Naomi Ko captured the 2016 Canadian Junior Girls title by a four-stroke margin at the Links at Penn Hills in Shubenacadie, N.S. The 18-year-old Victoria, B.C. native shares the equipment she used to best the field in the “what’s in the bag” segment below:

GATINEAU, Que. – Blair Bursey conquered hot and windy conditions to claim the early lead in the 112^th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. The Gander, N.L., native managed the feat at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Dunrobin, Ont., and holds a three-stroke advantage heading into his second round to be played at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Que.

“It was a good round, but I started off a little shaky,” reflected Bursey. “Once I felt my way into it, things just came fairly easily. Not often does a round like that come around, so it was pretty special. To finish with an eagle was a great way to go out. I hit two of my best shots of the day on that last hole. It was a good way to start the tournament, but that’s all it is right now: a solid start. With three more days to go, hopefully there’s more solid golf coming up.”

The 19-year-old notched a pair of birdies for a 2-under front nine performance. He went on to tally four more birdies on the day before adding an eagle on the par-5 No. 18 for a bogey-free, 8-under 64 showing.

Bursey now heads to The Royal Ottawa Golf Club for his second round – a course which boasts two of the biggest moments in Canadian golf in its storied legacy. The roots of Golf Canada – the sport’s national governing body – were firmly planted at this historic venue in 1895 before it played host to the inaugural Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship later that year.

“I had one practice round there and I absolutely loved the golf course,” said the Utah Valley University junior when asked about the shift to the second co-host. “It’s traditional and I just love it. It’s an honour to be here. I think Golf Canada having the Men’s Amateur here is such a pleasure for all the players. I’m definitely excited to head over there tomorrow.”

Of the 16 players currently within the Top-10, 15 played their opening rounds at Eagle Creek alongside Bursey. Despite the challenge ahead, he remains confident and focused.

“I was just trying to hit good quality golf shots. I wasn’t expecting to shoot a low-60s round, I wasn’t setting a number. I was just going about my business and it just happened to fall in today. I don’t expect it to be like that every day, but if I can put the ball in the right position, keep a good outlook and continue to execute, good things will come my way. My best stuff today showed through, if I can just continue to do the best I can, that’ll be good enough by the end of the week.”

Holding shares of second are Winnipeg’s Marco Trstenjak, Napanee, Ont., native Josh Whalen and Andy Zhang from China, who resides in Winter Garden, Fla. The trio sit three strokes off the lead and will join Bursey at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club.

Team Newfoundland and Labrador finished with a team total of 4-under 140 to open the two-day inter-provincial team competition for the prestigious Willingdon Cup. The team of Bursey and St. John’s, N.L. natives Chuck Conley and Nathan Peters will look to dethrone Team British Columbia to secure its first team title. Teams Alberta and Ontario trail the Maritime province by two strokes.

Competitors will complete their second rounds having played both host clubs. The field will be reduced to the low-70 and ties for the two final rounds to be contested at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club.

In addition to capturing the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.

Admission to the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is free during tournament week. Additional details regarding the championship are available here.

Calgary – AutoCanada Inc. (TSX:ACQ)  announced today their one-year partnership as an official sponsor of the 2016 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

This year’s Canadian Pacific Women’s Open is set to take place at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Calgary from August 22-28, 2016.

AutoCanada, through the Courtesy Auto Group (Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram and Courtesy Mitsubishi) and Hyundai Calgary Auto Group (Calgary Hyundai and Crowfoot Hyundai), will be participating on-site throughout the week and will be teaming up with CP for the CP Hole-in-One for Heart activation. Amateur golfers will have the opportunity to shoot for a hole-in-one to take home a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. In addition, Courtesy Auto Group and Hyundai Calgary Auto Group will be showcasing their multiple brands and models with vehicle displays throughout Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club.

“We are proud to sponsor the 2016 CP Women’s Open and are excited to work alongside Golf Canada at such a fantastic event,” said Tom Orysiuk, President of AutoCanada. “The Courtesy Auto Group and Hyundai Calgary Auto Group have a long-standing commitment to community investment, and partnering with CP for the Hole-in-One for Heart activation is a great opportunity to give back to community in support of the Alberta Children’s Hospital.”

