St Andrews, Scotland – The merger of the Ladies’ Golf Union (LGU) and The R&A has been finalized and will come into effect January 1, 2017.

The heads of agreement between the two organisations was signed in June leading to the integration of the LGU’s business operations and its members of staff into The R&A group of companies. An agreed governance structure has also been implemented to give LGU Board members representation on relevant R&A Committees.

The R&A will assume responsibility for staging the LGU’s championships and international matches next year. The Ricoh Women’s British Open will continue to be managed by IMG in 2017 under the existing agreement with the LGU.

“The integration of the two organizations puts us in a better, stronger position to realize our collective vision for growing the game of golf around the world,” said Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A. “Our combined resources and staff expertise will help us to achieve our shared aims for the development of golf, including increasing girls’ and women’s participation and encouraging more families to enjoy golf as a recreational activity.”

A message to @LadiesGolfUnion associations about the merger with The R&A. https://t.co/jtx4gWqIFW pic.twitter.com/lD7GI697h1

— The R&A (@RandA) December 19, 2016

A late rally by the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada fell short on Saturday at Tierra del Sol Resort and Golf, giving PGA TOUR Latinoamérica victory in the first-ever Aruba Cup.

Though the Mackenzie Tour put together a valiant charge, winning five of the first seven singles matches of the day, it wasn’t enough to overcome a daunting 8.5-1.5 deficit, with Latinoamérica prevailing by a 13-7 final score over the three-day match play competition between the two Tours.

“Our guys fought back and made it interesting. It was good golf, and it was fun to see. It’s unfortunate the way it ended, but we rallied back and I’m proud of how our team played,” said Mackenzie Tour captain Stephen Ames, who offered his congratulations to the Latinoamérica team and his counterpart Julian Etulain. “I watched a lot of their golf, and they made a lot of putts. My hat’s off to Captain Etulain and his team on a great victory.”

Early on in Saturday’s singles play, it seemed as though a miracle comeback was in the works, as Dan McCarthy got things started with a win in the day’s first match – a battle of Players of the Year against Latinoamérica Order of Merit winner Nate Lashley.

Taylor Moore followed shortly after with a 2&1 win of his own over Seth Fair, and when a handful of other matches out on the course turned in favour of the Mackenzie Tour, the outcome of the event appeared in doubt for the first time since before one-sided fourball and foursomes matches of the first two days.

“All I could do being the first match out was beat my guy and hope everybody else followed suit,” said McCarthy, a four-time winner this year on the Mackenzie Tour. “We were in there for a while today and we almost pulled off the impossible.”

Although more matches went the Mackenzie Tour’s way – Brock Mackenzie clawed back to earn a half point after being three down with six to play, while Paul Barjon, Max Rottluff and Ryan Williams each won their matches – it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit to start the day.

Martin Trainer notched the clincher for Latinoamérica, securing at least a half point by taking a 1 up lead to the 18th and then sinking a long birdie putt to defeat Michael Gligic 2 up and set off a celebration.

“I’m really proud of the team today. We fought hard and made it interesting at the end. It was a good team effort and a fantastic week,” said Williams, who beat Augusto Núñez 4&3. “It was great to play a team event. We’ve all had good years, and it was nice to come down here to Aruba and get together as a team. It was a real fun week and something I’ll remember for a long time.”

One tournament into his return was all Tiger Woods needed to strike a deal with Bridgestone to play its golf ball.

Bridgestone Golf said Thursday it has signed Woods to a multi-year agreement in which he will play and promote the golf ball. Woods effectively became a free agent for equipment deals when Nike decided to stop making clubs and golf balls and instead focus on apparel.

Bridgestone becomes the first new equipment company that Woods has endorsed since he turned pro 20 years ago. He signed with Titleist (equipment) and Nike (footwear and clothing) in 1996, and his switch to all Nike equipment began with its golf ball in May 2000.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Woods had not played in 15 months while recovering from back surgeries, though he still draws more attention and spikes media ratings more than any other player.

Woods had been testing equipment the last few months after Nike said it was getting out of the hard goods golf business. He used the Bridgestone ball at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, and said the golf ball was the critical component of any equipment change.

Woods tied for 15th against an 18-man field in the Bahamas, though he was hitting a greater variety of shots than when he had last played on the PGA Tour.

The 14-time major champion tends to play a golf ball that spins more than most, and Woods said the Bridgestone B333-S was “hands-down the best for my game.”

“The ball is reacting identical with how I want to play,” he said in a release announcing the deal. “For me, that’s fun.”

As part of the deal, Woods will be considered a Bridgestone ambassador and be featured in all advertising.

Woods also was using a TaylorMade driver and fairway metal in the Bahamas, and he said he put his old Scotty Cameron putter back in the bag right after Nike announced it was out of the club business. He was still using the Nike irons and said in the Bahamas he planned more testing after the tournament.

