Komoka, Ont. – Michelle Xing of Richmond, Hill, Ont. grabbed the lead on Friday and didn’t look back, while Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. outlasted the field to win the 2024 NextGen Ontario Championship at FireRock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont.

Cold and rainy conditions rolled in for Saturday’s final round and even delayed play for a period of time in the morning. Xing came back from the delay to finish with three consecutive rounds under par, 69-70-68, good for 12-under and five shots clear of Julia Alexander-Carew of Oakville, Ont. to win the Junior Girls division. Xing recorded six birdies on Saturday including three in a row from holes 14 through 16.

“I was putting well for the most part. No three putts, great lagging. I was making sure to get those long putts close to make sure I was cleaning up the shorter ones,” said Xing about her performance during the week.

Saturday’s win is Xing’s third of the season. The Team Canada NextGen member credited her putting and short game and just focusing on her own performances out on the course for her success this season.

With the win, Xing has secured her spot in the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, from July 22-25 at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, which came as a surprise.

“I didn’t know about the exemption until 10 minutes ago, so it’s awesome and I’m looking forward to playing and hopefully playing better than I did last year,” said Xing following her round.

Seven other girls have also qualified for the national championship by finishing in the top eight.

NextGen Pacific Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Girls Championship

Top 8 plus ties qualify

In the Junior Boys Division, Pain made quite the climb over three days. After Thursday, he sat seven shots back of the lead with an opening round of 73 to put him T17. On Friday he pulled to within two shots of the lead thanks to a round of 5-under 67, carding five birdies and an eagle. Pain said his confidence grew after a difficult opening round.

“I struggled on the greens on the first day, but just practiced some putting fundamentals and had a lot more confidence the last couple of days,” said Pain.

Saturday’s final round saw Pain battle with Dawson Lew and Matthew Rastogi, both of Toronto. Lew took the lead into Saturday with Rastogi one shot behind. The final group competed down the stretch with Pain pulling ahead of the group for good after the 15th hole. He finished with a 2-under 70 for rounds of 73-67-70 to win the championship.

The win ensures that Pain has secured his spot along with seven others in the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO taking place August 13-16 at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta. The eighth and final spot into the Canadian Junior Boys Championship was decided by a four-way playoff, where Luke Smith of Toronto prevailed.

“I haven’t been playing in many qualifiers lately, so it’s nice to get an exemption under my belt through playing well and executing the way I wanted to,” said Pain after securing his place at the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

NextGen Pacific Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Boys Championship

Top 8 players qualify
*Won in a playoff

The 54-hole stroke play competition began on Thursday, May 9. After 36 holes, the field was cut to the top 51 Junior Boys and top 25 Junior Girls, including ties. The starting field featured 156 male and female competitors – 108 Junior Boys and 48 Junior Girls – vying for spots into their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer.

The next stop on the NextGen Championship is scheduled for May 24-26 at Leduc Golf and Country Club in Leduc, Alta. for the NextGen Western Championship.

For the final leaderboard from the NextGen Ontario Championship, please click here.

About the NextGen Championships
The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.

Pitt Meadows, B.C. – Jake Lane of Vancouver shot a 5-under 67 on Thursday at the B.C. Regional Qualifier hosted by Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C. to earn a direct exemption into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Lane was among the first to play on Thursday and after bogeying the second hole, he posted back-to-back birdies on holes three and four and a steady string of pars to close the front nine.

“Rolled in a 30-footer on three, that helped because through those first four (holes) you want to be under par at minimum in my head with two par fives. Then honestly hung around for most of the day and nothing super special happened,” said Lane.

He went on to add two more birdies on 10 and 15 and punched his ticket with an eagle on the par 5 18th to win by one stroke over Jordan Brajcich of Everett, Wash.

“I’m at 3-under going to 18 and know I need to make birdie in my head to even be in the conversation for playoff and I couldn’t have played it more perfectly. Hit it 320 with a draw down the middle, 7-iron into the back right pin, hit it to 10 feet.

“I was lucky my playing partner Bryce Barker hit his chip shot that was right behind my mark and gave me a perfect read and then I hit it right in the middle,” added Lane about his strong finish.

