NEW MINAS, N.S. – The third round of the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship continued under a dry heat at Ken-Wo Golf Club. Maria Fassi’s 5-under 65 matched the women’s competitive course record at Ken-Wo – set yesterday by Allisen Corpuz – giving the native of Pachuca, Mexico a one-stroke lead through 54-holes of play.

Fassi’s 65 moved her ahead of 36-hole leader Corpuz to take sole possession of the lead. The University of Arkansas sophomore put together a six-birdie effort that included five across her first 15 holes. She bogeyed No. 16, but made up for the lone blemish on her day with a birdie on No. 18.

“I’m really comfortable with the way I’m playing,” said Fassi. “The golf course is in great shape and you can really go for it in some holes. I’m a long player, so I can be aggressive on some shots. It was a really good day; I was making some good putts and really flowing.”

The 18-year-old is No. 58 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings and is the top-ranked female amateur in Mexico. She heads into the final day of competition at 6-under.

“I have a game plan that I’ve been doing for the last three days and I’ll do it again tomorrow. It’s just about focusing on my golf game. If I win, I win. And if I don’t, then I played some really good golf and that’s good enough for me.”

Coming off her record-setting performance, Corpuz looked to extend her advantage for a third straight day. The product of Honolulu, Hawaii sunk a birdie on her first hole, but ended the day with a 72 to move into a share of second.

She is joined at 5-under by World No. 14 Hye-jin Choi of Paju-si, Korea and Perth, Australia’s Hannah Green. The pair claimed their shares of second with matching five-birdie, 2-under rounds. Green registered a T29 finish at this event last year when it was hosted by Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon.

A third round 67 propelled Stephanie Lau of Fullerton, Calif., into sole possession of fifth place, two strokes ahead of Team Canada National Amateur Squad member Naomi Ko. The Victoria product leads the Canadians in the field, sitting in a tie for sixth with California natives Andrea Lee (Hermosa Beach) and Lilia Kha-Tu Vu (Fountain Valley).

Josée Doyon of St-Georges, Que., is ninth at even-par, while Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont., stayed even through the day and holds a share of 10th.

The final round of competition will see the first groups tee off at 7:30 a.m. ADT from holes 1 and 10.

In addition to the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur title, the individual champion will earn exemptions into the 2016 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and two LPGA events: the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open at Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club in Calgary from August 22-28 and the Manulife LPGA Classic at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ont., from September 1-4.

For more Information on the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship including the full field, starting times and live scoring, click here.

NEW MINAS, N.S. – Sun broke through the morning fog at Ken-Wo Golf Club before humid conditions bore down on day two of the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. Allisen Corpuz carded a 5-under second round to maintain her hold on first through 36 holes of play.

Corpuz continued her unwavering pace through the second day of competition. She began the day on the back nine and shot 29 with six birdies through her first nine holes to extend a four-stroke lead over the field of 117. The product of Honolulu, Hawaii sunk three consecutive birdies on holes 11 through 13, before adding one on the Par-3 15th and a pair back-to-back on holes 17 and 18.

“I definitely had a solid round. I didn’t quite end the way I wanted to, but I was putting well and hitting all the shots that I wanted to,” said Corpuz.” I haven’t really been playing that great this summer, so it definitely feels good to come out here and put together two solid rounds.”

Despite a double bogey on her final hole, the 18-year-old finished with a 65 to set Ken-Wo’s new women’s competitive course record. A 7-under 133 after two rounds of play gives Corpuz a three-stroke lead heading into moving day.

A six-birdie day saw Team Canada National Amateur Squad member Josée Doyon finish with a 66. The St-Georges, Que., native bounced back from a bogey on her first hole to notch three birdies through the front nine for a 3-under 33.

Hye-jin Choi of Paju-si, Korea and Perth, Australia’s Hannah Green matched 68s for shares of third at 3-under. Choi is the No. 14-ranked amateur in the world and the reigning World Junior Girls champion.

