Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).
Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.
Alexander Heuton, Sleepy Hollow, Hole #3
Thanks for the note. I was playing with one of my usual playing partners and fellow member, Conrad Hansuld. We were playing hole number 3 at Sleepy Hollow from the back tees. The pin was front left. I gunned the flag at 176 yards, but we were hitting dead into the wind. I took a 6 iron and hit a soft draw that landed a few feet short of the hole. It took one hop, then rolled into the cup.
I have been playing for decades and have come close many times, but this was my first hole-in-one. It was quite a rush!
Anisur Salim, Dentonia Park Golf Course, Hole #1
Occurred on July 30th at Dentonia Park Golf Course. Hole-in-one happened at hole # 1, using a 56-degree wedge.
Thanks,
Anisur
Brad Beghetto, Transcona Golf Club, Hole #16
130 yards. 9 iron.
Brent Choi, Coppinwood, Hole #7
Thank you for your note. It’s awesome you do this. I was with Mark Applebaum! It was 138 yards into the sun. Used an 8 iron on hole 7 of Coppinwood. Funny that I had a great front 9, partially in thanks to the hole-in-one, but fell apart on the back 9 as I lost the ability to hit the fairway.
Brent Jewett, Kingswood Signature, Hole #17
Thanks for reaching out.
I was playing with three close friends: Jason Billing, Shaun Davis and Rob McNeelands.
The 17th hole at the Kingswood Signature Golf Course is considered a difficult par 3 over water to a large undulating green protected by water and two bunkers on the left and large mounds (for those who choose to bail out) on the right.
I had just flushed a 4-iron on previous hole, so coming into hole #17, I was feeling pretty good about my long-iron play. When I got to the elevated tee on 17, a steady breeze was coming from right to left and the pin was tucked toward the back of the green on a downslope. I lasered 184 yards to the pin, with about a 175-yard carry to the middle of the green. I pulled my 5-iron out of the bag, aimed at the right side of the green and hit a slight draw which the wind carried over toward my landing point in the middle of the green. It then slowly started making its way down to the hole (which we could see from the elevated tee). Then, about three seconds later, we all watched it disappear into the cup – boom! – just like that – my first hole-in-one!
Sincerely,
Brent Jewett
Brian Martin, Sirocco Golf Club, Hole #5
Hole #5 was playing 119 yards from the white tees. I used my 9 iron to card my first ever ace. I was playing with Gord Wagner, Larry Taylor and Tony Goutbeck
It was a real thrill. I hope I don’t have to wait over 50 years for my next one.
Byron Rokeby-Thomas, Balfour Golf Course, Hole #7
Thank you! I was playing with Shaun O’Connor who is also from Nelson. It was from the blue tees on hole #7. I believe it’s about 140 yards and I used a pitching wedge.
Cameron Bartling, Beach Grove Golf Club, Hole #16
Thank you for reaching out.
Saturday was truly fantastic getting my first hole-in-one. The hole was playing 132 yards and I hit a 9 iron.
The guys I was playing with were Syd Sharp, David Gilliland and Richard Langhammer.
Thanks again for reaching out.
Cam Bartling
Cooper Anderson, Fort William Country Club, Hole #2
Thank you. Playing partners were Dan Speer and Brian Sippila. I used a 9 iron, and the yardage was 154 yards.
Dan Klimas, Rosemere Fontainebleau, Hole #13
It was from 155 yards using a 6 iron. I was playing with another member, Norm Hacker, as well as two guests, Dylan Hacker and Tyler Rothstein. It was a great day and experience. This makes four holes-in-one in my 45 years of playing, three of which were at my club, Rosemere Fontainebleau, on three different par 3’s (holes 4, 6, and 13) and one at Mount Bruno in Quebec.
Thank you,
Dan Klimas
Daniel Boire, Darcy Ranch Golf Club, Hole #12
Happened June 25th. Playing with my friend, Ryan, and two others we were paired with. 155 yards so I used my 9 iron. Thanks for reaching out!
David Munro, Caledon Woods Golf Club, Hole #13
Thank you for your kind words.
I play from the green tees (combination of the white and red teams) and have played from these tees for a couple of years now. I only started playing golf at 60 years old (am now 75). I never had great distance, and it’s getting more difficult to get to the green every year.
My favourite club in my bag is a ping 6 hybrid, seiners flex. The par three I made the hole-in-one on is 110 yards, and while I could make that distance with a 7 iron, I chose the 6 hybrid, because the wind was in our face and because it is my most accurate club. I chose the 6 hybrid, and I choke down on it a little, put the ball back in my stance and I get height and accuracy, and this time I got extreme accuracy. Playing partners were John Giancola, Rodney Maltais and Darwin Gauthier.
You have my permission to quote, if for no other reason, than to encourage high handicapped players, to not give as they get older, just move to the appropriate tees.
Derek Janzen, Fairview Mountain Golf Club, Hole #10
I would like to post for one of my buddies.
Derek Janzen made a hole-in-one on number 10 at Fairview Mountain Golf Club in Oliver, B.C. It was playing 145 yards. He hit a thin 8 iron which landed just short of the hole and rolled into the cup.
Cheers,
Jason, on behalf of Derek Janzen
Frank Pinilla, Summit, Hole #2
Hi there, thanks for this!
I was playing with some of our “weekend morning regulars” (about 10 of us that switch around depending on schedules). My playing partners that morning were Mark O, Scott L and Enrique G.
This was on the 2nd hole at Summit, and we scoped the pin at 167 yards, an easy 6-iron for me (which was perfect in hindsight!). I was first to tee it up and had an easy swing that tracked nicely with my fade, the ball hit near the middle of the green and tracked up and left towards the back, left pin.
We were playing into the morning sun so it was hard to see but it was looking really good when we couldn’t see the ball sitting on the green. What clinched it for us was that the rest of our morning regular group, who were up on the 3rd tee, started yelling loudly! I grabbed my range finder to have a better look (we couldn’t really tell if they were yelling that “ooooh, it just lipped out” or “whoa, it’s in the hole”) – but that confirmed it…lots of high-fives and hands in the air! Plus, a round of beers for the boys after the round, on me!
What a fun start to the round!
Cheers,
Frank Pinilla
Janice McCarthy, Pointe West Golf Course, Hole #2
My hole-in-one was in #2 at Pointe West Golf Course during our weekly Ladies League.
