CHONBURI, Thailand – Canada’s Brooke Henderson is three shots behind leader Eun-Hee Ji of South Korea after shooting a 6-under 66 in the opening round of Honda LPGA Thailand on Thursday.

The bogey-free day marked Henderson’s first competitive round since the season-opening Tournament of Champions in Florida ended on Jan. 20. The 21-year-old native of Smiths Falls, Ont., sat out the last two events because of illness.

“You know, I felt look I did a lot of things really well today,” Henderson said. “Maybe just adjust the game plan a little bit going into tomorrow. But I’m just going to rest and hopefully come out tomorrow and get a couple birdies early.”

Henderson is in a four-way tie for fifth. Ji has a two-shot lead on Minjee Lee of Australia, Danielle Kang of the United States and Jenny Shin of South Korea.

Henderson tied for seventh at this tournament last year.

#CPWO champ @BrookeHenderson is 3 back after 18 holes @hondalpgath ?? pic.twitter.com/khc5h4ClTm

— CP Women's Open (@cpwomensopen) February 21, 2019

Ji won her fifth U.S. LPGA Tour title in her previous event last month, the Tournament of Champions.

She picked up right where she left off, in Chonburi.

After an opening birdie and a bogey on the third hole, Ji birdied nine out of the following 14 holes on the Siam Country Club Pattaya’s Old Course.

“I felt really great. I didn’t miss any fairways and missed just two greens,” Ji said. “I have a lot of confidence.

Lee was bogey free as she eagled the 15th and birdied five holes on a humid day.

“I was little bit slow starting out. I finished with three birdies on the last three holes at the front nine, and got a little bit better momentum,” Lee said.

World No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn, the 2013 runner-up, carded a 4-under 68, mixing an eagle and six birdies with two bogeys and a double bogey.

Branden Grace showed up on the putting green at Chapultepec Golf Club wearing pants, just like always.

He got the memo too late.

The PGA Tour, taking a page from the European Tour, has decided to let its players wear shorts during practice rounds and Pro-Ams. The announcement was posted in the locker room at the Puerto Rico Open and at the Mexico Championship on Monday.

Players still must have shorts that are knee length, tailored and “neat in appearance.”

Grace was in Los Angeles last week and didn’t put any such shorts in his suitcase. And maybe that’s a good thing. He raised his pants to show a pair of very white legs.

“I need a week in Florida to get some sun on these out-of-bounds stakes,” Grace said.

Europe began allowing shorts in practice rounds three years ago, while the PGA Championship allowed them in 2017 at Quail Hollow. Players still must wear pants during competition rounds.

While researching for a book about his grandfather and great uncle, author Ian Murray came across the prolific golf writings of Robert Stanley Weir.

Weir wrote about golf for 23 years and gained an international reputation in his pursuit of understanding the specific skills needed to become a competent player. Respected by his peers, Weir was recruited as a feature writer and book reviewer for the American “Golf Illustrated” magazine that was launched in 1914.

Weir began writing about the game early in the 20th Century for “Golf Magazine”, the official publication of the United States Golf Association.  His first article in 1902, Pioneer Golf in America, provides the only known description and photos of the course where golf was first organized and played in North America in 1873. The course was located below the slopes of Mount Royal, known as ‘Fletcher’s Field’, in Montreal. It would become the Royal Montreal Golf Club.

Recorder Weir. Golf Magazine, February 1904

Along with writers and players who were at the forefront of the sport, now legends in the game, Weir continued writing for “Golf Illustrated” until his death in 1926 in his 70th year.

“The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum is happy to bring Weir’s golf writing to life on their website where over 75 articles written by Weir can be read.  “We have no doubt that more of Weir’s writings will resurface with the growing age of digitization,” notes Meggan Gardner, director of heritage services for Golf Canada.  “It was because of such amazing online resources such as our own Canadian Golfer magazine, the USGA Museum and LA84 that golf history has been rewritten with this discovery.”