He has not announced his schedule for next year except for the Feb. 16-19 Genesis Open at Riviera, where he hasn’t been since 2006. His foundation now runs the tournament.

By choosing a new golf ball, Woods went a different direction from two of Nike’s highest-ranked players. Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka said they have asked Nike to set aside as many golf balls as possible.

“I have about two to three years’ worth,” Koepka said in the Bahamas.

McIlroy, who plans extensive equipment testing in Dubai at the end of the month, said changing golf balls would be the most difficult adjustment.

“I need something that works, and right now the Nike golf ball works … with everything in my bag, which is perfect,” McIlroy said in late October.

Woods took the first step with the Bridgestone golf ball. He joins a group of players that include Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker and Fred Couples

Taiwan was Brooke Henderson’s favourite destination on the LPGA Tour this year. Playing in the Olympics, winning US$1.7 million in prize money and capturing her first major were pretty cool, too.

The 19-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., packed more into one season than some golfers experience over an entire career.

Back home this month for a well-deserved holiday break, Henderson told The Canadian Press she feels more mature as she reaches the end of her remarkable year.

“This year gave me a lot of experiences that added a lot of value to who am I am as a person, and what I am on the LPGA Tour,” she said in a recent interview. “I’m happy to come home, and I remember where it all began with my family and friends. But at the end of the day I’m just building a better me.”

Henderson was the LPGA’s Ironwoman in 2016, playing a tour-high 31 events, peaking at No. 2 on the world rankings before finishing eighth. Add to that the Rio Olympics and sponsor commitments and the young Canadian didn’t have much time for herself on her first full season on the women’s pro circuit. But she believes the gruelling schedule has prepared her for the future.

“Where the tournaments were, what the courses were like, what the fans were like, the atmosphere, the communities around the tournaments, and the travelling – like how to get from one city to another and if it was easy or not – were all really important things to learn,” she said. “Now that I’ve done it, I feel almost like a veteran, where next year is going to be a lot easier.”

Henderson won two titles in 2016, including the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, her first career major. She added 15 top-10 finishes and was just two shots out of the bronze medal position at the Olympics.

While many marvel at the teen’s poise and maturity, Henderson’s inexperience did come to the forefront on occasion. In Rio, she left the golf course in tears after shooting 4-over on the final six holes of the third round, a collapse that included a four-putt on the 16th hole.

“Golf is a very tough game and like anything in life there is going to be disappointments where you wish you had played a little bit better or made smarter decisions, but that’s just where you have to learn from it and move in,” said Henderson. “When something really exciting happens – like having my major win or my other win this year – you really have to embrace them and celebrate because they’re hard to come by.”

Henderson will remain involved with Golf Canada’s program next year, although she said she would work with Canadian head coach Tristan Mullally a “little bit” as her father Dave is her “number one guy.”

“I definitely would like to get stronger and hit the ball a little further and work on my consistency overall,” she said of her off-season plans. “I think that’s the big one. And short game. That’s always been something I’ve worked on especially the last few years.”

She will also continue to have her older sister Brittany, a professional golfer in her own right, as her caddy.

“We really make a great team and we know each other really well, which helps us on and off the course,” she said. “There’s always little things that every caddy/player have to figure out, but for the most part I really feel we work great together. I’m really looking forward to next year and hopefully the years after that too.”

The LPGA Tour features two events in Canada in 2017 with the Manulife LPGA Classic in Cambridge, Ont., set for June 5-11 and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open scheduled for Aug. 21-27 in Ottawa.

The CP Women’s Open is already circled on Henderson’s calendar as the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club is playing host. The course gave Henderson an honorary membership this year.

“I’m already looking forward to that week of the season and hopefully I peak that week,” said Henderson. “Being a member of the Ottawa Hunt Club and having it so close to where I grew up, celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary in the capital, it’s going to be really amazing.”

After getting so close to the top in her first full LPGA season, Henderson admitted she’s more motivated than ever to get to No. 1.

“I know there’s a lot of hard work ahead of me,” she said. “I’ll set smaller goals on my way to that, but I think that’s ultimately the end goal for any person playing on the LPGA Tour.”

LOS ANGELES – Tiger Woods is returning to Riviera Country Club for the first time since 2006 to play the Genesis Open in February.

He announced Tuesday that he will play in the event from Feb. 13-19 that benefits his foundation.

Riviera was the site of Woods’ PGA Tour debut in 1992 at age 16. He says he “weighed about 105 pounds and it was a life-changing moment for me.”

The Tiger Woods Foundation, the PGA Tour and Genesis announced a partnership under which Woods’ TGR Live will manage the tournament at Riviera.

