AURORA, Ont. – The final four spots into the 2019 CP Women’s Open field will be determined in Monday’s final qualifying event at Scarboro Golf and Country Club.

A total of 36 competitors will challenge for one of four spots into the field for Canada’s Women’s Open Golf Championship. The Final Qualifier features 18 holes of stroke play with the low four competitors receiving an exemption into the 2019 CP Women’s Open field. If necessary, a hole-by-hole playoff will be conducted immediately following the conclusion of play.

Click here for pairings, start times and results from Final Qualifying on Monday, August 19. Results will be available as players complete their rounds.

Tournament week for the 2019 CP Women’s Open kicks off at Magna Golf Club as the stars of the LPGA Tour return to the Greater Toronto Area for the first time in 17 years.

In addition to practice rounds in the morning, also taking place is the Canada Day All-Star Clinic and Pro-Am benefiting Golf Canada Foundation.

The All-Star Clinic will feature TSN’s Rod Black conducting live interviews with LPGA Tour stars including Cheyenne Woods, Brittany Lang, Katherine Kirk, Alena Sharp, and members of Team Canada’s Young Pro program followed by a shotgun start at 12:30 pm. For a complete list of golfers taking part in the Pro-Am, click here.

AURORA, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the eight champions of Sunday’s Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Event at Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont.

The National Event, running for the 11th consecutive year, crowned female and male champions from four age groups (8 under, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-18). Among the 31 participants from across the country, the following eight individuals emerged as champions:

– Liam McLaren, Pheasant Run Golf Club, Georgina, ON | Boys 8 and under
– Ari Tur, Seymour Golf & Country Club, North Vancouver, B.C. | Girls 8 and under
– Noah Turner, Essex Golf & Country Club, LaSalle, ON | Boys 9-11
– Claira Frizzell, The Links at Montague, Halifax, NS | Girls 9-11
– Gabe Bugden, Blomidon Golf Club, Corner Brook, NL | Boys 12-14
– Alissa Xu, Station Creek Golf Club, Richmond Hill, ON | Girls 12-14
– Émile Journault, Cap-Rouge Golf Club, Québec City, QC | Boys 15-18
– Keighan Decoff, Glen Lovat Golf Club, Fraser’s Mountain, NS | Girls 15-18

The winners of each age group received a champion’s package from Titleist Footjoy. In addition, Émile Journault and Keighan Decoff – winners of the 15-18 age groups – have earned exemptions into their local 2020 Future Links, driven by Acura Championship.

In Sunday’s National Event, juniors competed in a three-part skills challenge which tested putting, chipping, and driving.

Sunday’s participants had the highest scores on the National Leaderboard after participating in a Skills Challenge qualifying event at their local club. Throughout the year, over 140 clubs hosted a Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge with over 3000 junior golfers participating.

“The Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills experience is a celebration of skill development facilitated by coaches at over 140 facilities across Canada,” said Adam Hunter, senior manager of junior programs at Golf Canada. “We are extremely happy with another excellent National Event and want to thank our sponsors for helping make this dream a reality.”

On Saturday, the National Event participants received an apparel prize pack from Cobra Golf handed out in the Magna locker room and played the back nine as part of the Golf Canada Junior Open.

Participants are provided weekly grounds passes and have an opportunity to be involved in Monday’s Canada Day All-Star Pro-Am and Wednesday’s Walk with a Pro event.

For more information on the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills National Event click here.

MEDINAH, Ill. – Winless over the last 12 months, Justin Thomas knew he was playing well and he was due for a low round.

Saturday at the BMW Championship was more than he might have imagined.

Thomas smashed the course record at Medinah with an 11-under 61 that gave him a six-shot lead over Patrick Cantlay and Tony Finau.

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., is the top Canadian. He shot 69 and sits sixth at 12 under. Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., had a 71 and is 10 under.

Thomas opened with five birdies, and none was worthy of a highlight reel because of what followed. He hit a 5-wood from 260 yards on the par-5 10th that was so pure he twirled his club and watched it roll out to 2 feet.

That wasn’t among the top three memories Saturday.

“I’m very lucky that I had a couple to choose from today,” Thomas said.

In fluffy grass behind the 14th green, he chipped in for birdie. From 180 yards in the 16th fairway, he holed out for eagle.

