Lydia Ko confirms she is turning pro
Top-ranked amateur Lydia Ko has chosen an unusual method to announce her decision to turn professional at the age of 16 and after foregoing more than $1-million in potential prize money.
Ko, ranked No. 4 in the world, chose not to hold a formal news conference but released a short, scripted video in which she debates the merits of turning profession with the All Blacks rugby player Israel Dagg.
The video shows Dagg losing to Ko in a golf match, then telling her: “If you can beat me, then you can definitely handle the pressure of going pro. It must be time now.”
Ko nods and replies: “Okay, I’ll do it … right now, right this second.”
Ko alerted her Twitter followers to the video and her decision by posting “made a monumental decision today with a little help from my @AllBlacks friend @Izzy–Dagg #LOVEGolf.”
New Zealand Golf chief executive Dean Murphy said Ko “was reluctant to hold a traditional press conference” because she “didn’t want to make a big fuss about news that had already been reported in the media in recent weeks.”
“This is a very momentous day for Lydia and we are so thrilled that she has chosen such a unique and entertaining way to share her news with her fans today,” Murphy said. “She has also been very busy studying for exams and wanted to make this announcement in a different way.”
The LPGA Tour confirmed Oct. 10 that it received a petition from Ko asking that it waive its minimum age requirement of 18.
Ko was born in South Korea but moved to New Zealand with her parents and took up golf aged five. She first took lessons at Auckland’s Pupuke Golf Club from professional Guy Wilson, who has been her coach ever since.
She was the world’s leading female amateur in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and became the youngest person, male or female, to win a professional tournament when she won the 2012 New South Wales Open at the age of 14. That record has since been broken.
Ko was also the youngest winner of an LPGA tournament when, aged 15, she won the 2012 CN Canadian Women’s Open, a title she defended this year in Edmonton. She has yet to miss a cut in 23 professional tournaments.
After finishing runnerup at the Evian Championships in France in July, Ko hinted that she would be turning professional but said she wished to complete exams before making any announcement.
She is expected to play for the first time as a professional in the LPGA’s season-ending event in Florida.
Murphy said Ko’s career as an amateur “has been phenomenal.”
“Her amateur record ranks right up there among the greats of the game,” Murphy said. “She has won four (tour) titles, claimed the U.S. and Australian Amateur titles, climbed to No.4 on the World Rankings and has been the World No. 1 amateur for more than two years without ever losing that title.
“That is a record that is unlikely to be matched by a 16-year-old ever again.”
Vote for Graham DeLaet as Sportsnet’s Canadian Athlete of the Year
Graham DeLaet was a name Canadians couldn’t help but follow on PGA TOUR leaderboards in 2013.
With DeLaet currently in the race for Sportsnet’s Athlete of Year there’s no better time than now to show your support by casting your vote for Graham here.
Below, we take a look back on the Weyburn, Sask. native’s breakout year on the PGA TOUR that culminated with a 3-1-1 record at the Presidents Cup.
In 2013, DeLaet racked up an impressive list of accolades on the PGA TOUR that included:
- Three top-3 finishes
- Seven top-10 finishes
- A T2 and third place finish during the FedEx Cup Playoffs that landed him the eighth spot in the season ending standings
- A 21st place finish on the PGA TOUR’s Money List, which totaled money earnings of $2,834,900 in 26 starts.
- Two highlight reel hole-outs that went alongside his 3 ½ point Presidents Cup debut.
Manulife Financial LPGA Classic gets June date in 2014
The third edition of the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic will be moving back to a June date in 2014.
Tournament organizers say the event will return to Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo, Ontario the week of June 4-8.
“We felt that the earlier summer date will make it even more convenient for fans to make their summer plans around the tournament,” said tournament director Richard Kuypers.
Over the first two years, the tournament has attracted more than 125,000 spectators making it one of the most well-attended events on the LPGA Tour.
For the second straight year, the tournament was won in a playoff. South Korean Hee Young Park out-lasted Angela Stanford in a three-hole playoff. Park joined Texas native Brittany Lang, who won the inaugural tournament in 2012 also in a playoff.
The LPGA has also announced that the winner of the upcoming Golf Channel reality series, “Big Break Florida”, will receive an exemption into the Manulife tournament.