Following his eagle, Lane stayed at the course and patiently waited as afternoon scores came in, none of which were able to knock him from top spot and with it, a place at the RBC Canadian Open, which will be his first.

“It’s everything to play the RBC Canadian Open as a Canadian. That’s what every young pro and amateur dreams of. It’s going to be a dream come true,” said Lane.

In addition to Lane’s exemption, the top 10 per cent of the 138-player field, 14th place plus ties (24 players total) from the B.C. Regional Qualifier have advanced to the RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier on Monday, May 27 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont.

RBC Canadian Open – B.C. Regional Qualifier Results:

For the full leaderboard, click here.

Winners (low medalist) at regional qualifying sites that have a field of 120 players or more, earn a direct exemption into the 113^th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.

The B.C. Regional Qualifier at Pitt Meadows Golf Club was the first of five 2024 RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifiers. Four regional qualifiers are set for next week, with the first of two in Ontario on Monday, May 13 at Oshawa Golf & Curling Club in Oshawa, Ont. Tuesday, May 14 in Blainville, Que. at Club de Golf Le Blainvillier and two qualifiers on Thursday, May 16 at the Sirocco Golf Club in Foothills, Alta. and Tarandowah Golfers Club in Springfield, Ont.

Although Canada’s lone PGA Tour Champions event will have a different name, the goal will still be the same for Mike Weir.

Like he did during his three previous appearances at the Shaw Charity Classic, Weir will do his best to finish at the top of the leaderboard this August at the tournament – now called the Rogers Charity Classic – at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club.

Weir had a ninth-place finish in 2021 before finishing well back of the leaders the past two years.

“For me, I think I probably played a little bit too aggressively,” Weir said. “I think it’s got me into a little bit of trouble. 
“This year I’ve got to find a few more fairways and get the flatstick heated up a little more and hopefully make a few more putts.”

Weir finished sixth at last week’s Insperity Invitational near Houston, a tournament he won in 2021 for his lone senior circuit victory so far.

The Canadian Golf Hall of Famer would like nothing more than to become the first Canadian to win a PGA Tour Champions tournament on home soil this summer.

“Hopefully I’ll make a good run at it this year,” said Weir, who noted he’ll face stiff competition from fellow Canadian Stephen Ames, who has won twice this season.

“He’s been playing some phenomenal golf, probably some of the best golf of his career.

“It’s great to see.”

Weir added that he was also happy to see Rogers Communications as the new title sponsor. The company made a $1-million donation to kick-start fundraising for this year’s tournament.

“Shaw obviously did such a great job for all those years,” said the 2003 Masters champion, who recently signed on as a Team Rogers athlete. “Now you have Rogers taking over and seeing it through and continuing on the great tradition that Shaw started.”

American Ken Duke won the tournament last year.

“It’s been one of the premier events on (the) PGA Tour Champions (tour),” Weir said in a phone interview. “Players love coming up to play and it’s a great golf course. We really get some great fan support. The crowds really come out.”

Weir will serve as captain of the International squad at the 2024 Presidents Cup at the Royal Montreal Golf Club in late September.

Golf Canada is thrilled to announce Connect Hearing as the Official Hearing Healthcare Partner of Golf Canada. This partnership marks a significant milestone in enhancing the well-being and hearing care accessibility for the golfing community across the country.

As a trusted leader in hearing healthcare, Connect Hearing is renowned for its commitment to improving the lives of individuals through innovative hearing solutions and personalized care. Through this partnership with Golf Canada, Connect Hearing aims to extend its support to the golfing community by promoting awareness of hearing health.

Connect Hearing will provide educational resources and solutions to golfers, coaches, and fans alike. By raising awareness of the importance of hearing health and offering convenient access to essential services, Connect Hearing and Golf Canada aim to empower individuals to prioritize their hearing health while enjoying the game they love.

Connect Hearing is set to offer spectators an exclusive experience at two prestigious golf events – the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open – through its innovative activation, the Connect Hearing Listening Lounge. Situated amidst the excitement of the tournament, this viewing lounge promises panoramic views of the course coupled with invaluable insights into maintaining optimal hearing health.

