PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has announced that the PGA Tour Policy Board has approved a recommendation to reduce the number of points awarded for each of the four FedExCup Playoff tournaments.

Beginning in 2015, The Barclays, Deutsche Bank Championship, BMW Championship and TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola will award 2,000 points for a victory (down from 2,500) with all other places being reduced by the same proportion. The intent, Finchem said, is to place a greater emphasis on season-long excellence while still maintaining the element of volatility and movement throughout the Playoffs.

“Every year since the FedExCup was introduced in 2007, we have reviewed the points structure with the Player Advisory Council and four Player Directors who sit on the Policy Board,” Finchem said. “We believe this slight modification will add greater significance to players having an outstanding season leading into the Playoffs, while still allowing for the excitement of volatility and movement during the Playoffs, particularly as players vie to make the final 30 for the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola.”

The proposal was strongly supported by the Player Advisory Council, which advises and consults with the Policy Board and Commissioner on matters affecting PGA Tour members.

With the change, reset points for the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola also have been proportionately reduced to maintain the current scenarios of all 30 players having a chance to win the FedExCup, the higher seeds having a significantly greater chance of winning, and the top 5 seeds being guaranteed the FedExCup title with a victory.

Additionally, the Board voted to eliminate a secondary cut for the Playoffs that normally would occur after three rounds when more than 78 players make the 36-hole cut.

CHONBURI, Thailand —  Toronto’s Richard Lee only needed 24 putts to card a 3-under 69 and move into a four-way tie atop the leaderboard at the Asian Tour’s Thailand Golf Championship.

The 24-year-old prodigy who carded a 62 in the B.C. Junior at the age of 12, recorded his first victory as a professional at the Solaire Open earlier in 2014.

Local player Thanyakorn Khrongpha, Lu Wei-chih of Taiwan, and Marcus Fraser of Australia, who chipped in for birdie on the 18th hole, also shot 69s and share the lead at the Asian Tour event.

Lee Westwood, who had the best round among the star names at the event with a 70, sits one shot back of the leaders, while Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer both trail by two strokes.

GOLD COAST, Australia — American Boo Weekley made five birdies and an eagle on his way to a 6-under 66 at the weather-affected Australian PGA on Thursday and a two-stroke lead over a group that included defending champion Adam Scott.

Weekley and Scott finished their rounds on the Royal Pines layout before lightning caused afternoon play to be suspended twice, the first time for three hours.

Play will begin at 5:30 a.m. Friday to allow more than 50 golfers to complete their first rounds.

Australians Wade Ormsby, James Marchesani and Craig Hancock and New Zealander David Smail joined Scott with 68s. South Korea’s Jin Jeong was also at 4-under after 12 holes before play was suspended.

Jarrod Lyle, playing regularly after recovering from his second bout of leukemia, shot 69, and fellow Australian Marc Leishman was also 3-under after 14 holes.

“I struck the ball solid, kept it in play, hit one bad drive and got away with it,” said Weekley, who is playing his third Australian tournament in four weeks.

Scott made an improvement on his opening rounds at the recent Australian Masters and Australian Open, where he failed to break par.

“It was a pretty solid start,” Scott said. “I can always find reason to be better, but I’ll take that considering the starts I’ve got off to the last couple of tournaments.

“I didn’t make a ton of putts today, so if you can have a hot day with the putter certainly getting in at eight-under in a day is not unrealistic around here.”

NAPLES, Fla. — The Franklin Templeton Shootout has had a makeover.

Greg Norman’s tournament has a new format, course look and TV partner and will run from Thursday-Saturday instead of Friday-Sunday.

After Matt Kuchar and Harris English took the suspense out of the final round last year by shooting a record 34-under 182 and winning by seven shots, Norman and tournament officials tweaked the format order from modified alternate shot, better ball and scramble to scramble, modified alternate shot and better ball.

“I completely understand the idea that the scramble format, there’s not a whole lot of separation that happens,” Kuchar said. “You don’t get the big differences in scores. The best ball, you might have guys go 2-under to 12-under, or even better.”

For the first time, Fox Sports is getting into the golf business. Norman will join Joe Buck in the broadcast booth. They also will work the U.S. Open this summer.

Fox will employ 73 microphones, 24 cameras, 10 replay machines, seven broadcasters and five audio mixers for the tournament.

The switch to Fox forced the Saturday finish. After Saturday’s broadcast, Buck will fly to Seattle to work the Seahawks’ game against the San Francisco 49ers.