Information on tickets and volunteer registration is available at manulifeclassic.ca
Carrigan and Proteau named PNGA Players of the Year
The Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) has announced the Players of the Year for the 2013 championship season. The talented group of recipients includes Canada’s own Kevin Carrigan of Victoria, B.C. in the Men’s Mid-Amateur category and Christina Proteau of Port Alberni, B.C. in the Women’s Mid-Amateur category.
Other golfers taking home honours in their respective divisions were Cameron Peck of Olympia, Wash. in the Men’s category; Kendall Prince of Lake Oswego, Ore. in the Women’s category; Tom Brandes of Bellevue, Wash. in the Senior Men’s category; Lisa Smego of Olympia, Wash. in the Senior Women’s category; Frank Garber of Kirkland, Wash. in the Junior Boys’ category; and Gigi Stoll of Beaverton, Ore. in the Junior Girls’ category.
This is Carrigan’s second consecutive PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur Player of the Year honour. His exceptional year included repeating as champion of the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. He also finished third in the BC Amateur, tied for seventh in the Canadian Amateur, tied for sixth in the Sahalee Players Championship, and tied for third in the Peru Invitational. He also competed in the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.
Proteau is also receiving her second consecutive Women’s Mid-Amateur Player of the Year honour, and her year also included repeating as champion of the Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. She also won the BC Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, after finishing runner-up last year. She qualified for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, making it to the Round 16, and made it to the Round of 32 in the Pacific Northwest Women’s Amateur. She also tied for 13th in the BC Women’s Amateur.
The PNGA Player of the Year candidates are nominated by the various state and provincial golf associations that comprise the PNGA (Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington), and are selected by a vote of the PNGA Championship Committee and members of the Northwest Golf Media Association. Awards are given annually in eight different categories: Men’s, Women’s, Senior Men’s, Senior Women’s, Junior Boys’, Junior Girls’, Men’s Mid-Amateur and Women’s Mid-Amateur. The awards are officially presented at the PNGA Annual Meeting in the spring.
Visit www.thepnga.org for more information about the PNGA.
Canadian Pacific to sponsor Canadian Women’s Open
Canadian Pacific has stepped up to become the title sponsor of the Canadian Women’s Open Golf Championship.
The three year agreement will see the tournament renamed the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open with the inaugural event being held at the London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont. next August.
Canadian Pacific takes over from Canadian National, which had been the title sponsor of the event since 2006.
“Having been involved in this great championship in the past, I am well aware of the significant benefits of associating our brand to this event and to the lasting charitable legacy in the communities where we do business,” said Canadian Pacific CEO Hunter Harrison. “Together with our dedicated team of railroaders and the support of our great customers, I am confident we will take this event to new heights and continue to preserve its status as the premier event on the LPGA Tour.”
In one of its first moves, Canadian Pacific announced an increase in the purse for next year’s event to $2.25-million (US).
“For our players, this championship has become a must-play event and we look forward to working with Canadian Pacific to showcase the LPGA Tour to millions of golf fans in Canada, across North America and throughout the world,” said LPGA Tour commissioner Mike Whan who was also on hand for the official announcement on Wednesday.
The tournament returns to London for the first time since 2006 when Cristie Kerr overcame an 8-stroke deficit to claim her first Canadian Open title.
“The London Hunt Club is a fantastic golf course,” said Kerr. “There are a lot of pin placements they can tuck and you have four or five yards over a bunker and not much behind it. You really have to be in charge of your game playing that golf course. So I just remember the greens being so pure, just being able to make a lot of birdies on the golf course when I played there, even though it was quite tough. It’s going to be a very good challenge. ”
London previously played host to the 1993 tournament, when it was a major on the LPGA calendar.
—
To order tickets for the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open at the London Hunt and Country Club click here or call 1-866-571-5742.
Click here if you are interested in volunteer positions for the 2014 tournament.
Max Gilbert wins Tour Championship by one stroke
Quebec’s Max Gilbert made a clutch 20-foot birdie on the 17th hole on Sunday to win PGA Tour Canada’s Tour Championship, but it was Mackenzie Hughes who prevailed to top the Order of Merit and win a spot on the Web.com Tour next year.
“It is not the way I wanted to finish off, but I got where I wanted to by the end of the year,” says Hughes from Dundas, Ont. “Overall it has been a great season. It is incredible to see all the great players and all the Canadians I managed to come ahead of.”
