ORLANDO, Fla., – The LPGA’s 2018 advertising campaign made its debut this week on Golf Channel ahead of the season-opening Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, with the campaign’s emphasis on ‘A Global Tour Like No Other’ and the accessibility and personality of its players.

The 2018 edition of the LPGA’s campaign was created by Austin-based ad agency Divot Group and the spots will be rolled out during telecasts on Golf Channel over the first several tournaments of the 2018 LPGA Tour season, starting with this week’s event at the Ocean Club Golf Course in Paradise Island, Bahamas.

The playful, light-hearted ad series aims to showcase the diverse nationalities of LPGA Tour players while emphasizing their approachability and personality.

One spot (Language) highlights the challenges of playing all round the world, such as the potential pitfalls of language applications, but ultimately concludes: “winning translates in any language”.

Another spot (Global Launch) features Canada’s own Brooke Henderson and states: “…to be the best in the world, you have to beat the best in the world”

And yet another (Next Wave) focuses on the “movement” happening in women’s golf with the “next wave” of competition making it tougher than ever to win on the LPGA Tour.

“Two distinct themes have emerged on the LPGA Tour: its truly global nature and the approachability and accessibility of its players,” said LPGA Chief Commercial Officer Jon Podany. “The LPGA is uniquely golf’s global tour with players representing 32 countries, tournaments in 14 countries and TV distributed to more than 170 countries.

“The best players in the world come to play on the LPGA and the competition is better than ever. This campaign brings that to life, as well as showcases the diverse personalities of our players.”

One more spot was created called Frequent Flyer, in which players joke about who has racked up the most frequent flyer miles.

The 2018 season continues to feature players from across the globe with representatives from 32 nations. Last season produced 22 different winners from eight countries while five players from four different countries occupied the top spot in the Rolex Rankings during 2017.

Further eye-catching elements last year were the depth and quality of competition. The 2017 Tour went 15 events before having a repeat winner, tied for the longest streak in LPGA history, and a record 12 players ended the season with a scoring average below 70 – the previous best was five players set in 2016.

In addition to the LPGA’s Golf Channel telecasts, the 2018 ad spots will be featured through the LPGA’s international television partners, on LPGA.com, and via the LPGA’s social media channels, including YouTube, Twitter and Facebook beginning on Thursday, January 25.

Long-serving Alberta Golf volunteers Fran Marsden and Florin “Fuzzy” Bergh along with golf historian Ron Lyons to be acknowledged on Saturday, January 27^th as part of Golf Canada’s Annual Meeting in Calgary

Renowned sports journalist Cam Cole to be honoured on Monday, June 4th during Golf Canada’s National Team Media Day at Bear Mountain Golf Resort in Victoria

Former Alberta Golf President Fran Marsden and long-time volunteer Florin “Fuzzy” Bergh of Edmonton, along with golf historian Ron Lyons and acclaimed golf columnist Cam Cole will be acknowledged for their tremendous contributions to the game of golf as 2018 recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award.

The National Sport Federation’s Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually since 1993 to recognize individuals who have had an outstanding impact on Canadian golf either nationally or within their community.

Marsden has spent the past 30 years as a contributing golf volunteer in Alberta and was instrumental in the 2000 amalgamation of the former men’s and women’s provincial golf associations into what is now Alberta Golf.

Bergh is a life-long contributor to the game of golf in his community who has supported Alberta Golf and the Alberta Golf Foundation in a variety of volunteer and fundraising roles over the past three decades.

Lyons, the co-owner of the Legends Golf and Country Club in Edmonton, is regarded as one of the foremost golf historians and golf memorabilia collectors in the province of Alberta.

The presentation of the 2018 Distinguished Service Awards to Marsden, Bergh and Lyons will take place on Saturday, January 27^th as part of Golf Canada’s Annual Meeting (January 25-27) at the Grey Eagle Casino and Resort in Calgary.

Cole, who covered golf over the course of a distinguished 40-year career in sport journalism, will be honoured as part of Golf Canada’s National Team Media Day which will be conducted on Monday, June 4^th at Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria.

“Golf Canada is proud to recognize Fran Marsden, Florin Bergh, Ron Lyons and Cam Cole as the recipients of our 2018 Distinguished Service Award,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Each of their respective contributions across various touchpoints in the game has left a meaningful impression on the Canadian golf landscape. It is with great respect and admiration that we honour these individuals for their passion and commitment to our sport.”

Recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award are often selected from within the province or region of the organization’s incoming President. On Saturday, January 27^th Leslie Dunning of Calgary will be sworn in as Golf Canada’s 114^th president. As president-elect, Dunning will succeed Roland Deveau of Bedford, N.S. who has served consecutive terms as President in 2016 and 2017.

In addition to the presentation of the Distinguished Service Awards, Golf Canada will also recognize Tom Zariski of Drumheller, Alta. as the 2017 Volunteer of the Year. Zariski, a Level 4 Rules of Golf official who currently serves as President of Golf Alberta, will be honoured on Saturday, January 27^th during the closing dinner of Golf Canada’s Annual Meeting.

Golf Canada 2018 Distinguished Service Award Honourees:

Fran Marsden (Volunteer)

Fran Marsden has been a strong contributor to the game of golf in Alberta for more than 30 years. A long-time member of the Glendale Golf and Country Club in her hometown of Edmonton, Marsden’s volunteer efforts began in 1987 as club representative with the former Alberta Ladies Golf Association (ALGA). Her commitment to advance the game elevated her to more wide ranging involvement with the ALGA, culminating with her election as President in 1998. She would play a major role in the amalgamation of the ALGA with the Alberta Men’s Golf Association and was selected by her peers to serve as the first president of Alberta Golf in 2000, the first fully amalgamated provincial golf association in Canada. Marsden also took on the role of Executive Director of the World Masters Games Golf Event in in 2005 which attracted more than 800 golfers competing on multiple courses around Edmonton. She has contributed to provincial and national golf championships and served on numerous volunteer committees with both Alberta Golf and Golf Canada during a career which earned her the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award in 2007.

Ron Lyons (Historian)

Ron Lyons’ contributions to golf are rooted in preserving the storied history of the game. Lyons is a proud golf historian who preserves one of the world’s largest collections of vintage golf cars, tees, golf clubs, books and paraphernalia. As a historian, he has made strong contributions to Alberta Golf, the PGA of Alberta and the Golf Historical Society and has donated antique golf items to various causes over the years. He has shared his collection through antique displays at various events and golf shows and has assisted a number of golf clubs in celebrating their 50^th, 75^th and 100^th anniversaries. Lyons also holds a stake in the game as co-owner of the Legends Golf and Country Club, a 27-hole facility in Edmonton which hosts an annual golf tournament dedicated to honouring individuals for their impact on the game. He is the founder of the Canadian Open Hickory Championship, a North American hickory club event. His collection of hickory clubs was donated for use by players and pro-am participants at the 2006 Telus Skins Game at Banff Springs Golf Course which featured Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, John Daly, Stephen Ames and Sergio Garcia. He owns 84 vintage golf cars and some early turf equipment which he displays in a 6800 sq ft building on the grounds of the Legends Golf and Country Club. Lyons recently completed a 320-page book on the history of the golf car.

Cam Cole (Golf Writer)

One of Canada’s finest story tellers, Cam Cole’s distinguished career as a sports writer and columnist spans more than 40 years with the Edmonton Journal, National Post, Vancouver Sun and Post Media. As a golf columnist, he brought readers inside the ropes at golf’s biggest events including 66 major golf championships, seven Ryder Cups, six Presidents Cups and nine (RBC) Canadian Opens as well as the (CP) Canadian Women’s Open on several occasions. A native of Vegreville, Alta., Cole is a past member of the Richmond Country Club in Richmond, B.C. and a current member at the Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna, B.C. Among the nearly 400 golf courses he’s played, Cole won the Masters Tournament press lottery to play Augusta National on three separate occasions. Aside from golf, Cole covered the world’s foremost sporting events including 16 Olympics, 33 Grey Cups, 30 Stanley Cup Finals, seven World Series, 18 Super Bowls and 17 World Figure Skating Championships before retiring in December 2016. Among his many professional accolades, Cole is a two-time recipient of the Sport Media Canada Award for Outstanding Sports Writing (2004 & 2011) and was honoured by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017 with the Elmer Ferguson Award for excellence in hockey journalism.

Florin “Fuzzy” Bergh (Volunteer)

Fuzzy Bergh is considered an institution as a supporter and contributor to golf in his home province of Alberta. For more than 80 years, the Edmonton, Alta. native has been a passionate golf enthusiast and champion for the health, social, business and charitable benefit that golf brings to his community. He has been an instrumental volunteer with Alberta Golf since 1990 and has led course rating activities in the province for many years. A member and former club President at Highland Golf and Country Club in Edmonton, he is a respected contributor to the game at his home club. Bergh is also a long-time fundraiser and past chair of the Alberta Golf Foundation and has been instrumental in driving the Foundation’s scholarship program. In 2015, he was recognized by the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame for his distinguished service to the game.

