4 top 10 finishes in 24 starts.

Sandra Gal has been part of the Levelwear family since 2016 and has resigned. After a 2019 season that had her taking a medical leave after being diagnosed with dormant Lyme disease, she is looking forward to playing a full schedule in 2020.

Levelwear President, Hilton Ngo remarked “Supporting golf at all levels is a strategic priority.  We are thrilled that we can continue to add world-class athletes that enhance our brand initiatives”. We look forward to celebrating their successes during the Tour season.”

These signings signify the rapid assentation to the upper echelon of the golf apparel landscape for Levelwear. Levelwear athletes on Tours now total 26 globally and relationships with; the PGA Tour, the PGA of America, Golf Canada and sponsorships of several top events on Tour like the newly established Rocket Mortgage Classic, The Houston Open, The RBC Canadian Open, the CP Women’s Open and the Shaw Charity Classic among others, Levelwear will have a retail presence at roughly 23 events. Additionally, Levelwear maintains strong retail relationships with roughly 80 of the top 100 golf clubs throughout North America and can be found at top clubs and resorts from coast to coast.

Levelwear has established enduring business verticals in licensed and team sports, golf apparel, and men’s and women’s lifestyle wear, with core strengths of innovation, decoration, and industry-leading service. The company holds licensing partnerships with some of the top global brands, including; MLB, the NHL and NHLPA, NBA, CFL, 140 US Colleges, and various soccer properties (Bayern Munich, Paris St. Germain, Juventus, Celtics, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, etc.) globally. At the PGA Merchandising Show in Orlando later this month, Levelwear will unveil its 2020 collection.

Master Craftsman Bob Vokey’s relentless mission to design and craft better performing, better feeling wedges has reached a new height of innovation with the introduction of his Vokey Design SM8 models, the most accurate and forgiving Vokey wedges yet.

The groundbreaking Progressive Center of Gravity (CG) design concept that originated with Vokey Design SM6, and was refined with SM7, has experienced one giant shift forward in the new SM8. By moving the CG forward, to a position that actually hovers in front of the wedge face, Vokey and his R&D team have produced a wedge that wants to square every time. The result is improved distance and trajectory control, better feel and increased stability for more consistent results.

These advancements – enhanced by Bob’s six tour-proven sole grinds for precision fitting, and 100% inspected Spin Milled grooves for maximum spin – have SM8 poised to continue Vokey’s historic run as the #1 wedge on tour since 2004 and counting.

In golf shops beginning March 6, 2020, Vokey SM8 wedges are available in four finishes – Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel and Jet Black, plus the tour-preferred Raw finish (custom order only).

SM8 PERFORMANCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Great wedge play comes from distance control, shot versatility and spin. Bob Vokey and team have designed SM8 to improve performance in all three areas through the following key innovations:

• Reimagined Progressive CG: Vokey’s Progressive CG design philosophy aligns the center of gravity with the impact position – lower in the low lofts, higher in the high lofts – for better trajectory and distance control. SM8 takes the next innovative leap, pushing the CG forward while maintaining the vertical CG position to create a more consistent, better-feeling strike. To achieve this, Voke’s team lengthened the hosels and counterbalanced that weight with high-density tungsten low in the toe. This high, forward CG position boosts MOI (up to a +7% increase in the higher lofts) producing a more solid feel, improved ball flight and a club face that simply wants to square up at impact for more consistent results.

“When Kevin Tassistro (Director of Wedge R&D) brings me new prototypes, he knows I won’t have feedback until I’ve watched tour players hit them,” Bob Vokey said. “The proof is in their results and their reactions. That’s been my validation process from day one.”

