The R&A and USGA announce new model local rule option for limiting club length
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. and ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – The R&A and the USGA have announced that a new Model Local Rule (MLR G-10) will be available beginning on 1 January 2022 to provide those running professional or elite amateur golf competitions with the option of limiting the maximum length of a golf club (excluding putters) to 46 inches.
The proposal was announced in February 2021, which opened a notice-and-comment period to allow the industry the opportunity to provide feedback as part of the equipment rulemaking procedures. The comments received from the golf industry, including players, professional tours and equipment manufacturers, were carefully considered before the decision to proceed with the new MLR was reached.
The R&A and the USGA issued an Area of Interest notice in 2014 indicating that research was being conducted into the impact of club lengths of more than 48 inches on hitting distance and whether that limit remained appropriate. A proposed change to the limit was subsequently put forward in 2016 but was put on hold in 2017 when the Distance Insights project got underway.
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We have taken time to consult fully with the golf industry, including players, the main professional tours and equipment manufacturers, and have considered their feedback carefully. We believe this is the right thing for the game at this time and it will provide tournament organisers with the flexibility to choose for themselves within the framework of the Rules. We are working hard to maintain an open, collaborative and considered dialogue with these key stakeholders as we continue to evolve the Equipment Standards Rules to ensure they reflect the modern game.”
Mike Whan, Chief Executive Officer of the USGA, said, “We’ve worked closely with our industry partners to ensure the future for golf remains strong. Admittedly, this is not the ‘answer’ to the overall distance debate/issue but rather a simple option for competitive events. It’s important to note that it is not a ‘Rule of Golf,’ and as such, it is not mandated for the average, recreational golfer. Rather, this is an available tool for those running competitive events.”
The proposals submitted in February for changes to the testing method for golf balls and the testing tolerance for spring-like effect are still under consideration. The governing bodies plan to consider feedback on these proposals in line with the responses to the broader Area of Interest – Research Topics notification, which are due by 2 November.
The detail of MLR G-10 can be found here.
For more information visit www.RandA.org and www.usga.org.
Maude-Aimee Leblanc clinches top 10 spot for her 2022 LGPA Tour card
Greensborough, N.C. – Quebec native Maude Aimee Leblanc received a pleasant surprise on Thursday morning – notice that she had clinched a top 10 spot on this year’s Symetra Tour standings, gaining playing privileges for the 2022 LGPA season. The news reached Leblanc at Forest Oaks Country Club where she is currently competing in the second annual Carolina Golf Classic.
“I am glad they told me, it took a big load off. That was my goal all year so to make it happen is really great,” said Leblanc. “[Golf] is a love-hate relationship. It’s tough and really hard to describe.”
Just three seasons ago Leblanc announced her decision to step away from golf professionally. It was the unprecedented year of 2020 that brought her back to the links and the Symetra Tour with a fresh perspective and a reignited passion for the sport.
“I just felt like I had more to accomplish golf wise. I feel like there are still things that I want to achieve and goals for myself that I set way back then and that are still in the back of my mind. It was hard to come to stop completely,” said Leblanc. “I want to thank my wife. She has been a big part of supporting me getting back into golf. And I started working with a new coach about a year and a half ago and he has helped my putting a lot which has made a huge difference in my game.”
With 18 tournaments already in the books on the Symetra Tour, the top 10 underwent some shifting after the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout which wrapped up Sept. 26. Leblanc is the fifth golfer to secure her spot, with five additional cards remaining to be claimed.
After the conclusion of round 1, Leblanc sits T4 at a score of six under par. Round 2 of the 72-hole stroke play tournament continues today.
For updated scores from the Carolina Golf Classic, click here.
Adam Hadwin finishes T6 at Shriners Children’s Open
LAS VEGAS, NV. – Adam Hadwin finished the Shriners Children’s Open sitting T6 on the leaderboard. Hadwin hit 14 of 18 greens in regulation during his final round finishing at 18 under for the tournament.
On the 197-yard par-3 fifth, Hadwin’s tee shot went 164 yards to the left side of the fairway and his chip went 16 yards to the green where he rolled a two-putt for bogey. This moved him to 1 over for the round.
On the 563-yard par-5 ninth hole, Hadwin reached the green in 3 and sunk a sub 1-foot putt for birdie.