His felt his best shot was the next hole, a 9-iron from forward tees to a front pin over the water to 6 feet for his eighth birdie of a remarkable round.

“It was easy to get pretty wrapped up in the emotions and get the adrenaline going and I had to take a little bit off that 9-iron,” Thomas said. “If I’m trying to be perfect there and I don’t hit it right, that very easily could go in the water.”

Thomas was at 21-under 195, with Finau (68) and Cantlay (67) chasing him. He has a clear path to his first victory since the Bridgestone Invitational last August, along with the lead going into the Tour Championship next week and the chase for a $15 million prize.

Only seven players in PGA Tour history have lost a six-shot lead in the final round, most recently Dustin Johnson at the 2017 HSBC Champions.

The goal for Tiger Woods is simply to get to the Tour Championship, where last year he ended five years without winning. Woods had a bogey-free 67, his lowest score since the final round of the Memorial.

When Medinah is this much of a pushover, it didn’t help all that much. He was tied for 31st, with some 18 players ahead of where he needs to be to move into the top 30 in the FedEx Cup and advance to East Lake.

“I shoot 60, it should be all right,” Woods said, a tongue-in-cheek comment made about the time Thomas was teeing off.

Thomas, who shot 59 at the Sony Open in 2017, opened with a pair of 12-foot birdie putts, hit to 2 feet on No. 3, holed a 15-footer on No. 4 and was out of position only briefly before a fifth straight birdie on the par-5 fifth. But it was the back nine where Thomas seized control.

“I’ve been around enough. That was really impressive,” said Finau, who played with Thomas. “It’s fun to watch. Whenever you see a guy playing that well in a zone, really cool. He was already playing well and that shot on 16 put him over the top from well to … really well.”

Finau holed out from the fourth fairway for eagle. Cantlay had five birdies. Brandt Snedeker chipped in on both par 3s on the back nine in his round of 67.

Low scores were everywhere.

Medinah never looked more vulnerable.

“It doesn’t matter what golf course it is,” Thomas said. “You give us soft, good greens and soft fairways, we’re going to tear it apart. It’s just how it is.”

All but two players in the 69-man field – Harold Varner III and Cameron Champ – were at par or better.

In five majors held at Medinah, the lowest score was a 65. That was matched twice Thursday by Thomas and Jason Kokrak. Hideki Matsuyama set the standard with a 63 on Friday. Thomas beat that by two.

“I hope the trend doesn’t continue unless it’s me,” Thomas said with a grin.

For others, plenty is at stake.

Rory Sabbatini shot 30 on the back nine – four birdies over his last five holes – and was alone in fourth. That would be enough to get him into the Tour Championship for the first time since 2007, the first year of the FedEx Cup.

“I kind of had a target in mind and I’m a couple shots shy of getting there, and so tomorrow I have to go grind it out and really put my foot down,” Sabbatini said.

Finau could lock up a spot on the Presidents Cup team if he were to keep his position, even better if he were to finish alone in second. Lucas Glover was nine shots behind, but still projected to be among the top 30.

The perks of the Tour Championship include a chase for a $15 million top prize, along with a spot in all the majors next year. For Thomas, winning means a return to Maui to start the year with the rest of the PGA Tour winners. That’s what he’s thinking about Sunday.

Starting times have been moved up because of more rain in the forecast. Without wind, that has meant lower scoring that Medinah has ever seen.

Full scoring can be found here.

MEDINAH, Ill. – Hideki Matsuyama has never missed the Tour Championship since his first full year on the PGA Tour. He played Friday like he doesn’t want the streak to end.

Outside the top 30 in the FedEx Cup for the first time at the BMW Championship, Matsuyama made five birdie putts from 15 feet or longer and broke the course record at Medinah with a 9-under 63 for a one-shot lead going into the weekend.

He started his second round with a 30-foot birdie putt. He ended the round with a 30-foot birdie putt.

The explanation for what went right wasn’t that long.

“I did make a lot of long putts today, and that was the difference,” Matsuyama said through his interpreter.

That was a big difference for Tiger Woods, too. He made only two putts longer than 6 feet, made a pair of bogeys from the bunkers late in the round and had to settle for another 71. Woods, who needs a top 10 to advance to the Tour Championship, was tied for 49th.