Robert Stanley Weir was a judge, poet, professor and literary writer. He published two books of poetry and wrote articles for U.S. and Canadian Magazines. He married in 1882 and had 6 children. Renowned as an expert in Municipal law, Weir wrote various Legislative Acts for the Province of Quebec.

The full article along with Weir’s writings can be found here.

I’m the anti J.B. Holmes.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not “anti” J.B. Holmes.

When he won the Genesis Open for his fifth PGA Tour victory, I applauded the resurgence of someone who, by most accounts, is a good guy, a great husband and father who has survived brain surgery. Former Ryder Cupper, long hitter, great ball striker.

Also, alas, human rain delay.

On the other hand, I am the definition of the “dew sweeper.” At my club, Midland Golf and Country Club in Ontario, my group is given the first tee time on Sundays by default, by a unanimous vote by the rest of the members. We play in three hours or less.

“Ready golf” is our mantra but we may take the pace of play concept to extremes, admittedly. Last season, someone in our group couldn’t make it and we had a friend fill in. After completing the first hole, he said he made a par 4.

“Nope,” I said. “In this group, we count practice swings as strokes. You took three, so that’s a seven.”

So, as I said, a touch extreme.

You want to talk about extreme?

In the final round at the Genesis, Holmes’s threesome needed—no, that’s wrong—endured five hours and 28 minutes to complete their 18 holes. Thirteen minutes on the 13^th green alone. Twenty minutes behind the group in front. Professional golfers. Plumb-bobbing putts of less than a foot. (At least Holmes knew how to plumb bob. In my experience, most amateurs might as well close both eyes when they try that.)

At a time when it is widely acknowledged that one of the major challenges facing the game is pace of play, Holmes’s glacial approach deservedly lit up social media. Even his peers criticized him.

Taking my usual contrarian approach, perhaps Holmes should be applauded for elevating this debate.

None of us, except me, is exempt from this finger pointing.

At every level, from recreational golfer to the pro tours, slow play is a pernicious disease afflicting golf.

In 2018, the European Tour’s Shot Clock Masters addressed this by implementing a 40- or 50-second limit depending on the type of shot being played. Just four players received one-shot penalties for exceeding that limit. The reaction from the players was overwhelmingly positive.

“Rule 5.6b (3) lets a Committee set a specific pace of play policy,” says Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s Director of Rules, Competitions and Amateur Status. “This policy may set a maximum time to complete a round, a hole or series of holes and a stroke, and it may set penalties for not following the Policy. The PGA Tour uses a hybrid of fines and penalties in their policy.

“Golf Canada adopts a group pace of play policy which outlines the allotted time for groups to play specific holes (1-5, 6-9, 10-14, 15-18). Groups are given warnings if they are over the allotted time and 14 minutes behind the group in front. If they miss a second checkpoint, they are liable to a one stroke penalty (and the penalty increases as they miss a third and potential fourth checkpoint). We only use individual pace of play at our qualifiers (Open and amateur events).”

I’m not advocating the kind of speed golf my group plays but if we—well, you all—paid more attention to pace of play, the game would be more enjoyable for everyone.

The new Rules recognize this through efforts like reducing the time allowed looking for a ball from five minutes to three and encouraging ready golf. What is ready golf?

Dispense with the “who’s away” concept. Hit when ready and when it is safe to do so. Prepare for your shot as you approach the ball. Have the appropriate club in hand. Putt out continuously. Mark your score at the next tee. Keep up with the group in front. Do your socializing after the round.

My well-learned lesson came years ago at Scotland’s North Berwick when our threesome, all male golfers of decent ability, let a foursome of lady members, with their bags on pull carts, play through. By the time we finished, they were enjoying a sandwich and a pint, accompanied by well-deserved withering glances in our direction.

I now enjoy directing those same glances at the pokey golfers at my club. Thanks, ladies.

Rule 5.6b advises that “A round of golf is meant to be played at a prompt pace. Each player should recognize that his or her pace of play is likely to affect how long it will take other players to play their rounds, including both those in the player’s own group and those in following groups.” The Rule also outlines pace of play recommendations.

Pace of play. It’s not about playing fast. It’s about playing efficiently and with consideration for others.

