RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – The fourth and final round of LPGA stage I qualifying ended Friday with seven Canadians landing inside the cut to advance to the next round.

The following Canadians were among the 102 players that finished inside the cut of 298 (+10) at the Mission Hills Country Club:

SooBin Kim (Coquitlam, B.C.) – 284 (71-70-66-77)

Augusta James (Bath, Ont.) – 287 (74-71-72-70)

Anne-Catherine Tanguay (Quebec City, Que.) – 288 (75-70-71-72)

Nicole Zhang (Calgary) – 290 (71-73-72-74)

Angela Buzminski (Oshawa, Ont.) – 292 (80-73-71-68)

Kirby Dreher (Fort St. John, B.C.) – 293 (73-72-74-74)

Brittany Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.) – 296 (74-76-70-76)

Augusta James, Team Canada member and reigning Canadian Women’s Amateur champion, was pleased with her play during the first four rounds of qualifying.

“I played pretty well,” said James, who is entering her senior year at N.C. State. “I felt like I left a few shots out there which is good because it gives me some things to work on before World Am next week, my college tournaments and then Stage II.”

James, who was recently selected as one of three women to represent Canada at the World Amateur, gives the National Team program credit for helping her succeed.

“It’s been a phenomenal experience,” James said of her time with Team Canada. “I’ve been with the program for four years and the financial support and extensive coaching, IST staff and everything it’s been an incredible experience and I couldn’t be where I am today without it. They take you to so many events that you gain so much knowledge and experience from that it’s priceless.”

Medalist honours were awarded to Burbank Calif. native, Emily Tubert, who finished with a five stroke lead at 12-under par.

The second stage of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament will commence at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Fla., from Sept. 30 – Oct. 4. A minimum of the top 80 and ties from Stage II will advance into the Final Qualifying Tournament.

Stage III of LPGA Q-School will be contested over 90 holes Dec. 3-7, at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla. Top finishers in the final stage will earn 2015 LPGA membership.

Click here for full scoring.

CALGARY – Tom Pernice Jr. and Bart Bryant both tied the course record at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club to sit atop the leaderboard after the opening round of the Shaw Charity Classic.

Pernice and Bryant both carded scores of 8-under 62 on the 7,086-yard, par-70 course to tie Bill Glasson for the course record. Glasson also shot 62 in the final round of the inaugural Shaw Charity Classic one year earlier to finish in a tie for 10th spot with Bryant at the Champions Tour event.

David Frost fired a 63 to end up alone in third spot, while Joe Durant and Joe Daley shot 64 to finish in a tie for fourth spot.

Rod Spittle of Niagara Falls, Ont., finished as the top Canadian after shooting a 2-under 68 to finish in a tie for 34th spot.

Calgary’s Stephen Ames shot even par to finish in a tie for 57th in just his second Champions Tour event.

Meanwhile, Jim Rutledge of Victoria, B.C., and Calgary’s Darryl James finished well back after shooting scores of 73 and 74, respectively.

NORTON, Mass. – Ryan Palmer has felt all year that something special was going to happen. For now, he’ll take his lowest round of the season.

Palmer took only 21 putts and made birdie on half of his holes Friday on the TPC Boston, giving him an 8-under 63 and a two-shot lead over Keegan Bradley after the opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship.

“It was one of my best ones of the year, for sure,” Palmer said.

He didn’t miss a putt inside 15 feet and closed out his round with a pitching wedge to 18 feet, making the downhill putt for his ninth birdie.

Bradley matched his low round of the season, though what meant more was the timing. This is the final week before U.S. captain Tom Watson decides which three players he will pick to fill out his Ryder Cup team. Bradley always seemed like a logical choice, though he wants to leave nothing to chance.

He played bogey-free in a gentle breeze, and it was just the start he needed.

“I’m not going to sit up here and say any cliches that I’m not thinking about the Ryder Cup or any of that,” Bradley said. “I am very aware every second of the day that I’m being watched by the captain. And I’m just trying to embrace that be aware of it and enjoy it if I can.”

Webb Simpson, who also needs a pick to return to the Ryder Cup, and Jason Day of Australia were among those at 66.