My foursome consisted of: Jan Groulx, Mary Harris and Alice Saunders.
I used a 9 iron to a middle pin placement that was about 95 yards away with a slight breeze into us.
Thanks,
Janice McCarthy
John Whelan, Shelburne, Hole #11
Thank you for the recognition. I have been playing golf for a little over 50 years now (I am 73), and while I have come close on many occasions, this was my first hole-in-one. I was on the 11th hole at Shelburne, playing with Morgan Rutledge, about 120 yards, using an 8 iron. When the shot landed, it looked to be about 2-3 feet short and I am thinking an easy birdie, then it disappeared into the hole. Funny enough, after so many years of playing golf, my initial reaction was disbelief, and later relief that I could finally cross that accomplishment off.
Golf is such a fun sport, so unpredictable, rewarding in many ways and always looking forward to the next outing.
John Whelan
Jordan Harding, Flamborough Hills Golf Course, Hole #1
I recently had my first hole-in-one at Flamborough Hills Golf Course on June 27th. It was on my 10th hole (hole #1 on the hills course) Par 4! 315 yards. I was playing with my friend, Chris, and another member which we had just met that day on the first hole. Not only was this my first hole in one it was also my first albatross. ?
Keith Richards, Mickelson National, Hole #15
I was playing golf with my girlfriend, friend, Drew, and a fourth fill named Rafi. It was an 8 iron from 170 yards. Tight little draw, couple hops and in the hole.
Cheers,
Keith
Kevin Galandy, Country Hills Golf Club, Hole #14
Hole #14 at the Country Hills, Ridge course. Played tips (gold box), 161 yards, knockdown 7 iron into a strong wind.
Also, playing in the club championship. Playing partners were Aaron Ma and Chan Woo Lee.
Went on to win the 2nd flight by 6 strokes.
Cheers,
Kevin
Len Teichroeb, Fairview Mountain, Hole #7
Thanks so much.
Wednesday, July 20th 2022. Hole #7. Par 3. This particular day was a blue pin location (back of the green). Approximately 168 yards. Taylormade M2 19 degree Hybrid club and my Taylormade TP5 ball. Playing with my regulars, Rich Engel and Phil Anderson (missing that day was Jerry Duteil). Picture perfect day for golf, which we have at Fairview a lot.
Amazing course. Expertly directed by our staff of General Manager, Brian McDonald, and head pro, Rob Tadey, and all the rest of our amazing staff.
If you have never had the chance to come and play our course, it’s a “must play” whenever the opportunity might arise.
Thanks again for the email.
Len T.
Linda Gray, Country Hills Golf Club, Hole #12
Thank you for the lovely email congratulating me for my hole-in-one last week. It is truly one of the most incredible feelings to experience.
It was a gorgeous day, and we had a slight wind in our faces. It was a back right pin and the distance was 137 yards. The green slopes towards us at that location, so I used my trusty 7 wood. I had one of those swings where everything clicked in to place you could feel the smooth tempo. In fact, I was in such good position, I lost sight of the ball until it hit the green. The ball ran up the green past the pin and then took the slope and rolled into the hole. It was fantastic. What a feeling! This is definitely one for my bucket list.
It was Ladies Day, and I had the pleasure of golfing with some fabulous ladies; Patty Condon, Lesley Cooney-Burk and Barb Sigalet.
Thanks again and have an awesome day. It is Ladies Day again and I am heading to the course.
Sincerely,
Linda Gray
Linda Stickney, Crown Isle, Hole #16
Thank you for the graphic for my hole-in-one. I would love to share the event. #16 at Crown Isle is all carry over water 107 yards to a back right pin. I used a choked down Adams 6 hybrid and a Srixon soft feel ball #1. The #1 must be a good sign. Two hops on the green and in the hole. My playing partners, Violet Erskine and Lesley McFarlane, and I all saw the ball go in the hole. Some very loud hurrahs from all of us.
This is my second ace with the first being at Apache Wells Country Club in Mesa, Arizona.
Lyle Dickson, Richmond Country Club, Hole #12
Was playing with three fellow Richmond Country Club members – David Hinton, Pat O’Brien and Duncan Mackenzie. Hole was playing 175 yards and we did not really see the ball go in, hence had the putter in hand as thought it was at the back of the green but that was Duncan’s ball and mine was in the hole. Used a 4 hybrid club as 175 is a long par three for an old guy.
Lyle Dickson
Mark Burrell, Glen Cedars Golf Club, Hole #14
Thanks for the email. Hole was playing 142 yards and I used a wedge. I was playing with Gordon Chilton and Donny Grogan.
Mark Jones, Calabogie Highlands Golf Club, Hole #8
Thank you very much.
I was playing in our Men’s league. Was 159 yards to the pin and I used a 6 iron.
Thanks,Mark
Mike Cowie, Carnoustie Golf Club, Hole #8
Hi. I’m Mike Cowie and I got a hole-in-one on #8 at the championship course at Carnoustie. It was 165 yards and I used and 8 iron. I was with fellow Canadian member Marc Laatu when it happened. The date was July 16th 2022.
Mitch Gillingwater, Moncton Golf and Country Club, Hole #12
Thanks for reaching out, very exciting moment for sure!
It was a great day at Moncton Golf and Country Club. I hit a 5 iron from the blue tees with hole #12 playing 195 yards.
I played with two of my best friends, Steve McLaughlin and Gerard Reinders, along with Steve’s father, Pat. Moncton Golf and Country Club was my home course growing up, I started playing there when I was 11 years old, must have played hundreds of rounds there. I now live in Toronto and get back to New Brunswick with my wife and two young sons once a summer to visit family and get a round or two in with friends. Amazing trip home!
Nick LaPointe, Country Meadows, Hole #10
Thanks for the email. It was something I never thought I would accomplish.
It started off somewhat of a normal Saturday morning tee time, we usually have the first two tee times of the morning (7:00am and 7:10am). I’m usually at the course by 5:30am, however today I was running late and went right to the tee box. I was in the first group with Michael Boudrea, Brian Duff and Daniel Hebert. The round for myself was scrappy, shooting 6 over on the front 9. We got to the 10th hole, and I was second in line to tee off. The flag measured 147 yards on a slightly elevated tee to a front pin location on the Champion (blue) tees. I proceeded to hit a soft and controlled 9 iron which was executed as I pictured it, the ball’s trajectory was high and tracking towards the flag with a neutral flight, one bounce and rolled towards the cup until we couldn’t see if anymore. Brian thought it was sitting behind the pin. Since it was in the shadows, I verified with my range finder that it wasn’t on the green and must have gone in the hole.