“I left quite a few shots out there,” Woods said.

Matsuyama was at 12-under 132, one shot ahead of Patrick Cantlay (67) and Tony Finau (66). Justin Thomas made six birdies to offset three bogeys in his round of 69, leaving him two shots behind.

The Canadian duo of Adam Hadwin (Abbotsford, B.C.) and Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.) both put up stellar rounds of 68 and 66, respectively, to share fifth place heading into the weekend.

.@coreconn chips in to move inside the top 30 in the #FedExCup playoffs ???? pic.twitter.com/WcaJ4pdOxM

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) August 16, 2019

Cantlay, Finau and Thomas are all assured of being among the top 30 who advance to the Tour Championship next week, where everyone in the field will have a shot at winning the FedEx Cup and the $15 million prize.

Matsuyama won four times on the Japan Golf Tour as a rookie after he graduated college, and then won the Memorial in 2014 and narrowly got into the FedEx Cup finale at East Lake. He was as high as No. 2 in the world just two years ago after the U.S. Open.

But he has gone two years without winning, and Friday was the first time he has led after any round since his most recent victory at Firestone in the Bridgestone Invitational.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in contention,” Matsuyama said. “Hopefully, I can play well. I’ve been struggling for a while this year. Hopefully, that can turn around and I’ll have a good weekend.”

Cantlay has gone 36 holes at Medinah with only one bogey, and key to his round was avoid one late. His tee shot on the 320-yard 15th caught enough of the wind that bounded right into the water. He took his penalty dropped, chipped to 8 feet and saved par, got up-and-down on the next hole and then finished with two more good putts, one for birdie and another for par.

“Any time you make a par after hitting the ball in the water it’s good,” he said. “It gave me some nice momentum to close out the round.”

Lucas Glover (69) and Rory Sabbatini (68) were among the group at 9-under 135, both suddenly in range of the top 30.

Woods won the Tour Championship last year, capping a remarkable return from four back surgeries with his first victory in five years. It was an extraordinary afternoon considering where he had been, a moment topped in Georgia some six months later when he won the Masters.

But after he pulled out at Liberty National last week citing a mild oblique strain, he slipped 10 spots to No. 38. And while it was a mild surprise when he showed up at Medinah, he’s going the wrong direction in the FedEx Cup.

He isn’t ruling out a return to the Tour Championship to defend his title, but he’s running out of time and not making enough birdies.

Woods hit it to tap-in range on the 11th, and then ran off birdies on the 14th and 15th hole to slowly get back into the picture at Medinah. And then he made consecutive bogeys from the bunker, had to settle for another 71 and was right back where he started.

“I’m going to have to have a great weekend and make a lot of birdies and post some rounds in the mid-60s to give myself a chance at it,” Woods said. “Putt well and I’ll shoot good scores. I haven’t done that.”

Jordan Spieth also is on the verge of ending a second straight season without a victory, and without a trip to East Lake. He made progress at Liberty National with a tie for sixth, and he needs another finish like that to crack the top 30.

He did not need to chop his way to a double bogey on the par-3 eighth that left him at the bottom of the back. Spieth rallied with five birdies on the back nine, and he believes he has the “firepower” to post two low scores and hope it’s enough.

There was a realistic side to him Friday, especially after the double bogey, that his season was over because of how he felt over the ball. Yes, he still has an outside chance. But he sure didn’t sound consumed by it.

“I’m far enough out that I’m going to sleep at night not expecting to be there,” Spieth said about East Lake. “It’s not where I want to live, but it’s where I am.”

Joining Team Canada for her rookie campaign is Brigitte Thibault of Rosemère, Que. Thibault enters her first year with the national squad after collecting three top-10 finishes as a member of the Fresno State Bulldogs, including a runner-up finish at the UNLV Collegiate Showdown. She added top-10 results at the Women’s Western, North & South and Quebec Amateur. She finished runner-up at the Quebec Junior Girls in 2017.

She competed in the inaugural Augusta Women’s Amateur in 2019 and went on to win a bronze medal for Canada at the Pan Am Games through the mixed team event.

OSOYOOS, B.C. – One hundred and fourty-two golfers ranging from 25-73 years of age will descend on Osoyoos Golf Club in Osoyoos, B.C., from Aug. 17-20 for the 49th playing of the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Championship.