“The first time I had guys hit SM8 was on the range at Riviera,” Vokey said. “I always listen to the sound they’re making at impact, and it was phenomenal. ‘Solid but soft’ was how they described it. They loved it. That means they’re getting the proper feedback that you need to execute every type of wedge shot, whether you’re in the fairway, in a bunker or around the green. They also talked a lot about the flight. It’s in a better window, it’s more consistent, and they have more control of it. Overall, guys just kept telling me how easy it was to hit every type of shot they wanted to hit. They just felt like they were getting more of out of the wedge – and that’s because Kevin and his team were able to push that CG forward out in front of the face, to a place we never would have imagined 20 years ago.”

• Refined Sole Grind Options: Developed through decades of work with the best shot makers in the game, Vokey’s six Tour-proven sole grinds – F, S, M, K, L and D – allow golfers of all skill levels to be precisely fit for their swing type (steep, neutral, shallow), shot making style and course conditions (firm, neutral, soft). SM8 continues to feature the most complete lineup of grind, bounce and loft options, allowing for more creativity and consistency, and giving players of any level the ability to create multiple shots around the green.

• One of Vokey’s preferred setups is pairing a higher bounce sand wedge (i.e. SM8 56.14 F) with a lower bounce lob wedge (i.e. SM8 60.08 M). This type of setup – which empowers a player to adjust to firm or soft conditions from the turf or in a bunker without having to change technique – is utilized by both Jordan Spieth (56.10 S and 60.04 L) and Justin Thomas (56.14 F, 60.06 K). Based on this insight, and current PGA Tour tends, the D Grind has been extended to the 54.12 and 56.12 SM8 models, providing players with versatile mid to high bounce sand wedge options.

100% Inspected Spin Milled Grooves: SM8’s patented Spin Milled grooves are meticulously engineered and cut to the edge to maximize spin and shot control. The Vokey R&D team continues to improve upon its industry-leading groove cutting tolerances, with each groove on every head individually cut and 100% inspected for conformity to the rules of golf. 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.

VOKEY WEDGE SELECTOR

The Vokey Wedge Selector tool on Vokey.com helps golfers select the proper loft, bounce and grind options for their swing and course conditions. Vokey recommends that golfers visit their local Titleist fitter to confirm the results. Click here to learn more.

#1 WEDGE ON TOUR

SM8 wedges made their PGA Tour debut in late November at the RSM Classic. More than 100 SM8 wedges were immediately put into play by 37 players, including the eventual champion, Tyler Duncan (54.08 M, 58.04 L). Just two events later at the Sony Open, the first full-field event of 2020, a total of 167 SM8 models were in the bags of 60 players, supplanting Vokey’s prior generation SM7 models as the #1 wedge on the PGA Tour. The winner, Cameron Smith, had four Jet Black SM8’s (46.10 F, 52.08 F, 56.08 M, 60.10 S) in play. New SM8 wedges (54.10 S, 60.12 D) were also in the champion’s bag the following week at The American Express.

Additionally, Vokey SM8 wedges became the #1 wedge on the European Tour the first week they were available at last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Ian Poulter, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Bernd Wiesberger were among those with new SM8’s in play.

The rapid conversion was foreshadowed last February at the Genesis Open, when Vokey tested unmarked nearly-final SM8 prototypes with eight players on the range at Riviera, including Max Homa, J.T. Poston and Jimmy Walker. All eight players asked him when they could put them into play.

In late December, Adam Scott won the Australian PGA Championship with four new models in the bag (48.10 F, 52.12 F, 56.10 S, 60.06 K). Scott was also one of four players on the International Presidents Cup team to game SM8’s, in addition to Smith, Sung-Jae Im and Ben An.

In total, more than 200 players have already made the switch to SM8, as the tour seeding and validation process continues around the world.

NEW SM8 FINISHES

Golfers can choose from four different finishes available in SM8. The new Tour Chrome features a softer chrome finish than the prior generation. The darker Brushed Steel is more textured and dynamic than the polished SM7, while maintaining a non-glare finish in the playing position. The raw Jet Black is enhanced with black paint fill in the logos and graphics. Raw – the most popular option among tour players, in which no additional finish applied to the 8620 carbon steel – is available through custom order. All four finishes are available through Vokey.com.

