MELBOURNE, Australia – Antonio Murdaca shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to open a commanding 8-shot lead heading into the final round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Championship.

The 19-year-old Australian took a 1-shot lead into the third round after shooting 69 and 68 as the only player in the tournament to break 70 in the first two rounds. He hit every fairway Saturday on the way to the day’s low score over the 6,453-metre (7,059-yard) Royal Melbourne Golf Club layout.

Cheng Jin of China is in second place at four-under with Australia’s Todd Sinnott with and Pan Cheng-tsung of Taiwan. Horikawa Mikumu of Japan matched Murdaca’s 67 to move into a share of third place at 3-under.

Murdaca’s round was blemished only by a bogey at the par-4 11th. He had four birdies before and an eagle at the par-5 17th.

“I was feeling good. I went out today and just tried to do what I did yesterday … hit one shot at a time, just try to hit some solid shots,” he said. “I pulled that off so I’m happy with my round today.”

Murdaca is now poised to become the first Australian to win the Asia-Pacific tournament and, as this year’s winner, an invitation spot at next year’s U.S. Masters and an exemption into the final stage of qualifying for the British Open.

Pan shot a 1-under 71 Saturday, with four birdies and three bogeys, while Cheng had an even-par 72 and Sinnott a 2-over 74 after three bogeys on his outward nine.

Murdaca played what may have been the shot of the tournament when his 220-meter (yard) approach to the 17th nudged the lip of the hole and almost dropped for an albatross.

“I just hit a little fade 4-iron,” he said. “It hit the target. I didn’t quite catch it and hit it a little bit short but it released nicely and it gave me a good chance for eagle there.”

PERTH, Australia – Thorbjorn Olesen’s bunker shots and putting helped him grind out a 5-under 67 Saturday to lead the Perth International golf tournament by three strokes after the third round.

Olesen of Norway had six birdies and a bogey to reach 16-under after three rounds, matching the score that won the inaugural tournament two years ago. He leads from South Korea’s Sihwan Kim, who shot 69 to move to 13 under, a stroke ahead of England’s James Morrison, who also had 69 after Friday’s course-record 63.

American Peter Uihlein was the big mover Saturday, making seven birdies in an unblemished 65 to move up to outright fourth at 11-under.

Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa (70) is seven shots off the pace entering Sunday’s final round.

Perth’s Lake Karrinyup Golf and Country Club played relatively sedately Saturday in warm and mildly windy conditions. There were 21 over-par scores among the 65 players who made the cut and 11 eagles as pin positions remained forgiving.

Olesen demonstrated an outstanding ability to scramble as he saved pars or made birdies from difficult positions. He set that tone with a birdie on the first and reinforced it when he chipped in for birdie at the third after taking a provisional ball.

“It was a grind out there,” Olesen said. “I was struggling but I kept on fighting, kept having fun out there and trying my best.

“Five under is a pretty good score when you’re not playing that great. I hit some awesome bunker shots today. I missed one on 15 which was almost impossible but I had some great up and downs, almost holed a couple.”

Olesen said his save on the third hole reflected his round.

“I hit my tee shot right – I hit a couple right today – but it was lying beautiful in the light rough,” he said. “I hit it perfect, it checked up on me and rolled right in.”

Kim contributed one of the day’s eagles, on the par-4 14th, and had four birdies and three bogeys in another scrambling round.

Morrison couldn’t replicate the fireworks of his 9-under second round, but made five birdies in six holes on his inward nine to stay well in contention.

Jason Dufner, the 2013 U.S. PGA champion, who made the cut in his first tournament after almost three months off with a neck injury, shot 69 Saturday to be in a tie for 19th at 7-under.

HAINAN ISLAND, China – American Jessica Korda rebounded from an opening double bogey for a share of the second-round lead Saturday in the Blue Bay LPGA.

Korda made seven birdies in a 14-hole stretch – the last three on Nos. 14-16 – and shot a 5-under 67 to match South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace at 11-under 133 at Jian Lake Blue Bay.

“I got a little frazzled there as I was walking to the first tee box and then obviously didn’t hit a good shot,” Korda said. “I just I tried to forget about it, tried to bring back.”

Pace had seven birdies and a bogey in a 66.

