PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The PGA Tour announced its 25-event Web.com Tour schedule Friday, adding new tournaments in Oregon, Nova Scotia and Ohio.

The Cleveland Open is set for June 5-8 at A.W. Tillinghast-designed Lakewood in Westlake. The Nova Scotia Classic will played July 3-6 at Ashburn in Halifax, and the Portland Open will close the 21-event regular season at Pumpkin Ridge on Aug. 21-24.

The Stonebrae Classic in Hayward, Calif., is returning after a one-year break because of clubhouse construction. It will be played July 31-Aug. 3.

Twenty-five PGA Tour cards for the 2014-15 season will be awarded from the money list at the end of the regular season. An additional 25 PGA Tour cards are available in the Web.com Tour Finals, the four event series that returns to Fort Wayne, Ind. (Aug. 25-31); Davidson, N.C. (Sept. 1-7); Columbus, Ohio (Sept. 8-14); and Ponte Vedra Beach (Sept. 15-21).

“This tour is clearly positioned as the path to the PGA Tour,” PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said. “We believe the Web.com Tour’s global appeal, presence and structure are at an all-time high and positioned to be elevated even higher.”

The tour’s 25th season will open Feb. 13-16 with the Colombia Championship in Bogota. The U.S. schedule will begin with the Louisiana Open on March 27-30.

Four events – Wichita, Kan. (June 19-22); Boise, Idaho (July 17-20); Springfield, Mo. (Aug. 7-10); and Knoxville, Tenn. (Aug. 14-17) – remain from the tour’s inaugural season in 1990.

Golf Channel will televise 11 tournaments.

Here’s the full list of events:

2014 WEB.COM TOUR SCHEDULE
Includes course, city, TV and purse (all money is US $)

FEB. 10-16 … Pacific Rubiales Colombia Championship presented by Claro
Country Club de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia ($750,000)

MARCH 3-9 … Chile Classic
Prince of Wales Country Club, Santiago, Chile ($650,000)

MARCH 10-16 … Brasil Champions presented by HSBC
São Paulo Golf Club, São Paulo, Brazil ($800,000)

MARCH 17-23 … Panama Claro Championship
Club de Golf de Panama, Panama City, Panama ($600,000)

MARCH 24-30 … Chitimacha Louisiana Open
Le Triomphe Country Club, Broussard, La. (Lafayette) ($550,000)

APRIL 7-13 … El Bosque Mexico Championship
El Bosque Country Club,    Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico ($700,000)

APRIL 21-27 … WNB Golf Classic
Midland Country Club, Midland, Texas ($600,000)

APRIL 28-MAY 4 … South Georgia Classic presented by First State Bank and Trust Company
Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, Valdosta, Ga. ($650,000)

MAY 12-18 … BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation (Golf Channel)
Thornblade Club*, Green Valley CC, The Reserve at Lake Keowee, Greenville, S.C. ($650,000)

MAY 19-25 … Rex Hospital Open
TPC at Wakefield Plantation, Raleigh, N.C. ($625,000)

MAY 26-JUNE 1 … TBD

JUNE 2-8 … Cleveland Open (Golf Channel)
Lakewood Country Club, Westlake, Ohio (Cleveland) ($600,000)

JUNE 16-22 … Air Capital Classic presented by Aetna
Crestview Country Club    Wichita, Kan. ($600,000)

JUNE 23-29 … United Leasing Championship presented by PTI (Golf Channel)
Victoria National Golf Club, Newburgh, Ind. (Evansville) ($600,000)

JUNE 30-JULY 6 … Nova Scotia Classic (Golf Channel)
Ashburn Golf Club (New Course), Halifax, Nova Scotia ($650,000)

JULY 7-13 … Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank (Golf Channel)
Willow Creek Country Club, Sandy, Utah (Salt Lake City)    ($625,000)

JULY 14-20 … Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft (Golf Channel)
Hillcrest Country Club, Boise, Idaho ($800,000)

JULY 21-27 … Midwest Classic
Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate, Overland Park, Kan. (Kansas City) ($600,000)

