PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Jordan Spieth repeatedly pumped his fist when his 12-foot par putt dropped into cup on the final hole, a clutch moment worthy of celebration for two reasons. It gave him a third straight bogey-free round at The Players Championship and a share of the lead Saturday with Martin Kaymer.

Spieth was even more impressive when he got into trouble off the tee late in a demanding round. The 20-year-old Texan missed his last four fairways and saved par each time, giving him a 1-under 71 in increasingly tougher conditions at the TPC Sawgrass.

Not since Greg Norman won The Players in 1994 has anyone played the opening three rounds without a bogey.

Kaymer held his own for much of the warm, blustery afternoon. He had a two-shot lead at the turn, but failed to take advantage of the par 5s on the back nine. He missed a par putt from just inside 10 feet on the 18th hole for an even-par 72.

They were at 12-under 204, three shots ahead of former Players winner Sergio Garcia (69) and John Senden (68).

The final twosome of Spieth and Kaymer combined for two bogeys, three birdies and 31 pars, not the kind of golf one expects to see on a course that provides so much theater. In firmer conditions, it was a solid brand of golf by both.

Spieth has shown no letdown since his runner-up finish at the Masters a month ago. He will have a chance to become the youngest winner of The Players, and it won’t be unfamiliar territory. Along with his strong play at Augusta National, he has been in the hunt at three other tournaments this year.

But the final hour was the most challenging for him.

Spieth was so far right on the 14th hole that he was closer to the 12th fairway. Unable to see the last 200 yards of the 14th hole, he ripped a hybrid off a slope and sprinted up the hill to find it about pin-high in a bunker. He feared for the worse when his wedge sailed over the green on the par-5 16th, but it bounced softly enough that it didn’t go in the water, and he hit a superb chip to about 4 feet.

And on the 18th, he punched out of the rough between two trees to about 55 yards, played a pitch that ran through the green and just onto the fringe, and holed it for par.

“I was all over the place,” Spieth said. “In order to win, I’m going to have to drive the ball better. Today I got the breaks, got the bounces, and made the 3- and 4-footers to stay alive. I’m not going to be able to keep doing that.”

Kaymer three-putted from the fringe on No. 4 on a difficult putt from 30 feet. He bounced back with a 15-foot birdie on No. 7 and an up-and-down from the back bunker to a back pin on the par-5 ninth to build a two-shot lead.

But the 29-year-old German missed two birdie chances on the par 5s. He was on the back of the green, 80 feet away, for eagle on No. 11 and left his putt some 10 feet short. He three-putted for par. From a collection area just left of the 16th green, he tried a full flop shot over a pot bunker and it came out too soft and into the shaggy grass framing the sand. Kaymer did well to save par.

Even so, he was tied for the lead. For a former world No. 1 who has gone winless for more than two years, the view wasn’t too bad.

Sizing up Sunday, he figured it would be important to take advantage of the par 5s “and then stay cool and calm on 17 and 18th.”

“It’s very important that you enjoy the day,” Kaymer said. “It’s a rare opportunity that you’re in the leading group one of the biggest tournaments we play all year.”

At stake is a $1.8 million payoff, a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour and a three-year exemption to the Masters and British Open.

This course gets tougher on the weekend, though, especially on Sunday. And there were still plenty of players poised to either make a run or be waiting if either of the leaders slip up.

Included in the list of players with striking distance is David Hearn. The Brantford, Ont. native carded a 4-under 68 Saturday to climb 17 spots up the leaderboard. Hearn finished at 7-under, tied for 8th with Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari.

Justin Rose was in the group at 7-under 209 until it was determined after his round that his ball moved slightly before he chipped it on the 18th. That turned his par into a double bogey and he wound up seven shots behind, tied for 13th.

The Meadows at East St. Paul in Winnipeg was recognized as the 2013 CN Future Links Facility of the Year winner for its marked performance and engagement with over 500 juniors through the CN Future Links program.

Glen Sirkis, head PGA of Canada Professional at The Meadows at East St. Paul for the past five years, has been a leading supporter of CN Future Links since it began in 1996.

“It’s a great honour to receive recognition for all the hard work this team has put in over the years,” said Sirkis. “We have a passion to grow the game – watching the kids have fun learning to hit the golf ball and then knowing that it’s a game for life is such a thrill for Adam (Boge), myself and the rest of the team.”

