ORLANDO, Fla. – Emiliano Grillo of Argentina recovered from a rough start in cold weather by running off seven birdies for a 5-under 67, giving him an early three-shot lead in the first Arnold Palmer Invitational without the beloved tournament host.

Multi-colored umbrellas, Palmer’s logo, were everywhere at Bay Hill on Thursday. Parkas would have been more appropriate on this day. It was 39 degrees when the first round began, the coldest start to any PGA Tour event this year – in Florida, no less.

Grillo three-putted from 25 feet on No. 3 and took a bogey from 120 yards out in the fairway on the par-5 fourth. It never got any worse.

The Argentine, often weighed down by his putting, answered with consecutive birdies. He rolled in a 50-foot birdie putt on No. 9, a 40-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th, and ended with a par to beat his half of draw by three shots.

“If I had my hands out of my pockets for a minute or two, I would be freezing,” Grillo said. “But I was able to keep it in the fairway mostly all day and I was able to make a few good putts on 9 and 17, and that kept me going.”

Defending champion Jason Day, Francesco Molinari, Stewart Cink and Kevin Kisner were at 70. Only five other players broke par from the morning tee times, though the temperatures warmed in the afternoon on a perfectly manicured course – particularly the greens – at Bay Hill.

The Canadian pair of Adam Hadwin (Abbotsford, B.C.) and David Hearn (Brantford, Ont.) were also at 70 (-2), sharing a 12-way tie of eighth. Hadwin is coming off a whirlwind week after collecting his first win on Tour – he had one of the day’s best rounds going but ran into trouble on the par-4 18th with a double-bogey.

Sam Saunders, Palmer’s grandson, played in the afternoon. Although he does not have full PGA Tour status (he received an exemption) and has never won on tour, he was placed in a marquee group with Rory McIlroy and Brandt Snedeker in a week of celebration for Palmer, who died Sept. 25.

Saunders received an ovation when he walked onto the first tee and gave a quick thumbs-up, his grandfather’s trademark. He was announced as representing Bay Hill and received cheers that rivaled what Tiger Woods once heard when he was ruling at Bay Hill.

From there, it felt like the Arnold Palmer Invitational of old, with a few noticeable differences.

Most players had the umbrella somewhere visible: the collar of a shirt, the hat, the bag or the covers on their drivers and fairway metals. The 13-foot bronze statue of Palmer was positioned behind the first tee and on the way to the 10th tee. No one could miss that.

And his cart was stationed to the right of the 16th tee, pointed the opposite direction across the water toward the 18th green. That’s where Palmer loved to watch golf.

“I think everyone is a little bit more emotional this year because, obviously, the passing of Mr. Palmer,” Day said. “We’re so used to seeing him around on the driving range, in the clubhouse, interacting with players, interacting with fans. Unfortunately, we don’t get to see that anymore.”

The biggest distraction was the chill in the air, even as the sun rose over the course.

Grillo had 175 yards left for his second shot on the opening hole. He hit a 5-iron and it barely made it into the front bunker. Charl Schwartzel estimated he was hitting his driver some 30 yards shorter than usual.

Day still hit 2-iron off the tee into Nos. 10 and 11, as he usually does. But instead of a 9-iron or wedge for his second, he was hitting 5-iron and 4-iron.

“Just a big, big difference between the morning and this afternoon,” he said.

Molinari reached 4 under through 11 holes, but played the final seven holes in 2 over, failing to birdie either of the par 5s.

John Daly, playing on a sponsor exemption, was briefly on the leaderboard until a double bogey on the 18th hole (he started on No. 10). That was still five shots better than when he played the hole in 2006 and made an 11.

Rancho Cucamonga, California’s Rico Hoey and Thousand Oaks, California’s Chris Gilman reached 9-under par through two rounds at Carlton Oaks Country Club to share the 36-hole lead at the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada’s USA West #1 Q-School on Wednesday.

The 21-year old Hoey carded five birdies on the day to shoot a second round 68, while Gilman managed four birdies to shoot 69. The two were one shot ahead of Fort Worth, Texas’ Andrew Presley and two ahead of Plano, Texas’ Craig McCoy through two rounds.

