GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Canada’s Brooke Henderson had sole possession of the lead after her second round of the Meijer LPGA Classic.

The native of Smiths Falls, Ont., had her second straight score of 8-under 64 on Friday to go up by three shots on American Brittany Altomare prior to the later tee-off times.

Henderson completed her first round with 12 holes on Friday after darkness halted play on Thursday, jumping into a one-stroke lead after 18 holes.

The 21-year-old, who won this event in 2017, had nine birdies and a bogey in the second round.

“I started off really well late last night and I was able to carry it on early this morning,” Henderson said. “Then I had lunch and came right back and played another 18. I just felt really confident today with my ball-striking, which is awesome, and I rolled in a few putts, too.”

.@BrookeHenderson goes 64-64 to set a 36-hole tournament record at the @MeijerLPGA ??

She takes a 3-stroke lead into the weekend ?? pic.twitter.com/DEVwb1Mwli

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) June 14, 2019

Just before play was suspended Thursday, Henderson got a hole-in-one on her sixth hole (the par-3 15th after starting on No. 10) to go to 4 under.

Henderson is looking for a Canadian record (on the PGA or LPGA Tours) ninth career title.

“I’m pretty tired right now, not a lot of sleep last night with the late night, early morning, so I look forward to some rest later tonight,” Henderson said. “I think it kind of was a bonus when I had things rolling just to keep it going.”

Alena Sharp of Hamilton was 5 under through 36 holes after an even-par 72 in the second round. Quebec City’s Anne-Catherine Tanguay was 3 under after also shooting a 72.

Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee was 2 under, while Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., and Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont., had later tee-off times after each shot 76 in the first round.

Mary DePaoli (EVP & Chief Marketing Officer for RBC) sums up a fantastic 2019 RBC Canadian Open.

Josh Whalen understands that finding success on the golf course is not a sprint but rather it’s a marathon. And so he’s taken the time necessary to fine tune his game since graduating from Kent State University in 2017.

As one of the top amateur golfers in Canada, Whalen is close to taking that next step on his journey – one that he hopes will see him follow in the success of fellow Kent State and Team Canada alums Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes.

Whalen’s journey on the golf course began in Napanee, Ont., when he was introduced to the sport at the age of four by his grandfather, Burt Whalen.

“My grandparents would babysit my sister and myself. My sister would stay with my grandma and I would go to the golf course with my grandpa,” recalled Whalen.

“When I started school, my grandpa would pick me up after school and we would go play. Eventually, when I was seven or eight I got a membership of my own and started to play quite a bit more.”

Whalen says his grandfather and his father, Terry, were avid golfers and encouraged him to pursue the sport further.

“I started playing at local one day golf tournaments to get my feet wet and then played some CJGA tournaments in Ontario.  I didn’t do too well at the beginning but eventually I started getting some good results.  Eventually, I would move on to play in some Golf Ontario events and then some Golf Canada events,” he recalled.

Josh Whalen [Duncan, B.C.] August 6, 2018, Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Duncan Meadows & Pheasant Glen Photo by: Golf Canada“When I was able to compete and win against some of the top golfers in Canada, it made me realize I could do something more with golf – and by that, I mean play Division 1 golf down in the U.S.”

Whalen would score a scholarship to Kent State University in Ohio where he was mentored by Hall of Fame Coach Herb Page.

“It’s a great program. In my first year I got to play with Taylor Pendrith and Corey Conners which was a great experience. I look up to those two guys a lot,” he pointed out.

During his four years at Kent State, Whalen enjoyed a number of highlights including a second place finish at the Ontario Men’s Amateur in 2015; and was selected first team All-Mid-American-Conference in his sophomore year.

“I can’t say enough about Kent State, it was an amazing atmosphere. It’s also motivating to know that Mackenzie Hughes and Ben Curtis are both also graduates of the program,” Whalen continued.

“All the coaches there really helped me develop as a player and as a person.”

