OAKVILLE, Ont. – The PGA TOUR, RBC, Golf Canada and the Heritage Classic Foundation jointly announced today that RBC has signed six-year extensions as title sponsor of both the RBC Canadian Open and RBC Heritage. The new agreements take effect in 2018 and run through 2023.

“Since assuming sponsorship of Canada’s National Golf Championship in 2008, RBC has been a tremendous partner of the PGA TOUR,” Jay Monahan, Deputy Commissioner of the PGA TOUR, said during a press conference at Glen Abbey Golf Club, site of this week’s RBC Canadian Open. “RBC became passionately involved with the tournament from the outset and since that time, has increased its involvement in golf by sponsoring the RBC Heritage, supporting PGA TOUR and LPGA players through Team RBC, and funding youth and amateur golf initiatives in Canada. We couldn’t be happier to continue our relationship with such a strong advocate of golf through these two long-term extensions.”

“We are excited to extend our commitment to both the RBC Canadian Open and RBC Heritage for an additional six years,” said Dave McKay, President and CEO, RBC. “As the largest company in Canada, our sponsorship of the RBC Canadian Open reflects our leadership position in our home market, while our support of the RBC Heritage demonstrates our strong and growing presence in the U.S., particularly following our recent acquisition of City National Bank. We know many of our clients around the world have a passion for golf. With two PGA TOUR stops and a roster of world-class golfers representing our brand, RBC is proud to promote this great game and to have the opportunity to give back where we live and work, helping our communities prosper.”

The RBC Canadian Open is among the oldest tournaments on the PGA TOUR, dating back to 1904. Since becoming title sponsor, RBC has worked closely with Golf Canada to elevate the tournament in a variety of ways, including the implementation of a rotation of golf courses throughout the country and enhancing the tournament experience for fans and players.

“RBC is playing a major role in supporting excellence in Canadian golf and we are honoured to have them continue on as title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons.  “RBC is one of Canada’s most respected corporations and as a partner in golf and its continued commitment to conducting a world-class event has elevated the status and prestige of Canada’s National Open Championship.  On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff and Canadian golf fans from coast to coast; we thank RBC for its continued investment in Canadian golf.”

The RBC Heritage debuted in 1969 at Harbour Town Golf Links, a Pete Dye design at the Sea Pines Resort that quickly became a favorite course among TOUR members. In June of 2011, RBC was introduced as the new title sponsor of the PGA TOUR’s annual stop on Hilton Head Island, S.C.

“The Heritage Classic Foundation is pleased to continue our relationship with RBC,” Steve Wilmot, Chief Operating Officer and Tournament Director for the Heritage Classic Foundation said. “RBC’s sponsorship means the Heritage will be able to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2018. RBC and its team of ambassadors have helped the Heritage Classic Foundation continue to elevate the event year after year. We look forward to the next seven years and the positive impact we will be able to provide to the State of South Carolina.”

The RBC Canadian Open begins Thursday with Jason Day, the No. 1 player in the world and one of 14 touring professionals who make up Team RBC, defending his title.

TORONTO – This year’s RBC Canadian Open is once again set to be the most sustainable Canadian Open to date. Each year we aim to push the environmental programming to be better and better. This year we have built off of a successful pilot program, and increased the number of Zero Waste Sorting zones.

“RBC is excited to again work with Golf Canada and our partners to host one of the most sustainable golf tournaments on the PGA tour and continue to improve our environmental programing year over year.” says Andrew Craig, Director Corporate Environmental Affairs, RBC.

“We are excited to support these new initiatives to ensure the environmental impacts of the RBC Canadian Open continue to decrease,” said Brent McLaughlin, tournament director for the RBC Canadian Open. “Glen Abbey is a great location to reinforce these initiatives, and the golf course itself has been certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary since 2004.”

