VALDOSTA, Ga. – Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard kept up his hot play of late on Tuesday, collecting his second straight Top-5 collegiate finish for Saint Leo at the Southeastern Collegiate.

Bernard, last year’s Canadian Men’s Amateur runner-up, came in at 1-under par (72-71-72) for the tournament to finish tied for fourth. The 21-year-old is making an impact early in his freshman season with the Lions. In three events since joining the squad in February, the Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., product has posted a T20 and fourth place finish to go along with Tuesday’s result.

Overall, Bernard finished two back of co-medalists John Coultas (Valrico, Fla.) of Florida Southern and Mateo Gomez (Colombia) of Lynn University.

Collectively, the Saint Leo Lions slipped one spot in Tuesday’s final at the Kinderlou Forest Golf Club to finish T5. They will tee-it-up next from Mar. 21–22 at the Bobcat Invitational.

Click here for full scoring.

Golf Canada in conjunction with Landmark Sport Group, Inc., announced today the launch of the inaugural RBC Canadian Open 5K.

The five kilometre run or walk along the grounds of 2016 RBC Canadian Open host venue Glen Abbey Golf Club will take place on Saturday, July 16, 2016 beginning at 9:00 am. Open to the general public including golf fans, runners, walkers and recreational enthusiasts of all ages, the RBC Canadian Open 5K will be celebrated as part of the 107^th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Golf Championship.

“We want to celebrate the RBC Canadian Open as a party and launching the RBC Canadian Open 5K has the opportunity to expose the event and Glen Abbey to a potential new audience of running and fitness enthusiasts,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “Health and wellness along with physical fitness align with golf’s impact on a healthy active lifestyle and organizing a run through the golf course brings those elements together. Landmark Sport Group brings tremendous race expertise and we are excited to partner in delivering a truly unique golf and fitness experience leading into the 2016 RBC Canadian Open.”

The RBC Canadian Open 5K route will start near the first tee of the championship course, ultimately finishing alongside the iconic and picturesque 18^th green at Glen Abbey Golf Club. The event is tailored to both the traditional and non-traditional running audience and will provide all participants with the full runner’s experience of a timed event, participant bibs, shirts and medals for all. Although the event will have a predominant running theme to it, it is also designed to entice and encourage golf fans to participate in an experience to run or walk on a PGA Tour ready championship golf course just days prior to challenging the stars of the PGA Tour.

“As an avid golfer and runner, I was thinking of a way to combine both of these sports into one completely different and unique event. That is where this idea was born,” says Elliott Kerr, President of Landmark Sport Group, Inc. “This exclusive experience will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity for both golf and running enthusiasts to have access like never before to a RBC Canadian Open course. We could not be more excited to bring this event to both the golf and running communities.”

In addition to the already unique and exclusive nature of RBC Canadian Open 5K, participants will also be invited to watch live the third-round coverage of The British Open Championship both on the big screens located along the race-route and within the Molson Canadian 67 Beer Gardens, where all participants can relax and cool down post-race.

Every registered participant in the RBC Canadian Open 5K will also receive a free ‘anyday’ ticket to the 2016 RBC Canadian Open. The RBC Canadian Open 5K will provide runners, golfers, and sport fans an opportunity they will never forget!

Early bird participant registration begins at $60. Enthusiasts interested in registering or finding more information about the RBC Canadian Open 5K including parking or volunteer opportunities can visit www.golfrun.ca.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Arnold Palmer will be on the first tee to help start the Masters this year – but without his golf clubs.

Palmer said Tuesday he has told Augusta National he will not be hitting the ceremonial tee shot to start the Masters this year. Palmer, a four-time Masters champion, has had that role since 2007. Jack Nicklaus joined him in 2010 and Gary Player was added in 2012.

The 86-year-old Palmer is slowing down. He did not have a news conference at his Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Instead, he answered questions that were submitted last week by the golf media.

Palmer says he would love to hit the ceremonial shot forever, but he can’t hit the drive the way he would like.

Despite no LPGA Tour event this past week, Brooke Henderson has achieved another milestone in her young career.

The 18-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont. cracked the top ten in the Rolex Rankings – the weekly tabulation for female professional golfers – for the first time, sitting 10th.

Henderson, who started her year with four top-10 finishes in five events, three on the LPGA Tour and one on the Ladies European Tour, is in Phoenix this week for the JTBC Founders Cup.

The teenage sensation has had a meteoric rise up the Rolex Rankings since her victory last August. She has admitted in past interviews that her goal is to reach no. 1 in the world, but she’ll have to overtake fellow 18-year-old Lydia Ko to do so.

It’ll take Henderson a few more victories before she can eclipse Ko, but recently announced Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inductee Lorie Kane doesn’t feel like it’ll be too long before she finds the winner’s circle again.