MEXICO CITY – The PGA Tour again is taking a close look at changing the size of its cuts, and this time the idea appears to have some legs.

One topic at the first Player Advisory Council meeting last Tuesday at Riviera was to change the 36-hole cut from top 70 and ties to top 65 and ties, which is what the European Tour and the Web.com Tour do.

“There’s some traction for it,” said Jordan Spieth, in his first year on the policy board. “The argument is the MDFs don’t look good and twosomes on the weekend are better for everybody, including the viewership.”

The MDF was the tour’s first crack at avoiding bloated fields for the final round. It stands for “Made the cut, did not finish,” and it was passed unanimously at the end of 2007. Whenever more than 78 players make the cut, a 54-hole cut is in play to narrow the field to top 70 and ties.

This would be another step, though it’s in the early stages.

In the 10 tournaments this season, a cut to the top 65 and ties would have happened just once. At the Safeway Open, 86 players made the 36-hole cut. If the cut had been top 65 and ties, 67 players would have advanced to the weekend, sending home another 19 players on Friday. Of those 19, Tom Hoge had a 69-70 weekend and tied for 17th, which was worth 44 FedEx Cup points.

That’s what concerns Matt Kuchar, who is on the PAC.

“The MDF is a great addition,” Kuchar said. “Guys who have a bad Saturday (and missed the 54-hole cut), they’re not competitive in the tournament anymore. The T-65 … you just have a handful of stories of a guy who would have missed the cut that has won or has a top 5. It happens every now and then.”

The best example was Jose Maria Olazabal, who made the cut on the number at Torrey Pines in 2002 (tie for 69th) and was among 89 players who advanced to the weekend. Olazabal shot 67-65 on the weekend and won by one shot.

“I’m kind of on the fence,” Kuchar said. “It works in Europe. It works in a lot of places.”

Even with a cut to top 65 and ties, there still could be occasions when more than 78 players make the cut, and the 54-hole cut would remain.

Spieth said he hasn’t detected too many players opposed to the idea, except for those who seem to constantly be around the cut line and want every chance. Much like Kuchar, however, he doesn’t have a strong opinion either way.

“I don’t mind how it is now. I don’t mind if it switches,” Spieth said. “But there is some traction.”

ADELAIDE, Australia – Nelly Korda added to her family’s impressive sports pedigree Down Under with a win Sunday in the Women’s Australian Open.

Korda led by three strokes after the third round, increased it to four with a tap-in birdie on the 10th and added a 25-foot birdie on the 11th to make it a lead of five.

She had a third consecutive birdie on the 12th to help claim a two-stroke victory with a 5-under 67 at The Grange Golf Club, finishing with a 17-under total of 271. Defending champion Jin Young Ko was second after a 64.

Canadian Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., finished with a share of sixth at 10 under par. The finish marks the second consecutive strong finish for Sharp, who collected a T17 the week prior.

Fellow countrywoman Jaclyn Lee, a Calgary native, made her first LPGA Tour cut as a professional with a T22 finish.

Korda’s father Petr was an Australian Open men’s tennis champion, winning the tournament in 1998. Her golfing sister Jessica won the Australian Open seven years ago.

And her tennis-playing brother Sebastian won the Australian Open boys’ singles title last year.

“I’m just happy to finally be a part of the club,” said the 20-year-old Korda at the trophy presentations. “There’s maybe something in the air here. We love coming down under and we really enjoy our time here.

“I just got off the phone with my dad and he’s like ‘well, congratulations, you’re part of the Korda Slam now’.”

Petr and mother Regina, also a pro tennis player who represented Czechoslovakia at the 1988 Olympics, watched their daughter’s triumph from their home on the west coast of Florida.

Jessica, currently sidelined from the LPGA Tour because of a wrist injury, watched from Florida’s east coast. And Sebastian tuned in from Turkey moments before he played a Futures Tour match.

“When I was left out (of winning in Australia) they didn’t try to rub it in too much,” Nelly Korda said. “Now that we all have a win down here, it’s going to be really special … obviously there was pressure but I think I finally carved my own way.”