The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation is the official charity beneficiary of the 2016 CP Women’s Open. All funds raised through the tournament will support pediatric cardiac care and research at the Hospital.

“We are grateful to AutoCanada for their support of women’s golf in Canada,” said Golf Canada Chief Commercial Officer Gavin Roth. “Their diverse line of quality vehicles will play a key role in ensuring our world-class field gets around Calgary during tournament week.”

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – The International Golf Federation has announced the draw for the first and second rounds of the Men’s Golf Competition at Rio 2016.

At 7:30 am local time on Thursday August 11th, history will be made when Brazilian Adilson da Silva hits the opening tee shot and golf’s return to the Olympic Games.

Two further Olympic connections are celebrated in the first grouping. Canada’s Graham DeLaet, whose countryman George S. Lyon won the Olympic gold medal in 1904 -the last time golf was part of the Olympic programme- will tee off second.  And, Byeong Hun An, the son of two Olympic table tennis medalists at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, will complete the group.

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington from Ireland and Italy’s Matteo Manassero, both of whom formed part of the International Golf Federation’s delegation that presented golf’s case for inclusion in the Games at the 2009 IOC Session in Copenhagen, will play together in the second grouping.  The Irishman and Italian will be joined by New Zealand’s Danny Lee.

Other notable pairings include 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett from Great Britain who will play with American Matt Kuchar and China’s Haotong Li.

Two-time Masters winner, Bubba Watson, will be in the same group as former US Open champion Martin Kaymer from Germany and India’s Anirban Lahiri.

Siddikur Rahman, who carried Bangladesh’s flag during the Opening Ceremony, will be in a group with the Netherlands’ Joost Luiten and Ricardo Melo Gouveia from Portugal.

World No. 7  Rickie Fowler from the USA, former US Open champion Justin Rose from Great Britain, and last month’s winner of the RBC Canadian Open, Jhonattan Vegas, will make up another premier grouping.

And, The Open champion and world No. 5 Henrik Stenson will play alongside Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and Rafa Cabrera Bello in Thursday’s final group.

David Hearn, the other Canadian in the field, will play with Finland’s Mikko Ilonen and South African Jaco van Zyl.

A full listing of the draw, which includes Thursday and Friday tee times, can be found here.

Dustin Johnson’s famous father-in-law once said: “You miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take.”

The deeper meaning behind those simple words from the great Wayne Gretzky speaks to the value of determination and persistence in the pursuit of one’s desired objectives – and it has resonated with the American golfer in his quest to score a PGA major.

Having finally accomplished his goal in June after a number of close calls, the 2016 U.S. Open champion can now fully appreciate the deeper message behind that motivational quote from the Canadian hockey icon.

Looking back at Johnson’s quest to capture his first PGA major, the Coastal Carolina University alumni, has had his fair share of heartbreak and failed attempts.

Johnson’s first near miss came at the 2010 PGA Championship when a two stroke penalty on the 18th hole cost him a chance for a three way playoff.

Then there was the British Open in 2011, when the South Carolina native fought hard for his first PGA major but had to settle for a second place tie.

But perhaps the one that was most painful and stands out the most came at the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.

It was there that the 6 foot 4 inch American stepped onto the 18th hole with a 12 foot putt for eagle which would have finally given him his first career major title.

However, many golf fans will still remember the three-putt which left him emptied handed again and gave Jordan Spieth his second major.

In a sport where so much is played between the ears, that sort of break down on such a big stage can be devastating; and some simply aren’t able to recover mentally from such disappointment.

But that certainly was not the case with Johnson; who has used the disappointment from Chambers Bay as fuel to come back even stronger.

Johnson enjoyed a stellar start to 2016 with six top ten results in his first ten tournaments; and carried that momentum into this year’s U.S. Open.