“I just spent some time with her in Australia, and there will be another win coming soon, I don’t doubt it,” Kane told reporters during her Hall-of-Fame announcement conference call.

Henderson’s whirlwind world tour has taken her to both Australia and Singapore – “much different than Smiths Falls,” she admits – in early 2016, but she has also been able to take in the perks of a touring professional (and not something every Canadian teenager gets to do).

The Henderson sisters enjoyed the architecture of downtown Singapore, and both held a baby kangaroo and koala bear while down under.

Two special guests at the Welcome Gala tonight…baby kangaroo and koala!!! pic.twitter.com/rpop0zDRfb

— Brooke Henderson (@BrookeHenderson) February 16, 2016

She also managed to play some pretty good golf – finishing tied for ninth and eighth respectively in the two countries. She also visited Ping’s headquarters early last week to receive a solid-gold putter – a token that each Ping-sponsored player gets after a victory – and spent some time in nearby Phoenix with fellow Canadian Alena Sharp, playing some golf together with sister Brittany.

Today @BrookeHenderson received her gold putter from her victory at the 2015 @PortlandClassic. Congrats, Brooke! pic.twitter.com/8yhKPwP6ez — PING GOLF (@PingTour) March 10, 2016

The reigning Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year is also set to represent Canada at the Olympics this summer, in all likelihood with Sharp as a teammate.

Sharp and Henderson are expected to participate in the closing ceremonies before flying directly to the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, the first of two back-to-back LPGA events on Canadian soil this summer.

Henderson sits 8th on the LPGA’s money list so far through 2016, earning just over US$207,000.

She spent two months as the world’s no.1-ranked amateur before turning professional at the end of 2014.

Here are the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings as of March 14, 2016.

UXBRIDGE — In preparation for the spring launch of the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) new Strategic Plan, significant upgrades to the existing Operational Committees have been announced. Many committees will be eliminated and replaced with Golf Advisory Teams (GAT) that will help review the tactics outlined in the new strategic plan.

“Our goal is to align our feedback and advisory mechanism with our new strategic direction in an effort to build the sport together,” said Mike Kelly, GAO Executive Director. “We want to focus our volunteers’ time and support towards answering the question ‘how are we doing?’ and then integrate all feedback and recommendations to ensure our implementation plan is effective.”

The new GAT model will aim to support the GAO’s new Strategic Plan. The GATs will help to accomplish the goal of becoming  the Best Provincial Sport Organization in Canada; innovate golf by providing industry leading services; drive more people to play the sport and encourage more children to get into the game; support golf clubs/facilities and all people involved in the game by aligning golf organizations, creating positive partnerships and ensuring that golf remains the most popular sport in Ontario.

The GAT’s input on the strategic plan comes at a vital time for the golf industry as it prepares for the return of the sport at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The GAO recognizes how important it will be to capitalize on the exposure of the sport and to channel that exposure into more people playing the game.

In 2016, there will be six GATs:

• Golf Communities – local collaboration with all golf industry stakeholders to build the sport together;
• Golf Services – designing, marketing and delivering services and benefits for facilities and golfers at all levels;
• Next GEN – initiatives to build a stronger and larger base of junior golfers in Ontario;
• Communication – how to effectively deliver relevant information to the right people, at the right time;
• Championships – Ensure the delivery of world class Championship events;
• Course Rating and Handicapping – effective course rating and handicapping services to our members;

Remaining intact are a trio of committees. The Hall of Fame, Scholarship and Team Selection committees will continue to operate in their current structure.

“Ultimately, the goal of restructuring our Operational Committees is to optimize support for our staff in the operation of our golf business as we further the objectives of the Government of Ontario’s Sport Plan,” added Kelly.

The GAO is currently seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals from the Industry for its 2016 GATs. For more information on the specific GATs or to volunteer click here.

VICTORIA – Three members of Golf Canada’s Development Squad shone through dark clouds and falling rain at the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) Junior at Cordova Bay to capture their respective divisions. Despite strong winds which gusted to 50km, Charles-Éric Bélanger, Grace St-Germain and Hannah Lee emerged victorious at the two-day event held at Cordova Bay Golf Course. The tournament marked the second event of the season on the CJGA national schedule.

Charles-Éric Bélanger of Québec, claimed the Junior Boys (U19) Division with a second straight 2-over 73 performance. The 16-year-old began the day in fifth, trailing fellow Development Squad member A.J. Ewart of Coquitlam, B.C., by three strokes. Ewart succumbed to the difficult conditions, finishing in fourth at 9-over 150. Aurora, Ont., native Thomas ‘Jack’ Simpson shot 5-over 76 on the day to claim second. Fellow Ontarian Tony Gil of Vaughan – the final male member of the Squad at the event – finished fifth at a combined 7-over 152.