JULY 28-AUG. 3 … Stonebrae Classic
TPC Stonebrae, Hayward, Calif. (San Francisco Bay Area) ($600,000)

AUG. 4-10 … Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper
Highland Springs Country Club, Springfield, Mo. ($675,000

AUG. 11-17 … News Sentinel Open presented by Pilot
Fox Den Country Club, Farragut, Tenn. (Knoxville) ($550,000)

AUG. 18-24 … WinCo Foods Portland Open presented by Kraft (Golf Channel)
Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club (Witch Hollow), Portland, Ore. ($800,000)

AUG. 25-31 … Hotel Fitness Championship (Golf Channel)
Sycamore Hills Golf Club, Fort Wayne, Ind. ($1,000,000)

SEPT. 1-7 … Chiquita Classic (Golf Channel)
River Run Country Club, Davidson, N.C. (Charlotte) ($1,000,000)

SEPT. 8-14 … Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship (Golf Channel)
The Ohio State University Golf Club (Scarlet Course), Columbus, Ohio ($1,000,000)

SEPT. 15-21 … Web.com Tour Championship (Golf Channel)
TPC Sawgrass (Dye’s Valley Course), Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (Jacksonville) ($1,000,000)

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Rory McIlroy birdied his last two holes to post a 5-under 67 and lie two shots off the lead two rounds into the Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday.

At 7 under overall in the European Tour event, McIlroy was rapt to be in contention for a second win in three tournaments. Playing partner Phil Mickelson was also happy, though in relief to make the cut by two shots at 1 under with a 70 after a first-round 73.

“I’m really glad I made the cut and I now have a chance over these next two days, because I kind of keyed in on something with my swing starting to feel much better,” Mickelson said. “I really need these two days to get my game in shape.”

Mickelson was impressed with McIlroy’s form.

“His game looks really sharp and his driving was impeccable,” Mickelson said of McIlroy.

Tied for the lead were Scotland’s Craig Lee (67) and Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello (68) at 9 under, a stroke ahead of England’s Danny Willett (63), who eagled the par-5 8th hole at National Course beside seven birdies.

McIlroy was sharing fourth with Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez (66) and Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn (70).

He was holding the end-of-2013 form that saw him come from behind and defeat Masters champion Adam Scott in the Australian Open in Sydney last month.

“It’s a great position to be in, as I’m only a few off the lead, so I’m excited,” McIlroy said.

He was happy to compare with how he missed the cut a year ago, when he debuted new equipment and left himself and sponsor Nike red-faced. In that humbling display of consecutive 75s were two double bogeys and seven bogeys.

“Coming off the last green last year, after 36 holes, I was deflated to say the least,” he said. “The week didn’t go as how I imagined it or how I planned. But it’s so much better this year. I’m happy with how I’m playing. I’m striking the ball really well. I got a few putts to drop on the back nine, which was nice. And yeah, I mean, I feel like if I can keep hitting it the way I have been, I’ve got a great chance to win in this tournament.”

While McIlroy won two tournaments ago in Sydney it has been 13 months since his last success on the European Tour when he birdied his closing five holes in winning the season-ending World Tour Championship in nearby Dubai.

Cabrera-Bello is also no stranger to winning in the Emirates, having captured the 2012 Dubai Desert Classic. The overnight leader dropped a shot at his last hole, the ninth, to fall into a tie with Lee, who seeks his first win on tour.

“I have been practicing hard the last two weeks and trying also to get back into shape, so I’m glad that is all paying off,” Cabrera-Bello said.

 LA QUINTA, Calif. – Zach Johnson asked his short-iron approach on the par-4 18th to “Do something right, baby.” It did.

With just a hint of a draw, Johnson’s shot landed to the right of the right-side pin and spun to 2 feet to set up a birdie Thursday that left him two strokes behind first-round leader Patrick Reed in the Humana Challenge.

Thriving on great driving, even better wedge play and putting, Johnson has three worldwide wins in his last seven starts.

He began the run in the BMW Championship in September, and beat Tiger Woods in a playoff in December in the World Challenge after holing a wedge for par on the final hole of regulation. Johnson followed that with a victory two weeks ago in Kapalua.