ADVANCED PERSONALIZATION AND CUSTOM OPTIONS

SM8 wedges feature a more modern, clean look, which also provides a canvas for customization. Inpsired by Aaron Dill, Vokey’s trusted PGA Tour player rep (@VokeyWedgeRep), the WedgeWorks custom options are expanded to include:

• Six unique toe engravings;
• Expanded stamping options, including 10-character Straight/Freestyle stamping, 15 characters around the toe, and two lines of 10 characters each; and
• Custom paint-filled Loft, Bounce and Grind markings and BV Wings logo.

SM8 wedges can also be custom ordered with a wide range of specifications and personalization, including an industry-leading selection of shafts, grips, shaft bands, ferrules, stamping and paint fill. For a complete list of options, visit Vokey.com.

STOCK SHAFT & GRIP

• Stock shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S200
• Stock grip: Tour Velvet 360 White

AVAILABILITY

The new Vokey Design SM8 wedges are available for pre-order in Canadian golf shops beginning Feb. 11. They arrive in shops March 6 starting at $219 CAD.

LEVELWEAR – a premium apparel provider in the golf and professional sports industry, will exhibit at the PGA Merchandise show. This year they will showcase 4 product innovations from their 2020 Fall Golf Collection.

The 2020 Fall Collection is modern, clean and functional. The new product includes innovations that focus on a full range of motion, breathability, and fit.

Laser Quilted Collection

An innovative insulation technology designed for lightweight warmth. It features cutting-edge stitch-free seams with bonded panels, which allows a consistent distribution of down to minimize cold spots. This provides better wind protection around the seams to retain warmth for the player. This technology is used in the new Men’s Ultralite Midlayer, Zion Men’s and Ladies Full Zip lightweight Jacket and the Skylar Women’s Vest.

Jacquard Camo Collection

Levelwear’s vision of a traditional camo print, but with technical features for performance, which makes this knit jacquard far from ordinary. Modern computerized weaving techniques were used to create a unique pattern with varying depths and textures while maintaining a super-soft hand feel and elevated technical attributes. Modern detailing in the Optic Polo with 3-D shoulder construction provides a fit that moves in unison with the body while maintaining a clean, comfortable fit. The collection consists of the Logan Midlayer and Fuze hooded Midlayer.

Cellular Fleece Collection

This active lifestyle meets on-trend aesthetics with the Cellular Fleece series in our Levelwear Verve line. Featuring a Jersey exterior that repels water and wind, bonded with a modern honeycomb fleece interior for lightweight warmth, and is then finished with selectively placed quilting for added softness and warmth in the areas you need it most. Body contouring design details and a modern tailored look make this soft shell ideal to layer. Both the Trinity Jacket and Sloan Vest delivers a premium look and comfortable feel.

Levelwear will be taking appointments at booth #6855 from Jan 22nd – 24th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

For more information, please visit www.levelwear.com.

The country’s most prestigious golf destination, Cabot Links, will play host – for the fourth year in a row – to the National Final of the RBC PGA Scramble, Oct. 4-6, 2020.

“The experience at Cabot Links over the past three years has been nothing short of first-class for participants,” said Mark Patterson, president of the PGA of Canada. “We are ecstatic to provide the opportunity for amateurs and PGA of Canada professionals across the country to embark on the golf journey of a lifetime to Cabot Links once again.”

In 2019, the RBC PGA Scramble saw thousands of golfers of all abilities compete at over 150 events nationwide, with hopes of ultimately advancing to the 54-hole national championship at Cabot Links. Played as a 5-person Ambrose scramble, the National Final provides amateurs and accompanying PGA of Canada professionals the pinnacle golfing experience, with two rounds played at Cabot Links and one at Cabot Cliffs. Additional gifting, activations and experiences provided by sponsors round out an already spectacular national event.