Even though he was Canada’s top-ranked amateur player after he graduated from Kent State in 2017, Whalen felt his game still needed some work.

Ultimately, the Kent State grad believed there was more to learn and was willing to put in the time before turning pro.

“I just felt it was important to work on certain areas of my game before taking that next step,” said the second-year member of the National Amateur Squad.

“I’ve really benefited from being part of the National Team Program. We get a lot of support both on and off the golf course. And working with Derek (Ingram) has helped me in terms of understanding the game a little better,” he said.

Whalen says the next step in his journey will take place later this autumn.

“I’ll probably play in the Web.com Q-School in the fall; and if that’s not successful then I will look to play the Mackenzie Tour for next year and work my way onto the Web.com Tour,” said Whalen.

“The ultimate goal is to play on the PGA Tour. I know it’ll be a bit of a climb and it’ll take a bit of time but I’m prepared for it.”

According to Derek Ingram – head coach of the men’s National Team Program – Whalen has made significant improvements since joining in 2018.

“Josh’s chipping and pitching has improved the most; and his putting as well,” he pointed out.

Ingram speaks highly of the current state of Whalen’s game.

“Josh’s game is actually quite similar to Corey Conners. He drives the ball really well. It’s a  combination of long and straight and he’s got great iron play. He hits a ton of greens in regulation.  He’s very consistent,” said Ingram.

“Josh has seen Corey, Mac and other guys have success in amateur golf, college golf and on the PGA TOUR – and so they’ve really paved the way for him in terms of providing an example of ‘this is how you do it.'”

In terms of the big picture goal of becoming a successful PGA pro, Ingram believes Whalen is on the right track.

“Josh just needs to be able to compete and do well in bigger tournaments to get that confidence in his game. And he needs to stay the course and continue what he’s been doing,” Ingram noted.

“He’s a smart player and knows it’s going to take time, it’s a long process – but he’s got a great work ethic and a great attitude and so I really like his chances of following in Mac and Corey’s footsteps someday.”

When you drop in relief areas defined by one or two club-lengths, in the 2019 Rules, a club-length will always mean the length of the longest club in your bag, except your putter.

Click here to learn more about the Rules of golf.

Thank you to the fans, the volunteers, the tournament organizers and the sponsors for a fantastic end to a fantastic tournament!

A picturesque end to the day, nothing beats the last group walking up the final fairway to a thunderous ovation from an adoring crowd. We couldn’t have written a better end to the day, with Rory McIlroy, the darling of the golf world, taking home the championship (in a Toronto Raptors jersey to boot!)

The perfect end to a perfect day, but there is a lot of work that goes into it. The fairytale ending we all experienced today is not what it is without the thousands of volunteers tending the ropes. Dedicated golf fans that are teachers, police officers, members of the host club, retirees, and a million other things. These are the lifeblood of Our Open. They are the engine that drives the wheels of our championship.

And we owe them a massive thank you. For the 25,000 people in the sold-out crowd on Sunday, there were volunteers everywhere, making sure that the tournament was as great as it turned out to be. The unsung heroes of the championship, they are the ones that drive the parking lot shuttles, hold the “Quiet eh?” signs in the air for hours on end, keep the players and crowd safe, tend to the hospitality tents and make sure the complicated effervescent tangle of gallery rope line is in working order.

These people come together from all walks of life and descend upon the host golf course, working a long week and longer hours. They partake in the beehive-like efficiency of running a PGA TOUR event – but why? They do it because they love it.

They love the players, the TOUR, the golf course, the RBC Canadian Open, the experience of being inside the ropes, the experience of helping people, and the experience of showing the game they love off to the country, the players, the patronage and the world.

Les Palango, Hamilton radio personality, said that “I love to volunteer because it gets me in the action, I can man the ropes and the players all walk right by me. You see them on TV all the time, but to have Rory McIlroy walk by you and personally thank you for doing your job, that makes it worth it to me.”