After a drive to the right side of the fairway on the 448-yard par-4 11th hole, Hadwin had a 139 yard approach shot, setting himself up for the birdie. This moved Hadwin to 1 under for the round.
On the par-4 12th, Hadwin’s 141 yard approach to 11 feet set himself up for the birdie on the hole.
On the par-5 13th, Hadwin’s approach shot set himself up for the birdie on the hole. This was his 3rd under-par hole in a row and moved Hadwin to 3 under for the round.
On the 341-yard par-4 15th Hadwin hit his tee shot 299 yards to the green. He ended up two putting for a birdie. This moved Hadwin to 4 under for the round.
Additional Canadians to place in the tournament included Corey Conners (T40), Taylor Pendrith (T47), and Nick Taylor (T47).
Adam Hadwin T7 after round 3
LAS VEGAS, NV – In his third round at the Shriners Children’s Open, Adam Hadwin hit 13 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens in regulation, finishing at 14 under for the tournament. Hadwin finished his day tied for 7th at 14 under.
Adam Schenk and Matthew Wolff both took a while to get started Saturday in the Shriners Children’s Open. It’s how they finished that put them into the final group with a chance to win.
Both figured that’s how it will unfold Sunday at the suddenly windy TPC Summerlin.
Schenk let the wind do the work for a driver onto the green at the par-4 15th, setting up three birdies over his last four holes for a 5-under 66 and a one-shot lead, the second time in his last five starts he has held the 54-hole lead.
The daunting presence behind him was Wolff, who drove the 15th green with a 3-wood and then blistered a drive so far down the par-5 16th hole that he had a pitching wedge for his second shot for eagle and carried him to a 65.
“The back nine, there’s two par 5s and a drivable par 4,” Wolff said. “I knew that making the turn at 1 under, I definitely would be in a good spot to make a run on the back nine.”
Sam Burns, another imposing figure coming off a victory last week in Mississippi, got it backward. He went out in 32 and was in the lead until he played the par 5s in 1 over and failed to convert on the short 15th. He had to settle for a 68 and was two shots behind, along with Andrew Putnam (66) and Chad Ramey (69).
“I feel like game’s in a good spot, so go out there tomorrow and see what happens,” Burns said. He answered the last three questions with four words: No, no and not really.
He was frustrated, knowing the scoring is all about the closing stretch at Summerlin, and that’s where Schenk and Wolff made their moves.
Schenk was helped even when the wind was against him. Knowing he couldn’t reach the bunkers right of the 18th fairway, he pounded driver, setting up a gap wedge to 7 feet for a final birdie and the lead.
Schenk, a 29-year-old from Indiana, was just getting started when he bumped into Lanto Griffin, who had just finished the low round of the day at 64. They didn’t talk golf, but just seeing the score made Schenk realized what was out there.
“I just knew I needed to come back and make some birdies, hopefully on the end of the front nine and then on the back nine during that stretch where it’s pretty gettable,” Schenk said.
Schenk was at 18-under 195, the second time he has held a 54-hole lead. The other was at the Barracuda Championship in August, when he had the equivalent of an even-par 71 on the final day of modified Stableford and finished fourth.
Six players were separated by three shots going into the final round at TPC Summerlin.
Schenk recorded his 10th consecutive round in the 60s at the TPC Summerlin, and this started out as one of the tougher days. Rain on Friday was shooed aside by wind that stuck around, and it was blustery enough early in the round to become a problem.
Schenk had two bogeys on his opening five holes and was in danger of falling behind, except that he knew the course _ even a windy Summerlin _ would offer chances. He seized them at the end of the front nine, running off three straight birdies, including a 6-iron to 5 feet on the 213-yard eighth hole.
Wolff loves it here, too. He has never shot worse than 69 in his 11 rounds in Las Vegas, dating to his rookie season. Wolff lost in a three-man playoff at the Shriners last year, and he had a hunch he was in for a good week.
He loves the course, yes, but he also could feel his game was getting more athletic, more powerful, and he was in a good position to score.
It just took him a little time on Saturday to prove it. He didn’t make birdie until the par-5 ninth hole, and then he made up for the slow start with the scoring holes on the back nine.
He hit 3-wood off the tee and 7-iron from 251 with the wind at his back on the par-5 13th, setting up a tough up-and-down from behind the green. He drove the 15th green with a 3-wood and crushed his drive on the 16th so far that he had a stock pitching wedge for his second.