Californians Lilia Kha-Tu Vu (Fountain Valley) and Andrea Lee (Hermosa Beach) are tied for fifth at 2-under, while Victoria’s Naomi Ko has climbed into a share of 7th following her even-par round. The National Team member is two strokes ahead of teammate Maddie Szeryk from London, Ont., and Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont.

Team Québec held on to emerge as champions in the inter-provincial team competition, claiming the province’s first title since 2003. Doyon’s 66 paced the team to the victory with a 2-over 282 final score. Valérie Tanguay of St-Hyacinthe, Que., carded a 75 to move to 8-over, while Katherine Gravel-Coursol of Mirabel, Que., is 9-over following a second-round 78.

Team Ontario registered the lowest daily team total in the competition, finishing the second day at a combined 2-under 138. Team Canada Development Squad member Grace St-Germain (Orleans) and Monet Chun (Richmond Hill) shot matching 69s, while Guelph’s Rachel Pollock finished 3-over on the day.

70 players have advanced to the final two rounds of the national championship. The first groups will tee off tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. ADT from holes 1 and 10.

In addition to the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur title, the individual champion will earn exemptions into the 2016 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and two LPGA events: the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open at Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club in Calgary from August 22-28 and the Manulife LPGA Classic at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ont., from September 1-4.

For more Information on the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship including the full field, starting times and live scoring, click here.

JOHN’S, N.L. – Nestled in the northeast end of St. John’s, Clovelly will open its gates to the country’s talented golfers for the 2016 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. The 78^th playing of the tournament from August 1-4 will see players from across the nation vying for the national title, including Team Canada’s Development Squad and five regional winners from the CN Future Links Championship series.

Clovelly is home to a pair of Graham Cooke designs: Black Duck and The Osprey – at which the competition will be conducted. The Osprey winds through the picturesque landscape of the Avalon Peninsula, boasting natural wetlands, scenic ponds and lush forests of black spruce and balsam fir.

“Our tremendous staff has worked very hard and The Osprey is in great shape. The community of St. John’s is extremely excited to bring an event of this calibre to Newfoundland,” said Judy Dobbin, Managing Director of Operations and the owner of Clovelly. “We look forward to hosting Golf Canada and this strong field through what is sure to be a great week of golf.”

This tournament has served as a significant milestone in a number of professional and amateur careers. Before playing on the PGA Tour, Abbotsford, B.C., native Nick Taylor captured the 2006 Canadian Junior Boys title. The championship counts Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowan and Doug Roxburgh among its winners.

“Golf Canada is pleased to return to Newfoundland and its fantastic fans of the sport,” said Tournament Director Dan Hyatt. “We have always received a warm welcome here and we truly appreciate that support. Clovelly will be a great platform to showcase the talents of our players.”

In 2015, Charles-Éric Bélanger claimed victory on the first playoff hole at Summerlea Golf & Country Club in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que., to win the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. At season’s end, the Québec City native was named to Team Canada’s Development Squad and would go on to finish atop the CN Future Links National Junior Boys Order of Merit. The 17-year-old returns in hopes of becoming the championship’s eighth back-to-back winner and its first since Mitch Sutton accomplished the feat in 2008-09.

Bélanger will be joined by his four Development Squad teammates, including A.J. Ewart who finished 5^th in 2015. The Coquitlam, B.C., product is hoping runner-up results at the B.C. Junior and Amateur Championships can translate into success on the national stage. CN Future Links Pacific champion Tony Gil of Vaughan, Ont., fellow Ontarian Thomas ‘Jack’ Simpson of Aurora and Calgary’s Alexander Smith will complete the national team contingent in the field.

Joining Gil as 2016 CN Future Links champions in the competition are Callum Davison of Duncan, B.C., who won the Québec edition of the junior championships, Peyton Callens from Langton, Ont., who claimed the Prairie edition, Calgary’s Brendan MacDougall who captured the Western title and Atlantic champion and Fredericton, N.B., native Calvin Ross.