Guests visiting the Connect Hearing Listening Lounge will not only enjoy front-row seats to witness professional golfers in action but can engage with Connect Hearing experts. Here, they will gain access to vital information and resources aimed at enhancing their understanding of hearing health and its impact on overall well-being.

Golf Canada’s Official Ready to Drink Partner, Cottage Springs, is proud to announce the creation of an exclusive product tailored for golf enthusiasts, only available at Golf Canada’s Professional Championship events. This collaboration unveils the launch of the Cottage Springs Transfusion, a refreshing beverage crafted specifically for the discerning tastes of golfers.

The Transfusion is a modern twist on the classic golf cocktail, crafted to deliver a blend of flavours that perfectly complement the leisurely pace of a day on the golf course. Featuring a delightful blend of vodka, real grape juice, zesty ginger and fresh lime, this new, limited edition release contains only 3g of sugar and 120 calories per 355mL can.

“As a Canadian company that values innovation, we are thrilled to introduce the Cottage Springs Transfusion” said Keith Walker, VP of marketing at Cottage Springs. “The creation of the Transfusion reflects our commitment to excellence, as we aim to enhance the enjoyment of golfing events across the country.”

Spectators will have the opportunity to taste this iconic drink at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, where Cottage Springs will be activating both in the Fare Way, and with a public grandstand and beverage cart on 13 where fans can enjoy the atmosphere as their favourite PGA TOUR players come through the popular rink hole.

“We are excited to collaborate with Cottage Springs to offer this unique beverage experience to our fans,” said David Vladars, Director, Partnerships at Golf Canada. “The Cottage Springs Transfusion adds a new dimension to our championships, further enhancing the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of the event.”

The launch of the Cottage Springs Transfusion marks a significant milestone in the partnership between Cottage Springs and Golf Canada, setting the stage for future collaborations aimed at enhancing the golfing experience for enthusiasts nationwide.

Moreover, Cottage Springs has also renewed their partnership with Golf Canada and will serve as the official Ready to Drink Partner until the end of 2027.

Cottage Springs and Golf Canada are thrilled to continue this partnership, ensuring that golfers across the nation can enjoy premium, signature beverages while experiencing the camaraderie and excitement of the sport. This extended partnership reaffirms a mutual commitment to fostering memorable moments on and off the green, enriching the golfing experience for years to come.

For more information about Cottage Springs and its products, visit www.cottagesprings.ca. To learn more about Golf Canada and upcoming championships, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

About Ace Beverage Group
Ace Beverage Group (“ABG”) is a leading better-for-you (“BFY”) beverage alcohol company in Canada. Its flagship brand, Cottage Springs, is one of the biggest and fastest growing ready-to-drink brands in Canada. Additional popular brands include Ace Hill, Cabana Coast and Casa Del Rey. ABG’s mission is to develop, launch and market the world’s best tasting BFY alcoholic beverages.

156 of Canada’s top junior golfers to compete over 54 holes in Komoka, Ont. with exemptions into the Canadian Junior Boys and Junior Girls Championships on the line.

Golf Canada’s 2024 championship season continues on Thursday, May 9, at FireRock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont. with the NextGen Ontario Championship.

The 54-hole stroke play competition gets underway with a practice round on Wednesday, May 8, and championship rounds beginning on Thursday, May 9. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 49 Junior Boys and top 22 Junior Girls, including ties, for the final round which wraps up on Saturday, May 11.

The starting field will feature 156 male and female competitors – 108 Junior Boys and 48 Junior Girls – vying for a spot into their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer. Among those competing in Komoka include Team Canada – NextGen member, Luke Smith of Toronto and Joline Truong of Mississauga, Ont. who finished T35 at the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

The top eight players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, August 13-16, at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta. The top eight players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, July 22-25, at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver.

FireRock Golf Club opened in 2004 and is designed by Thomas McBroom. FireRock features captivating landforms, framed by natural grass and trees, ragged handmade bunkers, environmentally significant Savannah grasses and the Oxbow River valley, intertwining with existing gravel spoil piles. Last season, FireRock Golf Club hosted the Canadian University/College Championship.