With large junior classes, The Meadows has made full use of the tools provided through the CN Future Links program. Most notably, the program offers an online database for the instructor to organize and monitor results with just a few clicks. This has made progress reports simpler for Sirkis, and more impactful for each of his students. The progress reports clearly outline areas the student is progressing in and areas that need work. The Meadows at East St. Paul has realized the value of this and has been successful in delivering 100% of their progress reports to all students.

“We are trying to get even more PGA of Canada golf professionals on board to see the benefits of the CN Future Links program and the website” added Sirkis. “It’s is such a great tool for the parents and pros to follow along with what is happening, and it allows everybody to work together.”

In addition to maximizing the tools available, Sirkis has further delivered the mission of the program by planning to host CN Future Links Field Trip events throughout the summer. This initiative extends the outreach of junior golf by bringing children from the classroom to the golf facility to teach elementary students the fundamentals of golf along with the life skills and values involved in the sport.

Sirkis and his team are no strangers to teaching golf to elementary students, they have visited a handful of schools on their own time to help grow the game in Canada. They aim to visit at least six schools each golf season.

“We are very proud with the introduction of this important award”, explained Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “We thank The Meadows and Glen Sirkis for their leadership, delivery and support of the program. There were many qualified facilities to choose from, the Meadows should feel very proud of this accomplishment.”

Sirkis and his team were honoured May 10^th with a media day acknowledging their accomplishment. Local press and industry representatives were in attendance to join in the festivities.

SANTO DA SERRA, Madeira Islands – The Madeira Islands Open was reduced to 36 holes because of persistent fog on Saturday, with the first round still incomplete.

Play in the European Tour’s 1,500th event couldn’t start on Thursday, and delays on Friday meant the tournament was cut to 54 holes with 77 players yet to finish. On Saturday, with the mountain course still shrouded in fog, 36 players were yet to card a round when play was suspended, and the tournament cut to 36 holes for the first time in its 22-year history.

It was the first time since the inaugural Nelson Mandela Championship in 2012 that a European Tour event has been reduced to 36 holes.

Scotland’s Scott Jamieson won that event in South Africa, and his countryman Scott Henry led Madeira by one shot after a 5-under par 67 he managed on Friday.

If Henry secures his first Tour victory, he will still be afforded the one-year tour exemption despite the reduced event.

The English duo of Daniel Brooks and Lloyd Kennedy shared second place on 68.

COURTENAY, B.C. – California’s David Bradshaw cruised to an eight stroke victory at PGA Tour Canada’s British Columbia Qualifying Tournament Friday, carding a final round 73 to finish 17-under par for the week. Bradshaw was among 18 players to earn exempt status and 42 total players to earn PGA Tour Canada cards for 2014.

The 31-year old Bradshaw coasted easily to the win on the heels of a brilliant start, including a course record 62 in Wednesday’s second round at Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community.

“Winning is always fun. I don’t care if it’s checkers or golf,” said Bradshaw. “I’m really looking forward to the first event, and I’m really looking forward to seeing Canada. This is my first time in Canada, and it’s been a heck of an experience.”

Bradshaw led by 11 strokes heading into the final day and extended his lead with an eagle on the first hole. The Shepherd University graduate admitted he lost focus for a stretch of holes coming in but was happy overall with his performance on the week.

“I think I had the bad mojo today, though I had my fair share and then some the first two days,” said Bradshaw. “I kind of felt like today was a little bit of a victory lap. I didn’t feel like anyone was going to be able to catch me. I knew I was playing well, but it’s so easy to get ahead of yourself.”

Bradshaw joins Qualifying Tournament medalists Jordan Krantz of Vermillion Bay, Ont. and Daniel Miernicki of Santee, California, who won the Florida and California Qualifying Tournaments respectively. Eight shots behind Bradshaw were Timothy Madigan, who fired a 5-under 67 on Friday, and Adam Long, who both finished at 9-under for the week. 

Thirteen Canadians earned status on PGA Tour Canada for 2014, bringing the total number of Canadians with playing status for the year to 42. Below are the names and hometowns of each Canadian to earn status this week.