“I don’t think I’m the best,” Johnson said when asked if he’s the best wedge player.

He pointed to Ryder Cup teammate Steve Stricker.

“He’s the first one that comes to my mind,” Johnson said. “Phenomenal wedge player. … But my wedges are clean. … I’ve worked on it a lot. I’ve worked on it in a number of different ways, but the main way is really just trying to dial in yardages and trajectories.”

Johnson finished with a 7-under 65, hitting all 14 fairways at La Quinta Country Club _ the most-demanding driving layout in the three-course event. He hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation and had 27 putts in his bogey-free round.

“The greens over there are, I don’t even know how to explain them, it’s like carpet,” Johnson said. “I mean, they’re just so good. I don’t know what they do over there, but they look artificial. They’re like this every year, but they’re as good as I’ve ever seen.”

Johnson has 11 PGA Tour victories. Dating to his rookie season in 2004, only Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh have more.

“It means that I’m doing something right,” said Johnson, the top-ranked player in the field at No. 6.

Reed had a 9-under 63 in perfect scoring and weather conditions. He ran off five straight birdies in the middle of his bogey-free round on PGA West’s Arnold Palmer Private Course and tied his career low.

“The course is in perfect shape,” said Reed, the Wyndham Championship winner in August. “The rough isn’t very high, the fairways are perfect and the greens are rolling very true.”

Reed started on the back nine and birdied Nos. 16-18 and 1-2 to get to 7-under. He added birdies on Nos. 6 and 7.

“I started out a little struggling with the driver, had some lefts in it, but luckily I missed it in the right spots,” Reed said. “I was really confident with my irons, kept hitting greens and all of a sudden, 10-, 12-, 15-, 20-foot putts started going in.”

With wife Justine pregnant with their first child, her brother, Kessler Karain, is subbing as Reed’s caddie. Justine has walked every hole with her husband this year and plans to rejoin him inside the ropes after the baby girl arrives. The due date is Memorial Day.

“We can’t wait for that,” Reed said. “I’m excited to be a dad.”

Ryan Palmer, Justin Hicks, Daniel Summerhays and Charley Hoffman shot 64.

Palmer birdied his final six holes and nine of his last 12 on the Palmer course, the site of the final round Sunday.

“I wasn’t making a whole lot of long putts, just hitting it close,” Palmer said.

Hicks had an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey on the Jack Nicklaus Private Course.

“Just trying to give myself as many opportunities as I can,” Hicks said.

Hoffman, the 2007 winner, had an eagle and six birdies at La Quinta.

“I love this golf course,” Hoffman said. “I think this is probably one of the better tracks we play all year when it’s said and done.”

Summerhays birdied seven of his last 10 on the Nicklaus course.

“It’s fun to make birdies,” Summerhays said. “That’s one of the fun things about this tournament is that the courses are a little easier. They’re in perfect shape, which makes them almost even easier.”

With a high temperature in the mid-80s and only a gentle morning breeze off the Santa Rosa Mountains, the players averaged 69.692 on the Palmer course, 69.431 on the Nicklaus layout, and 70.192 at La Quinta.

Ottawa’s Brad Fritsch carded a 67 at the Palmer course. David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., also on Palmer, had a 68. Calgary’s Stephen Ames and Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., each shot a 73 on the Palmer course.

Keegan Bradley opened with a 69 at La Quinta in his first start of the year. He’s fighting a cold and struggled with his distance control and accuracy.

“I’m still a little tired. Getting better every day,” said Bradley, paired with Johnson the first three days. “I’m happy with today’s round for the first round of the year.”

Defending champion Brian Gay also had a 69 at La Quinta.

Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson struggled with the windy conditions on Thursday, carding a 4-over 76 at the Women’s South Atlantic Amateur Championship in Ormond Beach, Fla.

The Smiths Falls, Ont., native maintains the lead by one stroke over Chloe Williams of Wales, who shot a 3-under 69 – the lowest score of the day and the only player to break par.