With $52,114.29, Hughes, a two-time Canadian Amateur winner in his rookie year on PGA Tour Canada, finished nearly $10,000 ahead of second-place Riley Wheeldon, who was the only player in the Top 5 on the Order of Merit to play the weekend at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club. Wheeldon finished T24 after shooting even par on day when light rain fell on a calm golf course to hold his spot on the money list. The Top 5 on the Order of Merit gained status on next year’s Web.com Tour, while the next five players received conditional status.
The only movement came from American Mark Hubbard who knocked PGA Tour Canada veteran Joe Panzeri out of the Top 5. Hubbard finished third on the Order of Merit, with Hugo Leon and Wil Collins rounding out the list.
PGA Tour Canada President Jeff Monday said the potential for volatility in the final tournament was the tour’s goal.
“We wanted a lot to be on the line where there’s a lot of pressure on the guys that are playing,” said Monday. “You look at the potential for changes in the Top 5, or the Top 10 and the opportunity was there.”
Gilbert, 23, from Saint-Georges, didn’t shake up the top of the money list, but he did turn some heads with his strong play. Largely unknown heading into the tournament, though he did play in the 2011 U.S. Amateur, Gilbert made a single cut in three tournaments this year, finishing T22 at the Players Cup in Winnipeg after Monday qualifying. That was good enough to gain him a spot in the Tour Championship and Gilbert took full advantage of the opportunity.
He came into the final round one shot off the lead held by Trevor Murphy, a former Web.com Tour player who shot an impressive 4-under on the day. But that wasn’t good enough to keep pace with Gilbert, who came into the final hole with a one-shot lead. When Murphy hit his approach below the hole on 18, Gilbert said he was prepared for a possible playoff. However, Murphy’s 16-foot putt slid by, and Gilbert’s two putt was good enough to finish at 6-under par for the day and cement his victory. The win gives him an exemption into the second stage of Web.com Tour qualifying school and full status on PGA Tour Canada.
But Gilbert, whose father Noel caddied for him during the tournament, wasn’t resting after his win. The pair were preparing to pile into their car and make the long drive back to Saint-Georges.
“We’re going to hit the road,” he said.
Asked if maybe he could use his newfound winnings to stay in London and unwind after his success, Gilbert paused momentarily.
“Well maybe,” he said.
Eli Cole captures 109th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship
After a back and forth day at Royal Colwood Golf Club, Eli Cole tapped in for par on the 18th green to capture the 109th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
Cole, 23, of Beverly Hills, Calif., entered the final round in a three-way tie for the lead alongside, Ricardo Celia, 21, of Colombia and Corey Conners, 21, of Listowel, Ont.
On Friday, the championship came down to the final hole at Royal Colwood Golf Club after Cole and Conners both hit the 18th green in regulation tied at 6-under par. Cole cozied his 15ft birdie putt up to the hole and tapped in for a regulation par only to watch Team Canada’s Conners three-putt from outside 50ft for bogey to hand Cole the Canadian Men’s Amateur title.
“I never thought Corey was going to three putt, he’s just such a classy player and he’s so good,” Cole said. “I was lucky to play with him the last few days, he was just a great guy all the way around yesterday and today, start to finish.”
As a graduate of Texas Christian University, Cole recently recovered from a double fracture of the tibia and fibula – An injury that left him sidelined from golf from nearly a year.
“It’s been a long road and if I said I did it by myself I’d be lying, so many people have helped me along the way,” he stated. “I’m really lucky to have come in contact with the people I have and everyone associated with TCU has just been incredible and everyone over in Canada this week have been so friendly.”
Cole carded an even-par 70 to finish at 6-under 276 for the championship to earn the coveted exemption into the 2014 RBC Canadian Open at Royal Montreal Golf Club and also a spot into next week’s 2013 U.S. Amateur.
“One of my goals is obviously to play on the PGA TOUR and now I’m about 1-millionth of the way there playing in the event,” he stated. “I have to stay healthy knowing my history but I couldn’t be more excited, I absolutely love it up here in Canada.”
Finishing in a tie for second one-stroke behind Cole at 5-under par 277 were Team Canada’s Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith, 22, of Richmond Hill, Ont. Conners carded three birdies on his back nine to post a 1-over 71, while Pendrith thrilled fans holing out from 179 yards for eagle from the middle of the 18th fairway to post a 2-under 68 final round.