In 2015, Team Québec claimed victory in the inter-provincial team competition played concurrently over the first two rounds. The 16-and-under Juvenile Championship will be contested alongside the tournament’s four rounds.

In addition to the Canadian Junior Boys title, the 2016 winner will receive an exemption into the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

For more information about the competition, including the full field and tee-times, please visit the tournament’s website.

SHUBENACADIE, N.S. – The nation’s top junior golfers will gather at the Links at Penn Hills from August 2-5 to compete in the 2016 Canadian Junior Girls Championship. The field includes six Team Canada members and a host of qualifiers from the CN Future Links Championships – Canada’s regional junior competitions.

The Links at Penn Hills boasts a challenging Les Furber design with rolling hills and nicely wooded areas set against the tidal river dyke lands. Competitors will have the chance to become acquainted with the course during a practice round on August 1.

“We are thrilled to welcome Golf Canada and this prestigious championship to our course and Shubenacadie,” said Tanner Gayton, Host Club Tournament Chair and Head Golf Professional at The Links at Penn Hills. “We are proud of our preparations and look forward challenging the next generation of Canada’s best juniors.”

“The Links at Penn Hills is in tremendous shape to host our national Junior Girls Championship. The fantastic layout is going to make for a memorable week as this strong field chases a national title,” said Tournament Director Justine Decock.

Victoria native Naomi Ko will represent Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad in Shubenacadie. The 18-year-old finished third at the 2015 edition of this event at Deer Park Municipal Golf Club in Yorkton, Sask. The North Carolina State University sophomore is in the midst of an impressive summer in which she has competed in her first two LPGA events. She won the Cambia Portland Classic Amateur Open to earn entry into the Cambia Portland Classic before claiming victory in a sectional qualifier to join the field at the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open.

Currently in her first year on Team Canada’s Development Squad, Hannah Lee of Surrey, B.C., will look to improve upon her runner-up result from 2015. The 16-year-old finished fourth at the B.C. Women’s Amateur before posting a T2 at the B.C. Junior Girls’ Championship alongside teammate Tiffany Kong of Vancouver. Kong claimed 7^th and runner-up finishes at the CN Future Links Pacific and Ontario Championships.

Richmond, B.C., native Kathrine Chan, who finished 4^th in 2015, is hoping to carry forward momentum from 5^th and 6^th place finishes at her provincial amateur and junior championships. Ontarians Chloe Currie of Mississauga and Grace St-Germain of Orleans complete the Development Squad contingent at the national championship; the pair collected respective T9 and 12^th place results last year. Currie is coming off a successful title defence at the Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship, while St-Germain won the Ontario Women’s Amateur title.

Five CN Future Links champions will vie for the Canadian Junior Girls title. Richmond Hill, Ont., native Monet Chun, who finished tied for 9th at last year’s national championship, took home the 2016 CN Future Links Quebec title. Isabella Portokalis of London, Ont., and Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C., claimed shares of 14th last year and earned entry through their respective victories at the Ontario and Pacific championships. CN Future Links Atlantic winner Allison Chandler from Chester, N.S., finished T22 in 2015, while Calgary’s Kehler Koss joins the field as the reigning Western champion.

Team B.C. will attempt to defend its inter-provincial team title which takes place over the course of the first two rounds, while a 16-and-under Juvenile Championship will also be played concurrently with the Junior Girls Championship.

In addition to the Canadian Junior Girls Championship title, the 2016 champion will receive an exemption into the 2017 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ont.

Additional information about the tournament, including the full field and tee-times is available here.

NEW MINAS, N.S. – Heavy rains prompted a 60-minute delay at Ken-Wo Golf Club prior to the opening round of the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. When the skies cleared and play commenced, Allisen Corpuz shot 2-under 68 to claim sole possession of the first-round lead.