Master Craftsman and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Bob Vokey, along with his pioneering R&D team, continue to shape the future of wedge design with the introduction of the new Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled 7 wedges. Available in golf shops worldwide beginning March 9, 2018, new Vokey SM7 wedges provide all golfers the opportunity for a better, more confident short game through unmatched craftsmanship, technology and performance.

Vokey’s prior generation SM6 models ushered in a new era of wedge innovation and performance with their groundbreaking Progressive Center of Gravity (CG) design. The advancements made with SM7 – already the most played wedge model on the PGA TOUR, with four SM7’s in the bag of Jordan Spieth – further widen the performance gap between a Vokey and all other wedges.

Improving in all three areas of wedge performance, new SM7 models provide increased shot versatility with expanded fitting options, improved distance and trajectory control and more spin through the following key advancements:

The fastest way to a better short game is through a wedge fitting. Developed through his collaboration with the world’s best shot makers, Bob’s six tour-proven sole grinds – F, S, M, K, L and the new D grind – allow golfers of all skill levels to be precisely fit for their swing type, shot making style and course conditions.

• F Grind: Full sole designed primarily for full swings and square face shots. For that reason, F is the only grind available in the 46º-52º models. The 54°/56° F Grind is the most played sand wedge on the PGA Tour.
• S Grind: Design based on feedback from Steve Stricker, the S is best for square faced shots with a touch more versatility than the F Grind. Simple mechanics are best with this wedge.
• M Grind: Voke’s favorite, the M grind is designed for players that like to rotate the club face open and shut to manufacture shots around the green.
• D Grind: The player’s high bounce wedge, the new D Grind offers high measured bounce with the crescent shape of the M Grind for shot making versatility.
• K Grind: The highest bounce wedge in the lineup, the K Grind is the ultimate bunker club and the most forgiving wedge in the lineup for all shots.
• L Grind: The L Grind features a narrow crescent shape allowing maximum green side versatility, but it is the least forgiving wedge in the lineup.

Vokey SM7 offers the game’s most complete selection of lofts, bounces and grinds, with 23 different combinations.

Finely tuned Progressive Center of Gravity locations improve trajectory and distance control while creating the best-feeling Vokey wedges to date.

A concept pioneered by Vokey R&D, Progressive Center of Gravity aligns the CG with the impact position of each loft to produce precise distance and trajectory control with exceptional feel. Engineered using cutting-edge CAD technology, Progressive CG is visible technology on the back of the wedge.
Advanced testing of SM6 models showed an opportunity to enhance the CG locations within SM7. The Vokey R&D team pushed the locations even further – higher on the high lofts and lower on the low lofts – to produce more consistent performance with noticeably better feel at impact.

100% inspected Spin Milled grooves cut at even tighter tolerances deliver more spin (up to 100rpm more spin on average).

Bob and his team identified the opportunity for an additional Spin Milled cutting process for plated wedges (Tour Chrome and Brushed Steel) as compared to the raw offerings (Jet Black and Raw). This new method improves upon Vokey’s industry-leading groove cutting tolerances, resulting in a more precise cut by finish and more spin in the plated wedges.
§ A proprietary heat treatment is applied to all Vokey Design SM7 wedges, resulting in longer lasting spin through the life of the wedge.

Just two weeks following their debut at the Shriners Hospital for Childrens Open, Vokey SM7 wedges became the most played wedge model on the PGA Tour, with 123 SM7’s in play at The RSM Classic.

“One thing I know from working with tour players the last 20-plus years is that they won’t put a new wedge in play unless it’s better,” said Master Craftsman Bob Vokey. “Every time we come out with a new one, we have to prove it. I can’t tell you how many times over the last couple years players asked me and Aaron (Vokey Tour Rep Aaron Dill) how we were going to make something better than SM6. Based on how quickly guys are switching to SM7, we know we’ve done it.”

Jordan Spieth – who put four new models immediately in play (46.10 F, 52.08 F, 56.10 S, 60.04 L) – is one of more than 100 tour players who have made the switch to SM7. That list also includes Jimmy Walker (46.10 F, 54.08 M, 60.04 L), Bill Haas (54.10 S, 60.10 S), Webb Simpson (54.14 F, 60.10 S), Brian Harman (46.10 F, 50.08 F, 54.10 S, 60.04 L) and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston (46.10 F, 50.08 F, 54.10 S, 58.10 S).