“I’m just trying to hit a lot of fairways. It’s a tough driving course, but I’ve hit it solid so far,” said Hoey, who refused to get ahead of himself with two rounds to go. “I don’t think it will be easier. We’re all fighting for that one spot. I’m just trying to stick to the gameplan and keep focused and keep rolling. That’s the key for me,” said Hoey.

Gilman, meanwhile, was three shots higher than his opening round 66, but actually felt better about his round on day two.

“Yesterday was about making 20-footers, and today was more along the lines of picking the course apart and taking my birdies as they come,” said Gilman.

CURRENT SCORES FOR MACKENZIE TOUR STATUS: After 72 holes this week, every player inside the top 40 and ties will earn Mackenzie Tour status for 2017. Below is a breakdown of where the cut-offs stand:

1st (Exempt for 2017 season): -9/T1

5th (Exempt for first 8 events, subject to 2nd reshuffle): -5/T5

16th (Exempt for first 4 events, subject to 1st reshuffle): -1/T15

40th (Conditional status): +3/T37

BACKGROUND ON THE LEADERS: Hoey is looking forward to his professional career – but he’s not done writing his college chapter yet. As one of collegiate golf’s top players (he’s No. 15 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking) for the No. 5 ranked team in the country, he’s hoping to finish his amateur career with a flourish this Spring.

“This whole year, we’ve been really trying to put it all together and match all the pieces of the puzzle,” said Hoey of his USC Trojans, who just won the Southern Highlands Collegiate by 10 shots.

Hoey finished in the top 10 in five straight events earlier this year, and is soaking in his last few weeks on campus while he can.

“It’s a lot of fun and the campus is great. The classes are fun. I can’t complain. With the facilities we got, it’s awesome,” said Hoey.

Gilman, meanwhile, is hoping to use the Mackenzie Tour as a springboard to return to the Web.com Tour, where he played in 2015. The University of Denver made just three cuts that year, but came away from the season with a renewed vision of where he wanted to get to as a pro.

“I learned that I needed to drive the ball a heck of a lot better. Lately I’ve been doing that a lot better, and hence the scores have been good,” said Gilman. “I played terrible all year, but I came away thinking I’m really close to being someone who can stay on that Tour and then progress to the PGA TOUR.”

The 30-year old owns 23 professional victories, including the 2014 California State Open.

THEY SAID IT:

“I just started my second year. Last year I played on the Adams Tour and had a good year, but I didn’t really get anything out of it in terms of getting to the Web.com Tour. I had a couple of friends that played out here last year that said good things about it so I thought I’d give it a try. I want to get status somewhere.” – Andrew Presley on embarking on his pro career and ambitions for 2017.

“Jamie Lovemark, who’s on the PGA TOUR now, he’s helped me out, and some of the guys who have played the other Tours. It’s a community and it’s great to be a part of it.” – Rico Hoey on USC alumni who have helped guide his career so far.

“I’ve got a really specific game plan for this course. For someone like me who doesn’t hit it crazy far, I probably have to do a lot of that.” – Chris Gilman on his approach to playing Carlton Oaks.

MORE PLAYER NOTES:

Andrew Presley

A second year pro who played at LSU before transferring to Texas Christian University, where he played with Mackenzie Tour alums Paul Barjon and Julien Brun, Presley owns one professional win on the Adams Tour.

The 25-year old finished seventh at the 2015 NCAA Championship and was named an Honorable Mention All-American.

Click here for scores.

Canada’s top-ranked female amateur Maddie Szeryk was dialed in once again on Wednesday, closing a wire-to-wire run at the NCAA’s Dr. Donnis Invitational to post a convincing four-stroke victory in Hawaii.

Szeryk, a third-year member of Team Canada’s Amateur Squad, opened the 54-hole event with rounds of 67-71 over 36 holes on Tuesday, giving her the advantage heading into Wednesday’s final. The Texas A&M junior went on to card a 69 (-2), pulling away from the field to finish at 9-under par, recording her second NCAA victory to date—she won the Florida State Match-Up in 2016.