Fellow Canadian Meredith Fairbairn also struggled with the conditions on Thursday, slipping to T24 on the leaderboard after a 10-over 82. Kimberly Risulmi of Llyodminster, Alta. sits at T55 with a 174 (87-87) through two rounds.

Booster Juice and Mike Weir have teamed up to launch a nation-wide initiative aimed at energizing Canadians in the pursuit of living a healthy and active lifestyle.

Throughout his career, Weir has developed a deep appreciation for how nutrition and living a healthy lifestyle set him up to perform and feel his best, both on and off course.

Booster Juice and Weir will work together over the three-year partnership to develop content that speaks to Canadians on the importance of healthy eating and living, highlighting how Booster Juice can play an important role. The campaign will see Mike appearing in a number of Booster Juice commercials, in an outdoor campaign, on in-store point of purchase material, as well as making special appearances for the company.

The partnership will also have a strong focus on supporting The Mike Weir Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing the physical, emotional and educational welfare of children in Canada. Each year, Booster Juice will create a month-long consumer fundraising initiative that will be activated across its 300 locations.

“Booster Juice is a strong Canadian-grown brand that has done wonderful things for charities across the country,” said Weir. “Giving back is a big part of my life and something that my family believes in. It is a great fit.”

Introducing the golf cart zamboni

A hat tip goes to Justin Lachapelle of St-Lazare, Que., who found a unique use for his golf cart during the winter.

Nike launches “Play in the Now” campaign

Nike Golf is amplifying the story of innovation behind the new Nike VRS Covert 2.0 driver with its new “Play in the Now” campaign. With the first piece airing January 25th, “Play in the Now” is a series of TV spots that takes a humorous but pointed jab at golfers who are afraid to try new technology and, as such, reject advancements in innovation.

Accompanying the main 30-second spot are 15-second vignettes featuring a variety of crusty characters who, if they’d had it their way, would still have golfers hitting wooden balls with crooked sticks on the shores of Scotland.

More spots highlighting Nike Golf’s advancements in technology will be aired in the coming months to complement the campaign.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Phil Mickelson’s new driver didn’t bring him much success in the first round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, as he failed to make a single birdie in a 1-over 73 to sit six shots behind the leaders.

Mickelson made 17 straight pars in his first round of the year before a bogey on his last hole, and said “I can’t recall the last time I had a round without a birdie.”

Matthew Baldwin of England was tied for the lead with Romain Wattel of France and Rafa Cabrera-Bello after a 67.

Seven players, including European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, were one shot behind.

Mickelson said before the event that he was “so excited about this year” because of a new driver from Callaway Golf that he said could turn one of his weaknesses into a strength.

LA QUINTA, Calif. – The perfect weather, mountain views and low scores remain. Little else at the Humana Challenge resembles the event’s glory days.

The old Bob Hope Classic was Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, T-bone steaks and late-night cocktails. The Humana Challenge – actually, the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation – is corporate executives, carrot sticks and early morning power walks.

“Let’s not forget that Bob Hope lived to be 100. He walked every day of his life,” tournament executive director and CEO Bob Marra said Wednesday.

“We take the health and well-being mission of the tournament very seriously. We have a Fortune 500 company, Humana, that is dedicated to this. That’s what they do. The Clinton Foundation, the same thing, a worldwide organization that helps people with a big focus on health and well-being. … We want to make this clearly the healthiest sports event in the world. You have to walk the walk when you say that.”

The tournament has done away with the celebrity portion of the pro-am field, though actor Craig T. Nelson, singer Michael Bolton, Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely and Golf Channel’s Holly Sonders are playing as “special guests.”

“We feel like it’s more important to have high-profile people – still celebrities in their own right – who are aligned with the tournament philosophy than to have a field of celebrities,” Marra said. “There aren’t many absolute, no-question A-list celebrities who play golf and play to a level where they don’t harm the tournament. A super-hot celebrity who is smacking the ball all over the place and causing a ruckus hurts.”

The pro-am players paid from $25,000 to $29,000 to play alongside the professionals for the first three days of the tournament, and six of them will advance to the final round. By eliminating the roughly 20 slots given to celebrities, the event cut expenses and generated more than $500,000.