New SM7 wedges are available in three finishes (Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel and Jet Black). Tour Chrome retains its popular bright chrome finish. The darker Brushed Steel finish is richer and slightly more polished when compared to the Steel Gray offered in SM6, while maintaining a non-glare finish in the playing position. The raw Jet Black has been enhanced with black paint fill in the logos and graphics, inspired by requests received on tour by Vokey Tour Rep Aaron Dill.

SM7 wedges can be custom ordered with a wide range of specifications and personalization, including an industry-leading selection of shafts, grips, shaft bands, ferrules, stamping and paint fill. For a complete list of personalization and custom options, visit Vokey.com.

Vokey Design SM7 wedges are available in golf shops beginning March 9.

LA QUINTA, Calif. — Jon Rahm headed over the hill to San Diego for his Torrey Pines title defence with a playoff victory in the CareerBuilder Challenge and the No. 2 spot in the world ranking.

The Spaniard is way ahead of where he even dreamed he would be this early in his career.

“To think of being No. 2 in the world, it’s hard to believe,” Rahm said. “You dream of doing those things, you want to do them, you believe in yourself, but to get to where only Seve (Ballesteros), Ollie (Jose Maria Olazabal) and Sergio (Garcia) have gotten, coming out of Spain. And now me, at the age of 23, it’s beyond belief.”

In fading light Sunday on the Stadium Course at PGA West, Rahm finished off Andrew Landry with a 12-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole of a playoff for his second PGA Tour title and fourth worldwide victory in a year.

Rahm jumped past Jordan Spieth in the ranking, leaving only Dustin Johnson ahead. Rahm was second behind Johnson two weeks ago at Kapalua in his first start since winning the European Tour’s season-ending event in Dubai in November.

“So far, I’ve only lost against Superman this year,” Rahm said.

Rahm closed with a 5-under 67 after opening with a career-best 62 at La Quinta Country Club, shooting 67 on Friday on the Nicklaus Tournament Course and 70 on Saturday at the Stadium.

Adam Hadwin (68) of Abbotsford, B.C., tied for third at 20 under to mark his third-straight top-10 finish at the CareerBuilder Challenge. A year ago in La Quinta, Hadwin became the eighth player in PGA TOUR history to shoot a 59—going on to finish with sole possession of 2nd in 2017. In 2016, Hadwin finished with a share of 6th.

Landry, playing a group behind Rahm in the final threesome, forced the playoff with an 11-foot birdie putt on the water-guarded 18th for a 68. They finished at 22-under 266.

After Rahm made the putt on the fourth playoff hole, Landry missed an 11-footer.

“This was a weird pin location,” Landry said. “I felt like it was hard for those balls to break and I read it perfectly the first time and the next two times we had the exact same yardage, exact same putt right there, so just hit it a little too firm and tried to take some of the break out and it actually just kind of stayed high.”

Rahm wanted to putt first.

“I felt something in me,” Rahm said. “I saw the break, I knew it was outside the left edge, I just trusted myself, trusted my stroke and hit a perfect — actually a little bit below perfect speed and caught the lip and went in.”

If Landry had holed the putt, they likely would have had to finish Monday.

“I’m sure glad Andrew didn’t make the last putt, because I didn’t want to come back tomorrow,” Rahm said. “But again, you got to give props and congrats to Andrew. To birdie 18 out of the rough, having to birdie to tie and go in a playoff.”

Rahm and Landry each missed chances to win on the first two extra trips down 18. Rahm’s 9-foot birdie try slid left on the first, and Landry’s 8-footer went by to the right on the second. They missed long birdie tries on the third extra hole, the par-4 10th.

“Tournaments like this build character,” Rahm said. “I’m just proud of myself to hit what’s probably my least favourite club, which is the 3-wood, three times in a row dead centre on my line on 18 — four times if you include the regular play.”

After making an eagle and 11 birdies on the par 5s the first three days, Rahm settled for four pars in the final round, with the Pete Dye-designed layout playing tougher with many pin positions on the edges of greens.

After opening the @CBGolfChallenge with a 10-under 62, @JonRahmPGA clinched the title on the fourth sudden-death playoff hole.

Roll the tape on every broadcasted shot from his final round. ? pic.twitter.com/BttcdjFnQS

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 22, 2018

“It’s been a fighting day,” Rahm said. “I’ve been a ball-striking clinic most of the week and in the playoff I was just not making the putts. I just got fortunate that none of us really made any and I was able to make the one that mattered. But then again, it was really supreme ball-striking on my part today. Especially, on the back nine, I hit the ball as good as I can.”