“I come at this as a guy who just loves the game and loves to play and loves to be out with friends and try to get better at this game,” Buck said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time now and I’ve gone from being the kid and trying to prove myself in baseball and football to somebody who’s done it for a long time and I think I understand TV.

“Greg knows the golf part of it I think together we’ll make this thing work.”

Norman calls the broadcasting venture one of the top five things he has done in his life.

“I think going in I’ll be as nervous as I was walking the first tee at Augusta National and teeing it up for the first time,” he said.

With several greens showing early signs of disease, both of the Norman-designed Tiburon courses will be used. The front nine will start on Tiburon’s Black course, using holes 1-7 and 17, 18. Closing holes Nos. 13-18 will remain the same on Tiburon’s Gold course.

“The greens on one side were suffering,” Ian Poulter said. “So to move it to play nine holes on the other course actually is the first time I’ve played it and it’s a lot of fun. It’s very tight, very tricky. So if you put it in play, you’re going to make plenty of birdies. But it’s easy to get out of position, so from that standpoint it’s good, it’s a good change.”

English and Kuchar are teaming again in the 12-team field.

The other pairings are: Poulter-Billy Horschel, Graeme McDowell-Gary Woodland, Keegan Bradley-Camilo Villegas, Jason Day-Cameron Tringale, Patrick Reed-Brandt Snedeker, Ryan Palmer-Jimmy Walker, Jerry Kelly-Steve Stricker, Sean O’Hair-Kenny Perry, Retief Goosen-Mike Weir, Charles Howell III-Scott Verplank and Justin Leonard-Rory Sabbatini.

Team Canada member and Surrey, B.C. native Adam Svensson was nominated for Sport B.C. Male Athlete of the Year. The 20-year-old will learn the results of his nomination come the award ceremony on Mar. 12^th.

In his sophomore season at Barry University, Svensson won seven NCAA titles en route to winning the Jack Nicklaus Award—given to the best Div II golfer in the nation. He followed that up with a 7^th place finish at the World Amateur Team Championship alongside teammates Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.) and Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.)—the Canadian contingent finished second overall.

Currently, Svensson sits at No. 35 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) and looks to improve even further in his junior year at Barry.

Svensson was nominated by David Atkinson, President of British Columbia Golf and Kris Jonasson, Executive Director of British Columbia Golf.

The 2014 winner of this award was Boston Celtics basketball player Kelly Olynyk of Kamloops.

Acton, Ont. — The PGA of Canada’s 2014 national award winners have been announced and will be honoured in January at the association’s PGA of Canada Night celebrations in Orlando, Fla., as part of the PGA Merchandise Show.

This year’s winners include Dave Levesque (Pure Golf Experience), Mike Weir Player of the Year; Wayne Fairbairn (Calgary Elks Lodge & Golf Club), Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year; Brodie Carle (Predator Ridge Golf Resort), Moe Norman Apprentice of the Year; Liam Mucklow (The Golf Lab), George Knudson Teacher of the Year; Jeff Overholt (Golf Performance Coaches), Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year; Henry Brunton (Henry Brunton Golf), Ben Kern Coach of the Year; Cory Kartusch (St. Charles Country Club), Murray Tucker Golf Professional of the Year; Ashley Zibrik (Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club), Tex Noble Award for Professional Development; Jeremy Tanner (Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club), Stan Leonard Class “A” Professional of the Year; and Arnold Palmer, George Cumming Distinguished Service Award.

“This year’s PGA of Canada national award winners are truly great golf professionals and on behalf of the national board of directors’ and the association’s 3,700 members, I’m proud to congratulate them today on their achievements,” said Constant Priondolo, PGA of Canada president.

Each year, a national selection committee evaluates application submissions from zone award winners and recognizes winners in each of the categories.

The winners will receive their award and be honoured in January at the association’s Canada Night celebrations at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla. Canada Night takes place in Orlando, Fla., January 22, 2015 at the PGA Merchandise Show (Orange County Convention Centre) at 5p.m. in room 109A.

“PGA of Canada Night at the PGA Merchandise Show is always an excellent, well-attended event,” Priondolo said. “Not only is it an opportunity to mix and mingle with others in the golf industry, but it’s also a chance to celebrate the PGA of Canada professionals who have been recognized as national award winners.”

George Clifton will also be inducted into the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame during PGA of Canada Night.