Four individual trophies are up for grabs at the 54-hole tournament in southern British Columbia.

Competitors over 25 will vie for the Mid-Amateur title, players over 40 will be eligible to compete in the Mid-Master competition and those over 50 will play for the Senior Championship. Finally, those 60-and-over will compete for the Super Senior title.

“The Mid-Am and Senior is a great opportunity for Canadian amateurs to find success and compete on a national stage,” added tournament director Adam Cinel. “We are very excited to bring this talented field to a spectacular host club in Osoyoos. The course’s beautiful layout will provide a tough, yet fair test for all the golfers here this week.”

In 2018, Australian Sue Wooster defended both her Senior and Mid-Masters titles, while also winning the Mid-Amateur Championship. Wooster won the Mid-Amateur in a playoff with Christina Proteau (Port Alberni, B.C.), while Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mary Ann Hayward (St. Thomas, Ont.) came third.

Hayward finished one stroke behind Wooster in both the Mid-Masters and Senior competitions. The Super Senior competition was won by Procter, B.C., native Jackie Little, who finished one stroke ahead of Penny Baziuk (North Saanich, B.C.).

Wooster is returning in 2019 to defend her titles, as are Proteau, Hayward, Little and Baziuk.

In addition to the four individual competitions, an inter-provincial team competition will take place during the first two rounds.

Team Ontario, consisting of Hayward, Judith Kyrinis (Thornhill, Ont.) and Terrill Samuel (Etobicoke, Ont.) won the team competition in 2018 with a two-day score of 11-over-par 299.

After 36 holes, the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties from the senior division. Further to that, all Mid-Amateurs and Mid-Masters posting a 36-hole score which is equal to the last player(s) to qualify for the final round, will make the cut. A minimum of ten Mid-Amateurs (age 25-39), five Mid-Masters (age 40-49) and five Super-Seniors (age 60+) will make the cut.

The winner receives an exemption into the 2019 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur being contested at Cedar Rapids Country Club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from Aug. 24-29.

Established in 1973, Osoyoos Golf Club expanded to a 36-hole layout in 2006. Located in a picturesque setting adjacent to Osoyoos Lake overlooking the town with the mountains in the distance, the 2019 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Championship is the first Golf Canada championship conducted at the course.

“Our course is renowned for its spectacular views and very consistent turf conditions,” said Doug Robb, general manager of Osoyoos Golf Club. “It’s in great condition and we’re thrilled to share our course with these talented women.”

Additional information about the tournament, including the full field and tee times is available here.

NOTABLES

Sue Wooster, Australia
Wooster enters the tournament as the defending champion, currently holding the Mid-Amateur, Mid-Master and Senior titles. The 57-year-old rode the exemption she earned at last year’s tournament all the way to the final of the U.S. Senior Amateur, finishing runner-up to Lara Tennant.

Mary Ann Hayward, St. Thomas, Ont.
A four-time Canadian Women’s Amateur champion and member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, Hayward won the Canadian Women’s Mid-Senior in 2013 and came in third last year. The 59-year-old has represented Canada internationally on numerous occasions, including eight times at the World Amateur Championship.

Alison Murdoch, Victoria
The 69-year-old Canadian Golf Hall of Famer has won the Canadian Women’s Mid-Senior four times, most recently in 2007. She had a pair of good results in 2018, finishing third at the British Columbia Mid-Amateur and fourth at the 2018 Alberta Senior Ladies Championship.

Jackie Little, Procter, B.C.
The reigning Canadian Super Senior champion won this event in 2008 and 2009. In 2018, Little won her sixth B.C. Senior Women’s Championship. She was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame in 2017 and played the U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur Championship for the third time in 2018.

Judith Kyrinis, Thornhill, Ont.
The 2016 Canadian Mid-Senior champion finished in fourth place at last year’s event. Kyrinis played both the Ontario Women’s Match Play and the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship in 2019, finishing in a tie for fifth and a tie for 19th, respectively.

FAST FACTS

Six Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members have won the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship; Marlene Streit, Gayle Borthwick, Alison Murdoch, Marilyn O’Connor, Margaret Todd and Mary Ann Hayward.