Celebration isn’t my thing, so it was a gentleman’s handshake from my playing partners once we got on the green and verified it was at the bottom of the cup and moved on. Then it hit me…I was now 4 over with 8 to play and I wasn’t going to have a hole-in-one and shoot in the 80’s. The nerves kicked in knowing I had to put in a good back 9. Well, I managed to finish with 2 bogeys, 2 birdies, and 4 pars for a 4 over round of 76.
That’s the story. Just a beautifully executed controlled soft 9 iron from 147 yards.
Cheers,
Nick
Paul Woodward, Arrowsmith Golf Course, Hole #13
Well, it was a beautiful day for a round of golf and my wife decided to join me. We headed out to Arrowsmith Golf Course on Vancouver Island where I have been a member for a year and a half now. The scenery is spectacular, and the course is well kept and very challenging, especially the greens that always seem to slope opposite to your putt!
We were grouped together with Dan and Sandy, local golf enthusiasts that try to get out a couple times a week. It was on the 13th tee box that a once in 40-year occasion was set up. The flag was at the back of the green on the top tier making it impossible to see the hole. The book distance was 151 yards from the blue tee off, being at the back figured at least 160 to the hole. I cleaned the 7 iron leaned into the swing and let it fly. I remember thinking that it looked really good, nice high apex dropping onto the top tier slightly left of the pin.
Dan’s tee shot also made the top, but we could see his ball at the edge of the top tier. My wife, Denise, and Sandy made good tee shots but didn’t make the green. The lady’s made their second shots and now everyone was on the green. As I walked up to the top tier, I saw Dan’s ball but no sign of mine, so I automatically walked to the back edge to see if it had rolled past and down the back of the green. When I didn’t spot the ball, Denise said look in the hole and in absolute disbelief there it was, wow first ever “ace”.
I can only hope the next one comes sooner! I golfed occasionally in Alberta but after moving here two years ago, I average a couple games a week so I hope the odds are way better that I will cut the 40-year streak down to a couple years! It’s a tough but great game and I’m looking forward to a repeat performance.
Richard Betkowski, Highlands Golf Course, Hole #3
Hi! Richard calling from Highlands Golf Course (HGC) in Edmonton, Alberta.
HGC opened on April 24th this year. I shot my first round on the 25th and while shooting my 2nd on the 26th, I aced the 3rd hole, 197 yards with a 3 metal and Srixon Soft Feel!
Watched it tracking and it was on a good line. Arriving at the hole with putter and chipper in hand, I went ball hunting. My fellow members were chipping onto the green, and I figured I went through the green not seeing my ball on the green. Checked the back of the green, nothing. Walked back to the hole and low and behold, my third ace!
Ron Gerlitz, DJ Coppens and John Keaveny were there to witness!
#3 on the 3rd!
Golf is the best ‘social event’ ever!
Ciao!
Richard Betkowski
Richard Penney, Forest City National, Hole #7
Thanks.
Playing partners: Steve Irwin, Zaya Lazar and Myron Hladyniuk.
Hole yardage: 163 yards to pin.
Club used: 7 iron.
Ross Lynd, Harvest Golf Club, Hole #16
It certainly was an exciting day! Our 16th is a steep uphill 151-yard hole from the white tee. I hit a 5 hybrid and as it landed at the front of the green, everyone in the group said, ‘that should be close’! Once arriving at the top of the hill no ball was in sight, so the excitement started to build. Playing partners Ross Shipley and Grant Cooper were the first to the hole and immediately raised their arms. Third playing partner, Doug Campbell, joined me in a cheer before congratulations all around.
It is my second hole-in-one having one on the 15th hole on the Melfort Golf and Country Club in 2001.
Thanks again.
Stephen Colford, Clovelly, Hole #7
Hi,
It is my 5th hole-in-one.
It was on the 7th hole at Clovelly which was measuring 141 yards long on Sunday. I hit a 7 iron into the wind. The ball hit just before the pin and one hopped into the hole. The ball mark can be seen in the picture. I was playing with Charlie Follett, Ted Kwon and Peter Furlong.
Steve Colford
Stewart Storie, The Okanagan Golf Club, Hole #4
Playing with my wife, Gloria Heung-Storie, and Charles and Bill, Okanagan GC members. 157 yards. Used a 6 iron.
Stewart
Tommy Schurman, The Old Course at St Andrews, Hole #8
Hi there,
We did a guy’s golf trip to Scotland this past May of 2022. Peter Dunphy, Brian Francoeur, Mark Francoeur and I played 11 different courses in 11 days and one of them being…The Old Course in St. Andrews. May 26th to be exact.
I had never been to Scotland before, so obviously it was also my first time playing the most famous golf course in the world…“The Home of Golf”!
Our foursome teed off around 3:00 pm local time and she was “a wee bit windy” that day. I can still remember asking my caddy what he would shoot on a day like today as he was a 40-year-old local and scratch handicap. He said, “I wouldn’t be playing in this!”. He also told me that if the greens were mowed at the height of when The Open Championship would be playing there in July, they would suspend the round as the ball wouldn’t be able to come to rest. Which is scary because I thought the speed of the greens that day was pretty freakin’ fast! Conditions were tough to say the least, but at least it wasn’t raining on top of it all. It was still a comfortable temperature to play as long as you dressed for it.
Going along fairly steady for the first 7 holes. Get up on the par 3 eighth hole which is playing about 160 yards that day. Wind is howling out of the right and slightly helping. I’m last to hit in our group and I watch how all the balls seem to roll forever once they land on the green. Not that it really mattered as it’s basically just “hit and hope” in that kind of wind! I hit an 8 iron a tad thin, but in the direction I was aiming (way out to the right). After contact was made, my playing partners and all the caddies began to walk towards the green. I hung back waiting to see it as there was some longer fescue grass between the tee and green. Sure enough, that little white ball started rolling towards the back pin. It seemed to roll forever as I stood there watching it.
All of the sudden, it disappeared and for a split second I wasn’t sure if it went in or off the back. But, luckily there was a golfer and caddy directly behind our green playing the 10th hole as it shares with #8. The golfer and his caddy both raised their arms in the air at the same time as the ball disappeared…and then my arms went up…and then all chaos broke loose! I really don’t remember much from that point until the video starts up on the green when I go to pick the ball out of the hole.