The Honolulu, Hawaii native teed-off with the morning wave at 9:14 a.m. ADT. Four birdies through her first six holes – including a string of three-in-a-row on holes 2 to 4 – led the University of Southern California Trojan onto the back nine at 3-under. The 18-year-old extended her advantage with two birdies on holes 11 and 14, and recorded three bogeys through holes 12-16 to take the clubhouse lead at 2-under 68.

Ten players sit one stroke behind Corpuz in second, led by Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont. The Texas A&M Aggie who began the day on the back nine, posted a 3-under 32 across her first nine holes, but faltered with bogeys on holes 2, 8 and 9. The 20-year-old is the top-ranked Canadian Amateur in the world at No. 37. Szeryk returns to the national championship following a T6 result at last year’s tournament hosted by Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon.

Victoria’s Naomi Ko – also of the National Team – was bogey-free across her first 15 holes and notched two birdies on the day to claim her share of second at 1-under 69. 2015 World Junior Girls Championship medallist and World No. 14 Hye-jin Choi (Paju-si, Korea), Kelsey Sear (Unionville, Ont.), Selena Costabile (Thornhill, Ont.), Malia Nam (Kailua, Hawaii), Stephanie Lau (Fullerton, Calif.), Kristen Gillman (Austin,Texas), Andrea Lee (Hermosa Beach, Calif.) and Hannah Green (Perth, Australia) make up the remaining contingent tied for second.

National Team member Josée Doyon of St-Georges, Que., and Mississauga, Ont., native Michelle Ruiz sit two-strokes back of the lead as part of a nine-way tie for 12^th.

Doyon collected one birdie on the day to lead Team Québec to a four-stroke lead at a combined 1-over 141 in the inter-provincial competition. Katherine Gravel-Coursol of Mirabel, Que., recorded a 71, while St-Hyacinthe, Que., native Valérie Tanguay was 3-over.

Team British Columbia – comprised of a pair of Team Canada Development Squad members in Hannah Lee (Surrey, B.C.) and Kathrine Chan (Richmond, B.C.) alongside Coquitlam, B.C.’s Jisoo Keel – follows with a total of 5-over 145.

In addition to the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur title, the individual champion will earn exemptions into the 2016 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and two LPGA events: the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open at Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club in Calgary from August 22-28 and the Manulife LPGA Classic at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ont., from September 1-4.

For more Information on the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship including the full field, starting times and live scoring, click here.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – It was only fitting that Jared du Toit took the final shot of the RBC Canadian Open.

Although the amateur from Kimberley, B.C., fell out of contention in the final round of the PGA Tour event, he still got the biggest ovation of the day at the awards ceremony on the 18th green at Glen Abbey Golf Club. Fans gave him a rousing standing ovation when he birdied on the final shot of the tournament and again as he was given the Gary Cowan medal as the Canadian Open’s lowest scoring amateur player.

“It was awesome,” said du Toit of the hundreds of fans that followed him around the course on Sunday. “I probably could have shot a hundred out here and they would have been behind my back all day. Honestly unbelievable.”

Du Toit started the day tied for second and was in the top pairing with leader Brandt Snedeker. The 21-year-old Arizona State University player struggled in the front nine with two bogeys and a birdie before rallying with three birdies and a bogey in the back. Du Toit finished the day a 1-under 71 and tied for ninth at 9 under.

Although it was a solid performance for du Toit, he tumbled down the leaderboard as the PGA Tour’s professionals finally found their rhythm on a hard, firm course that had frustrated most players all week. Still, du Toit finished the week two shots better than world No. 1 Jason Day.

Jhonattan Vegas shot an 8-under 64, birdieing the final three holes, to rocket up the leaderboard and earn a one-stroke victory. The 29-year-old Venezuelan began the day five strokes behind Snedeker, and four behind du Toit and U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson.

Vegas earned US$1,062,000 and a spot in the PGA Championship next week at Baltusrol in New Jersey. He also received a two-year tour exemption and a spot in the Masters next year.