Orleans, Ont., native and Development Squad member Grace St-Germain secured a four-stroke victory atop the Junior Girls (U19) Division with a second-round 8-over 80. The 17-year-old held off Megan Ratcliffe of Bowser, B.C., who notched three birdies on the day en route to a 4-over 76 to match St-Germain’s opening round.

Hannah Lee of Surrey, B.C., did not relinquish her first-round lead and earned a six-stroke victory in the Juvenile Girls (U17) Division following rounds of 75-76–151. Lee, 16, led the Development Squad contingent to a sweep atop the division. Chloe Currie of Mississauga, Ont., finished 13-over 157 to claim runner-up, while British Columbians Tiffany Kong (Vancouver) and Kathrine Chan (Richmond) were T3, one-stroke back of Currie.

Complete results from the CJGA Junior at Cordova Bay are available here.

Here’s the winners @CJGA @TheGolfCanada @lee_hannahh @gracestgermain @chloe_currie27 #toughconditions pic.twitter.com/sfLGavxSNf

— ann carroll (@AnnAnncarroll) March 14, 2016

PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Charl Schwartzel used two big birdies to close with a 4-under 67 and made up a five-shot deficit. All he needed was a par on the first hole of a playoff Sunday at Innisbrook to beat Bill Haas and win the Valspar Championship.

Schwartzel’s two-putt par on the 18th hole in a playoff gave him his third victory worldwide in his last six starts dating to December.

Haas, who never trailed over the final 27 holes of regulation, hit his tee shot into the trees in the playoff, came up short into a bunker and blasted long out of the soft sand to 20 feet. He missed the par putt, and Schwartzel tapped in for his first victory in America since the 2011 Masters.

The loudest cheers belonged to Lee McCoy, the senior at Georgia who grew up next to Innisbrook and made good on his first sponsor’s exemption. Playing alongside Jordan Spieth, McCoy shot 69 to finish alone in fourth.

It was the best finish by an amateur in a PGA Tour event of top players since 17-year-old Justin Rose tied for fourth at the British Open in 1998 at Royal Birkdale. Robbie Shelton tied for third last year in the Barbasol Championship, held opposite the British Open.

McCoy would have earned $292,800 had he been a pro.

“It’s surreal to say the least,” McCoy said.

Spieth fell behind early, never caught up and closed with a 73 to tie for 18th, seven shots behind. He couldn’t help but applaud McCoy when he finished his round.

Schwartzel was the only player who put any sustained pressure on Haas, and he made his move with a 65-foot birdie putt across the green on the par-3 13th hole. He got up-and-down from a tough lie in the bunker for birdie on the 14th, made a tough par save from the edge of a bunker on the 16th and rolled in a 25-foot putt on the 17th.

He posted at 7-under 277.

Haas had a two-shot lead with three holes to play and had made tough par saves to stay in front. It finally caught up with him when he made bogey from the bunker on the 16th hole, and he closed with two pars for a 72.

With more swirling wind on the Copperhead course, Schwartzel and McCoy were the only players to break par from the last nine groups.

“I think everyone’s goal is to keep bogeys off the card,” Schwartzel said when he finished his regulation round. “You’re just surviving.”

That wasn’t easy to do.

Steve Stricker was two shots out of the lead until he made a double bogey on the par-5 11th and never recovered. Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., starting the final round one shot behind in second and determined to get his first PGA Tour victory, never made a birdie in his round of 75.

“Obviously you can’t be in contention putting the way that I did today,” said DeLaet. “It’s disappointing. I was actually pretty proud of myself. I hit the ball really well. I kept trying all day long, I mean I just kept telling myself it was going to happen, it was going to happen. Never did, but, you know, I’m proud of the effort that I put in. Didn’t happen today.”

Ryan Moore hit the ball great and couldn’t figure out the greens, which were slower than normal. Moore was within one shot of the lead at the turn, but he closed with 12 straight pars for a 71 to finish two shots out of the playoff in third place.

It also was a tough day for Ian Poulter, who had a 75-75 weekend and tied for 67th.

That bumped Poulter down to No. 67 in the world ranking, which could knock him out of the Dell Match Play. This was the final week before the world ranking is used to determine the 64-man field (Jim Furyk and Henrik Stenson are not playing). PGA Tour rookie Patton Kizzire closed with a 72 and tied for 33rd, enough to move past Poulter.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Charleston Southern University junior Austin James of Bath, Ont.,  finished third and lead the Buccanners to an eighth-place finish at the 2016 General Hackler on Sunday at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club.