“Every year, we look forward to seeing the pure joy on player’s faces as they step off the bus. It reminds us of how truly special this place is and what a great event this is for golf in Canada. We are thrilled to be a part of it,” said Andrew Alkenbrack, the resort’s general manager.

In 2018, Cabot Cliffs and Cabot Links ranked No. 1 and No. 4, respectively, in SCOREGolf’s Top 100 Golf Courses in Canada and No. 9 and No. 43 in the World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses by Golf Digest.

“For anyone who has previously been to Cabot Links, things around here will look a little different next year,” said Alkenbrack. “We are working on a new clubhouse, a 10-hole par 3 course and a few more surprises.”

Player registration is slated to open April 2020.

PUMA Golf today unveiled its new Ignite PWRADAPT Caged footwear, delivering the optimum blend of comfort, style, and unmatched, locked-in stability no matter how hard a golfer swings, thanks to a new PWRACAGE saddle unit. Ignite PWRADAPT Caged is available in five staple colorways in two head-turning models, with lace up and DISC closure options.

“Our new CAGED footwear will keep you locked in and comfortable all day thanks to our new Adaptive Fit System and PWRCAGE saddle unit which provides the perfect fit, and stability like you’ve never felt before. Best of all, they come in a stylish, lifestyle-inspired, extremely comfortable package,” said Andrew Lawson, Footwear Product Line Manager, PUMA Golf.

Ignite PWRADAPT Caged have been anatomically designed to deliver outstanding comfort and a perfect, tailored fit. The supportive PWRCAGE Saddle wraps around the medial and lateral sides of the shoe providing unmatched stability.  As the laces tighten, the cage around a golfer’s foot forms a perfect, comfortable but stable fit, and the Heel Lock Window cups the golfer’s heel comfortably locking his foot securely into the shoe.  In addition, the layered Adaptive Fit System provides 360-degree support through the internal bootie, while the external bootie equipped with PWRFRAME technology ensures that the foot is fully supported in highest impact areas.  The full-length IGNITE foam cushioning and PWRADAPT Technology sole provide responsive comfort and 3-dimensional traction that adapts to the way a golfer moves.

In terms of style, both the lace and DISC version of CAGED feature an Epic Tour Last – a refined, anatomical last shaping that delivers excellent fit and ample forefoot volume for unrivaled comfort and a stunning toe-down look.

The Ignite PWRADAPT Caged collection is available in the golfer’s choice of five stylish color ways (Gray Violet/Silver/White, Black/Silver/White, Quiet Shade/Silver/Black, Peacoat/Quiet Shade/Silver and White/Silver/Peacoat).  Available in sizes 7-11.5, 12,13,14 the Ignite PWRADAPT Caged will feature a retail price of $199.99

Golfers can expect to see fun Limited-Edition colorways and styles of CAGED inspired by upcoming, key tournaments this season.

PUMA athletes Gary Woodland and Bryson DeChambeau have been wearing these CAGED shoes on Tour for the past few months and will continue to do so for the remainder of the 2020 season.

The new easy-launching, super distance Titleist T400 irons are designed to provide moderate swing speed golfers with the most forgiving Titleist experience possible.

Available for fittings February 27th (and in golf shops March 27), the new Titleist T400 irons utilize an advanced split sole design, super-thin face and wide body, hollow head construction fortified by extreme amounts of high-density tungsten to help golfers effortlessly launch it higher and hit it farther.

The addition of T400 to the strikingly new line of Titleist T-Series irons – joining the T100, T100•S, T200 and T300 models – ensures that every player is able to experience the engineering ingenuity and breakthrough performance that has made Titleist the longstanding #1 iron on the PGA Tour.

“T400 is the super distance Titleist iron. This club is engineered to get the ball in the air and launch it as far as possible, even when the strike isn’t perfect,” Josh Talge, Vice President of Marketing, Titleist Golf Clubs. “There are so many golfers, particularly players with moderate swing speeds, who can benefit from this technology. T400 gets the absolute most out of your swing while still providing the playability of a Titleist iron along with that look, sound and feel that dedicated players demand.”