Going into the final round at the Oakmont Country Club, the talented golfer known for his length off the tee put himself in prime position to take another shot at his first career major title – and this time he didn’t miss.

Despite the controversy of a potential penalty from the fifth hole of the final round where his ball moved prior to the actual shot, the American remained composed and managed to record a three shot victory.

“Especially with the things that happened last year at the U.S. Open on the 18^th hole, you know, to come back his year and to get it done, it’s definitely bitter sweet. It was a lot of fun,” said Johnson after claiming his first PGA major on Father’s Day – approximately nine years after turning pro in 2007.

“You know, coming into today, I’ve been in this situation time and time again. So I know what to expect. I know how to handle myself. For me to finally get it done on Sunday in a major, it’s a huge monkey off my back,” added Johnson who celebrated his 32^nd birthday just three days later.

2016 U.S. Open runner up Shane Lowry of Ireland spoke afterwards about the American’s composure despite the distraction of a possible penalty.

“I credit Dustin for playing the way he played on the way in, having that hanging over him, because I probably would have wanted to know straightaway if it was me,” Lowry noted.

After his triumph at Oakmont in June, Johnson continued his winning ways by capturing the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in early July.

By the time Johnson arrived in Canada in late July for the RBC Canadian Open, the excitement from capturing his first major had settled; and it was evident his focus had now shifted to winning his next major.

“One of the things is especially when I’m teeing it up in a major, I’m not still trying to get that first one. And I know what it takes; I know I’ve got what it takes to get it done. That obviously gives me a lot of confidence when I’m out there playing,” he said prior to teeing off at Glen Abbey.

While chasing greatness on the golf course will always remain a main focus, the 32-year-old married father of one highlighted the fact that his first priority ahead of everything else is now family.

“I’m definitely enjoying being a father. Tatum is one and a half, so it’s been so much fun.  It definitely changes your outlook on things. Where before, golf was probably my most important thing, and you know, now golf is kind of secondary and family is first,” said Johnson, who is currently the second ranked golfer in the world.

The American’s desire to put family first also explains his decision to opt out of the Rio Summer Olympics – with the 32-year-old citing the Zika virus as his reason to pass on the opportunity.

Given his family ties to Canada through his marriage to Paulina Gretzky, he spoke fondly about his return to Glen Abbey and having relatives onsite showing their support – including one of Canada’s most recognized and beloved hockey dads, Walter Gretzky.

When action got underway, Johnson played solidly and his name appeared at or near the top the leader board throughout the entire tournament.

Despite finishing in a three way tie for second place behind Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas, Johnson was pleased with his overall performance.

“Look, it has to do with the putter. I just did not roll it that well. Honestly I had a good finish,” he said after completing the 18^th hole. “I think the game is in really good shape.”

Looking ahead, if the 32-year-old American is able to maintain his current level play for the remainder of the season, he would be in great shape to take over as the world No. 1.

Having found balance off the golf course through his family; and having finally gotten over the hump in June at Oakmont to win his first major after nine years as a pro, Johnson’s confidence is finally at a point where it matches his talents.

And with this, it’s safe to assume that it won’t take Johnson another nine years – and as many near misses – to score his next major title.

CROMWELL, Conn. – Russell Knox nicknamed himself “The Beast” after playing two good rounds at the Travelers Championship.

He doubled down on that Sunday after sinking a 12-foot putt on the final hole to save par and beat hometown favourite Jerry Kelly by a stroke Sunday, hours after Jim Furyk shot the first 58 in PGA Tour history.

“I felt like the Incredible Hulk when it went in,” Knox said. “I could have ripped my shirt off.”

Knox closed with a 2-under 68 for a 14-under 266 total at TPC River Highlands. The 31-year-old Scot won for the second time on the tour, following his breakthrough victory in China in November in the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions.

Kelly, the 49-year-old former University of Hartford player, finished with a 64.

Furyk tied for fifth at 11 under. He opened with rounds of 73, 66 and 72.

