Allen, Texas’ Paul McConnell shot an 8-under 64 on Thursday at Dakota Dunes Golf Links to take the first round lead at the SIGA Dakota Dunes Open, the fourth event of the 2016 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada season.

The 25-year old managed seven birdies, an eagle and a bogey on day one to lead by two over Chilliwack, British Columbia’s Brad Clapp and Sea Island, Georgia’s Bobby Wyatt through one round at Dakota Dunes.

“I focused on one hole at a time and tried to make birdies, and had a lucky eagle on two, which is great. It was just fun and I was having a good time,” said McConnell.

The second year Mackenzie Tour member is coming off a 2015 campaign that saw him retain exempt status by finishing inside the top 60 on the Order of Merit, as well as an off-season where he Monday qualified for two different PGA TOUR events, two accomplishments the University of Texas-Arlington graduate said were more than a coincidence.

“This is a good proving ground to get to the next level, and last year playing the Mackenzie Tour allowed me to play well for the qualifiers on the PGA TOUR and get some good experience,” said McConnell.

Two shots behind McConnell were Wyatt and Clapp, who carded his best career round in his third start at Dakota Dunes.

“I stayed out of trouble for sure and didn’t feel much stress today. I had a couple of tough chips coming in, but I hit a lot of greens and never really got myself out of position,” said Clapp.

Clapp carded seven birdies and one bogey on Thursday for a 6-under 66. Thursday marked the ninth straight round after which a native of British Columbia has been inside the Top-five.

13 players were tied for fourth at 5-under after day one, including a trio of Canadians Elliott Whitley of Hamilton, Ont., Dundas, Ont., product Christopher Ross, and Edmonton’s Wil Bateman.

BETHESDA, Md. – Jon Rahm couldn’t remember a single shot he took in a professional debut to remember. Ernie Els recalled shots he hit on the same course 19 years ago.

Rahm shot a 7-under 64 on Thursday at Congressional to take the first-round lead in the Quicken Loans National, Tiger Woods’ annual tournament that started two hours late because of rain.

The soft course, with a fox lounging on the edge of a bunker and darting around with little care for the golf going on around him, allowed players to attack fairways and play aggressively. Rahm took advantage of that with seven birdies in a bogey-free round.

“I was anticipating this moment,” the 21-year-old Spaniard said. “I’m working on it a long time that I kind of blacked out a little bit. I don’t remember a single swing I made all day or any putting stroke or anything. I just remember the ball flying or rolling.”

The former Arizona State star was the only amateur to make the cut last week in the U.S. Open, tying for 23rd at Oakmont. With momentum from the U.S. Open, Rahm tried to temper his expectations and relied on advice from golf great Jack Nicklaus.

“What he told me is to just never do more than what I can do,” said Rahm, who cited not looking at social media as another key to his success. “Try not to risk too much. And that’s certainly something I did today.”

The long-hitting Rahm had a one-stroke lead over Jhonattan Vegas and a two-stroke advantage over a pack that included Els, who won the 1997 U.S. Open at Congressional. Rickie Fowler and Vijay Singh were among those at 68.

Els, who turned pro five years before Rahm was born, chose to play the Quicken Loans immediately after missing the cut at the U.S. Open because of how much he likes the course. He has the same caddie, Ricci Roberts, who was on his bag back in 1997, and Thursday was full of useful memories.

“Winning a major at a special place like Congressional, playing here again, you just keep thinking back on shots,” Els said. “Almost every single hole there’s a moment back in ’97 where we can remember still.”

The 46-year-old Els is almost four years from his last victory, when he won the 2012 British Open. But he started feeling more like himself during the pro-am Wednesday and showed it by shooting a 66.

“I felt comfortable with my swing this week,” Els said. “I’ve had a very tough year. I haven’t played very well, so I need to start playing well.”

Rahm, on the other hand, has been gradually improving. He opened eyes by tying for fifth at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February 2015 and turned pro as the top-ranked amateur.

Now his challenge is to keep expectations low while leading a tournament. Rahm’s plan was to go see a movie and get away from golf rather than focus on it.

