Blair Hamilton of Burlington, Ont., and dual citizen Maddie Szeryk who hails from London, Ont., as well as Allen, Texas, have been recognized as Canada’s top male and female amateur golfers after finishing atop their respective National Orders of Merit for the 2015 season. Charles-Éric Bélanger and Michelle Kim claimed top honours on their respective CN Future Links Junior Orders of Merit.

“We are excited to celebrate our four winners for their performances over the course of the season which led to their successes on both the National Orders of Merit and CN Future Links Junior Orders of Merit,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “These rankings recognize our athletes’ outstanding accomplishments while providing them with a great measuring tool for their continued development. As the National Sport Federation, they provide us with a strong indicator for tracking up-and-coming players and their achievements.”

Hamilton, who in 2016 will spend a second consecutive season as a member of Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad, finished with 3,768.46 points in 12 events – almost 1,000 points clear of second place. At No. 112 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, the 22-year-old is one of Canada’s top-ranked talents. The University of Houston Cougar’s 2015 campaign netted him a PING All-America Honourable Mention and selections to the PING All-Central Region Team and the All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) Team. He claimed individual titles at the NCAA’s 2015 Border Olympics and the 2015 NCAA Lubbock Regional before adding Top-20 finishes at the 2015 Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship and the 111^th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to his season. Hamilton and fellow 2015 National Amateur Squad member Austin Connelly were co-recipients of the Gary Cowan Award after tying for low amateur honours at the 2015 RBC Canadian Open.

Kimberley, B.C., native and 2016 National Team member Jared du Toit completed the season in second place on the National Men’s Order of Merit ahead of 2015 Team Canada Development Squad member Tyler Saunders of Sturgeon County, Alta. Fellow Albertan Brett Hogan of Calgary was fourth, while 2016 National Team selection Stuart Macdonald of Vancouver completed the Top-5.

Szeryk – who will return in 2016 as a member of Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad – collected 5,505.42 points over 12 events to top the National Women’s Order of Merit. The 19-year-old is No. 43 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and is No. 1 in Canada. In her first year with the Texas A&M Aggies, she notched seven Top-5 and nine Top-10 finishes in 12 tournaments en route to a First Team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection and Conference Freshman of the Year honours. She finished first in the NCAA with five eagles and second in the nation with 127 birdies. Her 7-under 209 showing at the SEC Championship secured her second place and led the Aggies to the conference team title. Szeryk was a quarter-finalist at the 2015 British Ladies Open Amateur and the 2015 Investors Group Ontario Women’s Amateur champion.

2015 National Team member Elizabeth Tong of Thornhill, Ont., finished runner-up on the National Women’s Order of Merit, while the 2016 National Amateur Squad’s Josée Doyon from St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que., claimed third. Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C., joined her 2016 National Squad teammates by finishing in fourth, while Anica Yoo of Port Coquitlam, B.C., was fifth.

Recently-named Team Canada Development Squad member Charles-Éric Bélanger completed the 2015 campaign atop the 18-and-under CN Future Links National Junior Boys Order of Merit with 4,855.63 points in 12 events. The 16-year-old from Québec began the season by winning the 2015 Quebec Junior Spring Open before registering a third-place finish at the 2015 CN Future Links Ontario Championship and a runner-up result at the Quebec edition of the championship series for juniors. The highlight of Belanger’s year would come at the 2015 Canadian Junior Boys Championship where he prevailed in a playoff to become the first Quebec native since 1976 to claim the national junior title.

Fellow Quebec native and 2015 Development Squad member Étienne Papineau of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu was second on the CN Future Links National Junior Boys Order of Merit, followed by 2016 members Alexander Smith of Calgary and A.J. Ewart of Coquitlam, B.C. Maxwell Sear of Unionville, Ont., took fifth place.

A banner year propelled Michelle Kim of Surrey, B.C., to the top of the CN Future Links National Junior Girls Order of Merit with a total of 4,685 points accumulated across 10 events. Now in her freshman year at the University of Idaho, she opened last season by claiming the 2015 CJGA Western Canadian Junior Championship. Kim excelled at the provincial level, capturing the B.C. Women’s Amateur and B.C. Junior Girls titles before translating those victories into success on the national stage by winning the 2015 Canadian Junior Girls Championship. The 2015 Development Squad member’s achievements garnered her a spot on the 2016 National Amateur team.