Knox opened with consecutive 67s and had a 64 on Saturday. He took the lead with birdies at 13 and 14. He bogeyed the par-3 16th, and missed a chance to seal it on the par-3 17th when his 20-foot birdie putt stopped an inch right of the hole.

The Scot hit his tee shot on the par-4 18th right and into the crowd, and his second shot into a green-side bunker below the hole. He pitched out short of the hole, setting up a putt that went straight into the hole. He didn’t tear his shirt off, but did send his hat flying in celebration.

“Everybody dreams of making a putt on the last hole to win a tournament,” he said. “I just kept telling myself, this is your chance to make a putt to have a great celebration and hear the roars. I’m glad it went in.”

Justin Thomas was almost an afterthought despite shooting a 62 and stringing together five straight birdies to close out the front nine. He finished with nine birdies on the day and at 12 under for the tournament, tied with Patrick Rodgers for third place. Rodgers shot a 68.

Nick Taylor, of Abbotsford, B.C., shot a 72 in his final round to finish the tournament at 1-under 279 and in a tie for 64th.

Furyk, already one of six PGA Tour players to shoot 59, took advantage of soft, clean greens during the morning after Saturday afternoon rains.

The 46-year-old American bounced in an eagle from 135 yards on his third hole, ran off seven straight birdies around the turn and picked up his final birdie on the 16th hole with a putt from just inside 24 feet.

He rolled in a short par putt on the final hole, thrust his arms in the air and waved his cap to salute thousands of fans who had rushed to the amphitheatre around the 18th green to catch a stunning slice of history.

“No one else can say they’ve done that out here on the PGA Tour,” he said. “It’s really special.

It was tougher for the leaders in the afternoon.

Daniel Berger, who shot a 62 on Saturday, began the day at 15 under with a three-stroke lead. But he struggled, making four consecutive bogeys to start his back nine. He finished with a 74 to tie with Furyk, Robert Garrigus and Tyrone Van Aswegen at 11 under.

Kelly began the day at 7 under. He shot 32 on the front nine, then went to 5 under for the day when his second shot on the 13th hole found the cup for an eagle from 113 yards. Headed to the PGA Tour Champions in November, he acknowledged the fans were chanting “Jerry! Jerry!” by pounding his heart with his fist as he walked up the 18th fairway.

“The love that they showed me this week, that’s about the best of any year,” he said about the fans. “But, this is about the best I’ve played of any year too.”

Kelly won the last of his three PGA Tour titles in 2009.

Knox made back-to-back birdie putts inside 7 feet after great approach shots on 13 and 14. After a par on 15, he just missed the water by a few inches with his tee shot on 16. He bounced his next shot over the hole and had to settle for a bogey, before surviving the final two holes.

Patrick Reed had the best tournament of the three members of the U.S. Olympic team, shooting a 66 on Sunday to finish at 9 under. Matt Kuchar finished with a 65 and was 8 under, and defending champion Bubba Watson followed at 7 under after a 68.

“It was one of those weeks where you could easily see playing great next week or the week after,” Watson said, before getting on a plane for Rio de Janeiro. “Next week might help me get even further in the right direction or it could happen next week.”

Calgary – Due to heavy overnight rain that led to subsequent flooding of the area around Country Hills Golf Club, the final round of the ATB Financial Classic was cancelled after the golf course was rendered unplayable.

Having carried a two-stroke victory through 54 holes after a 7-under 65 on Saturday, England’s Charlie Bull earned his first career Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada victory with a 16-under 200 total.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. It’s so cool to win my first ever pro tournament,” Bull said. “It’s bizarre the way it’s all panned out. But I played great golf and even though it’s unfortunate not to have a four-round tournament I’m still so happy with how I played.”

The 24-year-old took a one-stroke lead to the back nine on Saturday with plenty of players making birdies behind him. Having never experienced holding a lead before, Bull’s performance under pressure proved his worthiness as a champion.

“To play the way that I did under the pressure yesterday knowing that I was leading and knowing there was bad weather coming in was really exciting to me,” Bull said. “I had never led a Mackenzie Tour event. I had been around the lead before, but to be able to hold the lead pretty much throughout the entire round, that’s exciting to me as a golfer. It’s what we play golf for.”