“We eagerly anticipate the NextGen Ontario Championship as a momentous opportunity to showcase our passion for the sport and provide a memorable experience for young talents. With dedication and enthusiasm, we’re ready to set the stage for the next generation of golf excellence,” said Amanda Cookson, Director of Golf at FireRock Golf Club. “A heartfelt thank you extends to the numerous volunteers whose tireless efforts will be instrumental in making this championship a resounding success.”

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Ontario Championship, click here.

About the NextGen Championships

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.

For nearly seven decades, all of Canada’s male professional golfers had the goal of winning the RBC Canadian Open, the national men’s championship.

Now the figurative pin’s position has been moved and they’re hoping to win it in back-to-back years.

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., won a playoff at Toronto’s Oakdale Golf and Country Club to win last year’s Canadian Open and end that 69-year drought. Taylor, Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., and a large field of their countrymen are lining up to do it all again at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in three weeks’ time.

“That was amazing last year, and it would be incredible to go back-to-back,” said Pendrith. “I know myself and all the other Canadians on the PGA Tour see it as a huge goal, especially seeing Nick do it last year, it was a big inspiration and knowing that it can be done by a Canadian.

“Hopefully there’s a bunch of us in contention coming down the back nine on Sunday. That’d be pretty exciting.”

Taylor and Pendrith are the top-ranked Canadians on the PGA Tour, having both won in 2024. Taylor was victorious at the WM Phoenix Open on Feb. 11 and Pendrith earned his first PGA Tour title on Sunday at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Taylor is now No. 21 on the FedEx Cup standings and Pendrith is 34th.

As long a wait as it was for a Canadian to win the national title — Pat Fletcher was the last to do it in 1954 — it has been even longer since Canadians won it in consecutive years. Albert Murray (1913) and Karl Keffer (1914) were the last homegrown back-to-back champs.

Taylor laughed when asked about the new challenge of consecutive wins for Canadians.

“You lose one question and another is added,” joked Taylor. “I think we’re all going there expecting. hopefully, to compete and try to win again.

“If my win helps take that monkey off the back for people, not have the expectations, I think that’ll help all of us.”

Taylor and Pendrith will be backed up by a large contingent of Canadians. 

Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford (35th), Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. (56th), Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. (69th), Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C. (90th), as well as fellow PGA Tour members Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont. and Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., had already committed to joining the field.

More Canadians were announced at a news conference on Wednesday at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., will play in his 31st national championship. Aaron Cockerill of Stony Mountain, Man., the leading player on the Europe-based DP World Tour, was added, as were top players in the PGA Tour’s lower tiers — Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., Edmonton’s Wil Bateman and Etienne Papineau of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que.

Defending Canadian amateur champion Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont., and Kevin Stinson of Mission, B.C., were also added to the field.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who won the first of back-to-back Canadian Opens in 2019, the last time Hamilton Golf and Country Club hosted the tournament, is also in the field. He is No. 16 in the FedEx Cup standings.

Mary DePaoli, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer for RBC, said that getting McIlroy back in the field was important because he will draw more players to the event.

“I would say as Rory builds out his calendar, he can be discerning but he comes back year after year because he wants to,” she said in the clubhouse at Hamilton Golf and Country Club. “I think that’s as much a testament to everything that all who are a part of the RBC Canadian Open work on because you’re getting one of the world’s best to come back year after year.”

Ireland’s Shane Lowry and England’s Tommy Fleetwood were also added to the Canadian Open field on Wednesday.

Lowry is ranked No. 12 on the PGA Tour following his win with McIlroy at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on April 28.

Fleetwood was the runner-up at last year’s Canadian Open, losing to Taylor in a four-hole playoff. Fleetwood is ranked 39th on the FedEx Cup standings.

A location for the 2025 Canadian Open has yet to be announced but tournament director Bryan Crawford said one would be named within the next two weeks.

2023 Ryder Cup Team Europe winning duo join defending champion Nick Taylor and two-time champion Rory McIlroy along with Team RBC standouts Sahith Theegala, Cameron Young and Sam Burns

Presidents Cup International Team Captain Mike Weir accepts Tournament Exemption into the 113^th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship to compete alongside Canadian PGA TOUR winners Adam Hadwin, Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Svensson and Taylor Pendrith

Canadians Aaron Cockerill, Wil Bateman and Myles Creighton accept Tournament Exemptions to compete in the National Open Championship

SiriusXM Concert Series to feature three nights of star-studded Canadian performances live onsite at Hamilton Golf and Country Club

(May 6, 2024) – Two members of Team Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup winning side, Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry have confirmed their intention to compete at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club in the 2024 RBC Canadian Open.