Player                        Result            Hometown

Greg Machtaler          T-4            Summerland, BC
Ben Silverman            T-4            Thornhill, ON
Ted Brown                  T-11            Peterborough, ON
Adam Cornelson         T-11            Langley, BC
Brad Clapp                  T-18            Chilliwack, BC
Riley Fleming               T-30            Airdrie, AB
James Love                  T-30            Calgary, AB
Mitch Evanecz               T-35            Red Deer, AB
James Seymour             T-35            Aurora, ON
Kevin Stinson                 T-38            Mission, BC
Braeden Cryderman       T-38            Huntsville, ON
Mitch Sutton                    T-38            London, ON
Brett Cairns                     T-38             Courtand, ON

Victoria, B.C. (Golf Canada) – After the first round of the CN Future Links Pacific Championship Valérie Tanguay leads the Junior Girls division by four strokes, while Victoria’s Jeff Riches sits one stroke ahead in the Junior Boys division.

Tanguay, of St-Hyacinthe, Que., posted five birdies in her opening round 71 on Bear Mountain Golf Club’s Valley Course in Victoria, B.C. The 18-year-old Team Canada Development Squad member closed out her round with a 2-under 34 on the back-nine and currently leads by four strokes over Alisha Lau of Richmond, B.C., Mary Parson of Delta, B.C. and Avril Li of Port Moody, B.C. Team Canada Development Squad member and Victoria, B.C. native Naomi Ko, 16,  rounded out the top-5 after a 5-over 76.

In the Junior Boys Division, Riches, 18, carded an even-par 71 that included four birdies. He currently leads by a stroke over A.J. Armstrong of St. Albert, Alta. and Alex Francois of Burnaby, B.C.

Logan Yanick of Courtenay, B.C. posted a 2-over 73 and currently sits in solo fourth. Team Canada Development Squad members Carter Simon of Sutton, Ont. and Tony Gil of Vaughan, Ont. carded opening round 3-over 74’s and share fifth place alongside Vancouver’s Patrick Tan, Henry Lee of Coquitlam, B.C. and Jason Martens of Edmonton.

The top six competitors in the Junior Boys division of each of six regional CN Future Links Championship being held in 2014 will earn exemptions into the 2014 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, which will be contested July 28 – August 1 at the Legends on the Niagara (Battlefield Course) in Niagara Falls, Ont. The Junior Girls champion from each 2014 CN Future Links Championship will earn an exemption into the 2014 Canadian Junior Girls Championship which runs July 28 – August 1 at Thornhill Golf and Country Club in Thornhill, Ont.

Federal Way, Wash. – The 12-person team from British Columbia Golf withstood a significant rally by the team from the Oregon Golf Association to hang on and win the 9^th PNGA Cup, successfully defending their title in the championship.

The Ryder Cup-style matches were held at The Home Course in DuPont, Wash. and featured 48 of the finest amateur golfers representing the Washington, Idaho, Oregon and British Columbia Golf associations.

In the second day of the matches, which consisted of singles play on this final day, Team BC Golf began the day with a comfortable lead but could not gain much traction in the early going. Team OGA began the day in last place, but won 10 of the 24 matches. The outcome came down to the final hole in the final match, and when Dave Lydell of Team OGA could not get out of a greenside bunker on the 18^th hole of his match against Scott Vermeer of Team IGA, the title of the PNGA Cup went to BC Golf, which won by half a point over Team OGA, two and a half points over Team WSGA, and seven points over Team IGA.

British Columbia Golf won last year on the second hole of a playoff against Team WSGA, when the matches were held at Crane Creek Country Club in Boise, Idaho. British Columbia Golf also won the PNGA Cup in 2009. Team OGA is a five-time champion of the PNGA Cup.

For a complete listing of the final results, please click here. And for a complete roster of players in the 9^th PNGA Cup, please click here.

The PNGA Cup was created in 2006 by past PNGA President Dr. Jack Lamey as a way of continuing the friendship and partnership of the region’s allied associations under the PNGA umbrella – British Columbia Golf, Idaho Golf Association, Oregon Golf Association and Washington State Golf Association. The annual competition consists of 48 of the finest amateur golfers in the region. Each association will send a 12-person team consisting of eight men and four women. The representation includes four mid-amateur men of 25 years of age or older, two men of 40 years or older, two senior men of 55 years or older, two mid-amateur women of 25 years or older and two senior women of 50 years or older.