James, the 2014 Canadian Junior Boy’s Champion, played his final 14 holes 5-under par to finish in sole possession of third at 7-under par 209, two shots back of medalists Jimmy Stanger of Virginia and Matthew NeSmith of South Carolina.

James fired a 68 (-4) in the final round and played all three rounds under par.

James and the Bucs tee-it-up next April 3rd at The Hootie at Bulls Bay in Awendaw, S.C.

HUA HIN, Thailand – Scott Hend of Australia shot a final-round 68 to beat Piya Swangarunporn of Thailand by a stroke to win the Thailand Classic at the Black Mountain Golf Course on Sunday.

Hend rolled in five birdies against one bogey for an overall total of 18-under-par 270 to win his second European Tour event.

The Australian, who holed a crucial birdie on the 17th hole to take the lead, says “I’m very proud to win this title.”

The win marked the 43-year-old golfer’s second Asian Tour title in Thailand after the 2013 Chiang Mai Classic and the eighth on the Asian Tour.

Piya, 32, had his best result on the Asian Tour after he shot a tournament record 63 on Sunday that included seven birdies and an eagle on the 10th to finish one back.

PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Bill Haas took a swing tip from his father on Tuesday and converted into a 54-hole lead at the Valspar Championship.

Haas atoned for a three-putt bogey on the 13th by chipping in for birdie from behind the 15th green on his way to a 4-under 67 on Saturday at Innisbrook, giving him a one-shot lead over Graham DeLaet of Canada going into the final round.

Jay Haas, a nine-time PGA Tour winner and the Presidents Cup captain the last two times, had a week off from the PGA Tour Champions and spent three days with his son. It was on the par-5 fifth hole during a practice round that the father suggested Haas use a more abbreviated follow on his swing to get his hands moving fasters.

It seems to have worked.

On a Copperhead course that has yet to yield a round lower than 66, Haas put together his second straight 67 to reach 8-under 205.

DeLaet, who is now sporting a beard that would make Old Tom Morris proud, pounded a shot out of the rough and over the water to 3 feet on the par-5 14th for an eagle that shot him up the leaderboard, and he finished with a 68 to get into the last group.

“It’s tough to win out here and I know that,” said the Weyburn, Sask., native. “Got a good opportunity tomorrow and I just need to play good golf and should have a chance.”

It’s still up in the grabs on Sunday because of the nature of Innisbrook, which takes shots away more often than it gives up birdies. Six players were within four shots of the lead, and even Jordan Spieth believes he is still in the mix.

Spieth, who opened his title defence with a 76, made the cut with one shot to spare on Friday and moved into a tie for ninth on Saturday with a bogey-free 67 in which he holed a long eagle putt and made a pair of key par saves coming in.

“To think after the first round that I go Saturday night be able to sleep with a chance to win the golf tournament, I’m very pleased with that,” Spieth said.

Charley Hoffman (67) and Ryan Moore (69) were three shots behind.

Charles Howell III holed a bunker shot for birdie on No. 12 only to three-putt from 70 feet on the closing hole for a 70. He was four shots behind, though still has a reasonable chance to win and earn a return to the Masters, which motivates the Augusta, Georgia, native this time of the year.

He was amazed to still be this close to the lead.

“This course continues to surprise me in that it just doesn’t give up good scores,” Howell said. “What am I? Tied for fifth? I would have thought the lead would be 10 or 12 under, and more than one guy there. But maybe that’s just me getting my head beat in.”

Steve Stricker, who shared the 36-hole lead with Will MacKenzie, didn’t make another birdie after the fifth hole and had to settle for a 72. He also was 4-under 209, along with Patrick Reed (68), whom Spieth beat in a playoff last year at Innisbrook.

In the group with Spieth was Lee McCoy, the Georgia senior who ran off five straight birdies around the turn and was headed for a rare low score at Innisbrook until he put his tee shot in the water on the 16th and took double bogey. He still shot a 66 and was six shots behind, and he gets to play the final round with Spieth.

Spieth is the defending champion. McCoy knows the course even better. He grew up near Innisbrook, describing his house as a par 5 away from the course. He played Saturday with Gary Woodland, and McCoy told him that he was in the gallery when Woodland won five years ago.

They will be chasing Haas, who is coming off a big moment in his career last October when he won the decisive point in the Presidents Cup with his father as captain. It hasn’t carried over, at least not yet. Haas has a pair of top 10s this year, though he has not seriously contended.

“Half of it is these guys are really good,” Haas said. “I’m trying to beat some really good players and they’re beating me right now. I just haven’t been sharp. When the Presidents Cup was won, being in the last match and handling some pressure, that was a great stepping stone for me. Hopefully, it will lead to better things. But I’ve still got to play well tomorrow.”