Jordan Spieth recovered from a double bogey to start his round and, with his entire family in tow, turned it around with four birdies and an eagle for a 67. Also at 67 was Ian Poulter, who seems certain to be a Ryder Cup pick for Europe on Tuesday considering how much damage he’s done to the Americans in the competition. Poulter was thinking only about his golf, which hasn’t been very good this year.

“I just want to play golf,” Poulter said. “It’s been a (bad) year, and I want to turn it around right now.”

Rory McIlroy was brilliant at times and sloppy at other times in his round of 70.

Brantford, Ont.’s David Hearn opened with a 1-under 70 and is tied for 26th, while Weyburn, Sask.’s Graham DeLaet is tied for 29th after an even-par 71 Friday.

Phil Mickelson had a 74. He wasn’t sure what to expect and even Lefty had to be surprised by his card that featured six pars, six birdies, four bogeys, a double bogey and a triple bogey.

“I said it would be feast or famine,” Mickelson said. “I was hoping it would be Stableford. If it was Stableford, I’d be right in it.”

Instead, he needs a good round Saturday to make sure he stays in the top 70 in the FedEx Cup to advance next week to the third playoff event in Denver.

For two weeks – especially this one – the FedEx Cup shares the stage for that other cup. So many players are thinking less about the chase for a $10 million bonus, and more about a chance to play a tournament where they don’t get paid at all.

Watson and European captain Paul McGinley announce their three picks Tuesday. This is the final qualifying week for Europe, though only the players competing in Italy this week can affect the standings.

Palmer finished No. 18 in the Ryder Cup standings. His name hasn’t been mentioned as prominently as others bidding for captain’s pick. But he looked plenty good Friday.

“I keep telling myself something is going to happen. I don’t know where or when,” Palmer said. “My game has been in good shape. It was a matter of getting it all together.”

His regular caddie, James Edmondson, didn’t make the trip. Edmondson is close friends with Lance Bennett, who works for Matt Kuchar. Bennett’s wife died of a seizure Tuesday in Dallas, and caddies and some players wore a black hat with an orange ribbon as a tribute to Angela Bennett. The couple has a 4-year-old daughter.

“When he said, `I may need to stay home,’ I said, `Done. Don’t worry about. We’re just playing golf,'” Palmer said.

Bradley won all three of his matches with Mickelson in the last Ryder Cup at Medinah and is desperate to be on the American team that will try to win the cup back on Sept. 26-28 at Gleneagles in Scotland. And he’s not shy about saying so.

“When I wake up, I’m thinking about it. When I’m on the course, I’m thinking about it,” he said.

Bradley was never in big trouble. He drove it long and straight, and that goes a long way on the TPC Boston. Bradley played with Mickelson in three matches at Medinah in the last Ryder Cup, and they never lost. Bradley also played a practice round at Gleneagles with Watson before the British Open.

“I think if I go out and shoot good scores, yeah, I think I’m in good shape,” Bradley said. “But there’s so many great players that aren’t on this team. I don’t take anything for granted. I don’t think I’m a lock by any means.”

West Vancouver, B.C. (Golf Canada) – Vancouver’s Doug Roxburgh shot a 2-under par 69 Friday to claim a wire-to-wire victory at the 2014 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.

Roxburgh, 62, finished at 7-under 277 (69-69-70-69), three-shots clear of runner-up Brady Exber (74-71-67-68—280) of Las Vegas. Exber, 58, is the reigning (British) Seniors Amateur Champion. Steven Hudson of Birmingham, Ala. finished third at 1-over par 285 (71-71-76-67).

The win today at Capilano Golf and Country Club marks the sixth national golf title for Roxburgh, who won the Canadian Junior Boy’s Championship in 1970 and Canadian Amateur titles in 1972, 1974, 1982 and 1988.

The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member and 13-time British Columbia Amateur champion was ecstatic with the win, perhaps even more so because it came so close to home.

“It feels outstanding,” Roxburgh explained. “I had a good week here. It was fun, I had great playing partners and the course was outstanding. Each national championship is special, but it’s nice to win in Vancouver in front of my family, friends and clubmates from Marine Drive (Golf Club) who came out to support me.”

With the win, Roxburgh earns an exemption into the 2014 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship taking place September 13-18 at Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach, Calif. Surprisingly, the career amateur has played just one previous United States Golf Association (USGA) event during his 40 plus years in competitive golf. Roxburgh was tentative to confirm he’d be taking advantage of the exemption and head south to challenge for the Frederick L. Dold Trophy.