The Ryder Cup-style format included four-ball and foursome matches the first day and singles matches on the second and final day. The PNGA Cup is one of 15 major, regional, amateur championships for men, women, juniors, and seniors conducted annually by the PNGA throughout the Northwest.

SANTO DA SERRA, Madeira Islands – Scott Henry shot a 5-under 67 Friday to take a two-shot clubhouse lead in the first round of the fog-affected Madeira Islands Open.

The heavy fog that forced Thursday’s first day to be abandoned returned mid-morning Friday and caused a four-hour delay, forcing organizers to shorten the event to 54 holes. Only half of the 144-player field managed to complete their first round.

Henry had eight birdies in his round, including three in succession from the 12th, as the Scottish golfer seeks his first European Tour title. However, his round could have been even better had he not finished with consecutive bogeys.

“I got off to a fast start which was nice because recently, in the few tournaments I’ve played, I haven’t done that,” Henry said. “I’m quite happy just to be in the hunt. I feel like I’m playing good again so whatever happens over the weekend I’m looking forward to it.”

England’s Andrew Marshall, Spain’s Pedro Oriol and Austria’s Martin Wiegele were tied for second.

Finland’s Tapio Pulkannen hit a hole-in-one at the par-3 17th but finished with an 80.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – So much for that Masters hangover for Jordan Spieth.

One month after the 20-year-old Texan tied for second at Augusta National, Spieth had another bogey-free round at The Players Championship on Friday and shot a 6-under 66 to trail Martin Kaymer by one shot going into the weekend.

Kaymer opened with a course record-tying 63 and followed with a solid round of 69. He was at 12-under 132.

Spieth was swinging so well he had a tap-in birdie on the 14th, the hardest hole at TPC Sawgrass on Friday. He had a chance to catch Kaymer until a three-putt par from just off the green on the par-5 16th.

Russell Henley had a 71 and was four shots behind. Jim Furyk was part of a large group at 6-under 138.

David Hearn shot a 1-under 71 to climb four spots up the leaderboard from a share of 29th into a tie for 25th. The Brantford, Ont. native is sitting at 3-under 141.

Graham DeLaet struggled to a 5-over 77 Friday and missed the 36-hole cut. It was just the third missed cut of the season, with the last one coming last month. at The Masters.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Adam Scott’s wedding was so secret that not even his guests knew about it.

One day after the former Masters champion revealed he got married to Swedish architect Marie Kojzar in the Bahamas, he shared a few details about how he kept the wedding a surprise – and how he managed to go three months before anyone found out.

The parents were aware, and not many more. Among players in attendance was U.S. Open champion Justin Rose, one of his best friends.

“We just said we were having a party, so come on over,” Scott said. “So then they had no idea that it was going to happen. So that was the fun little game for me and Marie to play for a while, planning it and stuff.”

They were married April 17, the Thursday after the Australian tied for 14th at the Masters.

For being one of the most popular players in the game, Scott doesn’t seek a lot of attention. Hardly anyone sees him when he’s not playing golf. He typically retreats to his home in the Bahamas or in Switzerland. After becoming the first Australian to win the Masters, he waited until the end of the year to return home to Queensland.

Rory McIlroy announced his engagement on New Year’s Eve. He was asked if he would wait a month before he told anyone he was married.

“No, but Adam is a little different than me,” McIlroy said. “We knew. I don’t know how he kept it a secret for so long from you guys. I had breakfast with him this morning. It was nice to be able congratulate him. He was telling me he had to tell lie after lie just to keep it quiet.”

Scott said that part wasn’t planned.

“We just wanted it to be a secret for the day, and then we haven’t told anyone to keep it a secret since,” he said. “But I think people didn’t want to do the wrong thing by me. So I’ve got them right where I want them.”

He has not played since the Masters, keeping to the same schedule as last year. When he showed up at The Players Championship, he was not wearing a ring.

“We have rings, but I’ve never played with one, so I wasn’t going to start this week,” Scott said. “We’ll see if it makes it to the course or not.”

Scott’s bride did not travel to a lot of golf tournaments when they first were dating more than a decade ago, and he said that probably wouldn’t change. Several in the crowd called out congratulations to him throughout the third round.

The golf wasn’t bad, either.

Scott got off to a rough start Saturday and finished strong for a 69. He was 3-under par, still with an outside chance at finishing high enough to replace Tiger Woods at No. 1 in the world ranking next week.