There has not been a day that goes by that I ask myself, “Did that really happen?” because something like that…making an “ace” at the Home of Golf….is stuff out of dreamland.
Tyler Horning, Wildfire Golf Club, Hole #3
It was a very exciting moment. A bucket list item I was fortunate enough to experience.
I was playing with my father, Paul Horning, as well as Kenneth Michael Kelly and Pierre Hoppener. The card reads 113 yards from the whites. I used an 8 iron. Pin on the right side of the green over sand traps. Ball landed on the green about 8 feet from the hole, one hopped, and rolled straight into the hole.
Regards,
Tyler Horning
Velma MacLean, Stanhope, Hole #10
Thank-you! I am very happy with my hole-in-one!
I was playing with two friends, Rosemary MacArthur and Kimberly Ellis, at our home course, Stanhope Golf and Country Club, in PEI.
It was #10 hole which is 135 yards. I used my #3 Mavrik hybrid. It was a red flag! I hit the sweet spot on the club and the ball hit the front of the green, rolled up to the flag and then the ball disappeared. I was sort of speechless. My friends were more excited than I was! I was in disbelief until I picked it out of the hole!
I recently purchased my final couple of Mavrik irons so now I have a complete set and I absolutely love my “Callaway Mavrik clubs”.
When I retired in 2017, I started golfing, took lessons from our Pro, Shannon Grinton, and got hooked on this sport! I play at least 100 rounds a season and love it!
Thanks again!
Velma MacLean
Carrera wins 117th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship title
When Luis Carrera woke up this morning over 4800 kilometres from his hometown in Mexico City, Mexico, the Canadian Men’s Amateur title was an attainable dream he could visualize if he stayed confident. Clearly, the strategy worked. Carrera fired a 66 during the final round at Point Grey Golf and Country Club to claim the title for the117th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.
“I was like, I think I can win this if I play good, but I’ve got to go get it,” said Carrera. “I’ve got to go take the chances that I get, and I’ve got to make some putts, and I knew I had to come and play well.”
The 22-year-old came out of the gate hot this morning when he made eagle on his first hole. The momentum catapulted him up the leaderboard and his consistent play awarded him a solid, bogey-free round.
“I made some good putts today,” he recalled about his most memorable moments of the tournament. “But I think the eagle on one [would be the most memorable]. That really got me going.”
Carrera might be a long way from home, but the University of Central Florida senior quickly won over the hometown crowd at Point Grey. With a near-tangible excitement, a beaming Carrera hoisted the prestigious Earl Grey Cup to a round of enthusiastic applause and, after a quick lesson, sabered a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
“It feels amazing,” said Carrera of the victory. I’ve worked really hard for events and to finally see the results and to win such a great event, it feels amazing. It’s such an honour and I’m so happy to do it.”
With the win, Carrera becomes only the second Mexican golfer and first since Rafael Alarcon in 1979 to take home the title.
Arriving at the course on Tuesday, the 22-year old found an unexpected piece of home when he ran into Rodrigo Pena, a golf services employee at Point Grey Golf and Country Club and an old friend who shared membership at same club in Mexico City. The surprise clandestine meeting led to Rodrigo serving as Carrera’s caddie for the final round and, well, the rest is history.
Carrera and Mississauga, Ont. native Robbie Latter went wire to wire for the majority of the day, with Latter finishing just two strokes back for the tournament at -8. In third place was Canadian Remi Chartier at 6-under.
When Carrera’s name is etched into the Earl Grey Cup later this year, he’ll join a list of notable Canadian Men’s Amateur Champions including PGA TOUR winner and Olympian Mackenzie Hughes (2011-12), PGA TOUR winner Nick Taylor (2007), Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Moe Norman (1955-56) and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Doug Roxburgh (1972, 1974, 1982, 1988) who was also in the field this week.
Along with the title, Carrera has earned an exemption into the 2023 RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club, as well as the 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship being contested August 15-22 in Paramus, N.J. This was his first time competing in the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.
Team Québec charged ahead to win the inter-provincial competition in a seven-stroke victory over the host squad, Team British Columbia. Laurent Desmarchais, Christopher Vandette, and William Forgues shot a collective 3-under to become the ninth team from Québec to secure the title since the Willingdon Cup became an annual competition in 1927. Reigning champions Team Ontario rounded out the top-3 at 6 over par.
Quick Links:
Leaderboard
Course details
Championship history & past champions
For more information on Golf Canada’s Amateur Championships, click here.
Stouffer Joins Canadian Club of U.S. Senior Women’s Am Champs
In one of the most dominant performances in championship history, Shelly Stouffer breezed through the bracket to win the 60th U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur at Anchorage Golf Course. Stouffer put an exclamation point on the week with a resounding 4-and-3 victory over Sue Wooster in the 18-hole final to become the fourth Canadian to win the title.
Moments after Wooster missed an 8-foot birdie putt on the 15th, Stouffer, 52, of Nanoose Bay in the province of British Columbia, calmly rolled in a 3-footer for par to end the match. She raised her arms in celebration and hugged her 15-year-old son, Brett, who caddied for her throughout the championship in Alaska. It was an emotional end to a fulfilling week, the winning moment made all the more special because they could share it together.
“He knows my game because we play a lot together,” said Stouffer. “He was helping with reading the greens. He knows my clubs. He was awesome. He kept me calm.”
Stouffer sprinted out to an early advantage against Wooster and never looked back. She birdied the first hole to take a 1-up lead and doubled the lead with a winning par on the fourth. Stouffer moved three ahead when Wooster double bogeyed the par-5 sixth, and followed with wins on Nos. 8 and 9, the latter with a birdie, to take a commanding 5-up lead at the turn.
“I’ve been feeling really good about my game, and I didn’t really have a lot of nerves,” said Stouffer. “We kept to our game plan. I’m like, ‘Why change it now?’ And it totally worked in my favor, I think.”
Few would have guessed that Stouffer would raise the trophy after her inauspicious start on Saturday. She made five bogeys and two double bogeys in Round 1 of stroke play, needing 37 putts in a 9-over-par 81 that left her T-45.
But the next day, Stouffer was a completely different player. She rebounded with a 4-under 68 in Round 2 – the lowest in the championship by five strokes – to earn the No. 2 seed in match play. Stouffer never looked back, winning 37 holes and losing just eight over the course of her six matches.