Here are the 2016 RBC Canadian Open key environmental initiatives:

Hosting a carbon-neutral event

RBC and Golf Canada have taken responsibility for GHG emissions where possible through the following initiatives:

• The event will be bullfrogpowered with 100 per cent green natural gas and green electricity. Across Canada, Bullfrog Power’s green electricity comes exclusively from a blend of wind and low-impact hydro power sourced from new Canadian renewable energy facilities. Bullfrog’s green natural gas is a climate-friendly alternative to conventional, polluting natural gas, and is sourced from the Rive-Nord green natural gas facility in Quebec, a unique, ground-breaking methane-capture project.
• GHG emissions associated with the use of diesel generators and event vehicles will be neutralized through the purchase and retirement of high quality carbon offsets. The carbon offsets will be acquired through RBC’s carbon emissions trading group in RBC Capital Markets.

Reducing waste sent to landfill

The event’s goal is to divert waste from landfill using the following initiatives:

• Three zero waste sorting stations located in high traffic concession areas will improve waste sorting at the point of disposal and increase waste diversion.
• Visible and well-marked recycling and organics collection receptacles throughout the course will reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill.
• For the sixth consecutive year, Event Water Solutions is providing free filtered water at water stations located across the grounds. In 2015, more than 57,000 bottles were filled at the water stations. That’s more than 114,0000 plastic bottles diverted from landfill. Collapsible water bottles will be available for purchase at the tournament with proceeds benefiting the official charity partner, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada.
• Concession service provider Bingeman’s is reducing waste by using compostable or recyclable food packaging and condiments will be served in bulk where possible.
• Unused food will be donated to a local food bank
• Food items not suitable for donation will be separated for composting.
• Volunteers, including a large contingent from the Burloak Canoe Club, will ensure waste is properly sorted and that the golf course remains litter free.

Sustainable transportation options

Steps have been taken to reduce the environmental impacts of transportation and provide sustainable transportation options such as:

• Complimentary bicycle valet for ticket holders and tournament volunteers near the main gates.
• The event is accessible by public transportation with shuttle bus service from Bronte and Oakville GO Stations.

Sustainable golf course operations

Since 2004, Glen Abbey has been certified as an Audubon International golf course by Audubon International. Only five per cent of Canadian golf courses have this prestigious environmental designation. To earn this designation, golf courses are subjected to an audit and certification program covering six categories: Environmental Planning, Chemical Use Reduction & Safety, Water Conservation, Water Quality Management, Wildlife & Habitat Management, and Outreach & Education.

Cle Elum, Wash. – Team Canada National Team member Naomi Ko won a three-way playoff to earn medalist honors and No. 1 seed after two rounds of stroke play qualifying at the Prospector Course at Suncadia in Cle Elum, Wash. at the 115th Pacific Northwest Women’s Amateur; while Christina Proteau earned the No. 1 seed in the 15th Pacific Northwest Women’s Mid-Amateur

Both championships are conducted by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA)

Three giants in the Women’s Amateur field tied at the top – Jisoo Keel, Princess Superal and Naomi Ko – with Ko winning the playoff for the No. 1 seed honors going into tomorrow’s match play format.

Ko, of Victoria, B.C., was named the 2014 PNGA Junior Girls’ Player of the Year, and qualified for this year’s U.S. Women’s Open.

Superal, of Sun City, Calif., won the 2014 U.S. Girls’ Junior, the 2016 Hong Kong Ladies Amateur, and was medalist at the 2016 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball (with partner Pauline del Rosario) where she made it to the semifinals.

Keel, of Coquitlam, B.C., recently won the BC Women’s Amateur, and was twice named the PNGA Junior Girls’ Player of the Year (2011, 2012).

Of her play today, Ko said, “It’s feels really good to play well, especially on this course. It was playing really tough, especially yesterday.”

The Women’s Amateur will begin its match-play competition tomorrow, July 21, which comprises 18-hole single-elimination match play for the low 32 players, with the final match being contested over 36 holes on July 23.

The Women’s Mid-Amateur field has been cut to the low 16 players who now advance to match play. Their 18-hole final match will also be held July 23.

For tee times, pairings and to follow along with live scoring for both championships, visit thepnga.org.

“It feels great (to earn medalist honors),” Proteau said. “That was my primary goal at the start of yesterday’s round. Yesterday was really challenging (because of the windy conditions) and I didn’t play my best, so today feels really good.” Proteau shot rounds of 77-70, with her second round being the only round under par of the entire Mid-Amateur field. She enters match play as the No. 1 seed.