“I still need to talk it over with my wife,” added Roxburgh. “I did try about 10 days ago to qualify for it (US Senior Amateur) in Portland, but I didn’t make it. I’ve only played one other USGA event and it was many years ago – the U.S. Amateur – so it might be sort of fun. And, I hear the golf course is just outstanding. So, you’ll probably see another Canadian flag on the leaderboard… somewhere.”

Final results and a full field list can be found online here.

FIANO, Italy – Hennie Otto of South Africa shot a 10-under 62 to take a three-stroke lead after the second round of the Italian Open on Friday, while Stephen Gallacher’s late bid to qualify for the Ryder Cup also gained momentum.

Otto, who won this event in 2008, carded nine birdies, one eagle and one bogey to move to 15-under at the Circolo Golf Torino. He was three shots ahead of Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger.

After opening with a 72, Gallacher shot a 65 to move within eight strokes of the lead at 7-under.

Gallacher is the only man still capable of moving into the automatic Ryder Cup places in the final qualifying event, with a top-two finish enough to dislodge former U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell from Europe’s team.

Italy’s Francesco Molinari, who shared the overnight lead on his home course with Wiesberger, could only manage a 72 to lie nine strokes back.

“It’s always special to shoot a 62 but a 59 never even crossed my mind,” said Otto, who was 10-under par on his round after 15 holes and needed to birdie the last three to record the first sub-60 round on the European Tour.

However, a bogey on the 17th hole marked the only shot that Otto dropped in two days.

“I really played well, hit some good shots and the greens were running well so you were able to make some putts,” he said. “Something about courses in Italy suits my eye and it would be great to win the tournament. Hopefully I can keep it up and keep going over the weekend.”

Molinari believes he has to win to earn a wild card spot for the Ryder Cup team.

“It’s a step back but there are two more days so let’s see what happens at the weekend,” Molinari said.

There’s a hoary old saying: “Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door.” It is, opines Wikipedia, the font of all modern knowledge, “a metaphor for the power of innovation.”

Yet you can innovate your butt off and, if no one knows about your better mousetrap, you are—to quote a biblical passage—“hiding your light under a bushel.”

That’s why golf equipment companies spend millions on marketing their newest mousetraps … er … innovations and not hiding them under the proverbial bushel. The increasing frequency of these new clubs and balls can, understandably, lead the cynical among us to question whether they are really better, or just different.

Sure, they look cool and you know that Tour pro XYZ plays them, but you think that’s only because the company is paying him or her handsomely to use them in competition. And a Tour pro just plays what they are given, cashes the cheque and shuts up, right? What they do has no bearing on what ends up in our golf bags, correct?

To prove that theory wrong, think about this the next time you get into your car. Things like air bags, disc brakes, crushable body structures, independent suspension, radial tires, and significant engine and transmission advancements in your car were developed by brilliant engineers at the automobile companies and then tested by the best drivers on the planet in competition.

It’s the same thing with golf equipment. “There is no way these companies would put millions and millions into research and development and not come out of that process with something better,” says Rick Young, equipment and business analyst for SCOREGolf. “Their biggest spend is on R&D and they work four to five years ahead. Then, when they have a new product, they hand it over to the pros to validate the technology.”

Along with Young and some other Canadian golf writers, I had a chance to witness that first-hand on the Tuesday preceding The Barclays. NIKE was unveiling their new Vapor line of irons in New York City with the help of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Tech sessions covered every aspect of the new line’s technology. I admit my eyes glazed over when hearing phrases like “Precision Power” and “Modern Muscle.” But I quickly regained focus when Tiger and Mike Taylor, NIKE’s resident club design genius, retraced the development of the irons and Tiger’s role in that process. Trust me, Tiger was integrally involved. And believe me when I tell you the technology behind the new irons is solid. Or don’t trust or believe me. Young, one of the most respected equipment writers in the business, agrees with me. So there.

I use NIKE as an example only because I was witness to this latest demonstration of what all leading golf equipment companies are after. They are after not just your dollars, but your loyalty and your increased enjoyment of the game. They desperately want you to enjoy the game of golf.