The Women’s Australian Open tweeted before the final round began a photo collage of Petr, Jessica and Sebastian doing what they called the “Korda Kick” – actually a scissor kick – after winning each of their titles, and adding that they hoped they hadn’t jinxed Nelly.

No worries there. Her lead was reduced to two strokes at one stage late on the front nine and again at the end, but Korda held on for the win after receiving help from afar from her sister.

And sure enough, keeping it in the family, Nelly was photographed doing a scissor kick after the trophy presentations.

Jessica Korda tweeted to her 81,500 followers just before Nelly made the turn at The Grange, at about 11:30 p.m on the East Coast of the U.S: “Who else is staying up with me?”

Jessica’s first reply came from someone who said “we might be needing a quadruple Korda-Jump picture.”

Nelly Korda said she spoke to her 25-year-old sister by phone not long after she finished her round.

“I couldn’t really hear what she was saying, she was screaming so much,” Nelly Korda said.

NAPLES, Fla. – Miguel Angel Jimenez won the Chubb Classic on Sunday for his seventh PGA Tour Champions title, beating Bernhard Langer and Olin Browne with a 5-foot par putt on the first hole of a playoff.

Jimenez closed with a 5-under 66 at The Classics at Lely Resort to match Langer and Browne at 13-under 200.

“I’m working hard and I practice and go to the gym, apart from smoking and drinking,” Jimenez said. “This is what I love to do. I love to play golf. To me, competing is my life. I go to any competition, I want to win. I working for that.”

Jimenez has won in each of his six seasons on the 50-and-over tour. The 55-year-old Spaniard won the major Regions Tradition and Senior British Open last season.

“It’s the beginning of the season,” Jimenez said. “We are on the third tournament of the season and all the season in front of us. This is gives you the energy and the confidence coming up.”

Langer shot 68, and Browne had a double bogey on the par-4 18th in regulation for a 66.

“I didn’t hit a very good tee shot in regulation and I had a lot of club in,” Browne said. “I was in between and I thought there was more wind, and frankly I hit a poor shot, but I ended up in a horrible situation.”

The 61-year-old Langer, the Oasis Championship winner last week near his home in Boca Raton, won the event in 2011, 2013 and 2016.

“Played some good golf, hung in there,” Langer said. “It wasn’t meant to be.”

Kevin Sutherland and Woody Austin each shot 69 to finish a shot out of the playoff.

Stephen Ames, tied for the second-round lead with Ken Tanigawa and Glen Day, had a 71 to tie for sixth at 11 under with Tom Lehman (65), Sandy Lyle (68), Retief Goosen (69) and Colin Montgomerie (70).

Tanigawa and Day each shot 72 to finish at 10 under. Steve Stricker (70) also was at 10 under.

NAPLES, Fla. – Ken Tanigawa had six back-nine birdies in a 5-under 66 for a share of the Chubb Classic lead Saturday with Glen Day and Stephen Ames.

Tanigawa rebounded from bogeys on Nos. 8 and 9 with birdies on Nos. 10-12, 14, 15 and 17 at The Classics at Lely Resort.

“I never felt all that comfortable early on and it kind of showed,” Tanigawa said. “I kind of hung in there, then I made those two bogeys on 8 and 9, which was easy to do. I made a nice putt on 10 to make a birdie and just tried to stay patient and plug away. I started hitting better shots and making some putts and got some momentum my way.”

He won the PURE Insurance Championship in September at Pebble Beach for his lone PGA Tour Champions title.

Day birdied the final two holes for a 66.

“I made a double on th–e front nine,” Day said. “Other than that, everything was real solid. You’re going to get a lot of birdie opportunities out here, so you’ve got to stay patient.”

Ames, tied for the first-round lead with Sandy Lyle after a then-course record 63, had a 68 to keep a share of the top spot at 11-under 131.

“I’m quite happy to be in the position I’m in,” Ames said. “Tomorrow’s another day.”

Kevin Sutherland broke the day-old course record with a 62, birdieing six of his first eight holes in a round that started on No. 10.