Szeryk’s efforts lifted the Aggies to the team victory at Kanohe Klipper course, finishing with a 15-stroke margin over runner-up Oklahoma State. Her impressive play of late has put her in the spotlight, winning her second consecutive SEC Golfer of the Week honour earlier in March.

@mszeryk with the W & her second @ncaa title. Been trending after two 2nd place finishes #patience ?@TheGolfCanada pic.twitter.com/yj5tGWf57b

— Tristan Mullally (@tmullallygolf) March 15, 2017

The 20-year-old sits at No. 26 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).

Fellow Team Canada teammate Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C. was also in action, posting a 6-over score to finish T26.

Szeryk will look to lead the Aggies in action once again when they tee-it-up from March 31-April 2 at the Clemson Invitational in Sunset, S.C.

Click here for full scoring.

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ORLANDO, Fla. – Brandt Snedeker, 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion, was all smiles as he recalled the opportunity he had to spend time with Arnold Palmer. It was 2009, Snedeker was a struggling tour professional, and Palmer met with Snedeker for two hours in his office, had lunch with him, and then played nine holes.

“In typical Arnold fashion he hit 5-wood on No.17 and took $20 of me,” said Snedeker with a smile, flanked by Mastercard chief marketing officer Raja Rajamannar and Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation chief executive officer Kevin Bingham at Bay Hill in Orlando. “It was unbelievable for him to open up to a struggling tour pro like me. Every year I came here and talked to Arnold about life, and that’s something I’m going to miss dearly.”

Although Snedeker told GolfCanada.ca that if he was to win this week at the Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Invitational presented by Mastercard it would be his most ‘memorable’ victory – despite winning eight times on the PGA Tour including $10 million in the 2012 FedExCup – he’s also looking forward to this year’s RBC Canadian Open, back at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

“I can’t wait,” said Snedeker, a Team RBC member. “I love Glen Abbey. I think it’s a great golf course. For whatever reason it just suits my eye and I play really well there.”

It was quite a run for Snedeker in 2013 on his way to victory north of the border, as he also won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and spent the whole year in the top-10 of the Official World Rankings.

He thinks part of his success has to do with his Canadian-born caddy, Scott Vail, from Pickering, Ont.

“Anytime I get back to Toronto I’m kind of on a home base, because (Scott) is from there. It’s as close as I can get to feeling Canadian,” said Snedeker. “The crowds are great that week too. It’s a fun week.”

Snedeker was in the final pairing a year ago at Glen Abbey with Canadian amateur Jared du Doit. Although Snedeker fell back into a tie for fifth (and du Toit into a tie for ninth), he said it was a cool experience being paired with the young amateur.

Jared du Toit & Brandt Snedeker (Bernard Brault/ Golf Canada)

“I sat in the booth on Saturday and I was with the CBS guys and I remember watching Jared make eagle on 18 and I saw the crowd go crazy,” recalls Snedeker. “I was high-fiving Jim Nantz in the booth, and seeing this young Canadian amateur do what he was doing was so much fun.”

“My job on Sunday was to make sure he had a great time,” continued Snedeker. “He played really good. He had some chances but just couldn’t get it going. Under those circumstances it was phenomenal, and it was just really fun to be with him.”

And while Snedeker will of course be competing at the RBC Canadian Open in July, don’t be surprised if Brooke Henderson makes an appearance that week as well, according to President of Mastercard Canada Brian Lang.

Lang, who spent some time overseas working for the credit card giant in both Dubai and the Czech Republic, was eager to return to Canada (he was born in Toronto). He’s been Mastercard Canada’s president for nearly two years exactly, and was over-the-moon when the Mastercard locked in Henderson as their newest ambassador.

“We had eight ambassadors on both the (Champions) Tour and the PGA Tour now, and they were all males. This past year we brought on Annika Sorenstam (who won the 2001 CP Canadian Women’s Open) but decided we needed another. Brooke Henderson was an easy target for us,” said Lang. “Henderson is effervescent, she has a wonderful personality. She’s figured things out very quickly as a young woman. We’re super happy that we’ve signed her up and now, frankly, we’re going to try to find a neat way to bring that all together at the Canadian Open.”