Just three weeks ago, Bull’s game was in disarray after missing the cut at the Staal Foundation Open in Thunder Bay to the point where he was unsure if he would even play the two-week stint in Alberta.

“To be where I was three weeks ago in Thunder Bay, to suddenly be here with a trophy is mind boggling,” said Bull, who jumps from No. 94 to No. 8 in the Order of Merit with four events remaining in the 2016 season.

Now with a win under his belt, Bull knows he still needs to finish strong.

“If I was further ahead on the money list I could start counting my chickens but now I have to go play some good golf the rest of the season and make sure I get into the top 5 and very worse top 10.”

With a total score of 14-under par 202 in a tie for second place, 19-year-old Austin Connelly finished as the top Canadian on the leaderboard, earning Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Week honours and a $2,500 prize.

The top Canadian on the leaderboard each week takes home the award, with the top Canadian on the Order of Merit at season’s end earning the Dan Halldorson Trophy, Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year honours and a $25,000 prize.

BLAINE, Minn. – Joe Durant made a 10-foot eagle putt on the first hole of a playoff with Miguel Angel Jimenez on Sunday to win the PGA Tour Champions’ 3M Championship.

The 52-year-old Durant won on the par-5 18th after closing with a birdie on the hole in regulation for a 9-under 63. After a double bogey on the par-4 14th, Jimenez birdied the last four holes for a 67 to match Durant at 19-under 197 at TPC Twins Cities.

Jimenez birdied the 18th in the playoff, too, before Durant rolled in the right-to-left winner.

Durant won for the second time on the 50-and-over tour and the first by himself after teaming with Billy Andrade to win the Legends of Golf last year. Durant won the last of his four PGA Tour titles at Walt Disney World in 2006.

Durant opened with a 70 and shot a 64 on Saturday to begin the final round four strokes behind leader Jimenez. Durant birdied Nos. 1-2, 4-5 and 7-8 in a front-nine 30, and added birdies on Nos. 10 and 12. He dropped a stroke on the par-3 13th and got it back with a birdie on the par-4 14th.

Jimenez shot 67-63 to take a one-stroke lead over Kevin Sutherland into the final round.

Two weeks ago at Carnoustie in the Senior British Open, Jimenez took a four-stroke lead into the last day, only to shoot 75 and tie for third – three strokes behind winner Paul Broadhurst.

Jimenez won in Mississippi in March for his third career PGA Tour Champions victory. The 52-year-old Spanish player has 15 regular European Tour victories, the last in the 2014 Spanish Open at a tour-record 50 years, 133 days.

Two-time winner Bernhard Langer had a 64 to tie for third with Sutherland (68) at 17 under. Langer has broken par in all 24 of his rounds in the event.

David Frost (66) and Monday qualifier Glen Day (68) followed at 16 under.

Two-time defending champion Kenny Perry had a 68 to tie for 37th at 7 under.

John Daly tied for 71st at 3 over after a 75.

CROMWELL, Conn. – Jim Furyk set a PGA Tour record Sunday, shooting a 58 during the final round of the Travelers Championship.

The 46-year-old American got it going early, making his first birdie on his second hole at the TPC River Highlands course, then holing out for an eagle from 135 yards on the par-4 third hole. He finished his first nine holes in a course-record 27 shots.

Furyk, a member of Team RBC, shot 31 on the back nine, finishing with a 2-foot par on the final hole. The final birdie of his bogey-free round came on the par-3 16th, when he sunk a putt from just under 24 feet from the right of the hole.

Furyk, who has 17 PGA Tour victories – including two of the RBC Canadian Open – was already one of six golfers to shoot a 59 in his career. He did that during the second round of the BMW Championship in 2013.

History!

Jim Furyk shoots 58!

It’s the lowest round in PGA TOUR history.