After rain washed out play Friday and forced tour officials to cut the event from 72 to 54 holes, the start of play Saturday was delayed three hours.

“The golf course is draining incredibly well for how much rain we got,” Korda said. “The bunkers are obviously a little wet, but other than that, it’s amazing how well it’s responded to how much dumping it’s gotten.”

Korda, the first-round leader Thursday after a 66, won the season-opening event in the Bahamas in January and took the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic in May in Alabama.

She saved par on the par-5 18th with a 17-foot putt.

“I would say the putt on 18 that I made to save par was definitely good to bring the momentum that I had on the last 17 holes. To bring it in for tomorrow,” Korda said. “So, hopefully, I can just feed off of that.”

Pace, winless on the LPGA Tour, is coming off a playoff victory last week in the Ladies European Tour’s South African Women’s Open.

She chipped in from the fringe for a birdie on No. 12 and also birdied Nos. 14 and 15.

“I played pretty decent,” Pace said. “I made quite a few putts already by that stage and then the putter just started rolling nicely toward the end.”

She won the LET’s Sanya Ladies Open in China in 2010 and 2013.

“Maybe I just like the type of grass. I can read the greens fairly easy,” Pace said. “I think what you see is what you get.”

South Korea’s Chella Choi was 10 under after a 66.

Americans Michelle Wie and Brittany Lang closed with birdies to join China’s Shanshan Feng at 9 under. They shot 68.

Wie is making her second start since withdrawing from the Evian Championship in September after reinjuring a stress reaction in her right hand. She marveled at the course conditions after the heavy rain Friday and Saturday morning.

“It’s pretty amazing how great the golf course drained,” Wie said. “We were like sitting on the ground today while we were waiting and it was absolutely dry. It was so dry. It’s crazy. It’s pretty phenomenal what they did with the bunkers and how they got the course ready in that short of time. I think any other course if we got that much rain we’d be done for the week. So it’s pretty phenomenal.”

Feng won the LPGA Malaysia two weeks ago for her fourth LPGA Tour title and is seeking her second victory in China after winning the Reignwood LPGA last year in Beijing.

The tournament is the fourth stop on the six-tournament Asian Swing. The LPGA Taiwan Championship is next week, followed by the Mizuno Classic in Japan.

Statement from Ted Bishop, who was removed as president of the PGA of America on Friday for sexist comments on social media directed at Ian Poulter:

I want to apologize to Ian Poulter and anyone else that I might have offended with my remarks on social media that appeared on October 23, 2014. Particularly, I have great remorse that my comments contained the words “little girl” because I have always been a great advocate for girls and women in golf.

My two children, both girls, have made their careers in golf. I have a 4-year old granddaughter who I hope will someday play the game. In my 37-year career in golf, I have worked with many women to grow the sport and I have been a champion for inclusion and equal rights for women in golf.

However, this is a classic example of poor use of social media on my part and if I had the chance to hit the delete button on the things that I sent out yesterday, I would without hesitation. The PGA of America asked me to avoid any interaction with the media in the past 24 hours and that is why I did not issue a formal and public apology, which I have wanted to do since early this morning.

This afternoon I was asked by my fellow Officers to resign my position as President. I declined because I wanted to speak to our PGA Board of Directors, offer a personal apology and let the due process take place in this matter. The Board heard me out and then voted to impeach me as the 38th President. That is the due process and I respect that, as painful as it might be.

The PGA has also informed me that I will not become the Honorary President nor will I ever be recognized as a Past President in our Association’s history. These, along with the impeachment are drastic consequences for the offense I have committed, but I must live with them. I take great pride in what we were able to accomplish in the last 23 months. Hopefully, we laid the groundwork for a successful future for the PGA of America. Today, all I have left is my PGA membership and that will always mean the world to me.

SAN ANTONIO – John Cook and Marco Dawson shot 7-under 65 on Friday to share the first-round lead in the Champions Tour’s AT&T Championship, the final full-field event of the season.

Scott Dunlap was a stroke back at TPC San Antonio, and Jay Hass was at 67 along with Guy Boros, Bart Bryant, Gary Hallberg, Jay Hass, Tom Lehman, Peter Senior, Wes Short Jr., and Kirk Triplett. Haas won the Greater Hickory Kia Classic last week at 60 to become the 18th player to win a Champions Tour event at 60 or older.