Proteau is a three-time PNGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Player of the Year (2012-2014).

Tiger Woods withdrew from the PGA Championship, the first time he will go an entire year without playing a major.

The decision, while not a surprise, also means he will go an entire PGA Tour season without playing.

His agent, Mark Steinberg of Excel Sports Management, said in a text to The Associated Press on Tuesday that Woods will not play the remainder of the tour season as he continues to rehab following back surgeries. That would have amounted to only three more tournaments before the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Steinberg said Woods will continue to work hard and assess when he can play the following season, which starts in October.

In public appearances dating to April, whether it was opening his golf course in Houston or hosting his tournament in Washington, Woods has given no indication when he will be ready to compete. He had his second and third back surgeries last year and has said he wants to take his time making sure it heals.

Woods now has gone eight full years since winning his 14th major championship at the 2008 U.S. Open.

He was replaced by Harold Varner III at the PGA Championship, which starts July 28 at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey.

The start times for the 2016 RBC Canadian Championship Pro-Am at Glen Abbey Golf Club have been released. Wednesday, July 20 will see 52 professional golfers take to the historic Oakville course to entertain 156 amateurs. Click here for pairings and start times.

The pairings for the opening two rounds of the 107th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship on Thursday, July 21 and Friday, July 22 are now available online here.

CN FUTURE LINKS – WALK WITH A PRO
Canada’s National Junior Golf Program – CN Future Links – is welcoming a number of its program participants to the 2016 RBC Canadian Open to join PGA TOUR professionals on the 7th hole during the Championship Pro-Am. The “Walk with a Pro” event offers junior golfers the chance of a lifetime – to carry a professional’s putter or bag and maybe even take the pro’s first putt. CN Future Links is conducted by Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada and Canada’s provincial golf associations. Visit www.CNfuturelinks.com for additional information or to find a CN Future Links program in your area.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – There was a time when Graham DeLaet thought he would never be able to represent his country on the Olympic stage.

Now DeLaet will be part of a Canadian team brimming with potential when golf makes its Olympic return at the Rio de Janeiro Games following a 112-year absence.

The Canadian Olympic Committee and Golf Canada officially introduced the Olympic golf team Tuesday. DeLaet will join a potent squad including 18-year-old phenom Brooke Henderson, David Hearn and Alena Sharp.

“Up until a few years ago I never really thought I’d ever have the chance to be an Olympian,” said a smiling DeLaet, who recently shaved off his trademark beard so he could better cuddle his newborn twins. “Even just saying that and the closer and closer we get to Rio the more it’s kind of sinking in. It’s a pretty special opportunity, there’s no question.

“Both David and I and Brooke and Alena, we want to bring back some hardware.”

Hearn, DeLaet and Sharp were present for Tuesday’s announcement, with chef de mission Curt Harnett giving them their Olympic jackets. Henderson, who was in Calgary for a junior event, participated in the ceremony via teleconference and was given her jacket by Olympic ski-cross racer Brady Leman.

Golf was played at the 1900 Paris Games and again in St. Louis in 1904. It was supposed to be an Olympic competition at the 1908 London Games, but when organizers couldn’t agree on the format of play it was dropped from the slate of competitions, not to reappear for over a century.

All of DeLaet’s teammates agreed that the return of golf to the Olympics presents a unique opportunity for them to play on a new, higher level. The newly minted Olympians described it as a chance to elevate the sport’s profile in Canada.

“Growing up you watch the Olympics and being into golf, there was no chance to be an Olympian,” said Sharp. “When it was announced it was something very important to me to be able to represent Canada and go down to Rio.

“Growing up I always watched the hockey and we’re known for hockey but I think it’s time to show the world that we’re known for golf.”

Men’s individual golf and a team event were held in 1904, with George Lyon of Richmond, Ont., winning gold, meaning Canada has technically been the defending champion for 112 years. The engraved, sterling silver trophy from the 1904 Olympics is still kept by Golf Canada at its headquarters in Oakville and on Tuesday it was brought on stage for the golfers to pose with.

“The fact that we are defending gold medal champions is a neat piece of history that Canada can be proud of,” said Hearn. “Graham and I are going to try and go down there and defend on the men’s side and Brooke and Alena are going to do what they can to bring home a medal for the women.”