Fleetwood will make his third appearance in tournament history after finishing runner-up last year following a thrilling four-hole playoff with eventual champion Nick Taylor at Oakdale Golf and Country Club. Fleetwood is currently ranked no. 11 in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). This season, the Englishman has earned three top-10 and three top-25 finishes in eight events on the PGA TOUR. Fleetwood has won eight international tournaments during his career and has been runner-up five times on the PGA TOUR. Competing in his third Ryder Cup for Team Europe last year, Fleetwood finished with a record of 3-1-0 during Europe’s victory over Team U.S.A.

Lowry will be making his sixth appearance in tournament history; his best finish came in 2019 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club where he finished tied for runner-up with Webb Simpson, behind eventual winner Rory McIlroy. Currently ranked no. 41 in the OWGR, Lowry won his third career PGA TOUR event recently at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside Rory McIlroy. Lowry has also earned three top-10’s and five top-25 finishes in nine events on the PGA TOUR this season. Among his three victories on the PGA TOUR, is his 2019 Open Championship victory at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. It was there that the Irishman won his first major by six strokes over Fleetwood. Lowry has won four international tournaments in his career and finished with a record of 1-1-1 during the 2023 Ryder Cup, his second tournament as a member of Team Europe.

The duo joins a growing field headlined by defending champion, Nick Taylor (world no. 26) and two-time champion and world no. 2 Rory McIlroy. The group will compete alongside Team RBC ambassadors Sahith Theegala (world no. 12), Cameron Young (world no. 16), Sam Burns (world no. 27).

“As title sponsor of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, we are pleased to welcome back 2023 runner-up Tommy Fleetwood and recent Zurich Classic of New Orleans Champion, Shane Lowry,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “We have a talented field to look forward to featuring top player Rory McIlroy and Team RBC, including Taylor Pendrith fresh off his first PGA TOUR win.”

A full Canadian contingent will also challenge for the national championship led by PGA TOUR winners Adam Hadwin of Abbottsford, B.C. (world no. 49), Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. (world no. 52), recent winner Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont. (world no. 58), Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. (world no. 69), Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C. (world no. 83), as well as fellow PGA TOUR members Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont. and Roger Sloan of Calgary, Alta.

A trio of up and coming Canadians have accepted tournament exemptions to compete including DP World Tour player Aaron Cockerill of Winnipeg, Man., along with Korn Ferry Tour competitors Wil Bateman of Edmonton, Alta. and Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S. Cockerill, currently ranked 19th on the DP World Tour rankings will compete in his third RBC Canadian Open. Bateman and Creighton sit 19th and 12th respectively on the Korn Ferry points list and will be making their second and third starts in Canada’s National Open Championship.

Previous exemption were also secured by Kevin Stinson of Mission, B.C. who finished atop the PGA of Canada Order of Merit, Étienne Papineau of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que. who finished as the top Canadian on the 2023 PGA TOUR Americas Order of Merit, and reigning Canadian Men’s Amateur champion Ashton McCullough of Kingston, Ont.

Also accepting an exemption to compete is Canadian golf icon and Presidents Cup International Team Captain Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont. who will be competing in his 31st RBC Canadian Open. By competing this year at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, Weir will sit second all-time for starts in Canada’s National Open Championship trailing only fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George Cumming for the record of 32 starts in tournament history.

In addition to world class golf, fans at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open will be treated to the three-night SiriusXM Concert Series onsite at Hamilton Golf and Country Club featuring an all-Canadian line-up. Dance music duo Loud Luxury and Toronto DJ Frank Walker will perform on Thursday, May 30; night two features Juno Award winners July Talk and Canadian legends Our Lady Peace on Friday, May 31; and Saturday, June 1 will be highlighted by award-winning singer, songwriter and philanthropist, Lindsay Ell and country music rising star Josh Ross.