“If we don’t have new technology coming out all the time, I guarantee golf would be less popular than it is,” says Young. “Do the new clubs and balls automatically make you better? Not necessarily. That is up to you. Get the right equipment for you and get it custom fitted.”

When Young got into writing about equipment, back about the year 2000, the Titleist Pro V1 had just revolutionized the golf ball world. Standard driver size, which had been around 190 cubic centimetres, had exploded to 340-350cc with Callaway’s Great Big Bertha II, King Cobra and TaylorMade Burner. Wedges were the flavour of the week, with the standard pitching and sand wedges enhanced with versions ranging from 52 to 64 degrees of loft.

Then came the technology explosion.

Less than 15 years later, drivers are limited to 460cc. Woods and irons and balls must have reached their limits.

Nope, says Young.

“We are on the cusp of something dramatic material-wise that will show itself in the next two or three years. I’m sure of it.”

He is also sure that right now, in some lab somewhere, mad boffins in the employ of golf equipment companies are toiling away over those new materials. Bunsen burners are boiling. Electricity crackles across the lab. Sweat drips from their nerdy brows. They haven’t seen the light of day for months.

Suddenly, a cry echoes across the room. (With apologies to the original Frankenstein movie of 1931.)

“Look! It’s moving. It’s alive. It’s alive… It’s alive, it’s moving, it’s alive, it’s alive, it’s alive, it’s alive, IT’S ALIVE!”

“In the name of God!”

“Oh, in the name of God! Now I know what it feels like to be God!”

Stay tuned!

OAKVILLE, Ont. – In anticipation for next month’s National Event, Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru is pleased to announce this year’s top three fundraising sites.

Each of the following three teams are recognized as the leading fundraising sites for 2014:

• RedTail Landing Club (top fundraising site), Matt Truong, Alberta — $22, 527
• Southside Golf Course (2^nd top fundraising site), Eleanor Rudd, Manitoba — $14, 388
• New Brunswick Golf Association (top provincial site) — $20,418

The top two fundraising sites have made the list for the first time, while the New Brunswick Golf Association has consecutively won the provincial honour since the inaugural season. As a result of their play and significant fundraising, the New Brunswick Golf Association will be represented by teams from Pine Needles Golf & Country Club and Maplewood Golf & Country Club.

Golf Fore the Cure, now in its 11^th year, has a long list of people to thank including site coordinators, donators, sponsors, participants and host golf courses. In addition to the achievement of the above three sites, it is important not to forgot the fact that every bit counts and the program is equally as thankful to all other sites.

Program coordinator, Rebecca Siddall, couldn’t be prouder of all participants and the support they show for the cause and for one another.

“The support we receive from all angles fuels the success of the program,” said Siddall. “Seeing everyone work together and share a passion for this cause is truly a beautiful thing.”

The top three fundraising sites will be flown into Toronto (courtesy of Golf Canada) to play in the Golf Fore the Cure National Event on September 22^nd at Carrying Place Golf & Country Club in King, Ont. The day marks the success of the program through a fun-filled day of activities, celebration and golf.

Click here to learn more about Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru.

DOURO-DUMMER, Ontario – Langley, B.C.’s Adam Cornelson did just enough to keep his lead at The Wildfire Invitational presented by PC Financial, firing a 5-under 67 on Friday to reach 14-under par through two rounds at Wildfire Golf Club.

The 26-year old carded five birdies on a bogey-free day, including one at the par-3 ninth, his final hole of the day, to lead by one over player partner Brock Mackenzie of Yakima, Washington.

“This is crunch time, and hopefully I can stick to my routine and keep the weekend going hot,” Cornelson said, refusing to get ahead of himself with two rounds to go. “I’m happy where I’m at, but there’s a long way to go, and with this TOUR, we all know the weekends get going. I’m going to keep my foot on the gas.”

Cornelson, a fourth-year PGA Tour Canada member, comes to Wildfire at 97^th on the Order of Merit, knowing he needs to make a move up the leaderboard to capitalize on the biggest opportunity of his season – if not his career. The University of New Orleans grad has five career top-25 finishes on PGA Tour Canada, but is looking for his first top-10 after missing five of his past six cuts.