Orleans, Ont., native Grace St-Germain – who is returning in 2016 for a second stint with Team Canada’s Development Squad – was second on the 2015 CN Future Links National Junior Girls Order of Merit. Naomi Ko, a product of Victoria, B.C., finished third before graduating alongside Kim to the 2016 National Team. Céleste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-L’Île-Perrot, Que., and Monet Chun from Richmond Hill, Ont., completed the Top-5.

The National Men’s and Women’s Orders of Merit recognize and celebrate the season-long achievements of Canada’s amateur golfing talents. The CN Future Links Junior Boys and Junior Girls Orders of Merit were established to acknowledge and identify Canada’s top junior golfers.

2015 National Men’s Order of Merit – Top-10

1. Blair Hamilton – Burlington, Ont. – 3,768.46
2. Jared du Toit – Kimberley, B.C. – 2,857.83
3. Tyler Saunders – Sturgeon County, Alta. – 2,581.69
4. Brett Hogan – Calgary, Alta. – 2,194.15
5. Stuart Macdonald – Vancouver, B.C. – 1,917.70
6. Josh Whalen – Napanee, Ont. – 1,903.29
7. Eric Banks – Truro, N.S. – 1,820.45
8. Hugo Bernard – Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que. – 1,802.50
9. Garrett Rank – Elmira, Ont. – 1,740.00
10. Austin James – Bath, Ont. – 1,519.87

Full final standings are available here.

2015 National Women’s Order of Merit – Top-10

1. Maddie Szeryk – London, Ont./Allen, Texas – 5,505.42
2. Elizabeth Tong – Thornhill, Ont. – 4,111.00
3. Josée Doyon – St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que. – 3.612.62
4. Naomi Ko – Victoria, B.C. – 2,545.50
5. Anica Yoo – Port Coquitlam, B.C. – 2,085.23
6. Taylor Kim – Surrey B.C. – 1,807.48
7. Michelle Kim – Surrey, B.C. – 1,776.25
8. Sabrine Garrison – Calgary, Alta. – 1,534.86
9. Jaclyn Lee – Calgary, Alta. – 1,303.64
10. Grace St-Germain – Orleans, Ont. – 1,276.13

Full final standings are available here.

2015 CN Future Links National Junior Boys Order of Merit – Top-10

1. Charles-Éric Bélanger – Québec, Que. – 4,855.63
2. Étienne Papineau – St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. – 3,809.50
3. Alexander Smith – Calgary, Alta. – 3,399.29
4. J. Ewart – Coquitlam, B.C. – 3,077.50
5. Maxwell Sear – Unionville, Ont. – 2,987.50
6. Tony Gil – Vaughan, Ont. – 2,902.33
7. Trevor Ranton – Waterloo, Ont. – 2,745.00
8. Thomas ‘Jack’ Simpson – Aurora, Ont. – 2,705.00
9. Khan Lee – Surrey, B.C. – 2,623.33
10. Jaewook Lee – Langley, B.C. – 2,512.50

Full final standings are available here.

2015 CN Future Links National Junior Girls Order of Merit – Top-10

1. Michelle Kim – Surrey, B.C. – 4,685.00
2. Grace St-Germain – Orleans, Ont. – 4,272.50
3. Naomi Ko – Victoria, B.C. – 4,202.50
4. Céleste Dao – Notre-Dame-de-L’Île-Perrot, Que. – 3,950.00
5. Monet Chun – Richmond Hill, Ont. – 3,618.66
6. Sarah-Eve Rheaume – Québec, Que. – 3,585.00
7. Hannah Lee – Surrey, B.C. – 3,463.00
8. Chloë Currie – Mississauga, Ont. – 3,325.83
9. Alyssa Getty – Ruthven, Ont. – 3,291.66
10. Alexandra Naumovski – Hornby Ont. – 2,837.50

Full final standings are available here.

LAS VEGAS – MGM Resorts International today announced a partnership with PGA TOUR star Graham DeLaet. Joining the company’s roster of PGA and LPGA TOUR professionals, DeLaet will serve as an ambassador for MGM Resorts’ portfolio of destination resorts and wear an MGM Resorts’ logo hat while competing in PGA TOUR events.

During the 2014-2015 PGA TOUR season, DeLaet made three Top 10 finishes, including T4 at the Travelers Championship, and a T7 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

“I’ve had the luxury of playing golf and staying at MGM Resorts International’s properties throughout my time on TOUR, and I am excited to partner with the company and join their team of ambassadors,” Graham DeLaet said. “I am proud to be sporting the MGM Resorts’ logo on my hat to promote the partnership while competing on the PGA TOUR.”