Colombia’s Celia, finished in solo fourth at 4-under 278 after a final round 2-over 72, while Team Canada Development Squad member, Adam Svensson, 19, of Surrey, B.C., finished in solo fifth at 3-under 279 after 4-under 66 on Friday.
Full final results from the 2013 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship are available here.
Three tied heading into final round of Canadian Men’s Amateur
Ricardo Celia, Corey Conners and Eli Cole all sit atop the 109th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship leaderboard after the third round at Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, B.C.
Celia, 21, of Colombia, carded the round of the day after a 4-under 66 on Thursday. His third round was highlighted by five birdies, three of which he rolled in during his final five holes with his Colombian teammate Mateo Gomez on the bag.
“He really helped me out there today, he gave me the right club on my second shot into 18,” Celia said. “I hit it to 30ft and finished with a birdie. Tomorrow I’m just going to go out there, have fun and enjoy the challenge.”
Tied for the lead at 6-under 206 with Celia are Team Canada’s Conners, 21, of Listowel, Ont., and Eli Cole, 24, of Beverly Hills, Calif, who carded a 1-under 69 on Thursday.
Cole, a recent graduate of Texas Christian University, wowed fans following the final group early in the third round. Through five holes, Cole was 5-under par after holing out from the greenside bunker on the par-3 4th and rolling in a 8ft eagle putt on the par-5 5th hole.
“You always think that kind of shot is possible but you know the chances are slim to none,” Cole stated about his hole out. “Fortune was definitely on my side the first few holes today.”
The California native isn’t long off recovery from a serious injury that halted his golf career. While at TCU, Cole suffered a double fracture of the tibia and fibula playing a fun game of soccer that sidelined him for an entire season.
“It would mean a lot to win this but I still have a long way to go, anything can happen out here” he said. “I’m just having fun, it was great with the volunteers and the crowd today. It’s just exciting and I’m happy to be back playing again tomorrow.”
Conners played alongside Cole in the final group and posted an impressive 5-under 30 over his opening nine, but struggled over his closing holes posting two late double bogeys for an even-par 70. Despite his back nine mishaps on Thursday, the Team Canada National Squad member is ready to make a run at the title tomorrow.
“It obviously would be really special to win, I can’t really put it into words,” Conners said. “I’m just going to try to do my thing tomorrow and make it happen.
Sitting three strokes behind the leaders in a tie for fourth at 3-under par are Scott Secord, 20, of Calgary and Team Canada’s Taylor Pendrith, 22, of Richmond Hill, Ont. Secord posted a 2-under 68 on Thursday, while Pendrith carded a 1-under 69.
The 2013 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship resumes tomorrow, Friday, August 9, 2013, with the final round at Royal Colwood Golf Club beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Taiwan’s Hsiang takes second round at Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship
Taiwan’s Yu-Chian Hsiang fired the low round of the championship during the second day of play at the 109th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
Hsiang, 16, carded a bogey-free 7-under 65 around Gorge Vale Golf Club on Wednesday to position himself one-stroke ahead of overnight leader Corey Conners, at 7-under 135 heading into the third round.
“Whatever position I’m in heading into tomorrow, I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing,” the high school sophomore said. “I’m just going to try to continue hitting fairways because it doesn’t matter if I’m in first place or second place, I’ll try to do my best tomorrow.”
A native of Taiwan, Hsiang moved to the United States last year and has been residing in Rowland Heights, Calif. This tournament marks his first trip to Canada and he stated he was happy with his second round play.
“Today I tried to keep it on the fairway and I made a couple of putts,” he said. “I just tried to focus on every single shot out there.”
Heading into the third round, Hsiang has a strong contingent of players challenging for the lead including, first round leader and Team Canada’s, Corey Conners, 21, of Listowel, Ont. Conners posted an even-par 70 at Royal Colwood Golf Club on Wednesday and currently sits at 6-under 136 for the championship.
California native, Eli Cole, 24, of Beverly Hills, carded the low round of the day at Royal Colwood Golf Club. His 4-under 66 leaves him in solo third for the championship at 5-under par.
Rounding out the top five were Paul Misko, 24, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., who posted a third round 1-under 69, while Andrew Whalen, 19, of Ephrata, Wash., sits in solo fifth at 3-under 139.