[SOUTHAMPTON, BERMUDA] – The GREY GOOSE World Par 3 Championship kicks off this Thursday at the Fairmont Southampton’s Turtle Hill Golf Club in Bermuda.

This year’s 36-hole championship, which takes place March 17-18, sees a number of impressive professional golfers from across the globe compete for the title and their share of the $75,000 (USD) purse.

“We’ve got some amazing talent from all across the world teeing it up this week for the GREY GOOSE World Par 3 Championship,” said tournament director Adam LeBrun. “At the risk of sounding cliché, it really is a wide open championship and any one of the numerous nice players in the field could hoist the trophy at the end of the weekend.”

The field includes four-time PGA Tour winner, three-time American Ryder Cup member and one of only six players who have shot 59 on the PGA Tour, Chip Beck; Golf Channel analyst and WEB.COM winner Charlie Rymer; 19-time winner on the Ladies European Tour, LPGA Tour winner three times and eight-time European Solheim Cup member, Trish Johnson; WEB.COM winner and former PGA TOUR member Tom Gillis; local Bermudian favourites Daniel Augustus, Michael Sims and Camiko Smith; and the PGA of Canada’s No. 3-ranked player Oliver Tubb.

For the full field and first round tee times, click here.

Players in this year’s GREY GOOSE World Par 3 Championship also have an opportunity to win $1-million (USD). Sponsored by Greg Norman Apparel and the Fairmont Southampton, the $1-million hole-in-one shootout will feature two professional and two amateur golfers.

“Adding this exciting element to the GREY GOOSE World Par 3 Championship rounds out one of the best—and most fun—tournaments in Bermuda,” says Turtle Hill Golf Club’s director of golf Paul Adams. “The possibility of someone becoming an instant millionaire with just one swing of the club is electrifying.”

Professional and amateur participants will compete in two closest-to-the-hole contests (on Nos. 9 and 18) during Friday’s first round, with the four winners (two professionals and two amateurs) participating in the $1-million shootout later that evening on No. 18.

The $1-million shootout will be live streamed through the PGA of Canada’s Facebook page.

Past champions of the GREY GOOSE World Par 3 Championship include Bermudian Daniel Augustus, PGA Tour winner Nick Taylor, PGA of Canada member Ian Doig, American Jordan Mitchell, Mark Mouland of the European Senior Tour, Thomas Curtis and last year’s winner from Brazil, Rafael Becker.

In addition to the professionals in the championship, the field is rounded out by an impressive list of amateur golfers—from Bermuda, the United States, Canada and Europe—vying for titles in the men’s, women’s and senior amateur divisions.

“Long” has been a millstone around golf’s neck, suffocating the growth of the game.

Rounds take too long. And courses are too long.

But the Longleaf Tee System might change all that.

Several years ago, U.S. Kids Golf founder Dan Van Horn started “scaling” the length of courses that hosted his tournaments to make them playable for all participants, no matter what their ability or skill level.

When his U.S. Kids Golf Foundation purchased Longleaf golf course near Pinehurst, N.C., in 2015, he, with the assistance of Bridgestone Golf, synthesized the related data he had accumulated over the years and hired architect Bill Bergin to create the first totally scalable golf course with seven sets of tees ranging from 3,200 to 6,600 yards. Van Horn calls Longleaf “a living laboratory for growing kids and family golf.”

Now a joint initiative of U.S. Kids Golf Foundation and the American Society of Golf Course Architects, the Longleaf Tee System “is designed to help every player enjoy the game and help every course provide for their customers,” says Van Horn.

“Appropriate tees will mean better scores, a faster pace of play and more golfers eager to return and play more. There is no gender or age restriction. It is the opportunity for excellence for every player.”

For example, Van Horn’s data indicated that the female bogey golfer should be playing a course of about 3,800 yards, a distance that is practically non-existent at the vast majority of courses.