“It is a challenge,” Rahm said. “I’ve been playing a lot of golf lately and maybe trying to get time off golf is just as important as time practicing, so maybe just resting my mind a little bit would be the best way to do it.”

Bill Haas, Jamie Lovemark, Kyle Reifers, Camilo Villegas, Harold Varner III, Billy Hurley IIIand Wesley Bryan were at 66 along with Els.

The 7,569-yard course, which last hosted the U.S. Open in 2011 when Rory McIlroy won it by eight strokes, could play even longer once it dries out by the weekend. After rain that started before dawn, players said the fairways weren’t bouncing, so clean shots could get the job done.

“On this course you had better drive it well in the fairway and it’s a bonus if you can drive it long and straight,” Vegas said. “Put it in the fairway and greens being a little softer than normal, you can play a good round today.”

Abbotsford, B.C., products Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor opened with matching 2-under 69 showings and hold shares of 35th. David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., sits T55 at 1-under.

TORONTO – It was a dramatic finish to the Investors Group Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, on June 23 at Lambton Golf & Country Club. After 54-holes, a champion was yet to be crowned. First and second round leader, Ryan Kings, and Matthew Sim were all tied at two-over and needed a playoff to determine a winner. On the first playoff hole, it was Sim who brought the crowd surrounding the 18th green, to their feet by sinking a nearly 20-foot birdie putt to capture the title.

Heading into the day, Sim, from Oakville and the Mississaugua Golf & Country Club, sat in a tie for fourth at three-over for the championship. The 29-year-old got off to a great start with birdies on the fifth, sixth, and seventh holes and was two-under at the turn. He continued to lower his score on the back nine with three more birdies on 10, 12 and 14 and was four-under for the day, one-under for the tournament, with three holes to go. However, after a bogey on 16, he found the trees on 17 leading to a double bogey. He pared the 18th but was watching the final group to see where he would finish.

The final group included Kitchener’s Kings and Brooklin’s Ashley Chinner, who began the round in first and second place respectively. Kings, a Deer Ridge Golf Club member, started the day with a four-shot lead but gave it back as he finished six-over on the front nine. He would get one back with a birdie on 11, but still found himself tied for the lead at two-over heading to the 18th. On 18, Kings drained a lengthy par putt to force the playoff with Sim. Kings managed to par the playoff hole but there was nothing he could do except watch as Sim sank the winner for the title. Sim finished the tournament at two-over (75-72-71-218), Kings went (69-72-77-218).

After the win, Sim talked about how he felt during the week. “Coming into the week I felt great and things just came together for me. I struggled a bit down the stretch but I held it together. Today my putting was my strong point, I definitely made some key putts.”

The most key putt for Sim came on the playoff hole. He remembers what he was thinking as he stared down the shot for the win. “It was a double breaker over a slope and I thought it was going to straighten out. It got about two feet from the hole and I could see it going right in the middle. I couldn’t believe it when it dropped. It still hasn’t sunk in yet. This win feels fantastic, it is above everything else by a long shot!”

As for Chinner, a member of Coppinwood Golf Club, he too had a chance to join the playoff for the title. However, it all came down to 18 where he settled for a bogey dropping him to a share of the bronze medal. Chinner finished the tournament at three-over (71-74-74-219) and won the Mid-Masters Championship.

He shared the bronze medal with North York’s Charles Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons, from Thornhill Golf & Country Club, began the day in a tie for seventh at four-over. He finished the round at one-under to end the tournament at three-over (73-75-71-219).

Fitzsimmons and Chinner played off for the third Team Ontario spot for the team competition at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, Aug 23 – 26 at Golf Château-Bromont in Bromont, Quebec. Fitzsimmons claimed the spot in the second playoff hole.

Golf Ontario would like to thank Lambton Golf & Country Club along with their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers and to title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province.

For full tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site.

DUBLIN – Graeme McDowell rejected the chance to replace Rory McIlroy in the Irish Olympic team on Thursday, becoming the latest high-profile golfer to opt out of the Rio de Janeiro Games.