The former Oklahoma State star looked confident as ever, a big change from earlier this year when he stepped away from golf to clear his head, to keep from letting scores dictate what makes him happy. He has family with him this week from California, and he has another shot to win in Las Vegas.
Additional Canadians competing in round four tomorrow include Corey Connors (T48), Nick Taylor (T54), and Taylor Pendrith (T63).
Click here for the full leaderboard.
Adam Hadwin putts himself to a 7 under 64
LAS VEGAS, NV. – In his second round at the Shriners Children’s Open, Adam Hadwin hit 8 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens in regulation, and had a great day on the green leaving no misses on putts within 10 feet. Hadwin finished his day tied for 6th at 11 under; Chad Ramey and Sungjae Im are tied for 1st at 14 under; Sam Burns and Adam Schenk are tied for 3rd at 13 under; and Aaron Wise is in 5th at 12 under.
On the par-4 second, Adam Hadwin’s 163 yard approach to 15 feet set himself up for the birdie on the hole. This moved Adam Hadwin to 1 under for the round.
On the 430-yard par-4 sixth hole, Hadwin reached the green in 2 and sunk a 21-foot putt for birdie.
After a 310 yard drive on the 563-yard par-5 ninth, Hadwin chipped his third shot to 4 feet, which he rolled for one-putt birdie on the hole.
After a drive to the right side of the fairway on the 420-yard par-4 10th hole, Hadwin had a 136 yard approach shot, setting himself up for the birdie.
On the par-4 11th, Hadwin’s 176 yard approach to 14 feet set himself up for the birdie on the hole. This was his 3rd under-par hole in a row.
Hadwin got a bogey on the 442-yard par-4 12th, getting on the green in 3 and two putting, moving Hadwin to 4 under for the round.
After a drive to right side of the fairway on the par-5 16th, Hadwin hit his 229 yard approach to 11 feet, setting himself up for a eagle.
At the 196-yard par-3 17th, Hadwin hit a tee shot 197 yards at the green, setting himself up for the 5-foot putt for birdie. This moved Hadwin to 7 under for the round.
Additional Canadians in the field include Nick Taylor (T17), Taylor Pendrith (T30), and Corey Conners (T42) who will be competing in round 3 tomorrow.
Click here for the full leaderboard.
Henderson 5 strokes back as play is suspended due to darkness
WEST CALDWELL, NJ. – For the second consecutive day, fog wreaked havoc at the 2021 Cognizant Founders Cup. A dense morning blanket caused a 2½-hour delay on Friday, causing play to ultimately be suspended due to darkness at 6:18 p.m. with 63 players (all but the first group off No. 10) still to finish their rounds. Second-round play will resume Saturday at 7:15 a.m., with the third round beginning no earlier than 10:30 a.m.
First-round leader Jin Young Ko still sits atop the leaderboard at -10, with four holes left to finish on Saturday morning. Starting Friday at No. 10, she followed a bogey at No. 17 with birdies at 18, 2 and 3 to sit -2 on her round when play was suspended.
Brooke Henderson finished her round 5 shots back to sit T9 but is looking to capitalize on her opportunities heading into the weekend.
“I like to think that I play well on the weekends. One thing is I learn the course a little bit more, become a little bit more comfortable,” said Henderson. Once the pressure is off of the cut and everything, my only thought is the lead and climbing up as much as I can. So I feel like maybe a little bit more determined toward the top of the leaderboard, and just trying to make as many birdies to try to make my way up there”
Fellow Canadian Alena Sharp finished the round at 2 over.
Play will resume Saturday morning.
Click here for the full leaderboard.
Marchand and Leblanc finish round inside top 6
DAYTONA BEACH, FL. – The second round of the Symetra Tour Championship was suspended at 1:50 p.m. EDT on Friday due to severe weather in Daytona Beach, Fla. near the Jones Course at LPGA International. Five groups from the morning wave have yet to finish, while the entire afternoon wave at least started the second round.
Race for the Card hopeful Brittany Marchand finished her second round at 10 under, moving up into 5th from her round 1 position of T64.
“It was great to have a bogey-free round and see a lot of putts drop today. Great confidence going into the weekend. I definitely feel like I’m going off momentum from [the T3 finish] last week. My game is in a good place right now and it’s helpful that I’ve played this course multiple times. Today, I just hit a lot of shots close and made a lot more putts compared to yesterday.”