The former Arizona State player loves California, but has a good reason to stay in the Phoenix area.

“Taxes, to be honest,” Rahm said. “I love Phoenix, but San Diego is probably my favourite spot in the world.”

The 30-year-old Landry had his best career PGA Tour finish and third top-three finish of the season.

“I’ve been playing well all year, had a great season last year and I’m rolling it over right into this, into the fall and now starting the year out,” Landry said. “Second-place finish, we’ll take it and move on next week to Torrey Pines.”

Alberta Golf President and Level 4 Rules Official to be recognized during Golf Canada’s 2018 Annual Meeting

Golf Canada is pleased to announce that Tom Zariski of Drumheller, Alta. has been named the recipient of Golf Canada’s 2017 Volunteer of the Year Award.

A Level 4 Rules of Golf Official and past President of Alberta Golf, Zariski will be acknowledged during the closing dinner of Golf Canada’s 2018 Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 27^th at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino in Calgary.

“Volunteers are the driving force behind the success of golf in this country and we are proud to recognize Tom Zariski for his leadership and extensive contributions to support the game of golf in his home province of Alberta,” said Golf Canada President Roland Deveau. “Tom has given back to the game at the provincial and national level and it is fitting that his leadership, commitment and contributions are being recognized.”

Each year in Canada, tens of thousands of committed volunteers help to support the game of golf in communities from coast to coast.

Now in its 12^th year, candidates for Golf Canada’s Volunteer of the Year Award are put forth for consideration by the respective provincial golf associations in acknowledgment of significant contributions to the game of golf in their community.

 Tom Zariski, Drumheller, Alta. 

Reading through Tom Zariski’s bio on the Alberta Golf website provides a glimpse of the credentials and contributions that brought the Drumheller, Alta. native to serve as (past) President of the provincial golf association.    

His commitment to support Alberta Golf and grow the game across the province is outstanding, and it is that commitment and leadership that validates his selection as Golf Canada’s 2017 Volunteer of the Year.

The credentials speak for themselves—a Level 4 Rules of Golf Official for the past 10 years who was elected to Alberta Golf’s Board of Directors in 2010. 

After graduating from the University of Alberta 35 years ago, he began a teaching career in Drumheller. He would later obtain a Masters’ Degree at the University of Calgary and became Principal of Drumheller Composite High School, retiring in 2010.

He also sits on the Drumheller Town Council where he is serving his second term in office. He co-founded and was President of the Drumheller Community Football Association and was also Vice President of the Dinosaur Trail Golf and Country Club, where he is a member.

Zariski also serves on several volunteer boards including the Drumheller and District Seniors Foundation, the Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society, the Drumheller R.C.M.P. Citizen’s Advisory Committee and others.

As one of Alberta’s top Level 4 Rules Officials, he plays a leading role in conducting most provincial golf championships and works to foster a strong dialogue amongst Rules Officials across the province.   

At the Board and committee level, he is forthright in sharing his opinions and expertise with a commitment to strong governance protocol and a concerted effort to run efficient and effective meetings.  

A proponent of golf and giving, Zariski also sits as President of the Alberta Golf Association Foundation Board which awards over $50,000 in scholarships annually.

He is also a member of Golf Canada’s Rules Committee and the founder of the provincial Volunteer Engagement Committee—which has since seen its work for volunteers embedded into Alberta Golf’s annual business plan. 

As an administrator, Zariski believes in a big picture approach to Alberta Golf’s working relationship with Golf Canada, and has been a driving force behind the provincial implementation of the joint membership model. 

He was named the Town of Drumheller “Citizen of the Year” in 2005 and when he is not golfing or volunteering, he has come to enjoy the game of pickle-ball.

Congratulations to Tom Zariski of Drumheller, Alta., on being named Golf Canada’s 2017 Volunteer of the Year!

LA QUINTA, Calif. — Austin Cook hit a hybrid into the fairway bunker on the par-4 18th on a breezy Saturday afternoon at La Quinta Country Club, then chunked a wedge and raced a chip 20 feet past the hole.

Kip Henley, the longtime PGA Tour caddie who guided Cook to a breakthrough victory at Sea Island in November, stepped in to give the 26-year-old former Arkansas star a quick pep talk.

“Kip said, ‘Let’s finish this like we did on the first day at the Nicklaus Course.’ We made a big par putt on 18 there and he said, ‘Let’s just do the same thing. Let’s get this line right and if you get the line right it’s going in.”’