For Wooster, it was another disappointing defeat in a Senior Women’s Amateur championship match – her third in the last four years. Her 15 match-play victories since 2018 are second only to three-time champion Lara Tennant in that span, but the 60-year-old Australian has no hardware to show for it.
A day after coming back from a 3-hole deficit against Christie Blasi in the semifinals, Wooster could not turn the tide against Stouffer. She managed to win only one hole on the day – with a par on the 14th – but it was too little, too late.
“I’m so proud of myself for making three finals in four years,” said Wooster. “I’m not going to give up on winning this trophy one day. It didn’t happen today, but things happen in funny ways. I think my day will come.”
Stouffer is the eighth Canadian to win a USGA championship and joins Marlene Streit (1985, 1994, 2003), Gayle Borthwick (1996, 1998) and Judith Kyrinis (2017) as Canadian winners of the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.
What the Champion Receives
- A gold medal
- Custody of the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Trophy for one year
- A 10-year exemption into the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur
- An exemption into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif.
- Two-year exemptions into the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur (2022 and 2023) and U.S. Senior Women’s Open (2023 and 2024)
Three Canadians at top of leaderboard following third round at Point Grey
Despite the threat of rain in the forecast, skies remained dry over Point Grey Golf and Country Club for round three of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO. Canadians Robbie Latter and Eric Zhao lit up the leaderboard today, each shooting a cool 65 in the third round to tie for the top spot.
Latter, who calls Mississauga, Ont. home, carded five birdies and an eagle to ascend 14 spots in the race for the 117th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship title. The Southern Miss sophomore finished T25 at last year’s event and won the Future Links (now NextGen) Québec Championship as a 17-year-old in 2018.

“My ball striking was very good today,” stated Latter. “Having my brother on the bag today definitely helped!”
Though 14-year-old Eric Zhao faced challenges on the 11th hole, the birdies far outweighed the bogeys with an impressive total of nine filling his scorecard. The west coast seems to be treating the National Junior Squad member quite well this season. In May, Zhao was crowned Champion of the Junior Boys Division at the NextGen Pacific Championship in Nanaimo, B.C.
“Today, I focused on staying patient and accepting the shots I hit,” said Zhao. “I only thought about my current shot and never the past or future ones. It did help as I made two bogeys and a double but being aware of my emotions and redirecting my focus allowed me to come back.”
In tomorrow’s final round, Zhao looks to stay consistently calm.
“I want to do something very similar tomorrow. My only expectation is that I learn from this experience playing under heavy pressure,” said a humble Zhao. “I also don’t want to overthink anything and just focus on each shot as I play it, and maybe I’ll go home proud of myself.”
Rounding out the top three is St-Célestin, Que. native Jean-Philippe Parr. The 18-year-old shot his lowest round of the tournament at 67 to sit one stroke off the lead. Parr is also a member of Team Canada’s National Junior Squad.
Tomorrow promises to be an exciting battle of top amateur talent with an exemption into the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, as well as the 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship on the line. Not only will the winner etch their name into the historic Earl Grey Cup, but also into Canadian golf history – the competition being the oldest amateur championship in the country.
The awards ceremony will take place at approximately 3:00 p.m. PT at Point Grey Golf and Country Club.
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For more information on the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, click here.
Brooke Henderson in fine form for her return to the CP Women’s Open
When Smith Falls, Ont., native Brooke Henderson returns to Ottawa for the CP Women’s Open later this summer, she will undoubtedly be greeted with a rock star reception from the hometown crowd.
Having recently won her second career major at the Amundi Evian Championship, Henderson is now the only Canadian golfer to have captured multiple majors – Mike Weir and Sandra Post both have one each to their names.
While the former Canadian National Team Member led throughout the first three rounds at the Amundi Evian Championship, she did run into a bit of turbulence in the fourth round and had to dig deep to secure her second major.
Despite not playing her best golf in the final round, Henderson stayed composed and was clutch when she needed to be.
“Not the start that I wanted, but I stayed pretty patient, as patient as I could under those circumstances,” she said right after winning at the Evian Resort Golf Club in France.
“The saying is that majors are won on the back nine on Sunday, so I just tried to keep that frame of mind, and knew I was still in it if I could have a solid back (nine).”
Heading into the 18th hole, Henderson was tied at 16 under with American Sophia Schubert but she would drain an eight-foot birdie putt on the final hole to secure the victory.
“I made some clutch putts and shots down the stretch, which really helped. I’m just super excited to have my second major championship win; 12 wins on tour is pretty cool, too,” noted the Canadian LPGA superstar. “Really excited for what the rest of the season holds.”

Two other big tournaments on Henderson’s radar include the Women’s British Open in early August and the CP Women’s Open at the Ottawa Hunt Club from Aug. 22-28.
The 24-year-old was home last month for media day and to promote the return of the CP Women’s Open to the nation’s capital. The LPGA superstar spoke about her fond memories from the last time the tournament was held in Ottawa.
“In 2017, when I showed up on Thursday morning, my tee time, I think, was 8 o’clock and I was thinking there’s going to be a couple of people watching. But when I showed up to the first tee there was lines of people on both sides – it was just a phenomenal experience,” said Henderson, who is an honorary member at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.
Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum recalls the excitement around the 2017 CP Women’s Open.
“Many will know this story, but Brooke had to make a birdie on her 18th hole in order to make the cut. And what does Brooke do? She makes birdie,” Applebaum recalled.
“She goes out the next day and shoots 63 – a course record. It was a spectacular 24 hours and it was amongst one of most amazing things I’ve ever seen. We have been continually amazed by this athlete over last few years.”

A year later, at the 2018 CP Women’s Open in Regina, Henderson became the first Canadian in 45 years to win Canada’s national open.
The tournament was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will make its long-awaited return to Canada this year at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.
Tournament Director Ryan Paul speaks about the excitement building around the return of the LPGA’s best this year.
“Golf fans in this community have gotten behind our National Women’s Open Championship in a major way,” he said. “We can’t wait to get back to Ottawa Hunt and put on a can’t miss summer celebration.”
Henderson will be joined by fellow Canadians Maude-Aimee Leblanc, Maddie Szeryk, Alena Sharp, Jaclyn Lee, Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Selena Costabile, Monet Chun, and Lorie Kane—who earlier announced this year will be her last. A number of other Canadians are expected to receive exemptions into the star-studded 156-player field in the coming weeks.