Maude-Aimee Leblanc is sitting at 9 under after completing her round with an eagle on 18. The Sherbrooke, Que. native has already secured her LPGA Tour card sitting 5th on the Symetra money list. Additional Canadians in the field include Maddie Szeryk and Jaclyn Lee at T47, Selena Costabile at T61, and Rebecca Lee-Bentham at T81. Lee-Bentham completed the first hole before play suspended and will finish her round tomorrow when play resumes.
Competition is set to resume tomorrow at 8 a.m. and the third round will begin no earlier than 1:45 p.m. on Saturday.
Taylor and Pendrith sit inside top 10 after round 1
Las Vegas, N.V. – After the first round at the Shriners Children’s Open, Nick Taylor and Taylor Pendrith sit tied for tenth at 6 under.
Nick Taylor hit 12 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens in regulation, and finished the day without a bogey.
At the 408-yard par-4 first, Taylor reached the green in 2 and rolled a 53-foot putt for birdie.
On the par-4 sixth, Taylor’s 123 yard approach to 5 feet set himself up for the birdie on the hole.
After a drive to the right side of the fairway on the 382-yard par-4 seventh hole, Taylor had a 129 yard approach shot, setting himself up for the birdie. This was his 3rd under-par hole in a row and moved Taylor to 4 under for the round.
On the 606-yard par-5 13th hole, Taylor reached the green in 3 and sunk a 5-foot putt for birdie.
After a 278 yard drive on the 560-yard par-5 16th, Taylor chipped his third shot to 3 feet, which he rolled for one-putt birdie on the hole.
Tying his fellow Canadian on the leaderboard, Taylor Pendrith hit 13 of 18 greens in regulation during his first round and also finished the round bogey free.
After a drive to the right side of the fairway on the 450-yard par-4 fourth hole, Taylor Pendrith had a 97 yard approach shot, setting himself up for the birdie. This moved Taylor Pendrith to 1 under for the round.
On the par-4 sixth, Pendrith’s 115 yard approach to 10 feet set himself up for the birdie on the hole.
On the 563-yard par-5 ninth hole, Pendrith reached the green in 3 and sunk a 11-foot putt for birdie.
On the 341-yard par-4 15th hole, Pendrith reached the green in 2 and sunk a 8-foot putt for birdie.
On the 560-yard par-5 16th, Pendrith had a birdie after hitting the green in 2 and two putting. This moved Pendrith to 5 under for the round.
Corey Conners finished T17 with a 66, Adam Hadwin finished T31, and Adam Svensson and Roger Sloan are tied for the 111th spot on the leaderboard.
Sung Kang is in setting the pace at 10 under as round 2 gets underway tomorrow. Chad Ramey, Charley Hoffman, and Sungjae Im are tied for 2nd at 8 under, and Talor Gooch, Matt Jones, Adam Schenk, Chesson Hadley, and Matthew Wolff are tied for 5th at 7 under.
For the full leaderboard click here.
With a putter blessed by Shirley Spork, Brooke Henderson fires 67
WEST CALDWELL, N.J. – It’s not often that you have a legend crash your post-round press conference, but that’s exactly what happened to Brooke Henderson following a 4-under 67 at the Cognizant Founders Cup. While recapping her first round, which she finished T3 in the dark after fog delayed the start of play this morning, LPGA Founder Shirley Spork wandered over, listening intently to the Canadian’s remarks about her Thursday play.
“I’m really happy to get 4-under par today,” said Henderson. “I feel like I hit the ball really well. I gave myself a lot of opportunities, which is always key. I feel like a couple of putts could have maybe fallen. Hopefully, tomorrow I will make a few more birdies, but it’s nice to see I’m near the top of the leaderboard again. That always feels good. Hopefully another solid round tomorrow and try to catch Jin Young.”
Spork joined in on the fun, inquiring about Mountain Ridge’s challenging par 3s and offering up wisdom that can only come from a well-lived and well-played 94 years. In fact, Henderson and Spork caught up earlier today, with the latter giving the former a putting lesson, one that’s shrouded in secrets.
“Brooke, of the three par 3s that are out here, one is extremely long, correct? Is that the hardest one or is it one that’s the difference in the terrain of it different to make it the hardest? What is the hardest 3 par out here?” asked Spork.
“The one that you’re referring to, the longest one out here, I birdied today, so I like that one,” said Henderson. “They’re very difficult and all uphill, so it’s hard to see the green and you have to really hit a solid approach shot in to give yourself a good look.”