DeLaet joins other PGA and LPGA TOUR players as part of MGM Resorts’ brand ambassadors: Jimmy Walker, Natalie Gulbis, Ryan Moore and Pat Perez, to name a few.

Lance Evans, vice president of Marketing Partnerships for MGM Resorts International, said, “As one of the top golfers from Canada, Graham is a tremendous athlete who is respected on and off the course, making him a terrific fit to represent MGM Resorts.”

DeLaet’s debut as an MGM Resorts’ ambassador – which will see him wearing the logo on his shirt – will take place in January at the Sony Open in Hawaii.

VIRGINIA WATER, England – Rory McIlroy has been voted the European Tour’s player of the year for 2015, winning the award for the third time in the past four seasons.

The 26-year-old Northern Irishman successfully defended the Race to Dubai title after winning the season-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai last month. He had two other victories, at the Dubai Desert Classic and the WGC-Cadillac Match Play.

McIlroy says he feels “very proud to have won this prestigious award for the third time.”

He says it is “always special, no matter how often, to be recognized this way.”

The former top-ranked McIlroy was granted special dispensation to play the European Tour’s Final Series. He had not fulfilled the standard membership criteria because of an ankle injury sustained midway through the year.

ACTON, Ont. —The PGA of Canada’s 2015 national award winners were recently unveiled and will be honoured next month at the association’s PGA of Canada Night celebrations in Orlando, Fla., as part of the PGA Merchandise Show.

This year’s winners include:

• Danny King (The Performance Academy at Magna) – Mike Weir Player of the Year
• Dean Manz (Wascana Country Club) – Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year
• Cory Southon (Henry Brunton Golf) – Moe Norman Candidate for Membership of the Year
• Adam Werbicki (The Derrick Golf & Winter Club) – George Knudson Teacher of the Year
• Adam Boge (Golf Mentor) – Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year
• Tristan Mullally (Golf Canada) – Ben Kern Coach of the Year;
• Judy Forshner (Glencoe Golf & Country Club) – Murray Tucker Golf Professional of the Year
• Liam Mucklow (The Golf Club) – Tex Noble Award for Professional Development
• Daryl MacLean (Cherry Hill Club) – Stan Leonard Class “A” Professional of the Year
• Serge Savard – George Cumming Distinguished Service Award

“This year’s PGA of Canada national award winners are truly great golf professionals and on behalf of the national board of directors’ and the association’s 3,700 members, I’m proud to congratulate them today on their achievements,” said Constant Priondolo, PGA of Canada president.

Each year, a national selection committee evaluates application submissions from zone award winners and recognizes winners in each of the categories.

The winners will receive their award and be honoured in January at the association’s PGA of Canada Night celebrations at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.

PGA of Canada Night takes place in Orlando, Fla., on January 28, 2016 at the PGA Merchandise Show (Orange County Convention Centre) at 5:00 p.m. in room 109A.

“PGA of Canada Night at the PGA Merchandise Show is always an excellent, well-attended event,” Priondolo said. “Not only is it an opportunity to mix and mingle with others in the golf industry, but it’s also a chance to celebrate the PGA of Canada professionals who have been recognized as national award winners.”

‘Tis the time for celebration and for Canadian golf, 2015 certainly was a year to celebrate.

When David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., held the 54-hole lead at the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey, we held our breath in the hope that he might be the first Canadian since Pat Fletcher in 1954 to win our national Open. Alas, it was not to be, as Australian Jason Day birdied the last three holes on Sunday to claim the title on his way to becoming the top-ranked player in the world.

While kudos go to Hearn, it was a teenager from Smiths Falls, Ont., who was the undisputed player to be celebrated this year.

In August, at the age of 17, Brooke Henderson became the first Canadian to win on the LPGA Tour since Lorie Kane in 2001. After registering multiple top-10 finishes, Henderson stormed to an eight-shot win at the Cambia Portland Classic which eventually qualified her for fulltime Tour status.

Women golfers continued to make their mark in 2015, with Casey Ward of Picton, Ont., being the medalist at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and Mary Ann Hayward of Aurora, Ont., doing the same at the U.S. Senior Amateur. Hayward, a member of the Canadian, Ontario and Quebec Golf Halls of Fame, retired this year from her post as manager of sport performance for the Golf Association of Ontario.