It will be a somewhat depleted field for the Canadian men, as the top four players on the PGA Tour – Americans Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Great Britain’s Rory McIlroy – have all dropped out of the Olympics over health concerns, including the Zika virus. Hearn is No. 130 in the world, while DeLaet is ranked 140th.

Henderson is world No. 2 among women, while Sharp is 85th.

All four Canadian golfers say they are willing to take the risk of being exposed to the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which can lead to birth defects.

“I think part of being Canadian is having that pride,” said DeLaet, to a round of applause from fans assembled at Glen Abbey Golf Club to watch the qualifying rounds of the PGA’s Canadian Open. “It should be a privilege to represent your country, not a chore. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.”

DeLaet, whose wife gave birth to twins eight months ago, says his family doesn’t plan on having more children. Hearn is already a father, while Sharp believes the risk is minimal for a variety of reasons.

“The cases have decreased by 85 per cent, I think you can contract Zika in Florida too. It’s not a big issue for me,” said Sharp, who also said that the COC and the International Golf Federation have regularly updated the golfers on the virus. “Of course I’m going to be careful, I’m going to put bug spray on and probably wear long sleeves but I think I’m going to wear shorts.

“I think that at the golf course, because it’s supposed to be windy, I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. I think it’s going to be more about being careful at the Olympic Village. I’m going to be wearing bug spray 24/7.”

Welcome to #TeamCanada @GrahamDeLaet. Canada will be cheering you on @OlympicGolf I #Rio2016 #TeamRBChttps://t.co/SzrHjYnf94

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) July 19, 2016

I want to be part of the team & really be the proud Canadian competitor cheering on the other athletes – @AlenaSharphttps://t.co/l7Dxge4aU3

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) July 20, 2016

I’m excited about the opportunity & I’m very proud to be representing #TeamCanada at the Olympics – @HearnDavidhttps://t.co/UmJzlmpfTt

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) July 20, 2016

HAMILTON, Ont. – From the most pressing issues in Canadian golf news, to thought-provoking profiles and jealously-inducing travel logs, the best in Canadian golf writing and photography was showcased Monday at Beverley Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ontario as the Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) held its annual general meeting and awards banquet.

First, second and third prizes were handed out in the following categories: Feature, Profile, Editorial/Column/Blog and Travel. Three prizes for Photography were also awarded.

“Our awards have progressed from where we were 10 years ago, and we really are recognizing the best in golf writing. It’s the Academy Awards of Canadian golf journalism,” said GJAC President Grant Fraser. “I would like to congratulate all of those who participated in the awards, and especially the winners.”

The big winner of the day was Jason Logan, the editor of SCOREGolf Magazine, who captured three awards, including a first-prize for his travel story on Casa de Campo. SCOREGolf won six awards in four categories, including a sweep of the Profile category.

Logan’s other awards came in the Editorial and Profile categories.

Other first-place winners included Lorne Rubenstein, for his lauded Q&A with Tiger Woods for Time Magazine, in the Features category, Rick Drennan for Pro Shop Magazine on the RBC Canadian Open in the Editorials category, and Rick Young for SCOREGolf.com on new European Tour CEO (and Canadian) Keith Pelley in the Profile category.

Bernard Brault from La Presse and Golf Canada won two prizes for photography, including the first-place prize.

“We had more submissions than we have had in the past. It just keeps getting bigger and better, and the quality of our awards are first class,” said Fraser, who is concluding his two-year term as president at the end of 2016.

The full list of winners can be found here

Feature

1. Tiger’s private struggles, Time, Lorne Rubenstein
2. Home invasion, SCOREGolf, Robert Thompson
3. Iconic Old Course stands in way of Spieth’s Grand Slam quest, The Globe and Mail, Curtis Gillespie

Editorial/Column/Blog

1. Opening up the talk on our Open, Pro Shop Magazine, Rick Drennan
2. Seeing is believing, SCOREGolf.com, Jason Logan
3. Jordan Spieth has youthful answer to golf’s stuffy image, Toronto Sun, Jon McCarthy

Travel

1. “Razor Sharp,” Jason Logan, SCOREGolf magazine
2. “Perfect in Every Way,” Grant Fraser, Ontario Golf News
3. “Nevis,” Ted McIntyre, Hamilton Spectator