Streit (1985, 1987-88, 1993), Borthwick (1994-1995, 1999-2000) and Murdoch (2002, 2004-05, 2007) are tied for the most Canadian Women’s Senior Championship victories with four each.

Nancy Fitzgerald has the most consecutive Canadian Women’s Senior Championship victories – winning three straight titles from 1996-1998.

To date, Australian Sue Wooster is the only non-North American winner of the event.

The champion receives an exemption into the 2019 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur at Cedar Rapids Country Club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from Aug. 24-29.

HARTLAND, N.B. – Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., withstood a strong push from the field, going wire-to-wire to defend his title and win the 81st Canadian Junior Boys Championship held at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club in Hartland, N.B.

Vandette carded a final round of 1-under-par 71 to finish the championship at 14 under, winning by a single stroke over Brady McKinlay of Lacombe, Alta. The 18-year-old tied the lowest round ever at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship when he shot 62 in the opening round. Although the field closed the gap as the week wore on, the Team Canada National Junior Squad member emerged victorious.

“It was a long week, especially after such a good first round,” said Vandette. “I ran out of gas a bit at the end, but managed to get it done. I’m really excited and proud of myself for holding on to the lead there.”

Vandette birdied the par-5 18th to clinch the championship. His second shot from the fairway landed within 15 feet of the pin, where Vandette then two-putted to secure the title.

“You can’t see the green at all [from the fairway], so I was just aiming at someone in the crowd there,” added Vandette. “I let it drift toward the left part of the green. I overdrew it a bit, but it held on and stayed on the fringe.”

Vandette briefly trailed McKinlay on the back nine, but retook the lead with a birdie on the par-4 16th hole. McKinlay bogeyed the hole, giving Vandette a one-stroke lead he would not relinquish.

“I wasn’t putting well all day – I actually three-putted No. 15,” said Vandette. “On No. 16, I managed to hit it close enough to not have to worry about my putt. I wasn’t focusing on what Brady was doing, but he just ended up with a bad break.”

With the victory, Vandette becomes the first back-to-back champion since Mitch Sutton won in 2008 and 2009.

As the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys individual champion, Vandette earns an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, held at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club in Calgary from August 3-6, 2020.

Despite trailing by ten shots after the first round, McKinlay made a charge in the final round by carding a 4-under-par 68. The 18-year-old shot even-par in the opening round, but rebounded with rounds of 70 and 65 in rounds two and three to finish runner-up.

“I was a little bit disappointed with the first two days,” said McKinlay. “The last two days were picture-perfect almost, I just needed a couple of more shots. To keep going lower and lower up until the last day and then to do 4 under today was really good.”

The second-place finish caps a series of strong performances for McKinlay, who finished tied for second at the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship, third at the Alberta Junior Championship and made the cut at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Carter Graf of Sylvan Lake, Alta., finished third at 11 under by posting a final round of 2 under 70.

The 16-and-under Juvenile division was decided in a playoff. Both Tommy McKenzie (Calgary) and Luke DelGobbo (Fonthill, Ont.) finished 72 holes at 8 under. DelGobbo, 16, won the title with a par on the second playoff hole.

Full scoring can be found here.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – The 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Event will take place on Sunday, August 18 at the prestigious Magna Golf Club.

Thirty-one golfers from four age groups will compete in the 11th edition of the Junior Skills National Event, which brings together the top-scoring juniors from coast-to-coast. New in 2019 is the 8 and under age group, including four players from both the boys and girls divisions.

The participating juniors will compete in a three-part skills challenge (putting, chipping and driving) with one overall winner per age group and gender. 

Golf Canada, in partnership with Acura and the PGA of Canada will host the national finals of the 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge on Sunday, August 18 at Magna Golf Club. The event is the culmination of more than 3000 Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills participants competing at 140 qualifying events held across Canada.

The field is comprised of 31 golfers from across Canada, all selected from the top of the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Leaderboard.

Girls 8 and under

Girls 9-11

Girls 12-14

 Girls 15-18

Boys 8 and under

 Boys 9-11

Boys 12-14

Boys 15-18

FORMAT:

Driving: Each competitor receives three drives. Points are awarded and dependent on distance and aim of the drive. The drive must come to rest within the 30-yard width to qualify for points. The number of points is dependent on the distances completed.