One of the new additions for 2022 is the rink which will be situated on the par-3 17th hole. Having also played hockey as a goaltender growing up, Henderson is eager to test out the hockey themed hole later this summer.
“I was super excited when Golf Canada mentioned that they were going to bring The Rink over to the LPGA Tour. I think the fans are going to be so wild and fired up. It will be super exciting and I’m really excited to seeing what it looks like,” she said during media day in June.
Now with 12 LPGA victories and two majors to her name, the 24-year-old Canadian is arguably – at present – the most successful Canadian athlete across all the major sports.
And she is eager to continue that success on home soil later this summer.
“My sixth major on the LPGA Tour is always this one. This is a huge week for me, for us, and I always want to play my best,” said Henderson about the CP Women’s Open.
Given all the success, there’s definitely and buzz and excitement surrounding her homecoming at the end of August. And the 24-year-old from Smiths Falls is eager to bring her ‘A’ game for the pumped up and energetic Canadian golf fans later this summer.
I feel that there is a lot of momentum right now. I’m playing with quite a bit of confidence and I feel that I’m hitting the ball pretty well. I’m definitely looking forward to returning home later this summer and hopefully it will be a great week.
Brooke Henderson on the 2022 CP Women’s Open
Team Québec secures inter-provincial title; Turner takes lead
Team Québec charged ahead to win the inter-provincial competition in a seven-stroke victory over the host squad, Team British Columbia. Laurent Desmarchais, Christopher Vandette, and William Forgues shot a collective 3 under to become the ninth team from Québec to secure the title since the Willingdon Cup became an annual competition in 1927. Reigning champions Team Ontario rounded out the top-3 at 6 over par.
In the individual competition, American Elijah Turner rose nine spots on the leaderboard to lead the pack during Tuesday’s second round at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO. The 23-year-old from Highland, Utah limited himself to two bogeys at Seymour Golf and Country Club, carding four birdies and an eagle on his final hole, the 9th hole, to set himself up well at the halfway point of the tournament.
“My caddie is a local member at Seymour and he was great at helping me manage around the course,” said Turner of his round today at Seymour Golf and Country Club. “It was important for me to hit fairways and stay out of trouble as much as possible. I had a nice run with 3 birdies in a row that were set up with good drives off the tee. I think I’m a good driver of the ball and that strength certainly helped me today. Seymour’s greens were very demanding today with tough pin placements. It took a lot of patience out there today on those greens. Both courses are just excellent,” he added.
Following closely, 22-year-old, Michael Haranhan Smith shot a 66 today finishing one shot back at -5. Haranhan Smith is one of a trio of Australians competing this week, with all three advancing to the third round.
“I think this course is definitely the one to score on, the back 9 can be tricky but you can definitely get it going on the front,” said Haranhan Smith of this round at Point Grey Golf and Country Club. “I’m a relatively good iron player which suits this golf course and the greens are pretty large but you need to be in the right section to give yourself a chance at holing some putts.”
Five Canadians sit inside the top-10 in a tie for eighth place including Jean-Philippe Parr (St-Célestin, Que.), Alex Zhang (Richmond, B.C.), Eric Zhao (North York, Ont.), Keith Ng (Richmond, B.C.), and Kai Iguchi (Banff, Alta.),
The winner of the championship will earn an exemption into the 2023 RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club, as well as the 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship being contested August 15-22 in Paramus, N.J.
The third round commences tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. PT at Point Grey Golf and Country Club.
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For more information on the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, click here.
PGA TOUR’s 2022-23 FedExCup Season Schedule
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – The PGA TOUR today announced its 2022-23 FedExCup Season schedule of 47 tournaments, featuring 44 Regular Season events and three FedExCup Playoffs events, culminating with the crowning of the 2023 FedExCup champion at the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, August 21-27.
As announced on June 22, qualification criteria for the FedExCup Playoffs have been revised starting in 2023, with just 70 players earning a start in the first Playoffs event, the FedEx St. Jude Championship, followed by 50 players advancing to the BMW Championship, with the TOUR Championship field remaining at 30 players.
Next season’s schedule includes record prize money and eight invitationals spread throughout with players competing for elevated purses ranging from $15 to $25 million. The bonus pools totaling $145 million include $75 million for the FedExCup, $20 million for the Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10 and $50 million for the Player Impact Program.
“We’ve heard from our fans and the overwhelming sentiment was that they wanted more consequences for both the FedExCup Regular Season and the Playoffs, and to further strengthen events that traditionally feature top players competing head-to-head,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “We feel strongly we’ve accomplished all of these objectives and more, creating a cadence of compelling drama for every tournament throughout the season. Each week has its own identity and purpose, and we’re set up for an exciting 2022-23 campaign as we transition into a calendar season in 2024 that will include a number of new and innovative competitive aspects in the fall.”
The 70 players who qualify for the first Playoffs event will be fully exempt for the following season as the TOUR transitions to a calendar-year season beginning in 2024 with the core portion of the FedExCup contested from January to August. Following the core FedExCup season, official PGA TOUR events will be conducted in the fall, where all players with status for the 2022-23 FedExCup Season will be eligible to compete. Those outside of the top-70 will compete for FedExCup points in a compelling, consequential final stretch to secure status for 2024.
Following the fall events, the TOUR will introduce a series of international events that include the top-50 players from the final FedExCup Points list, the top performers in the fall and additional eligibility as part of a limited-field, no-cut format. Further details on the fall events and the global series are expected to be announced later this year.
Highlights for the 2022-23 PGA TOUR Season:
RBC serves as title sponsor for two events, the RBC Heritage (April 10-16), held the week after the Masters Tournament, and the RBC Canadian Open (June 5-11), to be played for the first time at Oakdale Golf & Country Club in Toronto, the week prior to the U.S. Open (June 12-18) in Los Angeles.
- After a successful debut as a co-sanctioned event, the Genesis Scottish Open (July 10-16) will be featured on both the PGA TOUR and the DP World Tour schedule ahead of The Open Championship (July 17-23) at Royal Liverpool. Additionally, the PGA TOUR’s Barbasol Championship (July 10-16) and Barracuda Championship (July 17-23) will offer access to DP World Tour members for the second straight year.
- The 2022-23 season will once again kick off with the Fortinet Championship (September 12-18) in Napa, California, one of nine official FedExCup events to be played across the fall.