Profile

1. “Pelley’s Mission,” Rick Young, SCOREGolf.com
2. “Straight Shooter,” Jason Logan, SCOREGolf magazine
3. “Pros and Conners,” Bob Weeks, SCOREGolf magazine

Photo

1. “Disabled Golfer,” Bernard Brault, La Presse
2. “Bubba Bunker Boomer,” John Gallaugher, Pro Shop magazine
3. “Silhouette,” Bernard Brault, La Presse

Vancouver – The historic first U.S. Amateur Qualifying event to be held in Canada at Marine Drive Golf Club produced club member Chris Crisologo as its medallist with the 2nd qualifying position going to William Deck from Kelowna.

Two alternate spots were won by two more members from the host club, Jackson Thornley and Conrado Pederes, who beat yet another Marine Drive member, Jordan Lu, in a playoff.

On a day with weather befitting a marathon qualifier, Marine Drive GC member Chris Crisologo was the medallist shooting rounds of 65-69 for a 6-under par score under blue skies and a hot July sun in Vancouver.

The long day took it’s toll on a number of golfers both mentally and physically but the Simon Fraser University product who was earlier this year named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference, posted a 5-under par 65 in his morning round and was never challenged for the medallist position.

This will be Crisologo’s first appearance in a U.S. Amateur and as he says, “I’m definitely excited, this will be a great experience, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Playing 36 holes in one day can certainly be a tough task and even though Crisologo’s familiarity with the golf course was a benefit, he didn’t get off to the start he would have liked,”It’s a long grind, obviously, I didn’t start off too well, to be honest with you. I was a little bit anxious on the first few holes, I think I was 1-over through my front nine, but knowing this course so well, I’ve been here 10 years now, you start to realize there are some birdie holes out here and you just have to take it for what it’s worth.”

Over his two rounds Crisologo recorded 10 birdies and an eagle to go along with 6 bogies for his 134 total that will now see him travel to Bloomfield Township outside of Detroit Michigan for the 116th U.S. Amateur to be held at the famed Oakland Hills Country Club, previous host to nine major championships including 6 U.S. Opens and 3 PGA Championships.

Joining Crisologo as the 2nd of two qualifiers from this event is William Deck of Kelowna who opened the day with a fine 3-under 67 of his own, only to see that evaporate on his afternoon front nine where he posted a 5-over 39 when, according to his own recounting he, “Hit it all over the place.”

Deck was able to right the ship, however, when he birdied 3 of his final 5 holes, aided by two hole-outs from the fairway to bring his score back to even for the day and knock another Marine Drive member, Jackson Thornley into 1st alternate status.

The 2nd alternate position was earned by yet one more member from Marine Drive, Conrado Paderes, who defeated the 2014 BC Amateur winner Jordan Lu, who also happens to be a member of Marine Drive, in a playoff.

For complete scores click here.

RICHMOND HILL, Ont. – Cameron Percy, Joey Garber, Corey Conners and Ben Taylor have all earned entry into the field for this week’s RBC Canadian Open through today’s Final Qualifying at DiamondBack Golf Club.

Cameron Percy of Australia and Michigan’s Joey Garber shot matching 5-under par 67s to share co-medallist honours. Percy will be making his 94th career PGA Tour start and his fourth at Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. His best result came in 2015 at Glen Abbey Golf Club where he tied for 18th. Garber will be making his debut at the RBC Canadian Open.

England-born Ben Taylor finished T3 at 3-under-par alongside Ontarians Corey Conners of Listowel and Chris Hemmerich of Kitchener. Taylor would claim his exemption on the first playoff hole thanks to a birdie on the par-5 18th hole.

Conners, a member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad, edged Hemmerich to claim the final spot into the RBC Canadian Open on the second extra hole by making par on the par-5 No. 1.

Conners will be competing in the RBC Canadian Open for a fourth consecutive year.

“I’m really excited,” said Conners. “I’ve been playing really well all year and I really like where my game is at. The atmosphere of being a Canadian and playing at the RBC Canadian Open is really cool. You see young kids who want autographs and there are a lot of people cheering for you, so it’s a great feeling and something that I’m looking forward to experiencing again.”