T400 PERFORMANCE & TECHNOLOGY

Designed to help moderate swing speed players score lower, the new T400 irons maximize performance on every shot through the following key technologies:

• Wide body shape with advanced Split Sole design provides optimal turf interaction for a smooth and easy strike.
• Hollow head construction produces an extremely high MOI that maximizes forgiveness on off center shots.
• Extreme High-density tungsten weighting (up to 100g per head) creates a low CG, working in combination with a super-thin forged SUP-10 L-Face Insert (5-7 irons) to produce explosive launch off the turf.
• Progressive set design – with progressive blade lengths, sole widths and hosel lengths – delivers optimal CG positioning with preferred shaping through the set.
• Lightweight materials – with stock grip and shaft options – promote increased swing speeds for longer distance.

FREE TRIAL & FITTINGS

Beginning March 12, golfers can experience the performance of T400 irons by attending a Titleist Trial & Fitting Event (including Titleist Thursdays), or visiting a Titleist Fitting Partner at one of hundreds of locations nationwide. To find an event or fitting location, golfers can visit https://www.titleist.ca/fitting.

LIGHTWEIGHT STOCK SHAFT & GRIP

T400 offers a premium lightweight graphite shaft option to help moderate swing speed players maximize performance. The Mitsubishi Fubuki MV IR – MV stands for “Maxiumum Velocity” – produces higher ball speed through its ultra-lightweight iron-specific graphite design.

Mitsubishi Fubuki MV IR | Mid-High launch, mid spin | 50g

In addition, Titleist offers an industry-leading number of custom shaft choices, many at no upcharge.

T400’s 43-gram stock grip, the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 Lite+, weighs in 9 grams lighter than the T-Series stock Tour Velvet 360 model.

T400 AVAILABILITY

New Titleist T-Series T400 irons will be available in Canadian golf shops beginning March 27, starting at $265 per club.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The final round of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions featured a little bit of everything. Clutch shots, bold play, lead changes, a few costly mistakes and even bonus golf.

Sunday did everything but decide a champion.

Nasa Hataoka and Gaby Lopez matched par five times in a playoff at the 197-yard 18th hole until it was too dark to continue. They will return at 8 a.m. Monday at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club to see who gets the trophy.

LPGA Hall of Famer Inbee Park also was in the playoff, but was eliminated on the third extra hole when her tee shot with a fairway metal caromed off rocks left of the par-3 18th and bounded into surrounding water.

If the LPGA season can replicate the fireworks displayed in its season opener, this could be quite a year. Five players spent time with at least a share of the fourth-round lead. Lopez (5-under 66), Hat–aoka (68) and Park (71), who led by two shots after 54 holes, finished 72 holes of regulation at 13-under 271.

M.J. Hur, who made 10 birdies and shot 63, and Brooke Henderson (67) of Smiths Falls, Ont., finished one shot out of the playoff in this event featuring 26 LPGA tournament winners from the last two seasons.

.@BrookeHenderson starts off the year with a top 5 finish at #DiamondLPGA ???? pic.twitter.com/oiFPFTkxQt

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) January 19, 2020

The playoff that will resume on Monday is the LPGA’s longest since Pernilla Lindberg defeated Park in eight holes at the 2018 ANA Inspiration. Monday’s winner will earn $180,000.

The 31-year-old Park, winless in 2019, by far had the most experience of the last players standing, having won 19 times, including seven major championships, in addition to winning an Olympic gold medal in Rio in 2016. Perennially one of the LPGA’s best putters, Park struggled to make anything Sunday until rolling in a 15-footer for birdie at the short par-4 16th that lifted her back into a tie for the lead.