It did , giving Cook an 8-under 64 and a one-stroke lead in the CareerBuilder Challenge going into the final round on the Stadium Course at PGA West. Fellow former Razorback Andrew Landry and Martin Piller were tied for second, and Jon Rahm and Scott Piercy were a another stroke back after a tricky day in wind that didn’t get close to the predicted gusts of 40 mph.

“I know that I wouldn’t have wanted to play the Stadium today,” Cook said. “I think we got a great draw with the courses that we got to play on the days that we got to play them.”

Cook played the final six holes on the front nine in 6 under with an eagle and four birdies.

“Starting on my fourth hole, I was able to make a birdie and kind of get the ball rolling and it never really stopped rolling,” Cook said. “Kip and I were doing really good at seeing the line on the greens.”

After a bogey on 10, he birdied 11, 12 and 15 and parred the final three to get to 19-under 197.

“I think that tonight the nerves, the butterflies, all that will kind of be a little less,” Cook said. “I’ve been in the situation before and I was able to finish the job on Sunday. I think it would be a little different if I didn’t play like I did on Sunday at Sea Island.”

He’s making his first start in the event.

“I came in from Hawaii on Monday, so I only had two days to prepare for three courses,” Cook said.

Landry, the second-round leader, had a 70 at the Stadium. Piller, the husband of LPGA Tour player Gerina Piller, shot a 67 at La Quinta. Winless on the PGA Tour, they will join Cook in the final threesome.

“Piller’s a good guy and we have played a lot together and same with Cookie,” said Landry, the only player without a bogey after 54 holes. “Hope the Hogs are going to come out on top.”

Rahm had a 70 at the Stadium to reach 17 under. The third-ranked Rahm beat up the par 5s again, but had four bogeys — three on par 3s. He has played the 12 par 5s in 13 under with an eagle and 11 birdies.

“A little bit of a survival day,” Rahm said.

The wind was more of a factor on the more exposed and tighter Stadium Course.

“The course is firming up,” Rahm said. “I know if we have similar wind to today, if we shoot something under par, you’ll be way up there contesting it over the last few holes.”

Piercy had a 66 at the Stadium.

“I controlled my ball really well today,” he said.

Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., had a 67 at La Quinta a year after shooting a third-round 59 on the course. The Canadian was 16 under along with Grayson Murray and Brandon Harkins. Murray had a 67 on the Nicklaus Course, and Harkins shot 68 at the Stadium.

Phil Mickelson missed the cut in his first tournament of the year for the second time in his career, shooting a 74 on the Stadium to finish at 4 under — four strokes from a Sunday tee time. The 47-year-old Hall of Famer was playing for the first time since late October. He also missed the cut in the Phoenix Open in his 2009 opener.

Charlie Reiter, the Palm Desert High School senior playing on the first sponsor exemption the event has given to an amateur, also missed the cut. He had three early straight double bogeys in a 77 on the Stadium that left him 1 over.

John Daly had an 80 at La Quinta. He opened with a triple bogey and had six bogeys — four in a row to start his second nine — and only one birdie. The 51-year-old Daly opened with a 69 on the Nicklaus layout and had a 71 on Friday at the Stadium.

LA QUINTA, Calif. — CareerBuilder Challenge leader Andrew Landry was quick to point out the windy forecast.

After two perfect days for scoring, wind at 15-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph was expected Saturday with the temperature only reaching the mid-60s after coming close to 80 on Friday.

And Landry and five others in the top nine were headed up the hill to PGA West’s once-feared, Pete Dye-designed Stadium Course for the weekend.

“It’s going to be a tough day,” Landry said. “I know that golf course can get a little mean. Especially, those last three or four holes coming down the stretch.”

In calm conditions Friday, Landry shot a 7-under 65 on PGA West’s Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course to reach 16 under. He opened with a 63 on Thursday at La Quinta Country Club.

“It’s like a dome out here,” Landry said.

Jon Rahm, the first-round leader after a 62 at La Quinta, was a stroke back. He had two early bogeys in a 67 on the Nicklaus layout.

“It’s tough to come back because I feel like I expected myself to go to the range and keep just flushing everything like I did yesterday,” Rahm said. “Everything was just a little bit off.”

Jason Kokrak was 14 under after a 67 at Nicklaus. Two-time major champion Zach Johnson was 13 under along with Michael Kim and Martin Piller. Johnson and Kim shot 64 at Nicklaus, and Piller had a 67 on the Stadium Course.