“We will proudly induct another great PGA of Canada professional—George Clifton— into our PGA of Canada Hall of Fame at Canada Night,” said Warren Crosbie, PGA of Canada Hall of Fame Chair. “I would greatly encourage those interested in learning more about the members of the hall of fame, as well as the history of the association to visit the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame website.” Al Balding; Dave Barr; David Black; Gordie Brydson; George Cumming; Pat Fletcher; Brent Franklin; Daniel Halldorson; Wilf Homenuik; Jules Huot; Karl Keffer; Ben Kern; George Knudson; Willie Lamb; Stan Leonard; Henry Martell; Jack McLaughlin; Albert Murray; Charles Murray; Jim Nelford; Moe Norman; Bob Panasik; Cathy Sherk; Murray Tucker; Mike Weir; and Richard Zokol made up the inaugural class of PGA of Canada Hall of Fame members who were inducted at this year’s Canada Night celebrations.

For more information on the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame, click here.

ANTALYA, Tur. — John Daly won his first tournament in 10 years this past weekend, capturing the Beko Classic title with a total score of -15 for the week as well as the $8000 USD prize.

The long-bombing American shot an even par 72 in his final round to defeat two-time Beko Classic champion Robert Coles by one stroke at Gloria Hotels & Resorts’ New Course.

Daly, who has donated the earnings from the event to various local charities, explained that the victory will help fuel his confidence heading into next season.

“It feels great to win. As professionals we try to build on confidence so any time you win anything it boosts it,” said Daly. “It’s pretty much my last tournament of the year so I can hopefully go into 2015 with some extra confidence.”

Daly’s last win came at the Buick Invitational in 2004, a season that California native capped with a PGA Tour Comeback Player of the Year award.  The victory earned him a two-year exemption on the circuit, which he has not been able to regain since 2006.

Since then, the 1995 Open Champion has made more headlines in the tabloids than in sports sections, relying on sponsorship exemptions to play PGA Tour events.

It appears that Daly’s game and confidence may have turned the corner over the last few years, though.  Since 2012, Daly has made 20 cuts on the PGA Tour in 43 events, including one top 10 and four top 25s.

The 48-year-old’s transformation could, in part, be attributed to stability in his personal life off of the golf course.

Just this week, Daly announced his engagement to long-time girlfriend and current caddie, Anna Cladakis.  This will be the fifth time that the 1991 PGA Championship winner has tied the knot.

The 2013/14 season was arguably the best year in Canadian amateur golf history. Canada obtained the world’s No. 1 ranked female amateur spot (Brooke Henderson), a 2^nd place finish in both the men’s and women’s World Amateur Team Championship and both a male (Corey Conners) and female (Henderson) finalist in the prestigious U.S. Amateur.

That’s just the beginning.

Adam Svensson (Surrey, B.C.) won the Jack Nicklaus award—given to the most outstanding NCAA Div I,II and III athlete—for his record-setting seven victories playing for Barry University. Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.) drove his way up the leaderboard at the RBC Canadian Open, finishing as low amateur at 3-under par. Jennifer Ha, a 20-year-old member of the Women’s Amateur Squad, was one of only four Canadians to make the cut at the 2014 CP Women’s Open.

Collectively, both Amateur Squads saw each of its five players crack the top 100 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). That had not happened before to either squad in the program’s 11 year history—in 2014, it happened to both.

Aside from the players themselves, there were many factors at play that lend to the success of Team Canada—perhaps none more than the dedication of Team Canada’s coaching staff, led by Head Coaches Tristan Mullally and Derek Ingram.

“We really have had the best year in program history and I couldn’t be more proud of the girls,” said Women’s Head Coach, Tristan Mullally. “If it gets any better than this—maybe we’ve won the lottery,” he said with a laugh.

Mullally, a PGA of Canada class “A” member, has been leading the women’s program for the last three years alongside Canadian coaching veteran and men’s Head Coach, Derek Ingram.

“We had a fantastic year with great results across the board from virtually every player,” said Ingram, a Winnipeg native and also class “A” member. “It’s great to see these guys develop into great young players and great young people but at the same time it’s exciting to take an unranked player and help them get to the top,” he said.

When asked what the goals are for the upcoming season, both coaches shared the feeling that last year’s results are going to be difficult to match.

“We’ve been able to improve results year-after-year with the program but last year we set the bar very very high,” said Mullally. “There are new players coming in and it will definitely be difficult to match—but it won’t be from a lack of trying that’s for sure.”