It’s the spirit of the volunteers, the thousands of them that sign-up for forty-nine PGA TOUR events all over the country (but especially ours), that is the heart and soul of the game. The grow the game initiative comes from the passion of people like these. It’s awe-inspiring the passion of the golfer.

As the day was wrapping up, and our champion golfer McIlroy was signing his scorecard before the trophy presentation, I turned to a volunteer standing on the 18th green and asked him his favourite part of the week, “This,“ he told me. That was all he needed to say. This was everything. This moment. Thousands of people carved into the natural amphitheatre, all sharing the collective consciousness of pride in their tournament. They were chanting for the Raptors, Rory, singing Oh Canada, and not a soul had left since the final putt dropped. They all wanted more. “Wow eh?,” was all I could muster back to him, and we both stood there, taking in the moment, knowing exactly what we were talking about without saying anything.

So sign up to be a volunteer. Get more. Show the game you love to your friends, your family, a total stranger. Within your passion will ignite their passion.

The amazing experience of being a volunteer at the 2020 RBC Canadian Open is right around the corner, and you don’t want to miss out.

Click here to learn more.

Rory McIlroy may have won the RBC Canadian Open, but he left Ontario with the best prize of all: friendship.

The world No. 3 golfer and Toronto Raptors all-star Kyle Lowry became fast friends over the past week, bonding over their performances in high-pressure events. McIlroy went on to win the Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ont., while Lowry was instrumental in Toronto taking a 3-1 series lead over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals heading into Monday night’s Game 5.

They first met when McIlroy, in Toronto ahead of the Canadian Open, attended Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 2 at Scotiabank Arena. McIlroy went into Toronto’s locker room after the Raptors’ 109-104 loss to Golden State and started chatting with Lowry, exchanging phone numbers.

“We messaged back and forth a little bit this week,” said McIlroy, who watched Toronto’s two wins in Oakland, Calif., on television between rounds of Canada’s national golf championship. “It was awesome to see them do what they did over on the West Coast.”

When McIlroy won the PGA Tour event on Sunday, he pulled on an autographed Lowry jersey on the 18th green and shouted “Raptors in five!” to cheers from the thousands in attendance. A source told The Canadian Press that Lowry had made plans to watch McIlroy’s final round in person on Sunday, but opted to stay in Toronto and rest ahead of Monday night’s Game 5.

"I've been to a couple basketball games, but there was just nothing like it"@Raptors | #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/7vCRgI2fP1

— RBC Canadian Open (@RBCCanadianOpen) June 9, 2019

McIlroy wanted to return the favour, but had to fly to California to play in this week’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

“If I didn’t have a big tournament next week, I would be sticking around for that Game 5,” said McIlroy, who is also friends with L.A. Lakers superstar LeBron James and been his guest at previous NBA Finals. “I’m sure it’ll be awesome.”

Although June 2 was the first time they had spoken, Lowry had seen McIlroy play in person before.

“I didn’t realize he followed us around in L.A. at the start of the year,” said McIlroy. “I played with Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas the first two rounds and (Lowry) followed us around. He said in the summertime when he’s got some time off he basically plays 36 holes a day. I was pretty impressed with that.”

GALLOWAY, N.J. – After 3-putting from off the green on the 15th hole to fall two shots off the lead in the final round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic, Lexi Thompson made it a point not to stress out over it.

The calm demeanour paid off as Thompson finished birdie-par-eagle on her last three holes Sunday, and made a 20-foot putt for the eagle at the 18th to win the $1.75 million event on the Bay Course at Seaview by one stroke over Jeongeun Lee6.

“I just really tried to find the positives in it because I knew coming in there were birdie holes,” Thompson said. “If I let it affect me, I wouldn’t have finished the way I did. At that point I didn’t know where I was, position-wise. I kind of thought I was behind for sure . a few back.”