Canadian @StephenAmesPGA is your co-leader heading into Sunday at the @ChubbClassic ?????? pic.twitter.com/gn6Unmdbng

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) February 17, 2019

“I hit it better than I did yesterday and got in a rhythm early and I putted well,” Sutherland said. “I made all the putts I needed to make and made a couple that probably were a gift.”

Sutherland was a stroke back with Bernhard Langer (64), Colin Montgomerie (63), Woody Austin (65), Tom Byrum (65), Dan Olsen (67) and Kent Jones (67).

The 61-year-old Langer, the Oasis Championship winner last week near his home in Boca Raton, won the event in 2011, 2013 and 2016.

Tour newcomer Retief Goosen (65) and Steve Stricker (66) topped the group at 9 under.

“I’ve been giving myself some opportunities around here the first couple of days and just not getting it in there, not knocking ’em in,” Stricker said. “I’ll hit good putts, a lot of misreads. I’ll hit a few bad putts. I’m just struggling on getting it in the hole.”

Lyle followed his opening 63 with a 71 to drop into a tie for 15th at 8 under. Jay Haas also was 8 under, shooting a 70 a day after the 65-year-old player bettered his age with a 64.

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – Canada’s Mike Weir is tied for eighth after two rounds of the Web.com Tour’s LECOM Suncoast Classic.

The 48-year-old from Brights Grove, Ont., shot rounds of 66-68 to trail the lead by six.

Weir, who has played just 10 PGA Tour events since 2017 after losing status, is entered in his third straight Web.com event under a unique category.

The top three players on the PGA Tour career money list ages 48 and 49 are eligible for most Web.com events. Weir, the 2003 Masters champion and an eight-time PGA Tour winner, sits 38th on that list, so can get into most Web.com tournaments.

The category is designed to give top 48- and 49-year-olds more competitive playing opportunities before they’re eligible for PGA Tour Champions at age 50.

“I’m excited about my game and I love to compete,” Weir said. “The PGA Tour Champions is less than a year and a half away for me, so I want to be sharp for that. And who knows, if I play well enough out here I could get my PGA Tour card back at 49 years old, which would be pretty fun.”

The top 25 on the Web.com points list at season’s end earn PGA Tour cards for the following season.

Weir tied for 41st last week at the Panama Championship after missing the cut the previous week in Colombia.

Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont., who won last week’s event in Panama, is the next Canadian in line at 5 under par to sit T51.

Weir got to know Gligic during a practice round in Colombia.

“He’s a great young man,” Weir said. “I’m really impressed with his game, he’s been at it for a while now and paid his dues, and I’m super happy for him.”

After announcing her retirement from competitive golf in the summer of 2016, Rebecca Lee-Bentham has spent the last two years teaching the game she loves to others.

In doing so, the 26-year-old says she’s developed a greater appreciation for the sport – and it’s a key reason why she’s decided to make a comeback.

“Seeing the game from a different perspective has really helped me understand the game better. I’ve learned so much as a coach,” she said. “Reviewing the ups and downs of my previous LPGA experience will definitely help me better prepare myself for this next chapter.”

Lee-Bentham reveals her decision to give competitive golf another try happened during the recent holidays in December.

“It’s funny because I’ve been asked so many times if I’d ever try to go back out on Tour or if I missed Tour life; and my answer has always been ‘no.’ It’s something I honestly thought I was done with – simply because I found happiness being back home,” pointed out the former national team member.

“It was definitely a combination of events that led to my decision to go back,” she continued.

“But as cliché as it may sound, ultimately, I felt a calling to come back; and in the span of about two weeks, I went from saying ‘no’, to wanting it more than ever before.”

Lee-Bentham credits her time as a coach for helping her mature and grow as a person – and as a golfer.

“Ever since I took up the sport at the age of 12, golf has always helped me develop wonderful character traits, such as, being passionate at what you’re doing, working hard, being dedicated, persevering, and striving to be better every single day,” she noted.