Adam Hadwin (67) of Abbotsford, B.C., was the low Canadian and is five strokes back at 11 under. Corey Conners (68) of Listowel, Ont., is 8 under, Ben Silverman (71) of Thornhill, Ont., is 6 under, Abbotsford’s Nick Taylor (71) is 5 under, Mac Hughes (70) of Dundas, Ont., is 4 under, David Hearn (73) of Brantford, Ont., is even and Mike Weir (75) of Bright’s Grove, Ont., is 5 over.

Rahm likened the Stadium to alma mater Arizona State’s Dye-designed Karsten course.

“Very, very similar type of golf,” Rahm said. “You need to hit it a lot more accurate off the tee because being in the fairway is a lot more important. With the small greens — and you have water in play — you need to be more precise. Clearly the hardest golf course.”

Landry had five birdies in a six-hole stretch on the back nine. After winning his second Web.com Tour title last year, the 30-year-old former Arkansas player had two top-10 finishes in October and November at the start the PGA Tour season.

“We’re in a good spot right now,” Landry said. “I played two good rounds of golf, bogey-free both times, and it’s just nice to be able to hit a lot of good quality shots and get rewarded when you’re making good putts.”

Rahm had four birdies and the two bogeys on his first six holes. He short-sided himself in the left bunker on the par-3 12th for his first bogey of the week and three-putted the par-4 14th — pulling a 3-footer and loudly asking “What?” — to drop another stroke.

“A couple of those bad swings cost me,” Rahm said.

The top-ranked player in the field at No. 3 in the world, Rahm made his first par of the day on the par-4 16th and followed with five more before birdieing the par-5 fourth. The 23-year-old Spaniard also birdied the par-5 seventh and par-3 eighth.

“I had close birdie putts over the last four holes and made two of them, so I think that kind of clicked,” said Rahm, set to defend his title next week at Torrey Pines.

He has played the par 5s in 9 under with an eagle and seven birdies.

Johnson has taken a relaxed approach to the week, cutting his practice to two nine-hole rounds on the Stadium Course.

“I’m not saying that’s why I’m playing well, but I took it really chill and the golf courses haven’t changed,” Johnson said. “La Quinta’s still really pure, right out in front of you, as is the Nicklaus.”

Playing partner Phil Mickelson followed his opening 70 at La Quinta with a 68 at Nicklaus to get to 6 under. The 47-year-old Hall of Famer is playing his first tournament of since late October.

“The scores obviously aren’t what I want, but it’s pretty close and I feel good about my game,” Mickelson said. “I feel like this is a great place to start the year and build a foundation for my game. It’s easy to identify the strengths and weaknesses. My iron play has been poor relative to the standards that I have. My driving has been above average.”

Charlie Reiter, the Palm Desert High School senior playing on a sponsor exemption, had a 70 at Nicklaus to match Mickelson at 6 under. The Southern California recruit is playing his first PGA Tour event. He tied for 65th in the Australian Open in November in his first start in a professional tournament.

PERTH, Australia – National Amateur Squad’s Hugo Bernard was eliminated from the Australian Amateur on Friday after falling to Shae Wools-Cobb on the first extra hole at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club.

Bernard, of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., put up a back-and-forth affair against the Australian, exchanging leads for the duration of the match before draining a six-foot par putt on 18 to force a playoff.

CLUTCH! @hbernard63 gets it done when he needed it. This for par to extend match to overtime against @ShaeWoolsCobb #AusAm @TheGolfCanada pic.twitter.com/Y6UzG4h7sy

— Golf Australia (@GolfAust) January 19, 2018

It took one extra hole for the match to be decided, with Wools-Cobb capitalizing on Bernard missing the green with his approach. Bernard gave one last effort to make a breaking 10-foot putt for a chance to extend the match, but left it short by a couple inches.

This marks the end of a two-event Australian swing for the former Canadian Men’s Amateur champion. Bernard will head to Sea Island, Ga., to compete in the Jones Cup from Jan. 26-28 along with Team Canada teammates Josh Whalen of Napanee, Ont. and Joey Savoie of La Prairie, Que.

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LA QUINTA, Calif. — Jon Rahm’s soaring 5-iron settled 5 feet away to set up an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole at La Quinta Country Club.

“It’s quite simple, honestly,” Rahm said. “Beyond perfect drive, perfect second shot, perfect putt.”

Two hours later Thursday in the first round of the CareerBuilder Challenge, young Charlie Reiter matched his new friend’s eagle with a low hook around a tree to a foot.