- Following the Fortinet Championship will be the 14th playing of the Presidents Cup (September 19-25) at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. The three Global partners of the Presidents Cup are Citi, Cognizant and Rolex.
- Announced earlier this summer, THE CJ CUP has relocated from Korea to Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina, and has been renamed THE CJ CUP in South Carolina (October 17-23).
- Also, with the cancellation of the WGC-HSBC Champions, the Butterfield Bermuda Championship (October 24-30) has a standalone date with full FedExCup points awarded.
- Additional 2022 dates include the Sanderson Farms Championship (September 26-October 2), Shriners Children’s Open (October 3-9), ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP (October 10-16) in Japan, World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba (October 31-November 6), Cadence Bank Houston Open (November 7-13) and The RSM Classic (November 14-20) to conclude the fall calendar.
- After the Sentry Tournament of Champions (January 2-8) and the Sony Open in Hawaii (January 9-15) – celebrating its 25th year with Sony as title sponsor – launch the 2023 calendar year, the TOUR heads to California for The American Express (January 16-22) with its pro-am format in La Quinta.
- With a crowded weekend sports calendar, the Farmers Insurance Open (January 23-29) in San Diego will feature a Saturday finish (January 28) for the second consecutive year.
- The TOUR then heads up the coast to the Monterey Peninsula for the celebrity-laden AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (January 30-February 5) followed by the WM Phoenix Open (February 6-12) at TPC Scottsdale. The WM Phoenix Open will be played the same week as the NFL’s Super Bowl, which will also be contested in the Phoenix area.
- The Florida Swing includes five events, with four events in Florida and the Puerto Rico Open (February 27-March 5) which is played alongside the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. The Honda Classic (February 20-26), THE PLAYERS Championship (March 6-12) and the Valspar Championship (March 13-19) round out the Florida events.
- Now in its second season as an official event on the PGA TOUR schedule, the Mexico Open at Vidanta (April 24-30) is preceded by the two-player team format of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (April 17-23) and followed by the Wells Fargo Championship (May 1-7), which returns to North Carolina and Quail Hollow Club.
- There are five official FedExCup events in Texas throughout the 2022-23 PGA TOUR Season: the Cadence Bank Houston Open (November 7-13), played for the third consecutive year at Memorial Park Golf Course; the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (March 20-26) in Austin played concurrently with the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic; the Valero Texas Open (March 27-April 2) in San Antonio prior to the Masters Tournament; and the AT&T Byron Nelson (May 8-14) and the Charles Schwab Challenge (May 22-28) to bookend the PGA Championship (May 15-21), which will be played at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York, one of two events held in the northeast alongside the Travelers Championship (June 19-25) in Cromwell, Connecticut.
- Notable date changes include the Rocket Mortgage Classic (June 26-July 2) which moves from late July to late June, and the 3M Open (July 24-30) which will slide one week later in the calendar as the penultimate event in the FedExCup Regular Season. The TOUR’s long-running Midwest event, the John Deere Classic (July 3-9), will once again precede the Genesis Scottish Open (July 10-16).
- The 17th edition of the FedExCup Playoffs features three events, all carried by network partner CBS in 2023.FedEx St. Jude Championship (August 7-13) at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, with a 70-player field.
- BMW Championship (August 14-20) at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois, with a 50-player field.
- The FedEx St. Jude Championship and the BMW Championship feature significant increases in prize money, from $15 million to $20 million
- Supported by Proud Partners Accenture, Coca-Cola and Southern Company, the TOUR Championship (August 21-27) at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta will feature the top-30 players in the FedExCup standings.
- With only 70 players earning a spot in the first FedExCup Playoffs event, the Wyndham Championship (July 31-August 6) will take on an even more significant role in determining who qualifies for the Playoffs. The Wyndham Championship will also be the final event in the Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10, where the top-10 performers earn bonus money for performance in the Regular Season.
- In addition to the two Playoffs events, six invitationals will see significant increases in purse sizes in 2023:
- Kicking off the 2023 portion of the season, the Sentry Tournament of Champions (January 2-8) will have a purse of $15 million, up from $8.2 million in 2022. The winners-only event will lead off 2024 when the TOUR transitions into a calendar season.
- Three player-hosted invitationals, The Genesis Invitational (February 13-19) hosted by Tiger Woods, the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (February 27-March 5) and the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday (May 29-June 4) hosted by Jack Nicklaus will see purses increase from $12 million to $20 million.
- With support from Proud Partners Grant Thornton, Morgan Stanley and Optum, the TOUR’s flagship event, THE PLAYERS Championship (March 6-12), includes a PGA TOUR-record purse of $25 million, up from $20 million in 2022.
- The World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play (March 20-26) will once again feature 64 of the world’s top players competing for $20 million up from $12 million.
Gutschewski leads by two at Canadian Men’s Amateur
Point Grey Golf and Country Club and Seymour Golf and Country Club played host to 250 golfers this holiday Monday as play commenced for the 117th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.
Elkhorn, Neb. native Luke Gutschewski had a hot start, making eight birdies to shoot a 65 for the day. Heading into his second season playing for Iowa State’s golf team, Gutschewski played a near bogey-free round, getting into the groove and making birdie on five consecutive holes in the middle of his round at Point Grey Golf & Country Club.
“I really just played solid all day, nothing too flashy,” said Gutschewski. “I did a good job of keeping it in play off the tee, left myself in good places when I missed greens, and then putted pretty nicely too.”
Despite the early lead, the 19-year-old isn’t getting too far ahead of himself. “It’s really a long week and we have a long way to go,” added Gutschewski. “If I can keep on doing what I’m doing and not get too wrapped up in the individual result of each shot then we can add up the scores at the end of the week and see what happens.”
Following closely, Banff, Alta. native Kai Iguchi sits just two strokes behind at -4. The 21-year-old recently finished fifth in the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship and is competing in his first Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
In addition to Iguchi, nine other Canadians ended round one inside the top-10 including Marc Sweeney (Saskatoon, Sask.), Christopher Vandette (Beaconsfield, Qué.), Jean-Philippe Parr (St-Célestin, Qué.), Jace Minni (Delta, B.C.), Nasheel Kassam (Vancouver, B.C.), Robbie Latter (Mississauga, Ont.), Tony Li (Vancouver, B.C.), Tyler Hull (Toronto, Ont.), Ryan McMillan (Winnipeg, Man.).