“I started out pretty decent and got in a bit of a lull, but I kept working hard and had the attitude that I knew I could do this, and fortunately I’m starting to score,” Cornelson said of his 2014 season. “I’m sticking to my routine and picking good targets, and making good committed golf shots. I’m making the putts I need to make to keep the momentum going.”

The solid starts for Cornelson and Mackenzie came after the pair played together in each of the first two rounds, with the pair combining for 27 birdies, an eagle and just two bogeys through 36 holes.

“It was a real comfortable group, and Adam had another great round, so we just kind of fed off each other a little bit,” said Mackenzie. “It’s always more comfortable when you play with somebody that you like and you respect.”

“Brock had a hot start, and it pushed me to make more birdies for sure,” added Cornelson. The pair will tee it up together again on Saturday in the day’s final pairing at 1:15 PM ET.

One shot back of Mackenzie at 12-under were Meridian, Idaho’s Joe Panzeri and Corpus Christi, Texas’ Randall Hutchison.

PORTLAND, Ore. – I.K. Kim birdied the first four holes on the back nine Thursday and finished with a 7-under 65 to take the first-round lead in the Portland Classic.

The South Korean player birdied seven of the first 13 holes and closed her afternoon round with five straight pars. She won the last of her three LPGA Tour titles in 2010.

Amelia Lewis and Jennifer Song were a shot back in ideal conditions at Columbia Edgewater.

Anna Nordqvist, a two-time winner this year, was another stroke back at 67 along with Mina Harigae, Julieta Granada, Laura Diaz, Alison Walshe, Emma Jandel and Paula Reto.

Juli Inkster, making her 28th appearance in the event at age 54, was in the group at 68. She won the 1999 tournament to wrap up a Hall of Fame spot. Also in that group at 68 is Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont.

So Yeon Ryu, coming off a victory Sunday in the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, was in a group at 70 that included Na Yeon Choi, 18-year-old English player Charley Hull and Yani Tseng. Hull, playing on a sponsor exemption, won a Ladies European Tour event in Morocco in March.

Defending champion Suzann Pettersen shot 71. She also won the 2011 event.

Gigi Stoll, a senior at Beaverton High School, won the Portland Classic Amateur Open last week to earn a spot in the field, also had a 71.

Top-ranked Stacy Lewis, No. 2 Inbee Park and No. 3 Lydia Ko are skipping the tournament, giving them a two-week break before the Evian Championship in France.

Kim nearly won the 2012 Kraft Nabisco Championship for her first major title, but missed a 14-inch putt on the final hole of regulation and lost to Sun Young Yoo in a playoff.

DOURO-DUMMER, Ont.  – Langley, B.C.’s Adam Cornelson fired a 9-under 63 on Thursday at Wildfire Golf Club to take the first round lead at The Wildfire Invitational presented by PC Financial.

The 26-year old carded seven birdies and an eagle to card his lowest career round on PGA Tour Canada in 37 starts, and led by one shot over Andover, Massachusetts’ Evan Harmeling. At 97^th on the Order of Merit with three events to go, Cornelson said he was coming to Wildfire in search of a spark, and certainly found one on Thursday.

“We’re all making a push for the end of the season, and every dollar counts on this Tour,” said Cornelson, who has five career top-25 finishes. “It’s been a long summer for me, and I was happy to get a good one in the books. I just kind of slowly got rolling and took it one shot at a time.”

After re-securing his exempt status at the British Columbia Qualifying Tournament earlier this year, the University of New Orleans grad had high hopes for his 2014 season, but hasn’t been as sharp as he would have liked through nine events, with just three made cuts on the campaign.

“Everything felt good for my game and I just wasn’t scoring. I just had no expectations and went out and played, and some putts went in,” Cornelson explained as the catalyst for his stellar opening round.

One shot back with an 8-under 64, Harmeling finds himself in a similar position to Cornelson, sitting 126^th on the Order of Merit with two events left to get inside the top-60 and qualify for the TOUR Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial. The 26-year old put his round into perspective, noting that he was in solo second after one round at the Syncrude Boreal Open presented by AECON before finishing tied for 53rd, and was simply focused on continuing his solid play into the weekend.

“I’ve had some low rounds, so I’m not getting too excited after this one because of that. I definitely want to finish strong,” Harmeling said. “I started feeling it there at the end. I hit one pretty close at the end and I putted it well all day, so it was nice to finish it off well.”