Incredible. https://t.co/mzggwHU6tT

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 7, 2016

To shoot 58 … what a feeling that must be. pic.twitter.com/MKpc1DphvI

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 7, 2016

“It’s phenomenal … something you dream of.” https://t.co/ymfWWWnTwQ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 7, 2016

CROMWELL, Conn. – Daniel Berger, last season’s rookie of the year on the PGA Tour, missed three cuts in January and February and began hearing the whispers.

“Everyone was starting to say sophomore slump and that kind of got me upset a little bit,” he said. “Not upset, but kind of like, ‘Come on, let’s get going here.”’

Berger earned his first PGA Tour win two months ago in Memphis, and will be going for a second on Sunday. He shot an 8-under par 62 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Travelers Championship.

The 23-year-old Floridian made nine birdies, including seven on his final 10 holes, to finish at 15-under 195 after 54 holes.

Berger, who is still recovering from a left shoulder injury that forced him to miss several tournaments including the British Open, had just one bogey and was two strokes off the course record, following up rounds of 66 and 67 that had him tied for the lead coming into the day.

“I’ve shot better than 62, but I guess it doesn’t matter unless it’s on the PGA Tour,” he said. “It was just a great day.”

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., shot a 68 to climb into a tie for 49th place.

Russell Knox shot a 64 and Russell Henley and Tyrone Van Aswegen each shot 65 to tie for second place at 12-under par. Patrick Rodgers shot a 66 and was five strokes off the pace.

Berger, who is coming off a shoulder injury, is looking for his fifth top-10 finish since April, a string highlighted by his win at the St. Jude Classic.

Berger said he first tweaked his left shoulder in Memphis, then strained it at the U.S. Open. The injury forced him to withdraw after hitting his opening tee shot at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and he didn’t return until last week at the PGA Championship.

He said it expects the shoulder to be sore tonight, but it has not been bothering him on the golf course.

“It feels great this week and if I do the right thing then hopefully it’s gone forever.”

Berger said besides the win, he’s hoping for very personal reasons to secure a spot on the Ryder Cup team this summer. His father, Jay Berger, played tennis for the U.S. Davis Cup team.

“I think it would be pretty cool to have a father and son play Davis Cut and Ryder Cup,” he said.

The golfers went out early in trios Saturday off the first and 10th tees to avoid thunderstorms predicted for the area.

Knox set the pace, opening his round with three consecutive birdies. He putted the ball just seven times over his first six holes.

He also is looking for his second PGA Tour win, after a victory last November at the World Championships in Shanghai.

“I always tell myself, don’t be scared to play well,” he said. “You’ve got to go for it.”

Berger is not the only player coming off an injury.

Brooks Koepka, playing with a brace on his right ankle, shot a 30 on his back nine to finish with a 64 and go 9-under par for the tournament, tied for sixth place with Paul Casey.

Koepka tore a ligament earlier this summer and, like Berger, missed he British Open. He said he decided to play the tournament rather than rest because, like Berger, he wants to get enough points to play in the Ryder Cup.

“The better you play the better you feel,” he said. “Today is the best it’s felt in a long time.”

Koepka spent the day sparring with playing partner Daniel Summerhays, who also had four birdies on the back nine, before hitting a tree on his drive at the par-4 18th. He ended up saving a bogey with a 44-foot uphill putt and goes into Sunday at 8-under par, tied for eighth place.

“To see that go in, that was definitely a sigh of relief,” he said. “A good putt can forgive a lot of weaknesses and sins that you’ve committed in one hole.”

U.S. Olympians Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed each shot 68 and are 5-under par, 10 strokes back. Fellow Olympian Matt Kuchar shot a 71 and is at 3-under par.

Watson has insisted his focus this week is on Connecticut, but acknowledged that he wore his opening ceremony outfit on Friday night, texting a photo to teammate Rickie Fowler, who took parade in the parade of athletes.

“He texted me back his outfit,” Watson said. “I said I was there in spirit, so I had to wear my outfit, too.”

The shot of the day came from Ernie Els, who aced the par-3 16th hole from 176 yards. It was the 13th hole-in-one of his career.