Woods returned to competitive golf earlier this month for the first time since August 2015 at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

He hasn’t announced his 2017 playing schedule aside from Riviera.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Phil Mickelson has had surgery for a sports hernia for the second time in three months and is not sure when he will play next.

Mickelson first had surgery on his hernia in October, right after playing in the Safeway Open. His management company said Monday that the five-time major champion is expected to make a full recovery, but it did not offer a timetable for his return.

Mickelson had planned to start 2017 at the CareerBuilder Challenge on Jan. 19-22 in Palm Desert, California. The statement said the 46-year-old was looking forward to the tournament, at least in his new role as ambassador for the event.

Mickelson hasn’t won since the British Open in 2013. He has been a runner-up in the majors each of the last three years.

After calling it a career recently in August, Rebecca Lee-Bentham is now looking to apply the valuable lessons she’s learned during her years as an LPGA pro in her new life away from competitive golf.

“Being a pro golfer has enabled me to travel the world and be around many successful people. I’ve learned to work hard, be patient, and network well, which are helpful traits for success in any career,” said the 24-year-old.

The Toronto golfer plans to work towards her PGA of Canada coaching certification and has recently starting coaching at the Bradlee Ryall Golf Academy at Lionhead Golf Club in Brampton, Ont.

“I’ve started coaching golf and have been enjoying my experience so far. I’m still in the process of creating my goals for where I want to go with it,” she noted.

Taking a look back at Lee-Bentham’s journey, the 2011 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion made the decision to leave the University of Texas after her freshman year to pursue her dream of competing on the LPGA Tour.

It was at the final stage of LPGA Q-School in December of 2011 that the then-19-year-old secured full playing status on her first attempt – and became the youngest Canadian on the LPGA Tour.

“She was a good classmate. I’m excited to see another Longhorn doing something big,” said NBA star Tristan Thompson at the time about his former classmate’s ability to secure her full LPGA card.

The Longhorn alum credits her time as part of Golf Canada’s Canadian national team program for teaching her the ropes and helping her achieve her childhood dream.

“The best part of being on Team Canada is the support the players get.  Being able to work with great coaches and trainers plus the financial support allowed us to travel and play in the best tournaments around the world; and I can say that played a major role in my ability to make it to the LPGA Tour,” said Lee-Bentham.

Among the notable highlights in her five year professional career was a tie for 18th spot at the 2013 ISPS Handa Women’s Open Australian Open; which was followed by an 11th place finish later that same year at the Evian Open.

Having racked up just over $118,000 in earnings in 2013, the Toronto golfer was voted by Canadian golf writers as the 2013 Female Professional of the year.

However, in 2014, inconsistency resulted in her missing the cut in 11 out of 18 tournaments and losing her full playing privileges.  Nagging injuries continue to slow down the talented young golfer in 2015 as she made the cut in only two out of 10 LPGA tournaments.

Despite her struggles on the golf course, Lee-Bentham always had a reputation as one of the hardest working players on tour.

“What really impresses me about Rebecca is that she is one of the first players to come out to the course in practice and she is also one of the last ones to leave. She is a really hard working player,” said LPGA superstar Lydia Ko about the Toronto golfer.

However, having made countless sacrifices since taking up the sport at the age of 12 and having exerted tremendous energy in her efforts to compete at the highest level, Lee-Bentham realized by mid 2016 that she was running on empty.

“Playing professional golf can be a constant grind, especially when you’re always near the cut line. One of the biggest challenges for me was to not judge my self-worth based on my score on the golf course,” she said.

And prior to competing at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in August of this year – which saw her triple bogey the 15th hole in the second round and miss the cut by one stroke – Lee-Bentham had already made the decision to call it a career.

Having had some time to reflect on her journey, she was asked what’s been the most important lesson that she’s learned over the years.

“I’ve learned that hard work does pays off and the most important thing is to be happy,” she replied. “And happiness is all about perspective and being grateful.”

Despite calling it a career after only five years as a pro, the 24-year-old is grateful for the fond memories and the special relationships that she’s built over that time.

“I think the opportunity to travel and create friends all over the world is something I’m very grateful for. Also the experience of playing against the top players in the world is something I’ll always take away with me,” she said.

“And even though I retired from competitive golf, I still love getting out there and playing for fun whenever I can.”

Given the constant travel as an LPGA pro, Lee-Bentham is happy to be home in Toronto and have the opportunity to recharge and refuel.

Recently, she saw her older brother get married; and a few weeks after that, she was the bride’s maid at her sister’s wedding.

“I think just growing up in a Christian home, I’ve learned that life is always bigger than just myself,” she said.

“Right now I want to spend more time with my family and close friends that I haven’t been able to see much while I was on tour.”

