SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Phil Mickelson has had surgery for a sports hernia for the second time in three months and is not sure when he will play next.

Mickelson first had surgery on his hernia in October, right after playing in the Safeway Open. His management company said Monday that the five-time major champion is expected to make a full recovery, but it did not offer a timetable for his return.

Mickelson had planned to start 2017 at the CareerBuilder Challenge on Jan. 19-22 in Palm Desert, California. The statement said the 46-year-old was looking forward to the tournament, at least in his new role as ambassador for the event.

Mickelson hasn’t won since the British Open in 2013. He has been a runner-up in the majors each of the last three years.

After calling it a career recently in August, Rebecca Lee-Bentham is now looking to apply the valuable lessons she’s learned during her years as an LPGA pro in her new life away from competitive golf.

“Being a pro golfer has enabled me to travel the world and be around many successful people. I’ve learned to work hard, be patient, and network well, which are helpful traits for success in any career,” said the 24-year-old.

The Toronto golfer plans to work towards her PGA of Canada coaching certification and has recently starting coaching at the Bradlee Ryall Golf Academy at Lionhead Golf Club in Brampton, Ont.

“I’ve started coaching golf and have been enjoying my experience so far. I’m still in the process of creating my goals for where I want to go with it,” she noted.

Taking a look back at Lee-Bentham’s journey, the 2011 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion made the decision to leave the University of Texas after her freshman year to pursue her dream of competing on the LPGA Tour.

It was at the final stage of LPGA Q-School in December of 2011 that the then-19-year-old secured full playing status on her first attempt – and became the youngest Canadian on the LPGA Tour.

“She was a good classmate. I’m excited to see another Longhorn doing something big,” said NBA star Tristan Thompson at the time about his former classmate’s ability to secure her full LPGA card.

The Longhorn alum credits her time as part of Golf Canada’s Canadian national team program for teaching her the ropes and helping her achieve her childhood dream.

“The best part of being on Team Canada is the support the players get.  Being able to work with great coaches and trainers plus the financial support allowed us to travel and play in the best tournaments around the world; and I can say that played a major role in my ability to make it to the LPGA Tour,” said Lee-Bentham.

Among the notable highlights in her five year professional career was a tie for 18th spot at the 2013 ISPS Handa Women’s Open Australian Open; which was followed by an 11th place finish later that same year at the Evian Open.

Having racked up just over $118,000 in earnings in 2013, the Toronto golfer was voted by Canadian golf writers as the 2013 Female Professional of the year.

However, in 2014, inconsistency resulted in her missing the cut in 11 out of 18 tournaments and losing her full playing privileges.  Nagging injuries continue to slow down the talented young golfer in 2015 as she made the cut in only two out of 10 LPGA tournaments.

Despite her struggles on the golf course, Lee-Bentham always had a reputation as one of the hardest working players on tour.

“What really impresses me about Rebecca is that she is one of the first players to come out to the course in practice and she is also one of the last ones to leave. She is a really hard working player,” said LPGA superstar Lydia Ko about the Toronto golfer.

However, having made countless sacrifices since taking up the sport at the age of 12 and having exerted tremendous energy in her efforts to compete at the highest level, Lee-Bentham realized by mid 2016 that she was running on empty.

“Playing professional golf can be a constant grind, especially when you’re always near the cut line. One of the biggest challenges for me was to not judge my self-worth based on my score on the golf course,” she said.

And prior to competing at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in August of this year – which saw her triple bogey the 15th hole in the second round and miss the cut by one stroke – Lee-Bentham had already made the decision to call it a career.

Having had some time to reflect on her journey, she was asked what’s been the most important lesson that she’s learned over the years.

“I’ve learned that hard work does pays off and the most important thing is to be happy,” she replied. “And happiness is all about perspective and being grateful.”

Despite calling it a career after only five years as a pro, the 24-year-old is grateful for the fond memories and the special relationships that she’s built over that time.

“I think the opportunity to travel and create friends all over the world is something I’m very grateful for. Also the experience of playing against the top players in the world is something I’ll always take away with me,” she said.

“And even though I retired from competitive golf, I still love getting out there and playing for fun whenever I can.”

Given the constant travel as an LPGA pro, Lee-Bentham is happy to be home in Toronto and have the opportunity to recharge and refuel.