Chipping: Each competitor receives three shots. Points are awarded and dependent on the distance of the chip from the target.

Putting: Each competitor receives one putt each from each distance of 5, 10 and 20 feet. Points are awarded for holing the putt and for proximity to the hole.

The winners of the Future Links driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Event in the boys and girls 15-18 age groups will receive an exemption into their local Future Links driven by Acura Championship in 2020. All other attending participants of the Future Links driven by Acura Junior Skills National Event will receive prizing courtesy of Titleist Footjoy.

On Saturday, August 17, Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Event participants will have the opportunity to play the famous Magna Golf Club layout in an exciting match play format, outfitted by program sponsor Cobra-Puma Golf.

For more information on the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills National Event click here.

Brooke Henderson’s victory in June at the Meijer LPGA Classic will be part of a lasting legacy for the young golfer from Smith Falls, Ont. It was her ninth LPGA Tour victory and gave her the distinction of having the most victories of any Canadian PGA or LPGA golfer in history.

At only 21 years of age, Henderson seems poised to add many more titles to that record setting total.

“I see a lot more victories to come for Brooke, I don’t see her slowing down,” said her fellow CP Has Heart ambassador Lorie Kane at the CP Women’s Open media day in early July.

“She’s got length and she’s got touch when her putters on, and she’s got mental toughness. All those thing make her tough to beat,” added the four time LPGA Tour winner about Henderson.

“She’s definitely in a class all her own; and what I would like to see is that she has a goal to win as many tournaments as she possibly can until the day she decides she doesn’t want to play any more.”

Henderson’s next opportunity to add to her history making total comes at the Magna Golf Club as she looks to defend her 2018 CP Women’s Open crown.

“Going into a tournament that you’ve won before, you have so many amazing memories and it just gives you an extra bit of excitement and motivation going into that week.  Portland was extremely special for me because that was my first LPGA Tour win and to be able to go back and repeat it was really awesome,” said Henderson.

“Coming into this event, I’m just trying to remember all those great memories and trying to think about all the energy the fans had for me last year,” added the former National Team Program member, who became the first Canadian to win on home soil since Jocelyne Bourassa did it in 1973.

While she is an inspiration to many across the country because of her success, Henderson says she drew inspiration from a fellow former National Team Program alum earlier this year.

“Watching Corey Conners win earlier this year was really exciting for me and it kind of put my mind in the correct mindset that I can win too,” noted Henderson.

Conners recorded his first career win on the PGA Tour by claiming the Valero Texas Open in early April.  By winning the tournament, it meant Conners wouldn’t have to worry about competing in Monday qualifiers as it gave him his full PGA Tour card through to the end of 2020-21 season.

“I had a couple of top 10s earlier this year but I wasn’t really doing too much and I watched him win and I was like ‘I think it’s time for me to start doing more of that.’ And it kind of put me into gear,” Henderson continued.

“So I think it’s really cool that we can all cheer on each other and the Canadians on all the tours can just push each other to improve and get better.”

Two weeks after Conners’ life changing victory, Henderson recorded her eighth LPGA victory as she won the Lotte Championship in Kapolei, Hawaii.  The victory allowed Henderson to defend her 2018 victory in Hawaii and put her in a tie with Sandra Post, Mike Weir and George Knudson for most victories by a Canadian professional golfer.

Then of course in mid June, the 21-year-old would break the record by winning the Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids.

As she reflects on the big victory, Henderson says she was inspired by the success of the Toronto Raptors.

“It was so exciting watching them play. My family was watching the playoffs and we were cheering them on every single game and it was fun for us to see how well they were doing,” said Henderson.

“They’re just a remarkable team that did something incredible for all of Canada. It was right before my victory that they won the NBA Championship and I just wanted to keep the excitement going. So to get my ninth LPGA win following that was just really special.”

Henderson received a lot of support following her history making victory.  Among those reaching out were Prime Minister Trudeau as he took to Twitter to congratulate the 21-year-old.  She also received a congratulatory text from Wayne Gretzky.

And just last month, Henderson was recognized by ESPN with an ESPY for best female golfer.

“I’ve been so fortunate in this game of golf to have made so many contacts around and made friendships. And I’m grateful for all support I’ve received,” said Henderson.