While McIlroy cited concerns about the Zika virus, McDowell said he decided months ago not to leave the United States in the weeks leading up to the birth of their second child.

Next in line for Irish selection for the first Olympic golf competition since 1904 is three-time major champion Padraig Harrington.

“I will work very hard over the next few weeks to achieve this selection as it would be a huge honour for me to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games, having played an active role in golf’s bid to be re-included in the Olympic Games program,” Harrington said in a statement.

McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open champion, said his wife Kristin was due to give birth “just a couple of weeks” after the Olympic golf ends on Aug. 20.

The International Golf Federation responded to the latest Olympic setback by saying it recognizes the “unique circumstances for Graeme and his family.”

“While we are disappointed that he is not available for the Olympic Games, we sympathize with his position,” the federation said in a statement.

EDMONTON – Brett Hogan of The Glencoe Golf & Country Club claimed victory at the Scott Venturo Alberta Open Championship at RedTail Landing Golf Club with a tournament total of 10-under 134. After losing the lead to Calgary’s Wes Heffernan early in the round, Hogan chipped-in on the 18th to win by two strokes.

Hogan started his front nine with two bogeys and two birdies to give Heffernan the early lead. Hogan proceeded to make five more birdies on the back nine before finishing with his one-hop chip-in on the final hole. “I knew I had to do something special,” Hogan explained. “I hit it a lot harder than what I wanted to and it one-hopped into the pin. Crazy things happen I guess.” With the win, Hogan has earned an exemption into the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada’s 2016 Syncrude Oil Country Championship.

Wes Heffernan claimed runner-up honours with an 8-under performance. Heffernan’s four consecutive birdies on his first four holes gave him the early lead. “It was pretty flawless for 15 and a half holes, one of the best rounds I’ve ever played in a tournament,” said Heffernan. “To get back into contention at the Alberta Open was awesome.” Heffernan remained positive, adding, “I guess I’ll have to try to win an Alberta Open again.”

Wes Heffernan was awarded $5000 for being the low professional.

The top 16 amateurs from the 2016 Scott Venturo Alberta Open Championship will move on to compete at the Alberta Match Play Championship from June 23-24.

Complete results are available here.

BETHESDA, Md. – Tiger Woods can play soccer with kids and ride a bike but hasn’t progressed far enough in his rehab to set a timeline on when he’ll return to professional golf.

Woods, who hasn’t played on the PGA Tour in 10 months after two back surgeries last year, isn’t yet able to play 36 holes a day and practice how he’d like. Before getting back, he said he’d have to play several days to show his body can handle the workload.

“I need to get to where I can play 18 holes out here and go to the range for an hour and work on my game,” Woods said Wednesday on the eve of the first round of his Quicken Loans National tournament. “That’s what I used to do, that’s one of the reasons why I think I’ve had some success – I was able to work on it during the week. Just not quite there yet.”

The 40-year-old is battling soreness day-to-day when he practices and said he needs to get into golf shape some more. He hasn’t had any setbacks and hasn’t lost distance on his drives, but the strain of playing on consecutive days is still a struggle.

Woods said he has pushed through injury rehabs before and vowed not to do it again. He missed nine months in 2008 and 2009 after surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee.

“Trying to do it correctly this time,” he said. “I’m just playing it week-to-week and I keep getting better, I keep getting physically better. I just hope that everything clicks in and I can do it sooner rather than later.”

Woods hasn’t played since the Wyndham Championship in August. The 14-time major winner said it’s especially tough to miss his own tournament, which he has hosted since 2007.

“I want to be out there,” Woods said. “I feel like I should be able to compete against these guys. I miss playing against these guys. I have to sit on the sidelines just like everybody else. I might get an inside-the-ropes pass, though.”

The Quicken Loans National following the U.S. Open hurt the quality of the field that will tee off Thursday at Congressional Country Club. But Woods appreciates that Jim Furyk, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh are among those taking part, along with sixth-ranked Rickie Fowler.

“These guys could be resting and get ready for next week but they’re here playing,” Woods said. “It’s neat to see these guys are veterans and they’ve gone through countless wars with us, they’ve been around for a long time and for them to come out here and play.”