Recently, she saw her older brother get married; and a few weeks after that, she was the bride’s maid at her sister’s wedding.

“I think just growing up in a Christian home, I’ve learned that life is always bigger than just myself,” she said.

“Right now I want to spend more time with my family and close friends that I haven’t been able to see much while I was on tour.”

Despite an early retirement, the 24-year-old former LPGA pro says she has no regrets about her journey.

“I don’t think I’d change anything because I appreciate all the experiences, good and bad, that I’ve gone through in my life,” she said.

“I’m definitely grateful for all the good experiences but I also know that I learn more from the tougher ones.”

It’s these important lessons and experiences that the mature and hard-working 24-year-old former LPGA pro expects will serve her well in the next chapter of her story.

Winter Garden, FL – Thornhill, Ont., native Ben Silverman tied for 6th and led the way for the 10-player Canadian contingent taking part in the final stage of Web.com Tour qualifying at Orange County National near Orlando, Fla.

Silverman birdied three of his last five holes to finish at four under on the day and 10-under overall, seven shots back of the winning score.

By virtue of finishing in the top 10, Silverman is guaranteed spots in the Tour’s first 12 events of 2017.

Calgary’s Ryan Yip carded had a 70 on Sunday to tie for 23rd at 6-under.

Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C., fired a 69 for a share of 35th at 4-under.

Listowel, Ont., native and Team Canada Young Pro Corey Conners tied for 42nd at 3-under.

Players who finished between 11th and 45th, plus ties, earned guaranteed entry into the first eight events of the regular season before a reshuffle.

American Jim Renner had a final-round, 9-under 63 to take medalist honors. The 33-year-old lives just 25 minutes from the course and proved to feel right at home on Sunday, with seven birdies and an eagle to earn full exempt status on the Web.com Tour in 2017.

The Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament was a four-day, 72-hole competition with a total of 155 players beginning play on Thursday morning.

There were nearly 1,000 entries for the tournament, which included previous Pre-Qualifying, First and Second stages that began in August.

The top five from the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and PGA TOUR China Order of Merit(s) not otherwise fully exempt for the 2017 Web.com Tour season competed in the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament.

Here are the results from the top five players from Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada.

• Brock Mackenzie – T4
• Taylor Moore – 2
• Aaron Wise – DNP
• Adam Cornelson – T105

Full Canadian results:

ORLANDO, Fla. – David Duval and stepson Nick Karavites shot a 10-under 62 on Sunday to win the PNC Father/Son Challenge by a stroke.

Duval and Karavites finished at 21-under 123 in the scramble event at Grande Lakes to hold off 2013 winners Stewart and Connor Cink, newcomers Retief and Leo Goosen, and Fred and Taylor Funk.

“This is as good as anything,” Duval said. “It truly is. I know it’s not winning The Players or something like that, but this is what the progression of life is. To be able to come out in a professional event and win and have the whole family here, I’ll never forget it.

“I came home and talked with Susan my wife about six weeks ago and said, ‘You know if I play like I’m playing and Nick plays like he’s playing, we have a chance.”’

Team Duval earned $200,000. They birdied Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 to make the turn at 7 under, and added birdies at 11, 13 and 14.

“Being here with my mom, my brothers and my stepdad, it was amazing,” Karavites said. “We were playing so good and it didn’t seem like too much pressure. Just being with David out here, I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.”

The Goosens and Cinks shot 61, and the Funks had a 62. Team Goosen missed 10-foot birdie putts on 18 that could have tied them for the lead. Retief saw nothing but positives, though, from 13-year-old Leo.

“He’s learning a lot how to manage his game this week, how to think around a course,” he said. “He’s only going to get stronger. He stayed positive.”

Event newcomers John and Little John Daly shot 63 to tie for ninth at 17 under.

“The way L.J. played this week, I’m so proud of him,” Daly said. “He’s been clutch all week. It’s been a great week for me. The progress for him to see it under the gun, the way he performed, it was incredible.”

Jack Nicklaus and Jack II had a 68 to finish at 5 under.

“We were a little better than yesterday but basically it’s what (Jackie) did,” Nicklaus said.