In November of 2014, Canada won our first Tailhade Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina, crushing defending champions Spain by 19 strokes, thanks to stellar final rounds by Austin Connelly, a dual citizen who resides in Nova Scotia and Texas, and Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. In 2015, the duo of Eric Banks and Tony Gil defied the odds by climbing back from a three-stroke deficit to keep the Tailhade Cup in Canada for a second consecutive year.

On the pro side, Danny King, playing out of Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont., solidified his reputation as one of the country’s all-time great playing pros by claiming the Titleist and FootJoy PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada crown in Arizona. The victory made King the first player to win three PGA of Canada national championships in the same calendar year, after having won the PGA Championship of Canada and teaming with Billy Walsh to capture the PGA team championship.

Eugene Wong of North Vancouver won the Ping An Bank Open in Beijing and Wil Bateman of Edmonton was victorious at the PGA TOUR Latinoamerica’s Abierto de Chile.

Much-deserved honours were bestowed on Canadians in 2015.

Canadian and World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Streit was invited to be a honourary member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Jocelyne Bourassa was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

Sadly, Canadian golf also said goodbye to some beloved characters.

On Nov. 18, Dan Halldorson was felled by a massive stroke at the age of 63. He won twice on the PGA Tour, had seven Canadian Tour victories, was the only Canadian to win two World Cup team titles (1980 with Jim Nelford and 1985 with Dave Barr) and was named Canada’s top male touring professional in 1981 and 1983. From 2005 to 2011, he served as deputy commissioner of the Canadian Tour. He was a member of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. At the time of his death, he was the director of golf at Oak Island Resort in Virden, Man.

The month previous, sportswriter Arv Olson, one of Canada’s most prolific and dedicated supporters of the game, passed away at the age of 80. He chronicled the careers of the likes of Stan Leonard, Doug Roxburgh, Dawn Coe-Jones, Lisa Walters, Dave Barr, Richard Zokol and many others.

But, as the year concluded, there was some encouraging news.

Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., was the medalist at the Web.com Tour qualifying school in December. Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., Toronto’s Albin Choi and Benjamin Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., each finished one shot out of the top 10 and ties. Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., tied for 21st at four under and Calgary’s Ryan Yip, tied for 34th at three under.

All in all, a year to be wrapped up in a bow with great promise for 2016.

2015 in Review – Part I: Canadian Golf Successes
2015 in Review – Part II: State of the game
2015 in Review – Part III: A focused vision

ROME – The Ryder Cup is headed to Italy for the first time, with the Marco Simone club in Rome chosen Monday to host golf’s biggest team event in 2022.

Italy beat rival bids from Germany, Spain and Austria to secure hosting rights for the 44th edition of the biennial competition between Europe and the United States.

It will be the third time the event is staged in continental Europe, after Valderrama in Spain in 1997 and Le Golf National in Paris in 2018.

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said Rome offered a “bold and ambitious bid.”

“History has shown time and again that the Ryder Cup is pure theater with the players and the stars, and there is no question that the Eternal City of Rome will provide a wonderful backdrop for one of the great occasions in world golf,” he said.

The Jim Fazio-designed course, which hosted the 1994 Italian Open, is located in Guidonia, 27 kilometers (17 miles) northeast of central Rome. The course will undergo a complete reconstruction for the Ryder Cup.

“The Italian bid was consistently strong and impressive across the board in terms of infrastructure, commercial structure and government support,” Europe’s Ryder Cup director Richard Hills said. “The plans outlined for the golf course at Marco Simone are spectacular alongside the commitment to develop all levels of golf in Italy.”

The course will likely form part of Rome’s bid for the 2024 Olympics. Rome is competing against Paris, Los Angeles and Budapest, Hungary for the games. Golf is returning to the Olympics next year in Rio de Janeiro.

“This is enormous and fundamental for our entire movement, plus a great lead-in to the Olympic bid,” Italian Golf Federation President Franco Chimenti told The Associated Press.

Golf is a growing sport in Italy, helped by the recent success of professionals like brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero.

At the 2012 Ryder Cup, Francesco Molinari halved the last singles match with Tiger Woods to complete a comeback victory and help Europe retain the Cup.

Hazeltine National in Minnesota will host the Ryder Cup next year, followed by Le Golf National in 2018 and Whistling Straits in Wisconsin in 2020.

Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. – Canadian Adam Svensson cruised to a seven-shot victory on Sunday at PGA National Resort & Spa to earn medalist honors at the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament. The 21-year-old from Surrey, British Columbia, carded a 1-over 72 on the Champion Course for a 20-under-par 266 total.

“It’s huge,” said Svensson, who collected a check for $25,000 and earned fully-exempt status on the Web.com Tour in 2016. “It’s always tough to win at any level, so I just tried to have fun.”

Jason Millard (70) and Ian Davis (69) took home a share of second at 13-under 273 and head a list of players from Nos. 2-10 who will be exempt through the third reshuffle.

Former Auburn standout Dominic Bozzelli (70) was alone in fourth at 12-under 274.

With the wind whipping through Palm Beach Gardens most of the day, Svensson could feel the pressure of being in contention weighing on him. The former Barry University Buccaneer made key saves throughout the final round, which allowed him to maintain his hefty lead. When he two putted the 72^nd green for par, Svensson exhaled and realized he was one step closer to his dream.

After two stellar years at Barry, Svensson decided to leave after his sophomore campaign to pursue golf full time. In just six starts on Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada, the former Division II Player of the Year recorded two runner-up performances and finished No. 9 on the Order of Merit. He also added three top 25s in seven starts on the Web.com Tour

“I was pretty confident with my decision,” said Svensson about leaving school early. “Just being able to start from the bottom and work your way up, I think that’s pretty important.”

With the 2016 Web.com Tour Regular Season set to begin in Panama City, Panama, at the Panama Claro Championship in late January, Svensson’s mission is clear.

“My goal is to win out there and get my PGA TOUR card,” He said.

Svensson’s ambition doesn’t stop there. The Golf Canada Young Pro Squad member would cherish the experience of playing in the summer games next year.

“I would love to play in the Olympics,” he said, when asked about the chance to represent Canada in Rio. “It’s going to be hard, there’s a lot of good Canadians on the PGA TOUR.”

Svensson is the second consecutive Canadian to win the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament. Edmonton native Brad Fritsch posted 27 under par last year in 108 holes to win by seven shots over Andrew Landry.

In all, six Canadians secured status Sunday. Albin Choi of Toronto (T14); Taylor Pendrith (T14) of Richmond Hill, Ont.; Benjamin Silverman of Thornhill, Ont.; Mackenzie Hughes (T21) of Dundas, Ont.; and Ryan Yip (T34) of Calgary will all have status thru the tour’s second re-shuffle.

The Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament is a four-day, 72-hole competition that ended on Sunday, Dec. 13. The tournament was contested at the PGA National Resort & Spa’s Champion Course (CC) and Fazio Course (FC). The Champion Course has played host to The Honda Classic on the PGA TOUR since 2007. The Fazio Course plays to a par-72, while the Champion Course plays to a par-71.

The famous stretch of golf that consists of holes 15-17 on the Champion Course, known as “The Bear Trap,” once again provided players with a tough test. The par 3s (Nos. 15 and 17) tied for the second toughest holes between the two courses, while the par-4 16^th finished as the fourth toughest.

There were nearly 1,000 entries for the tournament, which included previous Pre-Qualifying, First and Second stages that began in August.

Players in this event competed for positions on the 2016 Web.com Tour priority ranking, which will be used to form tournament fields. The medalist is guaranteed fully-exempt status next year. Players #2-10 (and ties) will be subject to the third reshuffle next year and players #11-45 (and ties) will be subject to the second reshuffle.

This week’s medalist earned $25,000. Players #2-10 (and ties) earned $15,000 each. Players #11-45 (and ties) earned $10,000 each.

Eugene Wong of North Vancouver, B.C., had previously earned Web.com Tour status through the Asian Tour. Click here to read more.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Lanny and Tucker Wadkins won the PNC Father/Son Challenge on Sunday with an eagle on the first hole of a four-team playoff.

Tucker made the 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. The 23-year-old former University of Arizona player works in investor relations.

“Tucker hit a spectacular tee shot, one of the best he’s hit all week,” the 66-year-old Lanny said. “He hit 4-iron, I hit 5-wood I got it a little closer. He made a 40-footer. I’ll remember what he did in making that putt.”

The Wadkins closed with a 9-under 63 to match Davis and Dru Love, Larry and Drew Nelson, and Fred and Taylor Funk at 20 under in the scramble tournament. The Nelsons and Funks shot 62, and the Loves had a 63, with all four teams birdieing the 18th in regulation.