Tomorrow will mark the final day of play at Seymour Golf and Country Club after which the field will be cut to the low 70 players (including ties). The final 36 holes are scheduled to take place at Point Grey Golf and Country Club.
The winner of the championship will earn an exemption into the 2023 RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club, as well as the 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship being contested August 15-22 in Paramus, N.J.
After the halfway point of the Inter-Provincial competition Team Quebec, consisting of Christopher Vandette, Laurent Desmarchais, and William Forgues, leads by three strokes over Team British Columbia. Nine provinces and two territories will continue to battle for the Willingdon trophy tomorrow with Team Ontario looking to rally to defend their 2019 title.
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For more information on the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, click here.
Taylor Pendrith finishes T2 for career-best finish at Rocket Mortgage Classic
DETROIT – Tony Finau has changed the conversation about him in less than a calendar year.
Finau ran away with the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Sunday at Detroit Golf Club to become the first player in three years to win consecutive PGA Tour events in the regular season. He closed with a 5-under 67 for a five-shot victory and a tournament-record 26-under 262 total.
It was his fourth career victory, and third title in 11-plus months. Finau began his stretch of success last August at The Northern Trust, where he had his first victory in five years and 142 PGA Tour starts.
“I’m proud of the way I’ve fought through adversity in my career,” said Finau, a Salt Lake City native with Tongan-Samoan heritage. “They say a winner is just a loser who kept trying, and that’s me.”
Finau ended a drought in Detroit, winning for the first time in six attempts when he had or shared the 54-hole lead in a PGA Tour event.
And, he did it easily.
Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ontario (72), Patrick Cantlay (66) and rookie of the year front-runner Cameron Young (68) tied for a distant second.
“I wasn’t that close,” Young said. “Tony put on a show.”
Indeed.
Finau hit 66 of 72 greens in regulation, trailing the accuracy of just two players since 1980 in a PGA Tour 72-hole event. Peter Jacobsen hit 69 greens in regulation at Pebble Beach in 1995 and a year later, Willie Wood hit 67 at the Sanderson Farms Championship.
With Finau’s sixth birdie at No. 17 and a closing par, he broke Nate Lashley’s tournament record of 25 under set in 2019 during the inaugural PGA Tour event.
The PGA Tour will close the regular season at the Wyndham Championship, with the North Carolina event opening Thursday. Players on the bubble will have one last shot to finish in the top 125 of the FedEx Cup standings to earn a spot in the playoffs and a full card next season.
Finau and Pendrith started Sunday tied after a third round that seemed like match play, and a potential Detroit duel turned into a dud.
Pendrith had his first lacklustre round of the tournament after he shared the first-round lead with Finau, led him by one shot after the second and matched his 21-under total through three rounds.
The 31-year-old PGA Tour rookie from Canada hit an errant tee shot on the second hole to the right in the rough behind tree branches – after being distracted by a fan running across the fairway – and pulled a 9-foot putt on the hole to lose the lead for good.
Cantlay, No. 4 in the world ranking, had his third straight round in the mid-60s after opening with a 70. Young bounced back from a first-round 71 to finish second for the fifth time.
“I’d be lying if I said it was easy to just watch other people win,” Young said. “Obviously, today Tony beat us all by a lot.”
Pendrith struggled in the final round just as he did the only other time he had a 54-hole lead. He led the Bermuda Championship last October by three shots before a 76 dropped him into fifth place, which was his best finish before his showing in the Motor City.
“It stings a little bit,” said Pendrith, who played in his third tournament after missing nearly four months with a broken rib.
Finau began to pull away from Pendrith with an 11-foot birdie putt at No. 4 and a tap-in for birdie at No. 7.
A par-saving, 11-foot putt at No. 9 was pivotal.
“When that lipped in, that gave me some momentum and then I was in control of the golf tournament,” Finau said.
He made a 21-foot putt for birdie at No. 10 for his third birdie. After his first bogey in the tournament at No. 11, Finau made a 31-foot putt with a break from right to left at No. 12.
Finau was the 3M Open winner last week in Minnesota, where he rallied from five strokes back to win by three. Brendon Todd was the last PGA Tour player to win two straight in the regular season, pulling off the feat in 2019.
“A week can change your life,” Finau said. “When you look at mine, two weeks have changed my life.”
CHIP SHOTS: Three B.C. golfers had respectable rounds Sunday but were never in contention. Adam Svensson of Surrey finished tied for 24th at 12 under, Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford finished tied for 37th at 10 under and Roger Sloan of Merritt tied for 49th at 8 under.
Maude-Aimee Leblanc finishes T8 in Ladies Scottish Open
IRVINE, Scotland – Ayaka Furue of Japan ran off six straight birdies in the middle of her round and rallied from a four-shot deficit with a 10-under 62 to win the Women’s Scottish Open on Sunday for her first LPGA Tour title.
A seven-time winner on the Japan LPGA _ once as an amateur _ Furue became the second rookie to win on the LPGA Tour this year, and she did it in style at Dundonald Links.
Starting the final round four shots behind Celine Boutier of France, the 22-year-old finished the front nine with four straight birdies and added two more to start the back nine. She never let up, playing bogey-free to win by three.
“I was four shots back. I thought it would be difficult to catch the top, good players. But I’m very happy I played good golf and I was able to come out as a winner,” Furue said. “I had the right mindset. I thought I had to go low, and I played very well.”
Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., opened the day in a tie for third, but dropped to a tie for eighth. Her round of 72 included a pair of bogeys and a double-bogey.
Boutier was still in good shape until making three bogeys on the back nine for a 69.
“I started making some bogeys and I feel like it’s not easy, playing in the final group. Then obviously when someone just has their day, you just can’t do anything about it really,” she said.
Furue finished at 21-under 267 and won $300,000, along with valuable momentum going into the final major of the year next week in the Women’s British Open at Muirfield.
She began to show her full potential late last year on the Japan LPGA when Furue won three tournaments in a four-week stretch and tied for third in the other. Furue finished second on the money list behind Olympic silver-medalist Moni Inami, earned an LPGA card through the qualifying tournament and came into the Women’s Scottish Open at No. 30 in the world.
Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea (66) and Cheyenne Knight of the United States (67) tied for third, four shots behind.
Lydia Ko of New Zealand, the 36-hole leader, faded to a 71-71 weekend and tied for fifth.