Cook won the event in 2007 and 2008 at Oak Hills.

The top 30 on the money list after the tournament will advance to the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship next week in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Bernard Langer, the Charles Schwab Cup points leader, opened with a 71. Langer has a tour-high five victories – two of them majors – and also leads the money list. Colin Montgomerie, second in the Schwab Cup standings, shot 68.

Defending champion Kenny Perry also had a 68.

Canada’s Stephen Ames was tied for 44th after an opening-round 72 that left him even par after the opening round.

Rod Spittle was a shot back at 1-over. The St. Catharines, Ont. native is tied for 54th after a 73.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Ted Bishop was never afraid to take a risk or share his strong opinions on any subject during his 23 months as president of the PGA of America. Ultimately, that wound up costing him his job.

Bishop became the first PGA president to be removed from office, and he went down swinging.

He said the PGA officers asked him to resign Friday morning over his sexist comments on social media directed at Ian Poulter. Bishop refused, wanting to apologize in person to the PGA board of directors and let the process run its course. It turned out to be a short trip.

“The board heard me out and then voted to impeach me,” Bishop said. “That is the due process and I respect that, as painful as it might be.”

Bishop was irritated by remarks Poulter made in his book on the Ryder Cup captaincy of Nick Faldo in 2008 and Tom Watson this year. He referred to Poulter as “Lil Girl” on Twitter when stacking up Poulter’s feats next to Faldo. In a Facebook post, he noted that Watson (with eight majors) and Faldo (with six majors and the Ryder Cup record for most points) were getting “bashed” by Poulter.

“Really? Sounds like a little school girl squealing during recess. C’MON MAN!” he wrote.

The board voted to remove him, and the punishment was severe.

Along with losing his job, Bishop lost privileges afforded all past presidents, such as honorary roles at future PGA Championships and Ryder Cups. Bishop had only 29 days left on his two-year term before the next election at the PGA annual meeting in Indianapolis, not far from the Legends Golf Club in Franklin, Indiana, where he works.

“Today, all I have left is my PGA membership and that will always mean the world to me,” Bishop said.

In decided to oust Bishop, the board said the remarks were inconsistent with the association’s policies.

“The PGA of America understands the enormous responsibility it has to lead this great game and to enrich lives in our society through golf,” PGA chief executive Pete Bevacqua said in a statement. “We must demand of ourselves that we make golf both welcoming and inclusive to all who want to experience it, and everyone at the PGA of America must lead by example.”

The PGA of America has 27,000 members, about 1,100 of them women. Bevacqua said in a telephone interview that he received “a lot of negative feedback from all types of sources, internal and external.” He declined to specify whether PGA female members were part of that.

Bishop apologized to Poulter and “anyone else I might have offended.”

“This is a classic example of poor use of social media on my part and if I had the chance to hit the delete button on the things that I sent out yesterday, I would without hesitation,” Bishop said. “The PGA of America asked me to avoid any interaction with the media in the past 24 hours and that is why I did not issue a formal and public apology, which I have wanted to do since early this morning.”

Derek Sprague, expected to be voted in as the next president at the Nov. 22 annual meeting, was appointed the interim president. Paul Levy will handle the roles as vice president and secretary until the election.

Suzy Whaley, a teaching pro from Connecticut who qualified to play a PGA Tour event in the Hartford area in 2003, is among three PGA members running for secretary at the Nov. 22 election. If she wins, Whaley would be in line to be PGA president in 2018.

Whaley said she found Bishop’s remarks to be “insulting.”

“I was extremely disappointed and they were definitely sexist,” Whaley said in a telephone interview. “I’m of 100 percent belief that we need to empower young girls.” Asked if she complained to the PGA officers, Whaley said, “I didn’t have to do that.

“The PGA of America took incredibly swift action and are taking this extremely serious. Obviously, it’s critical that we are inclusive.”

Poulter was on a plane to China when Bishop posted his remarks Thursday and wasn’t aware of them until he landed and found his phone filled with messages.