“There was only so much you could do with celebrities,” Marra said. “It was a neat part of the past, but I like it better now.”

The regular field also is thin on star power, with Kapalua winner Zach Johnson the top-ranked player at No. 6. No. 14 Brandt Snedeker, No. 20 Webb Simpson and No. 22 Keegan Bradley are the only other top-30 players. Phil Mickelson, the headliner last year, is skipping the event to play in Abu Dhabi.

“This is one of my favourite events,” Snedeker said. “Obviously, the weather is perfect. The golf courses, I feel like, set up really well for me.”

Snedeker tied for 11th two weeks ago in the Tournament of Champions in his first start since injuring his left knee jumping off a Segway scooter in China in early November.

“Self-inflicted, stupidity injury,” Snedeker said. “Luckily, it was not very serious. It boiled down a deep bone bruise and a sprain in my ACL and is a hundred per cent healed.”

Snedeker will begin play Thursday at La Quinta Country Club in a group with Rickie Fowler. Johnson is paired with Bradley. They also will open at La Quinta before shifting to PGA West for rounds at the Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer private courses.

Last year, Brian Gay won his fourth tour title, closing with a 9-under 63 and beating Charles Howell III on the second hole of a playoff. David Lingmerth was eliminated on the first extra hole.

The 43-year-old Gay is fighting neck pain.

“It started as a crick two days before I went to Maui and it’s lingered and lingered,” Gay said. “It’s been better some days, worse some others. I’ve had treatment. … Felt the best of any day yesterday afternoon swinging the club and pain-free and I woke up this morning and it was kind of a new spot and worse.”

Bradley has a cold.

“I got a little sick yesterday,” Bradley said. “I’m feeling much better today.”

They came to the right event.

“We like it call it a week of well-being with a side of golf,” Humana’s Tom Noland said.

If you’re a Canadian who loves golf, history and philanthropy then the Beaches and Bunkers Tour is undeniably for you.

Golfers signing on for this once-in-a-lifetime tour will be treated to an escorted nine day tour of France, Belgium and Holland, where they’ll learn about the locations and battles of the Second World War. Participants of the unique tour – slated for June 8-17, 2014 – will also have the opportunity to test their golf skills during four rounds of golf.

“My father was a gunner in the 6^th Field Regiment, 2nd Canadian Division,” said Robb Lucy, the tour’s organizer. “I never learned about his experiences when I was a kid except that, as a scratch golfer, he carried his good luck three iron throughout the war.”

Lucy went decades without fully understanding the heroic adventures of his father and other Canadian troops. A trip he took with his father 20 years ago would change that.

“On the 50^th anniversary of D-Day we went back to the beach and followed his footsteps of 1944-45 through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany,” Lucy added. “We visited many of the spots where experiences scared him, shaped his character, and confirmed his philosophy on life.”

Lucy’s father passed away four years ago, however, the experience of visiting Europe with his father is one he won’t soon forget – and it’s one he wants to pass on to others.

“So few really know what happened 70 years ago,” Lucy explained. “This tour is an admonition for us to not let the stories of those who shaped our lives and our country disappear forever.”

Beaches and Bunkers will be led by Terry Copp, Canada’s most accomplished military historian. Copp is a long-serving and charismatic professor at Wilfrid Laurier University. Among many accolades, he’s also the founder of the Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies.

Included in the tour are; 3 and 4 star accommodations; luxury bus transport; 8 breakfasts; 6 group dinners; 4 greens fees; rental clubs; tours led by military historian Terry Copp; and an evening with Paris-based Keith Spicer –  Canadian journalist, diplomat, raconteur and author.

A portion of the tour’s proceeds will benefit McDermott House Canada, a charity dedicated to serving those who serve.

For more details, including costing and a detailed itinerary of the tour, please visit the Beaches and Bunkers website.

Bob Lucy

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. established a 3-stroke lead Wednesday after shooting an opening round 67 at the Women’s South Atlantic Amateur Championship in Ormond Beach, Fla.