He said there wasn’t a proposal – it was more like a conversation. As for a honeymoon? They live part of the year in a place most couples go for their honeymoon.

“We figured we didn’t need a honeymoon – our life is pretty much like a honeymoon all the time,” he said. “So there were no real plans for any of that. We’ll just keep on going.”

Parksville, B.C. (Golf Canada) – The 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour will kick off the season at Morningstar Golf Club, May 12-14^th in Parksville, B.C.

The event marks the first of three Canadian Women’s Tour events conducted annually across the country, featuring top amateur and professional players – from Canada and abroad – competing in a two-day 36-hole stroke play competition for a $60,000 purse.

Headlining the field will be Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., the reigning 2013 Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year and world No. 3 ranked amateur Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.

“We’re excited to get the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour underway this year at Morningstar Golf Club with a very strong field that includes two champions from last season,” said Tournament Director Mary Beth McKenna. “This course should prove to be a solid test for some of the best up and coming professionals as they look to earn those coveted exemptions into the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.”

A number of notable players will also join the field including Canadians Kirby Dreher of Fort St. John B.C., Danielle Mills of Pointe-Claire, Que., Brittany Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., Kyla Inaba of Kelowna, B.C, Christine Wong of Richmond, B.C. and 2013 Canadian Women’s Tour Ontario Champion Emily Childs of Alameda, Calif.

Team Canada’s National and Development squads will be well represented at the B.C. Tour stop with Henderson aiming to continue a stellar 2014 campaign that has seen the 16-year-old capture the South Atlantic Amateur Championship and finish T26 at the LPGA’s Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Joining Henderson on the National Squad will be Augusta James of Bath, Ont., Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont. and Jennifer Ha of Calgary. Development Squad members, Valérie Tanguay of St-Hyacinthe, Que., Taylor Kim of Surrey, B.C., Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C., and Calgary’s Sabrine Garrison and Jaclyn Lee will also join the field.

Morningstar Golf Club recently played host to the 2012 CN Future Links Pacific Championship. The club has also hosted three PGA of Canada events as well as the 2010 Canadian Senior Women’s Championship.

“We are excited to be selected as the host venue for the season opening event on Golf Canada’s Women’s Tour and we are really looking forward to continuing the momentum of the tour at Morningstar Golf Club,” said Head Professional Kevin Oates. “ Previous events have been filled with superb play from a very strong field of competitors, and our golf course should once again provide a competitive challenge to all the players.  I expect exciting play from the competitors as they prepare themselves for the reward of an exemption into the Canadian Open.”

Five exemptions into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, an LPGA Tour event held August 18-24 at London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont. are currently available to competitors. Exemptions are given to the winners of each of the two Canadian Women’s Tour events with two additional exemptions reserved for the top two competitors (not otherwise exempt) on the season-ending Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.

In addition, the top five (previously the top 3) players on the Canadian Women’s Tour season-ending Order of Merit will be awarded direct entry into LPGA Stage-2 Qualifying.

The Tour’s second stop is scheduled for June 23-25 at Legends on the Niagara’s Battlefield Course in Niagara Falls, Ont. New for 2014, the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada presented by Nike Golf that runs July 29-31 at Firerock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont., will count as the third and final stop on the Canadian Women’s Tour. Points will also be awarded toward the Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year at the conclusion of the championship.

Total season prize money for the 2014 season is $180,000 (CDN) for three events, which includes the PGA of Canada’s PGA Women’s Championship presented by Nike Golf. Each 36-hole championship purse will be $60,000 with the champion being awarded a $10,000 winners’ cheque.

Conducted since 2002, many of Canada’s elite female golfers have used the Canadian Women’s Tour to hone their skills and develop as athletes both on and off the course. Canadian Women’s Tour alumnae Lorie Kane, Alena Sharp, Jessica Shepley, Isabelle Beisiegel, Stephanie Sherlock, Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Sara Maude-Juneau and Maude-Aimée LeBlanc have all used their experiences as Canadians on the Canadian development circuit as a catalyst to future successes. Other Canadian Women’s Tour graduates include LPGA notables Yani Tseng, Ryann O’Toole, Candace Schepperle, Sara Brown and Katy Harris.

For more information on the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour, click here.