Watching the U.S. Open on Sunday, Woods criticized the USGA for how it handled a rules situation with eventual champion Dustin Johnson. Officials told Johnson at the 12th hole they’d decide after his final round whether to penalize him for his actions on the fifth green, and he had to play the final seven holes not knowing what his score was or how far ahead he was of the rest of the field.

“It was awful because no one knew what was going on,” Woods said. “It wasn’t fair to Dustin, it wasn’t fair to the other players who had a chance. It just wasn’t fair to anyone.”

Asked how he would’ve handled that situation, the three-time U.S. Open champion said: “I’m a little bit feistier than Dustin, so I think I would’ve probably said a few more things during the round.”

Woods would like to get back into competition and won’t rule out playing in any future event. That doesn’t mean he’ll be ready for the British Open next month, only that he’ll continue doing his “mundane” exercises and building up strength.

“I’m just playing it week to week and I keep getting better,” Woods said. “I keep getting physically better. I just hope that everything clicks in and I can do it sooner rather than later.”

LATROBE, Pa. – Arnold Palmer didn’t make a live television appearance at Bay Hill. For the first time, he didn’t hit the ceremonial first tee shot at the Masters. He struggles with mobility, which kept him from attending the U.S. Open.

Just don’t get the idea Palmer is slowing down entirely.

The day after the U.S. Open, he drove his golf cart up to the back entrance of his office across from Latrobe Country Club. The 86-year-old Palmer had just returned from hitting balls. And he was as frustrated as ever.

“I’m just not making very good contact,” Palmer said. “I’ll get there.”

Palmer, who lost in a playoff at Oakmont in 1962 and played in his final U.S. Open there in 1994, watched the final round and like everyone else, questioned the USGA’s handling of a penalty stroke on Dustin Johnson for his ball moving on the fifth green.

Palmer could relate. The conversation shifted to the 1958 Masters, as Palmer recalled a dispute with rules official Arthur Lacey over whether he was entitled to relief from an embedded ball on the fringe behind the 12th green. Told that he wasn’t, Palmer declared he was playing two balls until he could reach the rules chairman. He made double bogey with the embedded ball, par with the second ball that he dropped. On the 15th hole, he was told he was right and would have a par on the 12th.

“I played two holes” without knowing what he would he make on the hole, he said.

He was sharp. He was funny. And he is busy.

One of his projects is book being published by St. Martin’s Press called, “A Life Well Played: My Stories.” The book allows him to share new stories and provide more insight into old stories. In a release announcing the book, Palmer writes, “Though I have written a number of books in the past, this one was particularly important to me because I delved into the process, I realized just how much I still wanted to say to my friends in golf and to fans of the game in general.”

The book is to be published at the end of October.

More evidence of how Palmer occupies his time was behind his desk. On a table was a stack of items nearly a foot high – photos, pin flags, books – from people around the world wanting to get them signed. His press secretary, Doc Giffin, said Palmer takes time every day to sign them. How long does he spend? Thirty minutes? An hour?

“Oh no,” Giffin said. “Sometimes, depending on how he’s feeling, he’ll do it for two or three hours.”

The British Open returns next month to Royal Troon, where Palmer won his second claret jug with a six-shot victory in 1962. When told he would be thought of during that week, Palmer came to life.

“I might be there,” he said. “I’m thinking about playing.”

There was a pause. There was a wink. There was a smile.

“Or maybe I’m just being ornery,” he said.

When we talk about the game of golf, it’s truly a sport for everyone — a game for life. Whether we’re talking about age, gender, or physical conditions, any interested enthusiast should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits and challenges our game presents.

As the National Sport Federation of golf, Golf Canada is continually looking for ways to encourage more people to play this great game. We work to eliminate barriers and engage people from all walks of life.

That holds especially true this year as we are piloting a training camp and nine-hole competition for Special Olympics Canada athletes, in conjunction with our CN Future Links Pacific and Quebec Championships. Special Olympics Canada approached us last year to see how Golf Canada could provide more opportunities for their athletes and we are excited about the opportunity to partner on this initiative. In 2015, Special Olympics Canada had more than 1,600 athletes registered and five of their athletes competed in the World Games in Los Angeles.