Playing in winds that blew steadily from 20 to 30 miles per hour, Thompson had a 4-under-par 67 for a 54-hole score of 12-under 201. She posted her 11th career LPGA Tour victory – first since last year’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. It extended her streak to seven straight years with at least one win on the tour.

Thompson, who made her professional debut in this event in 2010 at the age of 15, set up her eagle at the 18th by needing to hit a 190-yard second shot with the wind at her back, to get it to the front of the green.

“With a jumper lie and the wind, I ended up hitting a pitching wedge, which is my 135 club,” she said. “It ended up landing 50 yards short and rolling up there.”

On the putt, she said, “I got chills, like my hair on my arms was sticking up once I made it.”

Lee6, the champion of last week’s U.S. Women’s Open who was playing two groups behind Thompson, lost her lead with three consecutive bogeys from holes 13 through 15 before bouncing back with a birdie at No. 16 to tie Thompson.

However, needing an eagle to force a playoff after reaching the green in two, she just missed a 45-foot putt to tie and had to settle for a birdie, giving her a 70 and second place at 202.

“The way I’m playing the ShopRite tournament, it’s amazing, and I’m pretty satisfied with finishing in second place,” Lee6 said through an interpreter.

Ally McDonald, seeking her first career LPGA Tour victory, challenged on the back nine and took third place at 204 following a 70. Two-time ShopRite LPGA champion Anna Nordqvist had a 69 for fourth place at 206.

Anne-Catherine Tanguay (67) and Brooke Henderson (68) were the top Canadians, tying for 11th at 4-under, while Alena Sharp (72) tied for 21st at 3-under.

Mariah Stackhouse, who began the day one stroke off the lead, fell back with a double bogey at the fifth hole and couldn’t come back. Her round of 74 left her in a three-way tie for fifth at 207 with Ariya Jutanugarn (68) and Yu Liu (72).

ANCASTER, Ont. – Golf Canada’s plans to elevate the RBC Canadian Open have paid off.

Laurence Applebaum, Golf Canada’s CEO, called the 2019 edition of the tournament a success on Sunday, even as the national sport organization was still adding up its figures.

“I can categorically say that the RBC Canadian Open 2019 will be a record year,” said Applebaum at a morning news conference before most pairings had teed off in the final round of the national championship. “It’s going to be a record on basically every single metric we look at.”

Golf Canada reported a 65 per cent increase in attendance, a total of approximately 120,000 people over seven days. Beer sales, always a point of pride for the only Canadian stop on the PGA Tour, doubled from last year’s event at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

Setting the stage for a thrilling Sunday finish at the #RBCCO

Tickets ➡️https://t.co/7mfBsjhFcY pic.twitter.com/ZoSzqMSSUn

— RBC Canadian Open (@RBCCanadianOpen) June 9, 2019

That growth was part of a plan initiated by Golf Canada, lead sponsor RBC, and the PGA Tour, to raise the RBC Canadian Open’s profile.

The overall purse was increased to US$7.6 million for 2019, up from $6.4 million. The date was also moved from late July to the first week of June, a more advantageous position in golf’s calendar, a week before the U.S. Open instead of a week after the British Open.

A pair of concerts were added to the event, with country music stars Florida Georgia Line playing on Friday night and Kingston, Ont., rock group the Glorious Sons performing on Saturday night.

“I think we saw on Friday and Saturday that music and golf do work together,” said Mary DePaoli, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer for RBC. “Anecdotally there were so many people that came to hear music but got here early to see some golf.”

The Hamilton Golf and Country Club hosted the Canadian Open for the first time since 2007. It will welcome the national championship in 2023. St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto will hold the event in 2020 and 2024, with the hosts for 2021 and 2022 expected to be announced by the end of this year.

Looking back on the Sunday morning hype that surrounded the 2019 RBC Canadian Open.

Canada’s Roger Sloan takes a tour through the Hamilton Fare Way and the Titleist Fitting Zone