Du Toit, who only had 15 fans following his trio in Thursday’s opening round, had nothing but praise for the Canadian fans who rallied to support him after 5-under 67 in the first round thrust him to the top of the standings.

“Unbelievable. The atmosphere they were providing was unbelievable,” said du Toit, who added that he lost count of how many high fives he doled out on Sunday, but that there were enough to make his hands sore. “Every tee box, every green, everyone was clapping, hollering, ‘Go Canada!’

“It was truly unbelievable. I’m on cloud nine right now.”

Making his breakout performance even more impressive, Du Toit learned on Saturday night that he had bronchitis after what he initially thought was a cold grew worse over the past seven days. Coach Derek Ingram drove du Toit to nearby Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and the young player only got five hours of sleep ahead of Sunday’s final round.

“We’re going to take care of this bronchitis a little bit, probably hold off the celebration a little more,” said du Toit. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I haven’t thought that far ahead.”

Ingram, who was named the head coach of Canada’s men’s golf team earlier in the month, wasn’t surprised by du Toit’s performance.

“Jared’s been playing great, he’s been trending really well for the past six months,” said Ingram. “He’s been playing great, a bit of a surprise to be in the final group of the Canadian Open as an amateur, but not surprised that he played well at all.”

Adam Hadwin (71) of Abbotsford, B.C., tied for 49th at 1 under, amateur Garrett Rank (76) of Elmira, Ont., was in a group tied at 77th 8 over and Corey Conners (78) of Listowel, Ont., finished at 12 over in 80th.

Hadwin won the Rivermead Cup as low professional Canadian, but even then he didn’t feel wholly comfortable taking the award from du Toit.

“Little awkward holding this with Jared playing so well this week, y’know, he beat me by eight,” said Hadwin during the awards ceremony. “Not sure I should be holding this, but I’ll accept it.”

A Canadian hasn’t won the national golf championship since 1954, when Pat Fletcher accomplished the feat at Vancouver’s Point Grey Golf Club. An amateur hasn’t won the Canadian Open since American Doug Sanders at Montreal’s Beaconsfield Golf Club in 1956.

Can't say enough about @Jareddutoit's performance @RBCCanadianOpen this week – a terrific ambassador for golfhttps://t.co/mJfJFn2mjO

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) July 24, 2016

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Jhonattan Vegas rallied to win the RBC Canadian Open for his second PGA Tour victory, birdieing the final three holes at Glen Abbey Golf Club for an 8-under 64 and one-stroke victory.

The 29-year-old Venezuelan began the day five strokes behind leader Brandt Snedeker, and four behind U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson and Canadian amateur Jared du Toit.

Du Toit finished tied for ninth at 9 under after a final round of 71. He was trying to become the first Canadian to win the event since Pat Fletcher in 1954.

Du Toit struggled to start today’s round with two early bogeys, but birdied 16 and 18 to finish two shots ahead of world No. 1 Jason Day.

Vegas earned US$1,062,000 and a spot in the PGA Championship next week at Baltusrol in New Jersey.

He also received a two-year tour exemption and a spot in the Masters next year.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland – Paul Broadhurst won the Senior British Open on Sunday at Carnoustie for his first senior major title, closing with a 4-under 68 for a two-stroke victory over Scott McCarron.

The 50-year-old Broadhurst overcame an opening 75 to become the third English player to win a PGA Tour Champions major, joining Mark James and Roger Chapman. Broadhurst also is the first player to win the event in his debut since Fred Couples in 2012 at Turnberry.

“It’s massive, absolutely massive,” Broadhurst said. “I’m not aware of how big it is yet, honestly. I’m trying not to think about it. Beyond my wildest dreams to be honest. This sort of thing doesn’t happen to players like me normally. I’ve won a few tournaments over the years, but nothing anywhere near as big as this event. I feel very, very privileged to have won this event.”