Despite an early retirement, the 24-year-old former LPGA pro says she has no regrets about her journey.

“I don’t think I’d change anything because I appreciate all the experiences, good and bad, that I’ve gone through in my life,” she said.

“I’m definitely grateful for all the good experiences but I also know that I learn more from the tougher ones.”

It’s these important lessons and experiences that the mature and hard-working 24-year-old former LPGA pro expects will serve her well in the next chapter of her story.

Winter Garden, FL – Thornhill, Ont., native Ben Silverman tied for 6th and led the way for the 10-player Canadian contingent taking part in the final stage of Web.com Tour qualifying at Orange County National near Orlando, Fla.

Silverman birdied three of his last five holes to finish at four under on the day and 10-under overall, seven shots back of the winning score.

By virtue of finishing in the top 10, Silverman is guaranteed spots in the Tour’s first 12 events of 2017.

Calgary’s Ryan Yip carded had a 70 on Sunday to tie for 23rd at 6-under.

Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C., fired a 69 for a share of 35th at 4-under.

Listowel, Ont., native and Team Canada Young Pro Corey Conners tied for 42nd at 3-under.

Players who finished between 11th and 45th, plus ties, earned guaranteed entry into the first eight events of the regular season before a reshuffle.

American Jim Renner had a final-round, 9-under 63 to take medalist honors. The 33-year-old lives just 25 minutes from the course and proved to feel right at home on Sunday, with seven birdies and an eagle to earn full exempt status on the Web.com Tour in 2017.

The Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament was a four-day, 72-hole competition with a total of 155 players beginning play on Thursday morning.

There were nearly 1,000 entries for the tournament, which included previous Pre-Qualifying, First and Second stages that began in August.

The top five from the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and PGA TOUR China Order of Merit(s) not otherwise fully exempt for the 2017 Web.com Tour season competed in the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament.

Here are the results from the top five players from Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada.

• Brock Mackenzie – T4
• Taylor Moore – 2
• Aaron Wise – DNP
• Adam Cornelson – T105

Full Canadian results:

ORLANDO, Fla. – David Duval and stepson Nick Karavites shot a 10-under 62 on Sunday to win the PNC Father/Son Challenge by a stroke.

Duval and Karavites finished at 21-under 123 in the scramble event at Grande Lakes to hold off 2013 winners Stewart and Connor Cink, newcomers Retief and Leo Goosen, and Fred and Taylor Funk.

“This is as good as anything,” Duval said. “It truly is. I know it’s not winning The Players or something like that, but this is what the progression of life is. To be able to come out in a professional event and win and have the whole family here, I’ll never forget it.

“I came home and talked with Susan my wife about six weeks ago and said, ‘You know if I play like I’m playing and Nick plays like he’s playing, we have a chance.”’

Team Duval earned $200,000. They birdied Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 to make the turn at 7 under, and added birdies at 11, 13 and 14.

“Being here with my mom, my brothers and my stepdad, it was amazing,” Karavites said. “We were playing so good and it didn’t seem like too much pressure. Just being with David out here, I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.”

The Goosens and Cinks shot 61, and the Funks had a 62. Team Goosen missed 10-foot birdie putts on 18 that could have tied them for the lead. Retief saw nothing but positives, though, from 13-year-old Leo.

“He’s learning a lot how to manage his game this week, how to think around a course,” he said. “He’s only going to get stronger. He stayed positive.”

Event newcomers John and Little John Daly shot 63 to tie for ninth at 17 under.

“The way L.J. played this week, I’m so proud of him,” Daly said. “He’s been clutch all week. It’s been a great week for me. The progress for him to see it under the gun, the way he performed, it was incredible.”

Jack Nicklaus and Jack II had a 68 to finish at 5 under.

“We were a little better than yesterday but basically it’s what (Jackie) did,” Nicklaus said.

NAPLES, Fla. – Harris English et Matt Kuchar ont remporté le Franklin Templeton Shootout, samedi, devançant Steve Stricker et Jerry Kelly par un coup au club de golf Tiburon.

English et Kuchar avaient triomphé en 2013 à leur première participation ensemble et ils avaient pris le deuxième rang lors des deux dernières années. Ils ont remis une carte de 65 (moins-7) samedi sous la formule meilleure balle et ils ont conclu le tournoi à moins-28.

Stricker et Kelly ont aussi joué une ronde de 65.

Charley Hoffman et Billy Horschel ont pris le troisième rang à moins-26 après une ronde de 61.

Lexi Thompson et Bryson DeChambeau ont partagé le dernier rang avec Mike Weir, de Bright’s Grove, en Ontario, et Gary Woodland à moins-16. Thompson était la deuxième femme à participer au tournoi, après Annika Sorenstam en 2006, quand elle avait joué en compagnie de Fred Couples.