“With the change in players it’s certainly going to be tough to match last year’s results,” Ingram added. “Having said that, we are always trying to get better and I’m really looking forward to the new season and new challenges.”

Both Ingram and Mullally took on additional players as part of the Young Pro Squad launch in 2013. Heading into the program’s second year, the coaching staff remains focused on fully incorporating the program as the final tier of the Team Canada umbrella. The 2014/15 team is yet to be named—the announcement will likely take place sometime early in the new year.

At the bottom of that umbrella is Team Canada’s Development Squad. The National Amateur squad players often come up through this squad under the direction of coaches Robert Ratcliffe and Ann Carroll, who work in unison with Ingram and Mullally. In a perfect world, Team Canada will help a player come up through the Development Squad, transition to the Amateur Squad and make the Young Pro Squad for one final step of guidance before independence on professional tours.

Click here to learn more about the 2014/15 Team Canada athletes

Henderson enjoying the spotlight

After quite a busy season on the golf course, Brooke Henderson is finally getting a chance to enjoy her new stardom as the world’s No. 1 amateur female golfer.

The Team Canada member and Smiths Falls, Ont. native has been spotted at numerous sporting events taking on ceremonial roles.

In late September, Henderson dropped the puck for a ceremonial face-off at the OHL pre-season game between the Ottawa 67’s and the Kingston Frontenacs.

In mid-October, the Ottawa Senators tweeted a picture of her and her sister Brittany.

#Sens guest sign-in: Brooke & Brittany Henderson! #GolfSisters #AtTheGame pic.twitter.com/VXfV5gQQ6r

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 17, 2014

The Henderson sisters also had a chip off during half time of the Ottawa Redblacks’ game against the Montreal Allouettes on October 24^th, taking a 70 yard chip shot with a neon pink ball.

Palm Beach, Fla. — Seven Canadians will tee-it-up when the final stage of Web.com Q-School begins on Thursday.

The 150 players in the field will hope to secure spots on the 2015 Web.com Tour over the course of six days at PGA National’s Champion and Fazio courses.

The overall winner of Q-School earns full status for 2015, while spots 2-10 are awarded status for the first 12 events of the Web.com season. Those who finish between 11^th and 45^th earn entry into the first eight events of 2015, while players finishing 46^th or higher earn conditional status.

Representing Canada in the final stage are Victoria’s Corey Renfrew, Vancouver’s Ryan Williams, Montreal’s Beon Yeong Lee, Ted Brown of Peterborough, Ont., Brad Fritsch of Ottawa, as well as Wes Heffernan and Ryan Yip of Calgary.

Fritsch lost his PGA Tour card after finishing outside of the Top 125 by less than one point (0.891) in the 2014 FedEx Cup race. Following an unsuccessful attempt to re-capture his PGA Tour status via the Web.com Fall Tour Series a few months ago, he will look to regain his consistency on next year’s Web.com Tour by earning a spot this week.

WINDERMERE, Fla. — The Ladies European Tour concludes its season in Dubai with a new sponsor that Laura Davies hopes will bring the circuit some more attention.

Swiss-based Omega continued to expand its presence in golf when it announced a 10-year partnership with the LET. The partnership includes Omega being the official timekeeper and the sponsor of the tour’s award for rookie of the year. It already is the title sponsor of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, and it recently signed a personal endorsement deal with English teenager Charley Hull.

“We get big companies like Omega involved, that’s a step forward,” Davies said. “Because other multinational companies want to be involved with other multinational companies, so hopefully that will draw in some more big support, especially for the LET – more television for us. I know that’s one of the things our chief executive is trying to do, and if we get much more live TV, I think everything gets elevated.”

In recent years, Omega struck up a partnership with the PGA of America and the Ryder Cup (when it is played in America). It is title sponsor for two European Tour events (Switzerland and Dubai) and the finale on the LET.

Hull is the youngest in an Omega stable that includes Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Greg Norman, along with Michelle Wie and Stacy Lewis.

Hull, a star for Europe in its first Solheim Cup victory in America last year, narrowly missed out on her full LPGA Tour card last week and received only conditional status. The 18-year-old is on the cusp of winning the LET money title going into Dubai.

“It is important to the brand that we show our appreciation of golf as a while, and we are happy to bring greater attention to the professional women golfers who are taking the game to a new, exciting level,” Omega President Stephen Urquhart said.