Broadhurst shot a 66 on Friday and a 68 on Saturday to enter the final round four strokes behind leader Miguel Angel Jimenez. The winner birdied the par-5 sixth, par-4 10th, par-3 13th and par-4 15th in his bogey-free round in mostly cloudy conditions with 8-16 mph wind and occasional drizzle. He finished at 11-under 277.

McCarron bogeyed the par-3 16th and par-4 18th in his 69.

“I didn’t really have everything this week,” McCarron said. “I had a bad neck all week and was kind of playing around that a little bit. I just didn’t putt all that well all week long but I kind of hung in there. I had a chance with a couple holes to go, so that’s all you can ask for. Unfortunately, the bogeys on 16, 18, cost me the tournament.”

Jimenez had a 75 to drop into a tie for third with Magnus Atlevi (67) at 8 under.

“The 75 today was the other side of the coin from yesterday,” Jimenez said. “I was a little bit tense, not loose in the beginning of the round, and then didn’t play as well as yesterday.”

Broadhurst earned $279,144, a full PGA Tour Champions exemption through the 2017 season, a spot in the 2017 British Open at Royal Birkdale and a five-year exemption into the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hawaii. The 1991 Ryder Cup player won six times on the European Tour and also took the European Senior Tour’s Scottish Senior Open.

Where does this victory rank?

“Bigger than all of them, I think – a lot, lot bigger,” Broadhurst said. “I played some of my best golf this week. I really hit the ball nicely. My iron play today I thought was really good. I hit some top iron shots into 10 and 15. Yeah, the hard work I’ve put in paid off this week.”

Broadhurst played his final 45 holes in 14 under after going 3 over on his first 27. His final 54-hole total in relation to par of 14 under matched Carl Mason and Bruce Summerhays – both in 2003 – for the lowest in the history of the event. Broadhurst’s opening 75 was the highest start by a winner since Tom Watson also had a 75 in 2005.

Brandt Jobe (66) and Tom Byrum (72) were 7 under, and Joe Durant (73) and Wes Short Jr. (73) were another stroke back.

GURNEE, Ill. – Cristie Kerr held on for a 3-and-2 victory over Melissa Reid on Sunday to give the United States the UL International Crown.

Kerr and company were shut out in the first session of the LPGA Tour event, but they got progressively better each day. Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller each closed out wins before Reid missed a birdie putt on 16, handing the decisive victory to Kerr.

“I think I play better when there is more pressure,” said Kerr, who was the last player to tee off for the U.S.

Lewis and Piller ran to the green for a group hug with Kerr when it was over. Kerr’s caddie, Brady Stockton, grabbed the flag at 16 to save it for his player.

Lexi Thompson lost 2 and 1 to South Korea’s So Yeon Ryu, and then joined the celebration at a muggy Merit Club about 40 miles northwest of Chicago. The Americans won a silver trophy, and each of the players took home a crown and $100,000 apiece.

Lewis, Kerr and Thompson played on the U.S. team that finished a disappointing sixth in the inaugural event in 2014 in Maryland. But Piller joined the group for an American victory in the Solheim Cup last year in Germany, and their chemistry and confidence in each other was on full display when they decided to keep the same four-ball pairings after they came up empty Thursday.

“What would it be without a little drama,” Kerr said.

Kerr and Thompson teamed for wins on Friday and Saturday, and the momentum carried over into singles. Piller cruised to a 4-and-3 victory over Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, and Lewis posted a 3-and-2 win over Japan’s Mika Miyazato.

South Korea, which was the top seed coming into the event, finished second with 12 points, one back of the United States. Taiwan and England tied for third with 11, and Japan finished fifth with eight points.

South Korea and Japan each had a long day after thunderstorms postponed the final part of the third session to Sunday. South Korea advanced to the singles matches with a pair of four-ball victories against Australia, and Japan won a three-team playoff for the final spot in the singles session.