“In the past, golf was a love-hate relationship for me as I would sometimes let results get the better of me. But over the past couple of years – as I was teaching the game to others – I’ve grown a lot as a person and in my understanding of how to mentally approach the game. I’ve also learned to plan and practise more efficiently.”

According to Derek Ingram – the former women’s national team head coach, and currently, the men’s national team head coach – it’s easy to understand how teaching the sport to others can reignite Lee-Bentham’s passion and love for the game. Lee-Bentham was a member of Team Canada’s National Team program from 2007-2011 followed by the Young Pro Squad in 2013.

“The last two years will likely give her a much better appreciation for the game and playing professionally,” he noted.

“Being a coach, you start to understand the importance of focusing on one or two key things as opposed to possibly trying to be perfect in too many areas. Being around young people also likely inspired her and motivated her to get back to playing the game she fell in love with,” added Ingram about his former student.

Looking back, winning big tournaments was something young Rebecca was very familiar with.

In 2007, the then 15-year-old won the Ontario Women’s Amateur. In 2010, Lee-Bentham would win the Canadian Junior Girls title.  Then, in the summer of 2011 – after completing her freshman year at the University of Texas – she would capture the Canadian Women’s Amateur title.

Following her victory at the Canadian Women’s Amateur, Lee-Bentham decided to pursue her LPGA Tour card instead of returning to the University of Texas for her sophomore year.  And in December of 2012, she would earn full playing privileges on the LPGA Tour after carding a five-under 67 in the final round of Q-School.

The Longhorn alum had a number of notable highlights in her five year professional career. Lee-Bentham finished in a tie for 18th spot at the 2013 ISPS Handa Women’s Open Australian Open; and later that year, she would record an 11th place finish at the Evian Open.

Also, in 2013, she had the highest earnings of any Canadian woman on the LPGA Tour and was voted by Canadian golf writers as the 2013 Female Professional of the year.

However, nagging injuries and fatigued from the constant grind on Tour would lead to inconsistent results – and eventually, to her decision to retire in 2016.

Ingram says taking time away from competitive golf was the right move for Lee-Bentham.

“It was a good time for Rebecca to recharge and refocus. The grind of playing was getting to her and she was over working – which is not a great combination,” he pointed out.

The Team Canada Olympic coach feels that his former student and amateur standout still has unfinished business as a competitive golfer.

“Rebecca needed to step back and remember why she played the game and what it was all about. I really think with a new perspective and a new vision on why she plays, it will allow her to make much better progress in her game,” said Ingram.

“I personally feel she is a top 60 player in the world or better when she is engaged and practicing the right way,” he added.

After making the decision to return to competitive golf, the Toronto native has already relocated to Irvine, Calif., and has begun her training.

“I will be in California for most of my training. I am aware more than ever of the things I need to work on and am so excited to get back at it. I plan to play in some mini tour events and Monday qualifiers to prepare myself for LPGA Q-School,” she revealed.

“A very good friend owns a golf course here and generously offered a place to play and practice,” Lee-Bentham added. “Also, an amazing family opened up their home to me which is five minutes from the golf course. I have an amazing community here, so it feels like home.”

The former LPGA pro says everyone has been very supportive of her decision.

“My mom literally shed some tears of joy when I first told her about my decision. My family, friends and all of my students showed so much support, which has further motivated me,” she pointed out.

Lee-Bentham also understands the importance of having financial support in terms of making her comeback a truly successful one.

“So far, I’ve been fortunate to have people offer assistance without really having to reach out. Of course, having sponsorship is a huge bonus but it’s something I don’t want to stress about,” she said.

“Acushnet Canada has been wonderful in giving me some of their great products and I’m so thankful for their belief in me.”

At 26, the former LPGA pro feels she’s much wiser. And this time around, she plans to focus on what she can control – and let the rest take care of itself.

“I’m the type of person who goes all in once I’ve committed to something and I’m willing to put in the work,” she said.

“My objective will be to earn my LPGA Tour card again and play for Canada in the Tokyo Olympics. But, just as important, my goal is to give it my best – and to love and enjoy each moment.”