When Lopez, clad in the red and green colours of Mexico, and Hataoka scrambled to get up-and-down for pars on the third playoff hole, Park was eliminated. She dropped to 3-5 in her LPGA career in playoffs.

“I think just No. 18 got me yesterday and today,” said Park, who had three-putted the hole for bogey a day earlier. “If I shoot under par (Sunday), I should have won. That’s golf.”

Lopez’s 66 was one of the sharper rounds played Sunday. She completed it in grand style by making the lone birdie yielded all weekend at the 18th hole. Lopez hit a 4-hybrid past the flagstick and made an 18-foot, right-to-left slider to get to 13 under. There have been only five birdies on that hole all week by LPGA players in the tournament, which also features celebrity amateurs; Lopez owned two of them.

The 21-year-old Hataoka has giant goals for 2020. A three-time LPGA winner, she wants to climb to No. 1 in the world (she entered the week ranked sixth) and win gold at the Summer Olympics in her native Japan. She stayed alive on the second hole of the playoff by making a 15-footer for par following a poor chip.

With the leaders struggling to make birdies, Hur, a two-time winner in 2019, made a huge charge up the leaderboard. Her 18-footer straight up the hill at the par-5 17th was her 10th birdie of the round, and it temporarily moved her alongside Park in the lead at 12 under.

Henderson, who shared the 36-hole lead, also made a late run with four back-nine birdies, but missed the green short and right with her tee shot at the 18th and failed to hole a long pitch.

“I saw Inbee had fallen back to 11 (under) early,” Henderson said, “and I was like, `Wow, the door is sort of wide open.”’

There was one champion crowned on Sunday: John Smoltz, former Atlanta Braves standout starter and reliever and baseball Hall of Famer, repeated as champion in the celebrity division. He finished with 150 points in the modified Stableford scoring system, nine points better then U.S. Curtis Cup captain Mardy Fish, another two-time champion.

Smoltz said he hopes to get a two or three PGA Tour Champions starts in 2020 and will attempt to qualify for the U.S. Senior Open, a field he made in 2018. He made six birdies Sunday and earned $100,000 for his victory.

“You don’t learn anything until you play tournaments like this,” Smoltz said. “I just want to see how good I can get my golf game.”

LA QUINTA, Calif. – Andrew Landry was reeling after blowing a six-stroke lead on the back nine Sunday in The American Express.

“I don’t want to be a part of something like that ever again,” the 32-year-old Texan said.

He regrouped – telling caddie Terry Walker, “Let’s go get this job done, like, quit messing around” – to win his second PGA Tour title with a shot to spare.

Landry broke a tie with Abraham Ancer with a 7-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, the jagged rock-ringed, island-green par 3 called Alcatraz.

“That was probably the shot of the tournament for me,” Landry said. “Just to be able to go over there and, to that right hole location, and just hold one up and hit a good distance and have a 7-, 8-footer to look at. … Thankfully, it went in and kind of made 18 a little bit easier.”

He closed with a 6-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th for a 5-under 67 and a two-stroke victory, winning two years after losing a playoff to Jon Rahm at PGA West.

“This is a golf course that has suited me very well in the past,” Landry said. “And just to look back on some of the things that happened a couple years ago and then now, just to be able to finally get it done. I didn’t want to have to go back into a playoff again.”

The former University of Arkansas player won after missing seven of eight cuts to start the season.

“That’s why you just got to keep grinding it out,” said Landry, also the 2018 Texas Open winner. “We all search for these weeks, and the majority of players out here are going to have them, four, five, six times a year and top-10 players are going to have them a little bit more often.”

Michael Gligic (69) of Burlington, Ont., tied for 21st at 15 under par to record his best career finish on the PGA TOUR in a span of 13 events dating back to 2012. David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., tied for 37th at 13 under.

Trying to become the third Mexican winner in PGA Tour history and first since 1978, Ancer matched the Stadium Course record with a 63.