Spork added, “But you have a magic putter now. And you’ll have no problems sinking putts. And it has a name.”
“Shirley named my putter this morning, so maybe that gave me some good luck today. She’s great,” said Henderson. “So much knowledge and so much wisdom, and so any time she can share a little bit with I try to soak it all in. Having her bless my putter this morning was pretty cool. Hopefully, it continues to work for the next few days.”
Henderson demurred when asked the putter’s name, keeping that a secret between her and her Founding mentor. With that blessed putter in tow and a solid round under her belt, Henderson looks ahead to Friday at Mountain Ridge feeling much more confident on the greens. But it’s the sage advice that Spork can provide and the support of a legend in the game that will no doubt fuel her throughout the rest of the week.
Click here for the full leaderboard.
Garry McKay named GJAC’s Dick Grimm Award winner for 2021
CALEDON, ONT. – The Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) have announced Garry McKay as recipient of its Dick Grimm Award for 2021.
The announcement was made Monday, October 4th as part of GJAC’s Annual General Meeting and Golf Day, which was held at The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ont.
A committee of past GJAC presidents selected McKay, a Hamilton native, in recognition of his contributions to the Canadian golf-media landscape during a remarkable career spanning four decades.
“Garry personifies the Dick Grimm Award with the contribution he’s made to Canadian golf for more than 40 years,” said GJAC president, Rick Young. “His career as a journalist, one that still continues today, is steeped in professionalism and his dedication to volunteering is a model for leaving the game better than you found it. Dick would be thrilled knowing Garry has joined the GJAC’s elite list of Dick Grimm Award recipients.”
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Honoured Member, Dick Grimm, also known as ‘Mr. Canadian Open’, serves as namesake for the association’s highest honour.
“I was quite surprised and deeply honoured to be named this year’s Dick Grimm Award winner by the Golf Journalists Association of Canada,” said McKay. “I have always said that you meet the nicest people in golf, either playing it, covering it or volunteering in it. Any success I’ve had is because of the people I’ve met along the journey.”
Decorated for his journalistic efforts, Mckay began his career in radio before transitioning to write for SCOREGolf, Golf Canada, Pro Shop Magazine, Ontario Golf, the Hamilton Spectator and various publications in the United States and Germany.
A multi-sport journalist, he would also receive the James H. Ellery Memorial Award from the American Hockey League, three media awards for provincial gymnastics, a SCOREGolf award in 1981 and was honoured by the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame with the Lorne Rubenstien Award in 2015.
McKay’s contributions to the game go far beyond his many awards and accolades and speak to a generous commitment to growing and honouring the sport. He has previously served on selection committees for the World Golf Hall of Fame, PGA of Canada Hall of Fame, Ontario Golf Hall of Fame, and currently sits on the selection committee for the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
Additionally, he has also contributed to Golf Canada’s Heritage Committee, acted as director of the Stanley Thompson Society and became one of the founding directors of the Hamilton Halton Junior Golf Tour, where he’s continued his involvement since 1984 and has elected to make the donation the award comes with out to.
Honoured to introduce @GJ_AC 2021 Dick Grimm Award recipient @GarryMcKay5 pic.twitter.com/97RYhd2Cav
— Rick Young (@YoungerGolf) October 5, 2021
Garry Mckay continues to be a pillar of the Golf Journalists association where he is one of the seven founding directors. He has served the organization in previous capacities as president, secretary/treasurer and long-time board member. He currently holds office as advisor to the board while continuing his 43-year career as a sports journalist.
Past Dick Grimm award winners
- Kim Locke (2020)
- Doug Carrick & Tom McBroom (2019)
- Lorie Kane (2018)
- John Gordan (2017)
- Marlene Stewart Streit (2016)
- Lorne Rubenstein (2015)
- Jocelyne Bourassa (2014)
- Bob Weeks (2013)
- Sandra Post (2012)
- Jim Barclay (2011)
- Dick Grimm (2010)
About the Golf Journalists Association of Canada:
Established in 2006, the purpose of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) is to encourage and promote golf journalism in Canada, recognize excellence in Canadian golf and golf journalism through annual awards, bring together golf journalists from across the country to share ideas and common interests, and develop better media relations between the Association’s membership and various golf associations, sponsors and golf companies across Canada.