NAPLES, Fla. – Harris English et Matt Kuchar ont remporté le Franklin Templeton Shootout, samedi, devançant Steve Stricker et Jerry Kelly par un coup au club de golf Tiburon.

English et Kuchar avaient triomphé en 2013 à leur première participation ensemble et ils avaient pris le deuxième rang lors des deux dernières années. Ils ont remis une carte de 65 (moins-7) samedi sous la formule meilleure balle et ils ont conclu le tournoi à moins-28.

Stricker et Kelly ont aussi joué une ronde de 65.

Charley Hoffman et Billy Horschel ont pris le troisième rang à moins-26 après une ronde de 61.

Lexi Thompson et Bryson DeChambeau ont partagé le dernier rang avec Mike Weir, de Bright’s Grove, en Ontario, et Gary Woodland à moins-16. Thompson était la deuxième femme à participer au tournoi, après Annika Sorenstam en 2006, quand elle avait joué en compagnie de Fred Couples.

NAPLES, Fla. – Harris English and Matt Kuchar won the Franklin Templeton Shootout on Saturday, holding off Wisconsin friends Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly by a stroke at Tiburon.

English and Kuchar also won in 2013 in their first start together and finished second the last two years.

“It’s a thrilling event to come out with a win, amazing feeling,” Kuchar said. “I think it’s just such a fun partnership we’ve had. We’ve had such a good run. To have our last four events together, to have our track record be first, second, second, first is quite amazing.”

English eagled the par-5 17th and they closed with a 7-under 65 in better-ball play to finish at 28 under.

“We had some good action there and it kind of came down to the last couple holes and kind of set up perfect on 17 for me,” English said. “Really reachable par 5 and hit a really good drive off the tee and knew Kuch was in really good position so I could play really aggressive. Hit a really good 8-iron right where I wanted to and made about a 12-footer.”

“That’s the difference in these events,” Kuchar said. “Pulling out some shots like that, getting an eagle, getting that two-shot swing, that’s a big deal. This event comes down to you need to make birdies, you need to make some scores under par, and to do it on the 17th hole today and the position and the situation we were in, it was a battle. We weren’t making a huge number of birdies. It’s not like we were just battling with birdies, it was a fairly challenging day. But for Harris to come through and eagle 17 and give us that one-shot lead.”

Stricker and Kelly also shot 65.

“We just couldn’t get that momentum,” Stricker said. “A shot here or there. Jerry played great. Wish I could have helped him out a couple more times. I had some putts at it I didn’t make, but it was fun. Harris made an eagle. I knew somebody was going to do something there. It was just playing too short. He hit two great shots there at 17 and that was the difference really.”

English and Kuchar each earned $385,000. They opened with a 57 on Thursday in the scramble round and had a 66 on Friday in modified alternate shot.

Charley Hoffman and Billy Horschel were third at 26 under after a 61.

Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., and Gary Woodland tied for last with Lexi Thompson and Bryson DeChambeau at 16 under. Thompson became the second woman to compete in the event, following Annika Sorenstam with Fred Couples in 2006.

Among the scant few awards in my office is one that dates back to when I was coaching my daughter’s rep basketball team. This prized ornament features a basketball and a hoop encircled by wreath of leaves of some description.

The inscription reads: “John Gordon. Ontario Basketball Association. King of Technicals.”

It was given to me in jest by my team. Great bunch of girls. Talent, in addition to a sense of humour. Despite my best efforts, they won provincial gold in their division that season.

But their underlying message was clear. I knew (or I thought I knew) the rule book better than some of the referees and didn’t fail to take any opportunity to point out their shortcomings. With the expected result: Yet another technical foul, coach.

So it may seem counter-intuitive that I am studying hard to achieve Level 3 in the Rules of Golf certification this winter through Golf Ontario.

I successfully completed Levels 1 and 2 a couple of years back but, for reasons that remain unclear (OK, I got lazy), never progressed beyond that.  As I found out this summer while volunteering at a Future Links Championship at my home club, Midland Golf and Country Club, my situation was far from unique.

Ian Giles, who has volunteered at the provincial and national levels for more than 40 years, was a Rules official at that tournament. I’ve known Giles for many years and during one of our chats, between rulings he had to make, he asked why I hadn’t continued on in the Rules program. I didn’t have a decent answer. He said it’s not uncommon for avid golfers with an interest in Rules to go through the first two levels and then drop out.