A fundamental element of the Longleaf Tee System is the unique range setup. Beginning at 100 yards, there are colour-coded posts, with numbers corresponding to each of the tee decks. Players hit a few drives before their round and then match their average carry distance to the most closely associated numbered pole. That is the recommended tee deck for them. The gender-neutral tee decks are rated by the USGA for both men and women.

Bergin has integrated the concept into the master plans of three of his upcoming projects. Fellow ASGCA member Ian Andrew from Brantford, Ont., supports the concept as well. He cites the experience of his young son playing for the first time from tees where he could reach greens in regulation.

“That completely changed his view of the game and I’ve used that example to encourage all the clubs I work with [to build a series of shorter tees] ever since. You build forward tees for people who would play more if they were less intimated.”

Toronto-based course architect Jeff Mingay says the Longleaf Tee System is “an admirable, well-intentioned idea, particularly as it relates to introducing kids and other newcomers to golf on a manageable, fun course.

“Ironically, though, I get resistance to shortening courses, particularly from women who react as if I’m trying to delegitimize the course by making it easier.”

Bergin has a counter argument.

“Par for most women at most golf courses is really around 90. Their enjoyment level is lessened because they have to hit too many of what I call ‘irrelevant’ golf shots between the two shots that really matter: the tee shot and the approach shot. With the Longleaf system, they can select the correct tee based on how far they hit their driver, score better, have more fun, play faster and now every shot is relevant.”

The Longleaf concept is universal and applicable to just about any course, new or existing. Forward tee decks don’t necessarily need to be formally constructed. Keeping in mind shot values, forced carries and other design considerations, the new tees could simply be leveled and cut to fairway height.

It enhances the Tee It Forward initiative, which encourages golfers to play a course commensurate with their ability, by providing actual teeing grounds at appropriate distances.

As Bergin says, the Longleaf Tee System represents the first real attempt to grow the game “by adapting the course to the player, rather than forcing the player to adapt to the course. I think it is the answer for everyone—beginners, kids, seniors, men, women. There’s the right course for every golfer.”

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THE RECAP: Tucson, Arizona’s Jonathan Khan shot a 7-under 65 on Tuesday at Carlton Oaks Country Club to take the first round lead at the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada’s USA West #1 Q-School on Friday. The 28-year old carded 7 birdies and was without a bogey to lead by one over Plano, Texas’ Craig McCoy, Thousand Oaks, California’s Chris Gilman and Fort Worth, Texas’ Nathaniel James.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Khan. “I know last year the scores were pretty high, so it was a good start. The greens are so good, if you’re putting well you can make some putts.”

McCoy, who like Khan played the Mackenzie Tour last season, went 6-under par on the par 5s on Tuesday to share second place with Gilman and James.

Round one was suspended due to darkness at 7:01 p.m., with six players left to finish. Play will resume at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

CURRENT SCORES FOR MACKENZIE TOUR STATUS: After 72 holes this week, every player inside the top 40 and ties will earn Mackenzie Tour status for 2017. Below is a breakdown of where the cut-offs stand:

1^st (Exempt for 2017 season): -7/65

5^th (Exempt for first 8 events, subject to 2^nd reshuffle): -2/T5

16^th (Exempt for first 4 events, subject to 1^st reshuffle): +1/T15

40^th (Conditional status): +4/T37

BACKGROUND ON THE LEADER: Khan is no stranger to the Mackenzie Tour, having played in Canada for the last two seasons, including a career-best T3 finish at the 2015 ATB Financial Classic. He co-led through 54 holes at last season’s National Capital Open to Support Our Troops before falling off with a final round 78.

At the end of the season, Khan was unlucky no. 61: he missed out on finishing in the top 60 on the Order of Merit by just $345, denying him exempt status for this season by the narrowest of margins.

It was a “frustrating” year that saw plenty of 64s and 65s but too many tournaments with one bad round. Khan said he spent some time reflecting over the offseason on his goals for next year and realized he wasn’t too far off.