“Is being called a `lil girl’ meant to be derogatory or a put down?” Poulter said. “That’s pretty shocking and disappointing, especially coming from the leader of the PGA of America.”

Bishop’s boldest move was to pick Watson as the U.S. captain, saying he was tired of the Americans losing. But the move backfired when Watson’s heavy-handed style didn’t mesh with a younger generation. Watson, 65, was the oldest captain in Ryder Cup history.

Poulter in his book said that Watson’s decision-making “completely baffles me.” He was referring to Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley being benched for both sessions Saturday. He also was critical of Faldo for his commentary on Golf Channel during the Ryder Cup that Sergio Garcia was “useless” in 2008. Faldo was captain of the only European team to lose in the last 15 years, and Poulter wrote, “So who’s useless? I think Faldo might need to have a little look in the mirror.”

Davis Love III described Bishop as a friend and a “great supporter of golf” and said he would not remember his presidency for this incident. Among other things, the PGA joined up with the LPGA Tour to help pay for its oldest major. The Women’s PGA Championship will be sponsored by KPMG, which will use the week to host a major conference for women executives.

“I have said things in my passion for the Ryder Cup that I wish came out differently,” Love said. “We all make mistakes on social media.”

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Russell Henley has a reminder on his phone that goes off every day at noon to tell him he’s the best putter in the world. He didn’t need one Friday in the McGladrey Classic.

Playing for the first time since Sept. 14 at the Tour Championship, Henley one-putted 10 greens on the Seaside course at Sea Island and tied his personal best on the PGA Tour with a 7-under 63 to take a one-shot lead into the weekend.

The 25-year-old from Georgia would not have seen that coming.

When he teed off in the morning chill, he opened with a bogey on No. 10 and was simply trying to keep warm. The only 63 on his mind was whether the temperature would get that high. It did, and he got hot with his best club in the bag – the putter.

“After the first hole, I was just thinking, `All right, you’ve got to hang in there and just be patient and hopefully get something going.’ And I did,” Henley said.

He managed to turn a horrible drive into a birdie on the 18th hole at the turn, the start of six birdies over his last 10 holes. That put him at 9-under 131, one shot ahead of Brendon de Jonge (64), Brian Harman (67) and Andrew Svoboda (66).

“That kept the round going, and then I felt pretty good with my putter,” Henley said.

Will MacKenzie (68), Mark Wilson (66) and Fabian Gomez (66) were two shots behind. Defending champion Chris Kirk hit his first drive of the round into a hazard and made double bogey, but he recovered with five birdies for a 67 that left him only four shots back.

Henley has won in each of his first two years on the PGA Tour, and it was that inaugural win at the Sony Open that brought so much attention to his putting. He’s not suggesting he is the best putter in golf, though it doesn’t hurt to tell himself that every day.

“I would say I’m a great putter. And I think if you want to be a great putter, you have to believe that you’re a great putter,” Henley said.

That’s why he added the phone reminder.

“I try to just believe in my putting and enjoy putting, and people always tells me I’m a great putter, so it’s pretty easy to keep the confidence going when you’re doing that,” Henley said. “I just wish they would say that about the rest of my game.”

He doubts they will ever say that about his acoustic guitar.

Henley has been fiddling with a guitar since he was a teenager, spent more time with it in college and when he turned pro, and now is at least good enough to fulfill a fantasy. During a friendly bet he won with country singer Darius Rucker, he was able to go on stage with him Wednesday night at Sea Island during a concert and play “Wagon Wheel,” even singing with him on the chorus.

“I still can’t believe it actually happened,” Henley said.

More than enjoying just his putting, it’s key for Henley to enjoy his golf. He did well enough after winning the Honda Classic to advance to the Tour Championship, meaning a hectic end to last season. Henley was worn out and needed the five-week break.

“I decided to rest and take a few weeks off until I got the itch,” Henley said. “I’m kind of a worthless golfer if I’m not excited to play. And I feel like I’m excited to play again.”

Canada’s Nick Taylor carded a 4-under 66 Friday to get to 1-under for the championship (73-66–139) and make the cut on the number at 1-under.

Adam Hadwin also sat at 1-under (70-69) thru 36 holes to squeeze by the cut line.