This relationship has given us a chance to look at golf through a new lens and open our eyes to the full scope of what our sport is like for golfers with disabilities.

In addition to this newly formed partnership with Special Olympics Canada, Golf Canada has recently adopted the R&A and USGA’s publication, A Modification of the Rules of Golf for Golfers with Disabilities. This modification to the Rules of Golf contains advice and permissible rules that a committee can adopt to provide equitable playing conditions. It allows golfers with disabilities to overcome certain unique or problematic circumstances that they would encounter on the course.

Five groups have been identified — blind golfers, amputee golfers, golfers requiring canes or crutches, golfers requiring wheelchairs and golfers with intellectual disabilities — in order to best apply specific rules modifications.

BLIND GOLFERS are allowed to have a coach (also referred to as a guide) who can assist in addressing the ball and with alignment prior to the stroke. Under the Rules of Golf, a coach would have the same status as a caddie. That said, if the coach cannot perform the duties of a caddie, it is permissible for a blind golfer to have both a coach and a caddie.

AMPUTEE GOLFERS (which, for this purpose, includes golfers with limb deficiencies) have restrictions of varying degrees. With this in mind, the committee can operate under Exception 1 to Rule 14-3 for certain devices (i.e. artificial limbs) that are used to alleviate a medical condition. If the committee is satisfied that the artificial devices do not give the player an undue advantage over other players, such devices would be permitted.

GOLFERS REQUIRING CANES, CRUTCHES OR WHEELCHAIRS use these devices as a necessity to play and it does not constitute “building a stance” within the meaning of the term in Rule 13-3. In addition to this point, the term “fairly taking your stance” is still relevant with respect to Rule 13-2. Players would still be limited to the intent of this rule, which prohibits a player from deliberately improving the lie of the ball, area of intended stance or swing, or line of play.

ANCHORING has recently been added to these modified Rules of Golf with the recent addition of Rule 14-1b. Regarding the application of this rule, where a committee has determined that a golfer who uses an assistive device is unable to hold and swing his clubs without anchoring because of his use of the assistive device, the golfer is permitted to make a stroke while anchoring the club.

It’s important to note these rules modifications only apply to a competition if they have been introduced by the committee in charge of the competition. These modifications do not apply automatically to a competition involving golfers with disabilities.

Secondly, outside of these exceptions for specific physical limitations outlined in A Modification of the Rules of Golf for Golfers with Disabilities, Golf Canada can review and approve the use of equipment or devices that don’t necessarily conform to the Rules of Golf on a case-by-case basis.

The ultimate goal of this modification is inclusion, and to provide fair and equitable playing conditions for every golfer.

For complete information pertaining to the Rules of Golf for golfers with disabilities, please visit golfcanada.ca/rules-of-golf.

Modified rules for golfers with disabilities This article was originally published in the May 2016 edition of Golf Canada Magazine. To view the full magazine, click the image to the left.

Golfer Rory McIlroy became one of the most high-profile sports stars to opt out of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics because of concerns about the Zika virus, saying Wednesday it is “a risk I am unwilling to take.”

“After speaking with those closest to me, I’ve come to realize that my health and my family’s health comes before anything else,” the four-time major winner said in a statement released by his management company.

The fourth-ranked McIlroy was scheduled to play for Ireland as golf makes its return to the Olympics for the first time since 1904.

The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) said it was “extremely disappointed” not to have McIlroy on its team.

“However, as we have always said, it is down to the individual and of course we respect his decision, which he has taken for personal reasons,” the OCI said in a statement.

The 27-year-old McIlroy said this month that he and his fiancee, Erica Stoll, may consider starting a family “in the next couple of years.”

“Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low,” McIlroy said, “it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take.”

Australian golfer Marc Leishman has already pulled out of the Olympic tournament, citing concerns over the health of his family because of the mosquito-borne virus which is linked to severe birth defects and possible neurological problems in adults. Leishman’s wife, Audrey, nearly died last year from toxic shock syndrome.

Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Vijay Singh have also said they won’t compete at Rio, mostly due to scheduling commitments.

Last month, 150 health experts issued an open letter to the U.N. health agency calling for the games to be delayed or relocated “in the name of public health.” The agency, the World Health Organization, responded that such steps would “not significantly alter the international spread of Zika virus.”

The OCI said it has been taking its lead on the Zika situation from the International Olympic Committee.

“They have provided us with every assurance and we have total confidence that the games will be safe for all athletes,” the Dublin-based organization said.

McIlroy, who has won three of the four majors in golf, had been eligible to compete for either Britain or Ireland at the Olympics. He eventually chose Ireland, which he had represented throughout his amateur career and twice in the World Cup.

“I trust the Irish people will understand my decision,” McIlroy said. “The unwavering support I receive every time I compete in a golf tournament at home or abroad means the world to me.

“I will continue to endeavour to make my fans and fans of golf proud with my play on the course and my actions off it.”

The International Golf Federation said it was “disappointed with Rory’s decision but recognizes that some players will have to weigh personally a unique set of circumstances as they contemplate their participation in golf’s historic return to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, with the Zika virus foremost among them.”

It added that “the Olympics is the world’s greatest celebration of sport and we remain excited about golf’s return after a 112-year absence.”

The IGF, founded in 1958, is recognized by the IOC as the official world body for golf.

The USGA wishes to congratulate Dustin Johnson on his victory and thank him, and the other players in the field, for their professionalism and grace throughout the championship. Dustin is a wonderful champion, a talented golfer and a gentleman.

Our team at the USGA has seen and heard a great deal of discussion and debate about the ruling on Dustin’s ball moving during the final round of the 2016 U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club. In addition to the explanations we offered upon the conclusion of the final round, we add these comments.

Upon reflection, we regret the distraction caused by our decision to wait until the end of the round to decide on the ruling. It is normal for rulings based on video evidence to await the end of a round, when the matter can be discussed with the player before the score card is returned. While our focus on getting the ruling correct was appropriate, we created uncertainty about where players stood on the leader board after we informed Dustin on the 12th tee that his actions on the fifth green might lead to a penalty. This created unnecessary ambiguity for Dustin and the other players, as well as spectators on-site, and those watching and listening on television and digital channels.

During any competition, the priority for Rules officials is to make the correct ruling for the protection of the player(s) involved and the entire field. In applying Rule 18-2, which deals with a ball at rest that moves, officials consider all the relevant evidence – including the player’s actions, the time between those actions and the movement of the ball, the lie of the ball, and course and weather conditions. If that evidence, considered together, shows that it is more likely than not that the player’s actions caused the ball to move, the player incurs a one-stroke penalty. Officials use this “more likely than not” standard because it is not always apparent what caused the ball to move. Such situations require a review of the evidence, with Decision 18-2/0.5 providing guidance on how the evidence should be weighed.

Our officials reviewed the video of Dustin on the fifth green and determined that based on the weight of the evidence, it was more likely than not that Dustin caused his ball to move. Dustin’s putter contacted the ground at the side of the ball, and almost immediately after, the ball moved.

We accept that not everyone will agree that Dustin caused his ball to move. Issues under Rule 18-2 often require a judgment where there is some uncertainty, and this was one of those instances. We also understand that some people may disagree with Rule 18-2 itself. While we respect the viewpoints of those who disagree, our Committee made a careful and collective judgment in its pursuit of a fair competition played under the Rules of Golf.

In keeping with our commitment to excellence in all aspects of our work on behalf of the game of golf, we pledge to closely examine our procedures in this matter. We will assess our procedures for handling video review, the timing of such, and our communication with players to make sure that when confronted with such a situation again, we will have a better process.

We at the USGA deeply appreciate the support of players, fans, and the entire golf community of our championships and our other work for golf – and we appreciate your feedback as well. We have established an email address (comments@usga.org) and phone mailbox (908-326-1857) to receive comments. We thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

We all share an abiding love of this great game. Let us continue to work together for its good.