“We never really made a lot of putts all week,” Davis Love III said. “Tucker and Lanny made a lot of putts. We watched them all week. That’s what you have to do to win.”

Lanny made a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole in regulation.

“Dad’s still got a little bit left,” Lanny said.

Lanny earned $200,000.

“He poured that putt in on 18,” Tucker said. “That was cool. Awesome to see.”

Vijay and Qass Singh, the first-round leaders after a 59, shot a 66 to finish a stroke out of the playoff along with Lee and Connor Janzen. The Janzens had a 63.

Bernhard and Jason Langer, the winners last year, tied for seventh at 18 under after a 63.

Jack and Gary Nicklaus closed with a 65 to tie for 14th at 15 under.

CHONBURI, Thailand – Jamie Donaldson won his first title of the year after beating Clement Sordet of France and defending champion Lee Westwood by three strokes in the final round of the Thailand Championship at the Amata Country Club on Sunday.

The No. 68-ranked Donaldson rallied from two shots behind at the start of the day to shoot a final-round 65 that featured nine birdies and two bogeys for an overall 21-under-par 267 to win the title. The victory gives the Welshman one of four berths into next year’s British Open.

“It was the case of just going out to play like what I’ve done in the first two rounds. And it all came together today,” said Donaldson, who led after the first two rounds. “Yesterday was important. I wasn’t quite on it. I made some crucial par putts, birdied when I could to stay in it.

“Clement had a really good day yesterday to go into the lead,” he added Donaldson.

Third round leader Sordet, who turned professional just six months ago, showed signs of nerves and struggled with his putts before signing off with a 70 for a 270.

“I played really great golf this week. I was very fortunate to get an invite and it’s great to finish tied-second with Lee. It was just amazing to get to play in the last group with Jamie and Lee. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t really thinking about the score out there.”

Westwood, the 2011 and 2014 champion, shot a bogey-free 67.

“It’s great to be have made it into the Open,” he said. “I’ve played every one since 1995 so it’s great to keep that run going. It’s been 21 years now and I’ve not missed one, so I’m happy,” said Westwood.

Spain’s Sergio Garcia, the 2013 winner, and Byeong-hun An of South Korea shot 69 and 70, respectively, to share fourth place with 14-under 274.

With both Garcia and An already holding British Open spots, the last qualifying place went toto 16-year-old Thai Phachara Kongwatmai, who finished a shot behind in sixth with a total of 275.

Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. – Canadian Adam Svensson continues to lead the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament in commanding fashion after firing a second consecutive 6-under 65 on the Fazio Course at PGA National Resort & Spa to take an eight-stroke lead over Michigan native Ryan Brehm (66) after three rounds.

Jason Millard (65) is alone in third after carding back-to-back 65s on the Fazio Course.

Svensson quickly settled into his round with an eagle on his first hole of the day at the par-5 first hole with a towering 3-wood to give him a good look at his second eagle of the tournament.

“I hit it to about 25 feet and rolled it in,” said Svensson, who also eagled the par-5 third hole on the Champion Course in the first round. “I wasn’t anxious or nervous but it did settle me down a little bit and I was able to cruise for a couple of holes after that.”

Svensson continued to cruise through the windy conditions that challenged players for most of the day, but the 21-year-old was unfazed and added five more birdies, including two on his final two holes to extend his lead.

“I like playing in the wind,” said Svensson, who has only managed two bogeys through three rounds. “I grew up playing in the wind and am used to a low ball flight so it was kind of an ordinary day for me out there.”

After finding success on both the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada and the Web.com Tour in 2015, a win at the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament would provide brimming confidence for the Palm Beach Gardens resident heading into the 2016 Web.com Tour Regular Season.

“Obviously we are all trying to play for that No. 1 spot to have full status, but it would be big knowing I can compete with these guys,” he said.

Svensson will look to secure that No. 1 spot with his second trip around the Champion Course on Sunday. The former Barry University Buccaneer breezed through the tougher of the two tracks in the opening round with six birdies and an eagle en route to a 7-under 64.

“Par is your friend on the Champion Course, especially when it is windy,” he said. “So I’ll just stick to my original game plan again like I did today and it should be fun.”

Players will be repaired for the final round according to scores. The leaders will play the Champion Course in the final round.