In Willingdon Cup Inter-Provincial Team Championship play, Team British Columbia, comprised of Charlie Hughes of Langley, B.C., Kevin Carrigan of Victoria and Team Canada Development Squad Member, Adam Svensson, of Surrey, B.C., came out victorious after a even-par 140 on Wednesday to finish at 1-over 285 for the championship. The squad edged out the Team Ontario’s contingent of Chris Hemmerich, Garrett Rank, and Stephane Dubois by a single stroke.
In addition, Team Canada’s National squad continued their strong play on Wednesday. Heading into the third round, five members of the program currently sit inside the top-15 including, Corey Conners, Justin Shin, 21, of Pitt Meadows, B.C., Taylor Pendrith, 22, of Richmond Hill, Ont., Adam Svensson, 19, of Surrey, B.C., and Chris Hemmerich, 20, of Kitchener, Ont.
The 2013 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship resumes tomorrow, Thursday, August 8, 2013, with third-round play at Royal Colwood Golf Club beginning at 7:30 a.m. The third and final rounds will both be contested solely at Royal Colwood Golf Club with the champion being crowned on Friday, August 9.
The winner of Canada’s oldest national golf championship will earn an exemption into the 2014 RBC Canadian Open at the Royal Montreal Golf Club. In addition, the winner will also be exempt from local qualifying for the 2014 U.S. Open and receives an exemption into the 2013 USGA Amateur Championship and, if applicable, the U.S. Amateur Public Links, U.S. Junior Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur and USGA Senior Amateur Championships.
Corey Conners takes opening round lead at Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship
Corey Conners, 21, of Listowel, Ont., carded the low round of the day at Gorge Vale Golf Club at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
Conners, a member of Team Canada’s National Squad, rolled in seven birdies during his opening round 6-under 66 and heads into the second round with a three-stroke lead over a strong contingent of Canadian and international players.
“I was very comfortable out there, it was one of my better ball striking days of all-time,” Conners said following his round. “I hit every shot how I wanted to and my misses were barely off target and still in good spots, so I’m really happy with the score.”
Currently ranked No. 43 in the world, the Kent State University standout wasn’t surprised at his strong play on Tuesday. Having narrowly missed the cut recently at the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club, Conners stated he came to Victoria with plenty of confidence.
“I missed the cut by two shots, but it gave me a lot of confidence knowing that even though I didn’t quite have it [last week], if I would have played well it showed me that I could hang with the top professionals on the PGA TOUR.”
Six players currently sit three strokes behind Conners in a tie for second at 3-under including, Andrew Whalen, 19, of Ephrata, Wash., Chris Worrell, 22, of Enid, Okla., Jake McLeod, 18, of Australia, Paul Misko, 24, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., Cameron Jones, 20, of New Zealand and Team Canada’s, Taylor Pendrith, 22, of Richmond Hill, Ont.
In Willingdon Cup Inter-Provincial Team Championship play, Team British Columbia, comprised of Charlie Hughes of Langley, B.C., Kevin Carrigan of Victoria and Team Canada Development Squad Member, Adam Svensson, of Surrey, B.C., currently sit one stroke ahead of Team Ontario and Team Manitoba at 1-over 145 for the championship. Team Alberta and Team Quebec currently sit only two strokes out of first heading into the final round of Inter-Provincial play tomorrow.
Team Canada’s National and Development Squad programs had a strong showing on Tuesday. In addition to Conners and Pendrith’s opening rounds, Justin Shin, 21, of Pitt Meadows, B.C., currently sits in a tie for 8th at 2-under par, while Garrett Rank, 25, of Elmira, Ont., and Kevin Kwon, 18, of Pitt Meadows, B.C., sit in a tie for 21st at even-par.
The 2013 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship resumes tomorrow, Wednesday, August 7, 2013, with second-round play at Royal Colwood Golf Club and Gorge Vale Golf Club beginning at 7:30 a.m. Rounds 3 and 4 will be contested solely at Royal Colwood Golf Club with the champion being crowned on Friday, August 9.
At the conclusion of play on Wednesday, the field will be cut to the low 70 players and ties and Golf Canada will also crown the 2013 Canadian Men’s Amateur Inter-Provincial Team champion.
The winner of Canada’s oldest national golf championship will earn exemptions into both the 2014 RBC Canadian Open at Royal Montreal Golf Club as well as the 2013 U.S. Amateur Championship at The Country Club at Brookline in Brookeline, Mass. Additionally, the winner is eligible to receive exemptions into the U.S. Amateur Public Links, U.S. Junior Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur & USGA Senior Amateur Championship, if applicable.