The result is that while there currently are 587 individuals who have successfully completed Level 1 and 152 who have passed Level 2, there are only 30 certified Level 3 and 113 Level 4 officials in the entire country. (For an explanation of the four levels, click here.)

“We don’t have nearly enough officials in Ontario or across the country,” says Golf Ontario Tournament Manager Larry Longo, one of the country’s leading Rules experts. “Ideally, there would be enough to have an official at not just Golf Ontario events, but PGA of Ontario, local amateur and junior tournaments, even club invitationals and member-guests.”

Golf Ontario Rules Chairman Lee Griffin has been a volunteer Rules official since 1999 and says the rewards are plentiful.

“There’s lots of gratification,” she says. “As a Rules official, I’ve gotten to meet some fabulous people I would never have met otherwise, like people at host clubs, other officials and players.  And to see young players grow into adults who are successful not only in golf but in life is wonderful. “

Although I like to think of my desire to become an accredited Rules official as giving something back to the game, many folks (no doubt some in striped shirts reffing ball games) will see it as karma, as in the cliché, “what goes around, comes around.”

Whatever. I just hope I pass.  I’ll keep you posted.

More information about the Rules of Golf and Golf Canada’s Rules Education Program is available by clicking here.

And if you want to join me, visit  www.gao.ca or your provincial golf association’s web site.

The game needs you. Er, us, that is.

adidas Golf Canada has joined forces with the Bring Back the Game initiative, a campaign which places priority on extending a platform for all individuals to experience the true love of golf, regardless of any physical or mental challenges.

Todd Keirstead, champion of Bring Back the Game, works to provide a welcoming environment where individuals can overcome any challenges or obstacles. With the help of adidas Golf, the initiative recently covered the unique stories of four athletes who had the opportunity to play a practice round at the Manulife Classic with Canadian Golf Hall-of-Famer Lorie Kane and LPGA Tour professional Danielle Kang.

Watch their experience below in the video titled “Golf’s Power to Heal.”

Click here to learn more.

As golf’s governing body in Canada, Golf Canada, in conjunction with the R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA), today announced a new Local Rule which will come into effect January 1, 2017.

Along with the R&A and USGA, Golf Canada holds a unique position as the only other governing body that sits on the Joint Rules Committee.

Golf Canada will be implementing this Local Rule as part of their Standard Local Rules which will be formally ratified at our annual general meeting by the Rules and Amateur Status Committee.

If a committee wishes to introduce this Local Rule, the following wording is recommended: “Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows:

When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment.

The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1.

This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.

Note, if it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.

Further reading:

Click here for detailed explanations about the new Local Rule, including diagrams, videos and a detailed FAQ document.

More information about the Rules of Golf and Golf Canada’s Rules Education Program is available by clicking here.

Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C., has been nominated for the Sport BC Junior Female Athlete of The Year Award.

Parsons, who had an outstanding 2016 season with four significant victories, will find out on March 8th, 2017 during the awards ceremony dinner being held at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver, whether she will be adding another honour to her name.

Included in her list of accomplishments this past summer were wins in the CN Future Links Pacific Championship, BC Junior Girls Championship, MJT Boston Pizza National Championship and the Kent Ford Motors Bouctouche East Coast Jr. Girls Championship.

She also had 2nd place finishes in the BC Women’s Amateur, BC High School AA Individual Championship (in a mixed gender field) and the MJT Season Opener event in Coquitlam. She was 3rd in the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, the AJGA Under Armour Canadian Championship and the CJGA BC Junior Open.

Parsons also recorded a T4 in the CJGA Western Canadian Junior and was 9th in both the Junior Americas Cup and the CN Future Links Ontario Championship giving her a total of 13 Top 10 finishes in significant events this past season.

Along with recently signing her commitment to the Indiana University Hoosiers Women’s Golf program, Parsons also was named to the Team Canada National Development Squad, a goal she had set for herself from the start of the year.

Parsons was nominated by British Columbia Golf President Patrick Kelly and Kris Jonasson, Executive Director of British Columbia Golf. The 2015 winner was West Vancouver’s Emily Overholt for swimming.