Henderson, a Team Canada member, didn’t get off to the greatest start at Oceanside Country Club as she carded a bogey on the 4th hole. But the 16-year-old turned things around not long after, closing out her front nine with birdie to make the turn at 1-under (35).

Henderson heated up on the back 9, birdying five of the next six holes. She finished the day three strokes ahead of England’s Annabel Dimmock and Harin Lee of Bayside, N.Y., who scored matching 2-under 70’s.

Fellow Canadian Meredith Fairbairn (Orangeville, Ont.,) sits tied for 16th at 4-over after shooting an opening-round 76. Kimberly Risulmi of Lloydminster, Alta. is tied for 59th at +15.

FootJoy has announced a new footwear category for 2014 – the D.N.A., or “DryJoys Next Advancement.”

“To create the most feature-laden golf shoe in our storied history, we needed to explore the anatomy, or DNA, of our premium footwear products and then scrutinize every aspect throughout the design and development process,” said Doug Robinson, Vice President of Design and Development Worldwide. “Every material and every component was carefully considered in order to deliver a shoe with lightweight stability, a precise fit, superior feel and ultimate performance.”

As with every FJ product, D.N.A. golf shoes have been tested at the highest level. Several players received the shoe at the Presidents Cup and immediately wore it in competition, including Adam Scott and Webb Simpson.

Adam Scott has worn D.N.A. golf shoes exclusively since September, including while competing at the 2013 Presidents Cup and during his three recent wins in Australia.

“D.N.A. is the most technologically advanced shoe FJ has ever produced and it embodies everything I am looking for in a golf shoe,” said the world’s #2 ranked player. “They actually activate my feet, giving me great balance throughout my swing.”

Webb Simpson has also been wearing D.N.A. shoes since the Presidents Cup.

“You want a golf shoe that is comfortable and stable, and this gives you both. The new technology in the tongue and heel collar allows the shoe to mold to your foot, giving the golfer everything they will need on the course.”

FootJoy’s D.N.A shoes will be available beginning March 1, 2014. They will be available in the following colour combinations: white/off white, white/liquid electric green, white/liquid red, white/liquid navy, grey/liquid orange, black/liquid grey and white/liquid grey featuring the BOA Lacing System.

The launch of D.N.A. DryJoys Next Advancement will be supported by broadcast, print and digital advertising featuring several Tour players and an “inside” look at what makes the new D.N.A. shoe from FootJoy so unique.

Here are some key features and benefits of FootJoy’s D.N.A.

The 3D FoamCollar
The 3D FoamCollar molds to your ankle for ideal comfort, fit and support. Locking your ankle in place eliminates any movement of the foot – a situation that can lead to discomfort power-reduction during the swing.

SnugFit Tongue
The SnugFit tongue is engineered utilizing thin, soft, and breathable materials – including MicroVent™ technology- in order to properly conform to the top of your foot providing superb fit and an incredibly comfortable in-shoe environment.

NitroThin TPU Outsole
The all-new NitroThin TPU outsole has been in development for several years, undergoing numerous rounds of testing and technical modifications.  The result is a super thin-yet-strong chassis that frames the soft, FTF internal midsole, delivering the perfect combination of rigidity and flexibility for maximum on-course performance.

Xtra-Thick FTF FitBed
In order to achieve the sleek, low-profile look of D.N.A. , the midsole was moved inside the shoe.  FTF™ (Fine-Tuned Foam), a new proprietary cushioning material, is used throughout the interior midsole also known as the FitBed. In order to achieve in-shoe stability as well as premium cushioning, two densities of FTF were utilized – a firmer density for stability around the perimeter of the FitBed and a softer density in the heel and forefoot providing industry-leading in-shoe comfort.

ChromoSkin Leather System
Finally, D.N.A. DryJoys Next Advancement features the all-new ChromoSkin Leather System by Pittards® of England, one of the premiere suppliers of high performance leather in the world. This unique full grain leather system is supple, lightweight, thin-yet-durable and completely waterproof. By using this premium leather, the wearer will experience tremendous breathability and will find the upper will conform to their feet for an incredible custom fit.