“We are less a month out from the RBC Canadian Open and extremely excited to get the tournament started,” said Bryan Crawford, Tournament Director, RBC Canadian Open. “Hamilton Golf and Country Club has undergone an incredible renovation since the club last welcomed the stars of the PGA TOUR in 2019 and is ready to challenge the world’s best players. Our partners have leaned into Canada’s National Open Championship in a major way to deliver a truly immersive fan festival experience as a kickoff to summer.”

Tickets for the 2024 RBC Canadian Open are available here. Children aged 12-and-under get free admission with a ticketed adult.

McKINNEY, Texas (AP) — Taylor Pendrith tried his best to ignore Ben Kohles’ final-hole meltdown, focusing on the eagle putt that the Canadian thought he might have to make even to force a playoff as he walked toward the 18th green.

Several stunning minutes later, a 3-footer for birdie gave Pendrith his first PGA Tour victory.

Kohles overtook Pendrith with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 for a one-shot lead, then bogeyed the 18th after hitting his second shot into greenside rough. 

Already in shock following two chips from the rough — the second with his feet in a bunker — Kohles missed a 6-foot putt that would have forced a playoff.

“Wasn’t really trying to pay attention to what they were doing, although it really mattered, obviously,” Pendrith said. “I feel for Ben. He played really, really good today, especially down the stretch. I’ve been on the other side of it a couple times, and it sucks. But it’s golf. It’s a hard game.”

Pendrith shot 4-under 67 for a 23-under 261 total at the TPC Craig Ranch. The 32-year-old won in his 74th career PGA Tour start.

Playing just north of his birthplace of Dallas, Kohles shot 66 to finish a stroke back. The 34-year-old who plays out of North Carolina is winless in 68 starts.

“Honestly, hadn’t seen any rough like that all week,” said Kohles, who moved to North Carolina when he was 10. 

“Just needed a little bit more umph on it. Did so many good things this week, and I’m just going to keep reminding myself of that and try to get myself back in this position.”

Alex Noren, a Swedish player also seeking a first PGA Tour victory, was another stroke back. He wowed the crowd on the stadium hole at the par-3 17th with a tee shot to 2 1/2 feet, but followed that birdie with a par knowing he probably needed an eagle on 18. Noren shot 65 and was alone in third at 21 under.

Aaron Rai and first-round leader Matt Wallace of England were at 20 under along with the South Korean pair of S.H. Kim and Byeong Hun An. Rai and Kim shot 64, An 65 and Wallace 68.

Pendrith, the third-round leader, and Kohles were separated by just one shot or tied most of the day. 

After Kohles made a 20-footer to take the lead on 17, Pendrith’s par putt rolled all the way around the cup and went in.

“It just curled in, that putt on the last second there, which was unreal just to give me a chance,” said Pendrith, who set it up with a chip from an awkward stance with his heels hanging over the lip of a bunker, after saving par with another testy putt at the par-4 16th.

The victory qualified Pendrith for the PGA Championship in two weeks and next year’s Masters. He’s also in the next three $20-million signature events, starting next week with the Wells Fargo championship. 

Kohles and Noren also played their way into Wells Fargo with their Nelson showings.

With Wells Fargo and the PGA coming in the next two weeks, just three of the top 30 in the world ranking were in the field.

Jordan Spieth, the highest at No. 20, missed the cut for just the second time in 12 appearances at his hometown event. 

Defending champion Jason Day (22nd) and Tom Kim (23rd) didn’t contend, with Day finishing one shot behind Kim at 9 under.

Jake Knapp, the second-round leader who three years ago was working as a security guard in his home state of California, shot 70 to finish at 19 under. Knapp and Wallace were the only players in the top eight with a previous PGA Tour win.

The start of the final round was pushed back 2 1/2 hours because of overnight rain, and pairings turned into threesomes going off both tees with the players allowed to lift, clean and place shots in the fairway.

Wallace appeared to start a charge by chipping in for birdie at 12, the toughest hole of the week, and getting another birdie at the par-4 13th. A three-putt bogey on the par-3 15th stalled him out.

Rafael Campos, a 13-year journeyman from Puerto Rico who has spent most of his career on satellite tours, birdied five of the first six holes starting on the back nine to make the turn at 29.