Sei Young Kim showed no signs of fatigue in a dominant 5-and-4 victory over England’s Charley Hull, but countrywomen Amy Yang and In Gee Chun lost their matches. Japan also split its four singles matches, with Haru Nomara and Ayaka Watanabe on the winning side.

England had the lead with nine points coming into the day, but it wasn’t able to keep up its surprising play. Jodi Ewart Shadoff beat Taiwan’s Ssu-Chia Cheng 1 up for the country’s only victory of the final session.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Jared du Toit was the first to start celebrating.

The amateur from Kimberley, B.C., had the best view, of course, of his 40-foot putt for eagle on the 18th hole. The shot helped move him to 2-under par on Saturday afternoon and into a tie for second at the RBC Canadian Open.

His caddy Sean Burke – who met du Toit for the first time on Monday – was next, rushing to hug the 21-year-old on the green as the fans started to cheer. The hundreds of supporters who’d endured the relentless heat on the baked hills surrounding the bunkered green at Glen Abbey Golf Course got to their feet and started clapping, most of them with their hands above their heads.

Spain’s Jon Rahm, who was teammates with du Toit at Arizona State University, had stayed to watch his long-time friend finish his round and started jumping up and down and shouting.

Finally, as du Toit started the steep climb up to the official scorer’s trailer, the fans started singing. Straining to be heard over the cheers and applause, a growing section of fans belted O Canada.

“Unbelievable,” said du Toit. “The atmosphere out here has been unbelievable. Walking to each green, each tee box, everybody hooting and hollering ‘Go Canada!’

“It’s been unbelievable.”

A Canadian hasn’t won the national golf championship since 1954, when Pat Fletcher accomplished the feat at Vancouver’s Point Grey Golf Club. An amateur hasn’t won the Canadian Open since American Doug Sanders at Montreal’s Beaconsfield Golf Club in 1956.

On Sunday, du Toit will be in position to end both droughts.

When asked if he could win the tournament, du Toit puffed out his cheeks and loudly exhaled.

“I have no idea. I’ve been surprising myself all week,” he said. “If I play good, solid golf, get a good night’s sleep, do all the little things right, yeah, I like my chances.”

He’ll be in the top pairing with American Brandt Snedeker in the fourth and final round. Snedeker had a seven-foot eagle on the same hole about an hour before du Toit overshadowed him.

Snedeker shot a 6-under 66 to move 15 spots up and take sole possession of the lead at the PGA tour event at nine under.

“I think I’m going to be the most hated man in Canada tomorrow, but it’s going to be a lot of fun trying to figure it out,” said Snedeker, who had yet to meet du Toit. “For a 21-year-old kid to be playing golf here is awesome, let alone to do it in your national open.

“I mean, I can’t imagine the nerves this kid has to be playing as great of golf as he has.”

Dustin Johnson (71) started the day as the co-leader with Luke List, but took a step back to sit at eight under with du Toit. American Steve Wheatcroft and Germany’s Alex Cejka were tied for fourth, two shots behind Snedeker.

List struggled in the top pairing with Johnson, carding a 5-over 77 to drop from first down to a tie for 28th.

Johnson drained a birdie putt on the 18th hole to salvage his day somewhat, finishing 1-under 71 on the day.

“I had a rough day on the greens,” said Johnson, ranked No. 2 in the world. “It didn’t feel like I was hitting bad putts. I don’t know, ball was not going in the hole.

“You know, tomorrow, hopefully get some putts to roll in.”

Rahm, who was tied for third with du Toit at the start of Saturday’s third round, shot par to remain at 6-under par and stay in contention in a group tied for sixth.

Adam Hadwin (74) of Abbotsford, B.C., finished in a tie for 44th at even, while amateur Garret Rank (76) of Elmira, Ont., tied for 71st at 4 over and Corey Conners (76) of Listowel, Ont., finished the day 78th, at six over.

Canada’s Jared du Toit sits a shot back headed into the final round of the #RBCCO.https://t.co/Zld9AMM4zR

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) July 24, 2016