Additional information regarding the 2016 RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier can be found here.

TROON, Scotland – Henrik Stenson kept hitting the best shots of his life, one after another, because there was no other way to beat Phil Mickelson in a British Open duel that ranked among the best in golf.

Stenson only cared about that silver claret jug. He wound up with so much more Sunday.

His final stroke of this major masterpiece was a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at Royal Troon that tumbled into the cup on the last turn. His 10th birdie of the round gave him an 8-under 63 to match Johnny Miller for the lowest closing round by a major champion.

Stenson finished at 20-under 264, the lowest 72-hole score ever in a major. He tied Jason Day’s record for lowest under par set last year at the PGA Championship.

Records didn’t matter. This was about winning his first major.

“I didn’t know until they told me in the recorder’s hut,” Stenson said when asked if he knew that last putt was for 63.

Stenson won by three shots over Mickelson, a runner-up for the 11th time in a major, but never like this.

Lefty played bogey-free for a 65 and posted a score (267) that would have won all but two Opens over more than a century.

“A 65 in the final round of a major is usually good enough to win,” Mickelson said.

Not this time.

Stenson held the claret jug and told Mickelson at the closing ceremony, “Thank you very much for a great fight.” Mickelson said it was the best golf he ever played without winning.

“You know he’s not going to back down and he’s going to try to make birdies on every hole,” Stenson said. “So I just tried to do the same, and just delighted to come out on top and managed to win this trophy.”

This was heavyweight material, reminiscent of the “Duel in the Sun” just down the Ayrshire coastline at Turnberry in 1977, when Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus battled right down to the final hole, and no one else was closer than 10 shots.

Stenson and Mickelson were never separated by more than two shots over 40 straight holes until the Swede’s final birdie.

Mickelson led only once, a two-shot swing on the opening hole. They were tied with five holes to play until Stenson made an 18-foot birdie on the par-3 14th, and then buried Lefty with a putt that defined his moment as a major champion.

Stenson hammered in a 50-foot birdie putt across the 15th green, walking toward the hole as it was on its way, stopping halfway to pump his fist when it fell, rare emotion for a 40-year-old Swede with ice blue eyes and a stare that can cut through gorse.

Mickelson gave it his best shot in his bid at 46 to become the fourth-oldest major winner in history. He chased a 3-wood onto the green at the par-5 16th, and his eagle putt from 30 feet missed by less than an inch. Stenson matched his birdie with an up-and-down from deep rough, and he was on his way.

“I always thought he would come through with a win,” Mickelson. “I’m sorry that it came at my expense.”

J.B. Holmes won the B-Flight. He finished third, 14 shots behind.

“Those guys are playing a different golf course than everyone else,” Holmes said.

Mickelson had not won since the British Open at Muirfield three years ago, with Stenson as the runner-up. Mickelson began the week at Royal Troon with a 63, and Stenson finished what Lefty started.

The Swede won his first major in his 42nd attempt, becoming only the ninth player to capture his first major after turning 40. Beyond the score, the measure of his performance was that he putted for a birdie on every hole Sunday in a mild wind off the Irish Sea. Stenson three-putted for bogey from just off the first green, and he three-putted on No. 10 to fall back into a tie for the lead.

They matched pars on only six of the 18 holes.

Stenson became only the fourth player to win the British Open with all four rounds in the 60s, joining Tiger Woods, Nick Price and Greg Norman. He also ended a streak of six American winners at Royal Troon that dated to 1950.

He gave Sweden a long-awaited major in men’s golf, 19 years after Jesper Parnevik lost a 54-hole lead at Royal Troon. Stenson said Parnevik send him a message that said, “Go out and finish what I didn’t manage to finish.”

“I’m really proud to have done that, and it’s going to be massive for golf in Sweden with this win,” Stenson said.

Maybe he can take that silver jug down to Rio in his search of Olympic gold.

Golf’s top four players have withdrawn from the Olympics, but the Rio Games will have at least two of this year’s major champions – Stenson and Masters winner Danny Willett of England.

There’s one more major to play before Rio. Take a breath, Henrik. The PGA Championship starts a week from Thursday.