The 36-year-old cooled off on his second nine before making a 48-foot putt from off the green for eagle on the par-5 ninth for a 63 that put him at 18 under.

Taiga Semikawa, a 23-year-old from Japan playing on a sponsor exemption, also finished at 18 after a 64.

Kris Kim, a 16-year old amateur making his PGA Tour debut, had a rough finish as the youngest to play a final round on tour in 10 years.

Playing his final nine on the front, the son of South Korean-born former LPGA Tour player Ji-Hyun Suh had four bogeys and shot 73 to finish 6 under.

Kim, who is from England, played on a sponsor exemption from the South Korean company and tournament title sponsor CJ Group.

Summerland, B.C. – The 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Champion, Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. lead from start to finish, while Matthew Wilson of Nanaimo, B.C. finished strong to win the 2024 NextGen Pacific Championship at Summerland Golf Club in Summerland, B.C.

Park recorded rounds of 74-73-72 to finish the tournament at 3-under and nine shots clear of Elisa Wu of Vancouver and Jenny Guo of West Vancouver in the Junior Girls Division. Park, the Team Canada NextGen member was in control over all three rounds. On Saturday, the leaders began on the back nine and finished on the front nine. During her second nine, Park went birdie-bogey-birdie-bogey to remain one-under for her final round before a bogey on the sixth hole. Park convincingly ended her round with an eagle on the par five ninth hole to win.

“The best part of my game this week was my driver, I hit probably 80% of the fairways. I also tried to focus on my short game because the greens are firm here, which worked pretty well,” said Park.

After missing a short birdie putt on the eighth hole, Park said her goal was to finish with a birdie on the par five, ninth, but was able to do one better, “I hit my driver really well, then hit my 3-wood onto the green as hard as I could and it rolled up there and I had an 18-footer for eagle and I just putted towards the hole and it went in.”

With the win, Park is one of nine players to book her place in the Canadian Junior Girls Championship presented by BDO, July 22-25 at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver. What makes this extra special, is Park will be heading to Vancouver as defending champion.

“I think of this tournament as preparation for the Canadian Junior Girls and it will also give me more confidence for bigger tournaments this season,” added Park.

NextGen Pacific Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Girls Championship

*Top 8 plus ties qualify

In the Junior Boys Division, Wilson led after an opening round of 5-under 67 on Thursday. Joshua Ince of Surrey, B.C. found himself atop the leaderboard after Friday, firing a 5-under 67 of his own that moved him to 7-under for the tournament and two shots ahead of Wilson heading into Saturday’s final round. Both players were paired together on Saturday and Wilson started to pull away thanks in large part to recording two eagles on his first nine holes (playing back to front) on 13 and 18, both par five’s. Wilson continued his hot streak with three straight birdies on the front nine before back-to-back double bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes reducing his lead to just one over Ince.

Both players exchanged pars on the seventh and eighth holes and closed with birdies, giving Wilson the championship at 8-under (67-72-69), one shot better than Ince.

“I chipped in twice for eagle, it was a bit of an up-and-down round, a lot of good shots, a lot of bad shots. That eagle on 18 really got me going to make three (birdies) in a row and hit some great shots. The double on five just kind of happened and then another one but I didn’t get mad, it just happens and I just grinded it out. It was definitely nerve wracking the last four holes,” said Wilson.

The win ensures that Wilson has secured his spot along with seven others in the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO taking place August 13-16 at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta.

“It means a lot, it’s my last year as a Junior and I’m off to school after Canadian Juniors and it will be my last junior tournament so just being able to play in that and give myself a chance to win a national title,” added Wilson.

NextGen Pacific Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Boys Championship

*Top 8 players qualify

The 54-hole stroke play competition began on Thursday, May 2. After 36 holes, the field was cut to the top 50 Junior Boys and top 20 Junior Girls, including ties. The starting field featured 155 male and female competitors – 111 Junior Boys and 44 Junior Girls – vying for spots into their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer.

The next stop on the NextGen Championship is schedule is next week at Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont. for the NextGen Ontario Championship.

For the final leaderboard from the NextGen Pacific Championship, click here.

About the NextGen Championships
The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.