“All week, really, I hit the ball great off the tee and iron shots, and in the first three rounds, I feel like I didn’t score as low as I should have for how good I hit the ball,” Ancer said. “But stayed patient and today the putts started to fall in.”

Playing two groups ahead of Landry, Ancer birdied No. 16 and 17 and parred the 18th, missing from 35 feet and saving par with a 4 1/2-footer.

He realized he was tied for lead just before teeing off on 17.

“I wasn’t paying much attention to the leaderboard,” Ancer said. “And then that’s when I noticed and I was like, `All right, well, we got to make two other birdies.’ I made the putt there on 17, which was big, and then just couldn’t make it happen on 18. But I played good, man. I’m proud of how I played.”

Landry appeared to be cruising to victory when he birdied the first three holes on the back nine to open the six-shot lead. He bogeyed the next three holes, made a par on the par-5 16th that felt like another bogey, and was tied when Ancer ran in a 25-footer on 17.

“Just kind of calmed myself down and said, `Hey, look, these are two holes that we can go out and get, they suit my game very well, especially 18,”’ Landry said.

Landry finished at 26-under 262. He opened with a 66 on the Stadium Course, shot 64 in the second round at La Quinta Country Club and had a 65 on Saturday on PGA West’s Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course for a share of the third-round lead with Scottie Scheffler – four strokes ahead of third-place Rickie Fowler.

The anticipated duel between Landry and Scheffler fizzled early.

Scheffler bogeyed the par-4 first after his drive went left and rolled back down a hill into a large divot. He also dropped strokes on the par-5 fifth and long par-3 sixth to fall four shots behind Landry. On the water-guarded fifth, his aggressive play with a fairway wood from a downhill lie near a right-side bunker went well left and, after a long chip, he missed a 3-footer for par.

Scheffler shot 70, briefly giving Landry a scare with an eagle on 16, to finish third at 23 under.

“I didn’t have my best stuff today,” Scheffler said. “Swing felt pretty loose again and got the best of me early and just put myself too far behind.”

Fowler had a 71 in the final group with Landry and Scheffler to tie for 10th at 18 under.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Inbee Park finally made a bogey, but she still finished with a 4-under 67 Saturday and a two-shot lead over Sei Young Kim heading into the final round of the season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.

Brooke Henderson of Smith Falls, Ont., fell into a tie for fifth place after she carded a 1-over 72 on Saturday. Henderson now sits five shots back of the leader heading into Sunday’s final round.

Park, a 19-time winner on the LPGA Tour, hadn’t made a bogey since November’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. But she finally dropped a shot when she three-putted the difficult 211-yard par-3 18th.

To that point, Park had been precise and consistent and had a decent day with the putter. She hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation and made five birdies. Three consecutive birdies starting at the par-4 13th built her lead to three shots.

“Well, it’s always disappointing to finish with a bogey … So I think I’ll just go ahead and make some birdies tomorrow,” Park said.

Closest to Park is Kim, whose three victories in 2019 included the lucrative CME Group Tour Championship. Kim made five birdies in a wild second nine and shot 67. Nasa Hataoka shot 68 and will begin Sunday three shots behind the leader.

With 10 victories, Kim widely is regarded as the most talented player on tour who has yet to win a major. After a sloppy bogey at the 13th hole, she bounced back by reeling off birdies on her next four holes. At the par-5 17th, she hit a 3-wood from 209 yards into the wind that finished 10 feet right of the hole, and narrowly missed the eagle attempt.

“Her (short off-season) break was good and it looks like she picked up where she left off,” said her caddie, Paul Fusco. Asked the biggest strength of Kim’s game, he answered, “Everything. She’s relaxed, and she makes it look very easy. She’s special.”

Kim was in high school when Park broke through to win for the first time as a pro at the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open, the first of Park’s seven majors. Kim has played in the final round on Sunday with Park previously, and win or lose, has enjoyed the experience. In 2015, Kim holed out from 154 yards to beat Park in a playoff at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii; she lost to Park in a playoff at the Women’s PGA Championship.