“After [missing out at] Q-School for the Web.com Tour, it was tough,” said Khan. “But I looked back and I had a lot of good rounds and I was leading a tournament, so I just recharged and focused. I knew that I had the game, it’s just about being a little more consistent.”

Khan played collegiate golf at the University of Arizona and was featured in Sports Illustrated’s Faces in the Crowd for golf when he was 13 years old.

THEY SAID IT:

“One hundred percent. Adam Cornelson, when I saw him last year, he told me ‘I was in the same spot.’ It just motivates you more, makes you want to stay on the range and putting green a little longer.” – Jonathan Khan on taking inspiration from players who narrowly missed out on keeping their Mackenzie Tour card in previous seasons.

“I had a little falling out with my putter a few weeks ago and put a new one in, and I told people ‘watch out.’ As soon as I put that one in I knew it was going to be a lot better, and it’s definitely showing off right now.” – Chris Gilman on turning his game around heading into this week.

“I got some experience, and I know what to expect. There’s a lot outside of golf, as far as logistics and things like that, so I’m looking forward to having a chance to go back.” – Craig McCoy on trying to qualify for the Mackenzie Tour for a second straight year.

“I kept the ball in play off the tee all day, and I’m striking my irons really solidly. The few times I missed I was able to mitigate the damage, and the putter was really good, so it was a great day.” – Nathaniel James on an opening round 66.

PLAYER NOTES:

Craig McCoy

McCoy was a Mackenzie Tour member in 2016, when he made two cuts in nine starts. The 27-year old earned status with a T20 finish at Carlton Oaks last year, including a final round 67.

Chris Gilman

Gilman played on the Web.com Tour in 2015, making three cuts in 12 starts including a T30 finish at the Nova Scotia Open. The 30-year old played college golf at the University of Denver and owns 23 professional victories, including the 2014 California State Open.

Nathaniel James

James played college golf at Washington and Lee University, where he had a successful college career and was named a Division III 1^st team All-American in 2007 and 2008. Following college, James continued into Law School and worked for three years as a Litigation Attorney before turning pro in 2014 and pursuing the game professionally.

Seven Byron Nelson Award nominees were announced on Tuesday, including Canadians Jared du Toit and Joey Savoie.

The award is given to the graduating senior who excels in golf, the classroom, and the community.

du Toit, a Team Canada Amateur Squad member, is having a banner year in his outgoing campaign with the Arizona State Sun Devils. The Kimberley, B.C., product notched a victory in February, helping him earn the nod as the Pac-12 Conference Golfer of the Month.

du Toit is currently Canada’s top-ranked athlete on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) at No. 14.

Fellow countryman Joey Savoie has posted two top-10 finishes so far this year for the Middle Tennessee Raiders, including a fifth place result at the Bearcat Invitational. The Quebec native and reigning Quebec Amateur champion is the No. 6 ranked Canuck on the WAGR.

The award recipient is typically announced about a month after the nominees are selected.

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GULLANE, Scotland – Muirfield has voted to admit female members for the first time in its 273-year history, paving the way for the Scottish golf club to again host the British Open.

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which owns Muirfield and is the world’s oldest golf club, held a second postal ballot after members voted last May to retain the male-only policy. That led to Muirfield being taken off the list of 10 courses that can host the British Open.

The results of the second vote were announced Tuesday, with 80.2 per cent voting to allow women to become members. A two-thirds majority was required for change. There was a 92.7 per cent turnout, meaning 621 votes were counted.

The R&A, which organizes the British Open, said Muirfield was back in the rotation to stage the world’s oldest major.

“This is a significant decision for a club which was founded in 1744 and retains many of the values and aspirations of its founding members,” Muirfield club captain Henry Fairweather said. “We look forward to welcoming women as members who will enjoy, and benefit from, the great traditions and friendly spirit of this remarkable club.”

Muirfield has staged the British Open 16 times since 1892, most recently in 2013 when Phil Mickelson won.

“Muirfield has a long and important history of hosting the Open and with today’s announcement that will continue,” the R&A said. “It is extremely important for us in staging one of the world’s great sporting events that women can become members at all of our host clubs. Muirfield is a truly outstanding Open venue and we very much look forward to taking the championship back there in future.”