Looking at the big picture, Henderson understands that the lasting legacy she’s created through her success on the golf course and her increasing popularity has given her a platform to help others – and it’s a big reason why she’s happy to be an ambassador for CP Has Heart.

“I’m so proud and honoured to be a CP ambassador.  And I know CP Has Heart has made a lot of progress in heart health and to be a small part of CP Has Heart and the great work that they do to help people, children, families to feel better and be healthy is truly incredible,” Henderson pointed out.

“I’m fortunate that I can be part of it with Lorie again this year and hopefully we raise a ton of money at the CP Women’s Open and impact a lot more lives.”

This year CP Has Heart has the goal of raising $1.75 million during the CP Women’s Open. The funds raised will go towards renovating a Cardiac Operating Suite at SickKids. In addition, CP also plans to support the tournament host community in 2019 with a donation of $250,000 to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ont. to support paediatric cardiac care.

In the five years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open, $8.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada.

Having been a CP ambassador during those five years, Kane is very pleased to have Henderson on board.

“We couldn’t have a better partner at CP than Brooke and all the success she’s having on the golf course just helps to bring more attention to the important work done through CP Has Heart,” said Kane about Henderson who joined CP as an ambassador in 2017.

“Brooke is taking on the responsibility of doing what she needs to do and that is being a super special individual playing a game that is encouraging young people to keep playing.”

With 156 of the best golfers in the world vying to be the 2019 CP Women’s Open champion at the Magna Golf Club, Henderson will be facing stiff competition in her quest to defend her title.

Still the 21-year-old says she’s up for the challenge – and expects the passionate Canadian fans in Aurora, Ont. could give her that edge she needs to add to her recording breaking total.

“This year – especially being closer to home for me – I’m expecting great crowds,” said Henderson.

“Hopefully, I can feed of them and use their energy and put myself in a position where on the weekend I can make a charge and hoist that trophy again.”

HARTLAND, N.B. – When the fog cleared, Christopher Vandette (Beaconsfield, Que.) continued to lead heading into the final round of the 81st Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club.

Vandette had his lead shrink to two strokes during Wednesday’s third round. He began the day with three birdies on his first six holes, but two straight bogeys on holes No. 16 and No. 17 made for a round of even-par 72.

“I was in a good rhythm at the start and putts were falling,” said Vandette. “At the end, I think I made a couple of dumb decisions, just like yesterday. That’s what cost me the most shots.”

The 18-year-old is looking to become the first champion to defend his title since Mitch Sutton (London, Ont.) did so in 2009.

“The city of Hartland and these people really care about this week and they’re showing it,” added Vandette. “A lot of people are showing up and it’s actually a lot of fun. They’re proud to host and us as players are fortunate to have a town who cares about it.”

Vandette’s Team Canada National Junior Squad teammate, Jeevan Sihota (Victoria) continued to play consistent golf, firing a round of 4 under, and is now sitting at 11 under for the tournament. Sihota birdied four of his first five holes and played even-par golf the rest of the way. He has only three bogeys through the first 54 holes of the competition and is two back of Vandette.

“It was a pretty good overall day,” said Sihota. “I missed quite a few short putts today, which hopefully tomorrow I’ll be able to hole those. I’m driving it really well – if you’re in the fairway here, it’s hard to make bogey from 60 yards.”

Sihota, 15, is leading the 16-and-under Juvenile division by four strokes over Tommy McKenzie (Calgary). All three of Sihota’s rounds have been in the 60s.

Vandette, Sihota and Carter Graf made up the final group of the third round. Graf shot even-par and is in a tie for third at 9 under, four back of Vandette.

Brady McKinlay shot a 7-under-par 65 on Wednesday, tied for the low score of the third round with Ethan de Graaf (Edmonton, Alta.). McKinlay, a Lacombe, Alta. product, was bogey-free while making back-to-back birdies on holes No. 14 and No. 15. McKinlay is tied with Graf for third at 9 under.

The shot of the day belonged to Nicolas-Guy Landry of Calgary. Landry made a hole-in-one on the 163-yard 17th – his first career ace.

The start of the third round was delayed by an hour following a fog delay. Tee times for the final round will begin at 9 a.m.

In addition to the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Full scoring can be found here.