“She’s fun,” Kim said of Park. “She’s very consistent. Yeah, opposite of my character.”

Kim’s $1.5 million winner’s check at the CME Group Tour Championship was the richest prize ever won by an LPGA player. Kim, who turns 27 on Jan. 21, was asked earlier this week if she’d made any big purchases with her winnings. “I buy a lot of dinner,” she said.

With this being an Olympic year, Park, the gold medallist in Rio de Janeiro when golf returned to the Olympics in 2016, decided to get to work a little earlier than normal. She hadn’t made a January start since 2016, but currently ranks as second alternate among competitors from South Korea, a country that boasts four players among the top seven in the world rankings. Park spent 106 weeks in her career at No. 1, but currently is 16th.

How important are the Olympics to her? Park’s dog is named Rio.

In the 49-player celebrity division, baseball Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, the event’s defending champion, had 111 points in the modified Stableford format to lead through three rounds, four better than two-time Diamond Resorts champion Mardy Fish. Mark Mulder, the 2018 champion, was in third place, six points back.

MAZATLÁN, Mexico—Holding a one-shot lead through 54 holes, Canada’s Jared Du Toit kept the pedal down Friday for a two-shot victory at the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica Qualifying Tournament Mexico in Estrella del Mar Golf & Beach Resort. The 24-year old shot 5-under 67 in the final round to finish the week at 22-under 266. As the medalist at the event, Du Toit secured exempt status for the entire 2020 PGA TOUR Latinoamérica season that will begin 48 days from today at this same venue on the Mexican Pacific Coast.

Mexico’s Juan Carlos Benítez carded a 7-under 65 to claim runner-up honours, at 20-under, to lead a group of 11 players who made it inside the top 12 to earn exempt status for the first half of the season. In all, there were 37 players who walked away as 2020 PGA TOUR Latinoamérica members. The ones finishing between a tie for 13th and a three-way tie for 35th will have conditional status for the first half of 2020.

“Definitely feels good to get it done, (I’m) exited for the year,” said Du Toit about his solid week that will allow him to return to PGA TOUR Latinoamérica for the third consecutive year. “I feel like I’m learning more and more about myself and my golf game and what areas I need to improve on. I’m working on those areas lots, and this win is very validating to that.”

Du Toit opened the final round with birdies on Nos. 1 and 5, going back and forth with Anthony Paolucci, who birdied Nos. 1, 4 and 6 to run into a tie for the lead twice in that stretch. A strong finish to the front nine, with birdies on Nos. 7 and 9, allowed the Canadian to open a two-shot lead, which he expanded to four with an eagle on 11.

“The whole front nine I was never out of position. I hit a lot of good shots and just kind of made the putts that I was supposed to make. I was really happy with my front nine, and that eagle on 11 was very nice, as well. It gave me a couple-of-shots cushion before the hard holes because that closing stretch with this wind can play a little tough,” said Du Toit.

Paolucci birdied No. 14, and with Du Toit bogeying the 15th, the lead was down to two. “I had a seven-footer for birdie on 15 that could have gotten me a little closer, but Jared made a great up and down on 16 to keep his two stroke lead, and then I made bogey on 17,” said Paolucci about his final stretch where he was unable to put enough pressure on the leader.

Playing on the other side, Benítez quietly moved into contention. “I was playing so well my last few holes. I thought I could be near the leaders and you never know. I loved the fact that I kept making birdies and climbing up the leaderboard, trying to go as low as possible as I could,” said Benítez, who shot 5-under on the front-nine for a 65 that moved him past Paolucci for a solo-second finish.

Jared Du Toit is the second Canadian player to win this Qualifying Tournament at Estrella del Mar? In 2016, the first time PGA TOUR Latinoamérica staged the event here, his countryman David Rose was the one claiming medalist honours. There were three U.S. medalists in between the Canadians’ wins.