“It was a little down in the rough,” said Reiter, the Palm Desert High School senior who recently played with Rahm at nearby Big Horn. “I just closed the face and trusted my swing and it worked out perfectly.”

Rahm also had eight birdies in his bogey-free round for a 10-under 62 and a one-stroke lead. The 23-year-old Spaniard — the top-ranked player in the field at No. 3 in the world — played the first seven holes in 6 under on a sunny morning so comfortable he shed his light sweater halfway through his warmup on the driving range.

“You’re not going to make every single putt. You’re not going to hit every single shot perfect,” Rahm said. “I do feel like I could have made a couple more putts, just because I had so many that were makeable. But there’s a couple birdie putts, like the one on 14, that, if I’m being quite honest, I did not hit the line I wanted and it still went in dead centre.”

Rahm had the lowest score in his PGA Tour career, topping a 64 two years ago at Congressional in his first round as a professional. At 10 under, the former Arizona State player bested his four-day total of 9 under last year in the CareerBuilder when he tied for 34th in his first start in the event.

“This type of golf is something I love,” Rahm said. “La Quinta is really, really similar to Phoenix Country Club, which I played many times. I’ve also shot 10 under there, funny enough, and it’s just really familiar to what I’m used to playing. Four years of college on these golf courses, it’s something you’re not going to forget.”

Rahm was second two weeks ago at Kapalua in his first start since winning the European Tour’s season-ending event in Dubai in November. He’s the defending champion next week at Torrey Pines, and also won last year in Ireland.

“I feel super-rested and really in peace with my game and I think it shows,” Rahm said. “Kapalua wasn’t the best ball-striking week of my life, but I was able to scramble really well and keep calm and have a good score. Today, it was a complete opposite. I had one of the best ball-striking days of my life and just had it going.”

Canadian Adam Hadwin revisits the site where he recorded a 59 last season, becoming the ninth player in PGA TOUR history to card a sub-60 round. The Abbotsford, B.C., native picked up right where he left off with an opening 6-under 66 to lead the seven Canadians in the field. Rookie Ben Silverman (Thornhill, Ont.) trails Hadwin by one stroke in a tie for 23rd.

Reiter, 18, finished with a 68 after a shaky start to his PGA Tour debut.

“We went over to the Mountains Course because I can’t hit driver here because the range is too short,” Reiter said. “I hit a couple drives and my legs were like wobbly and I was like getting light-headed and I said, ‘I think I’m going to throw up.’ And then I got to the course and I kind of settled down.”

The University of Southern California recruit is the first amateur to receive a sponsor exemption in tournament history. He tied for 65th in the Australian Open in November in his first pro event.

“It was a little different playing with everybody I know watching me,” Reiter said.

Austin Cook, Jason Kokrak and Andrew Landry were a stroke behind Rahm at 63. Cook closed with a 15-foot par save on PGA West’s Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course. Kokrak and Landry opened at La Quinta.

Beau Hossler, Aaron Wise, Brandon Harkins and Martin Piller were at 64. Hossler, Wise and Harkins played La Quinta, and Piller was on the Nicklaus layout. Nick Watney and Grayson Murray shot 65 to top the players at PGA West’s Stadium Course, the once-feared layout that will be the site of the final round.

Phil Mickelson had a 70 at La Quinta in his first tournament round since late October.

“It was fun to get back out and be competitive,” Mickelson said. “For some reason, I’m stuck on 70 here at La Quinta. Whether I get off to a good start or a bad one, I end up shooting the same score.”

The 47-year-old Hall of Famer was 4 under after six holes, and then had one birdie and three bogeys — the first on the par-4 eighth after driving out-of-bounds to the right — on the final 12.

“With the exception of one tee shot, I drove it pretty well today and putted OK,” Mickelson said.

PERTH, Australia – National Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard posted a 1-under 71 on Wednesday to advance to the match play draw in the Australian Amateur.

Bernard, of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., finished the opening 36 holes of stroke play in a tie for 6th at 5 under par. The 23-year-old will square off against Australia’s Kiran Day in Thursday’s first round of match play.

Co-hosted by the Wanneroo Golf Club and Lake Karrinyup Golf Club, the Australian Amateur features a 264-player field from 15 countries, cut to the top 64 for match play.

Team Canada teammates Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.) and Josh Whalen (Napanee, Ont.) fell short of the mark and were eliminated from play. Australia’s Connor McKinney and Darcy Boyd shared medallist honours at 9 under par.

In the women’s division, Korea’s Yean Cho medalled with a score of 9 under par (70-67).

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Click here for the match play draw.