The club’s original decision to retain its male-only policy provoked sharp criticism from players and lawmakers, who said that golf was failing to mirror modern society.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews opened its membership to women in 2014 for the first time in 260 years. Royal St. George’s and Royal Troon, two other British Open hosts, ended their male-only membership policies last year. Augusta National, home of the Masters, decided in 2012 to invite women to join.

The HCEG said new candidates for membership, both men and women, can expect to wait “two to three years, or longer,” to become a member of Muirfield because of the current waiting list for membership.

Adam Hadwin’s breakout season comes as no surprise to those who have followed the Canadian’s journey from golf obscurity to PGA Tour tournament champion. He had the talent, he just needed the momentum.

Hadwin continued his remarkable season Sunday, capturing his first Tour title at the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Fla. That followed a runner-up finish at the CareerBuilder Challenge in January, where he became the eighth player in Tour history to shoot a round of 59.

Hadwin has moved up to fourth in the FedEx Cup rankings and 51st in the world rankings, a rapid turnaround for a golfer who missed 12 cuts in his first PGA season. But ever since 2009, when he was making his pro start on the developmental Vancouver Golf Tour, Hadwin has been serving notice that he had the talent to make it on golf’s biggest stage.

“I learned pretty quickly he was a pretty confident guy. There was an air about him. I played with him in his second event, and he just whooped my (butt),” said Fraser Mulholland, who runs the Vancouver Golf Tour. “I hadn’t played with a guy who had hit it that far and that solid. I got off the course and said, ‘Wow, that looked different. That looked easy.’

“He was showing me then what a PGA Tour-calibre player was all about.”

Hadwin won four times on the VGT before moving on to the Canadian Tour (now called the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada) and Web.com Tour, where he was the overall money winner in 2014 with US$529,792 in earnings. He’s currently in his third season on the PGA Tour.

Nick Taylor, a PGA Tour tournament winner in 2014 who grew up playing junior golf with Hadwin in Abbotsford, B.C., said he knew success was going to happen for Hadwin once he got comfortable with his game.

“If you talk to anybody, anyone who has caddied for him or coached him, he’s got all the talent in the world, and then he was just able to piece it all together,” said Taylor, who was there to greet his friend after the 72nd hole on Sunday.

“Everyone has their comfort zone and this year it looks like he’s dialed it in. Once he got dialed in, and once he got out of his own way, he was going to succeed, there was no doubting that.”

Brad Fritsch, a PGA Tour regular from Ottawa, spent a lot of time with Hadwin on the Web.com Tour as they tried to get to the next level.

“I didn’t know anything about him, but he played on the Canadian Tour and started playing very well. That’s when I kind of figured he was pretty legit,” Fritsch said. “He’s very sure of his ability.

“He feeds a lot on momentum, and when his ‘good’ gets going, it gets really silly how good he can be.”

Hadwin, who was born in Moose Jaw, Sas., is the second Canadian to win on the PGA Tour this season after Hamilton’s Mackenzie Hughes captured the RSM Classic in November. The two will join former champion Mike Weir at the Masters this year, and it will be the first time three Canadians are in the field at the storied major tournament.

Jeff Monday, president of PGA Tour Canada where Hadwin played from 2010-11 and won two tournaments, thought Sunday’s win was a step the 29-year-old was going to take in his career eventually.

“The way he’s handled himself at each level is very impressive,” Monday said. “To be able to overcome some disappointments and keep working, keep going through the process, is impressive. For some people it happens quick, and for some people, they just keep building on their momentum.

“It’s tremendous to see. It’s incredible to me because the level of talent coming out of Canada is only going to be getting stronger.”

Back where it all began in British Columbia, Mulholland thinks more wins are in store for Hadwin.

“He’s got a very promising career ahead of him,” he said. “His golf swing is beautiful, and most importantly he knows how to putt. Now that he’s got his first win, I’m not going to say he’s going to win five times this year, but he could win five or 10 times in his career. Maybe more.”