Roger Sloan carded a 4-over 74 (70-74–144) and missed the cut in his debut as a PGA Tour rookie.

Many pros struggle to find their place after their playing days are done, but when they do, it can be quite fulfilling.

Just ask former LPGA Tour player A.J. Eathorne, who is thoroughly enjoying her role as the leader of Predator Ridge Golf Resort’s golf academy in British Columbia.. The 11-year LPGA veteran is now making an impact on others by teaching the game, a role she has come to love.

In addition to teaching, Eathorne has worked hard to bring more young girls and women to the game. She has used Swing Like A Girl workshops to do that, and most recently, her role as golf ambassador has included starring in a series of fun golf videos.

Backed and distributed by Canadian cable provider TELUS Optik TV and produced by Steamy Window Productions, the videos teach important golf lessons in a fun and lively way to help spread the word about how fun and rewarding the game can be.

Hope you enjoy…

MELBOURNE, Australia – Antonio Murdaca of Australia shot a 4-under 68 to lead the Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Championship after two rounds by a shot from compatriot and overnight leader Todd Sinnott on Friday.

Murdaca had five birdies and a bogey at Royal Melbourne to take his two-round total to 7-under 137, edging Sinnott, who followed his first-round 67 with a 1-under 71.

The 20-year-old Sinnott, who plays on the pennants team for Metropolitan, another sand-belt course nearby, held a share of the lead until he bogeyed his final hole, finishing a mixed round with an eagle, two birdies and three bogeys.

Murdaca and Sinnott will play in the same group over the weekend.

“It should be fun. Anthony plays very aggressively,” Sinnott said.

Murdaca was fortunate to qualify for the elite field of 116 golfers, placing ninth among the 10 Australian entries.

“I’m pretty confident. I’m quite happy with my game,” Murdaca said. “All I’m looking to do is hit great shots, one after the other.

“So I am not going to try to think too far ahead at the weekend.”

Murdaca added, “I’ve always wanted to play the Masters as an amateur.”

The Asia-Pacific winner gets a spot in the U.S. Masters next year, and is exempt into the final stage of qualifying for the British Open.

Thailand’s Tawan Phongphun and China’s Jin Cheng were two shots further back in a tie for third place with two-round totals of 140, 4-under par.

The 2012 champion, Guan Tianlang of China, was among a group of four players tied for fifth place at 3-under 141. Guan struggled for consistency and had six bogeys and five birdies in a 1-over 73.

He was still a shot ahead of Australian amateur champion Ryan Ruffels, whose back-to-back rounds of 71 left him alone in ninth place at 2 under.

U.S. amateur champion Yang Gunn of South Korea followed his first-round 81 with a 1-over 73 to finish a shot inside the cut line.

PERTH, Australia – Peter Whiteford of Scotland had back-to-back rounds of 66 to hold a one-shot lead at the halfway mark of the Perth International on Friday.

Whiteford, who needs to finish first or outright second to retain his European Tour card, moved to 12 under with an eagle on the par-5 7th – his 16th hole – to move ahead of Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen, who followed up his first-round 64 with a 69.

“It’s no holds barred, win or bust this week,” Whiteford said. “I’m very nervous. It’s not a matter of `I’d like to win,’ I need to, to try to keep my job.”

Olesen started the second round in a share of the lead at 8 under, and had four birdies before a bogey at the last.

“It’s always tough to come back after a great round,” he said. “With the way I played these last two days I feel more confidence going into the weekend.”

Sihwan Kim of South Korea was in third place at 10 under, one clear of James Morrison of England, who hit a course-record, 9-under 63, and David Drysdale of Scotland.

Morrison said the Lake Karrinyup Golf and Country Club is the “sort of course that suits me. I just feel comfortable.”

Charl Schwartzel recovered from a rocky start to his second round and had a 69 to move to 7 under, while Victor Dubuisson made birdies on five of his first seven holes in a 67 to move to 6 under.

Jason Dufner, the 2013 U.S. PGA champion, made the cut in his first tournament after almost three months off with a neck injury with two rounds of 70.

Geoff Ogilvy, who was 1 over after rounds of 73 and 72, and defending champion Jin Jeong, who was 3 over after rounds of 72 and 75, missed the cut.