Ben Eccles and Eric Banks share the lead on the second day of competition at the 2015 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Weston Golf & Country Club and The Lambton Golf & Country Club. The day began in very much the same way as the first with clear skies and fair temperatures serving as an ideal backdrop for the resumption of the first round. The picturesque conditions continued throughout the day until second-round play was suspended due to darkness.

Heavy rainfall and the ensuing unplayable conditions halted play on the first day of competition. An early morning start saw players across both host courses complete their opening rounds before the majority of competitors took advantage of strong conditions to finish their second rounds.

When play was suspended, Ben Eccles and Eric Banks had claimed shares of the lead with 7-under performances.

Banks reflected positively on his play through 36 holes. “I thought I played pretty good, but it was a little bit more windy than I expected,” said the native of Truro, N.S. “We played some holes into the wind and I hit some pretty poor chip shots coming in, which is usually one of my strengths, so I will work on that.

“But overall, 3-under is a pretty solid day. I shot 4-under at Lambton yesterday, so I knew I was in a good position to come out today and if I had a good round, maybe be around the top of the leaderboard.

“Despite being deadlocked with Eccles, a product of Victoria, Australia, Banks maintains the need to remain focused on the task at hand. “I’m hitting my driver really good right now. I need to keep doing that and just stay calm. When I made a few bogeys coming in, I was getting a little too hot. So I just need to relax and just keep doing what I’m doing.”

Banks, a graduate of the University of Florida, began the day with four birdies after starting the round on the back nine. Eccles countered with a six-birdie performance, highlighted by a 34 across the front nine. Billy Kennerly was not able to complete his second round, but the product of Alpharetta, Ga., currently holds third-place following a bogey-free 3-under performance through 13 holes.

Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., continues to play through a busy summer which has included representing Team Canada at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games, as well as, a victory at the 2015 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The reigning Canadian Mid-Amateur champion sits fifth at even-par through 13 holes before play was halted.

Team Canada Development Squad member Patrick Murphy sits tied for sixth place and leads the national team contingent at 3-under 140.

The winner of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will hoist the Earl Grey Trophy and will be awarded an exemption into the 2016 RBC Canadian Open to be played at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., as well as, entry into the 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship at Olympia Fields, Ill.

Following the first 36 holes of play, the Willingdon Cup will be awarded to one of the 12 provincial and territorial three-person teams in the tournament.

The projected cut is currently sitting at 4-over par. The second round is scheduled to resume at 7:30 a.m. EDT at both courses. The third round is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. at Weston Golf & Country Club.

Additional information regarding the 2015 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, including updated tee times and scoring, is available here.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – The European Tour has chosen France over Firestone.

In a move that forces the hands of European players, new chief executive Keith Pelley said Tuesday the European Tour will not sanction the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone next year. Any member who plays the World Golf Championship will not get credit for Ryder Cup points or official earnings.

A crowded 2016 schedule because of the Olympics means the Bridgestone Invitational will move up one month to June 30 to July 3. That’s the same week as the French Open, a popular tournament that has been part of the European Tour schedule since 1972.

The French Open is the oldest national championship in continental Europe.

“I think the European Tour has done the only thing available to them,” said Graeme McDowell, a two-time French Open champion. “They had no other decision. It’s a one-off year. It’s a messed-up summer. We all know that. I don’t think the European Tour had other options.”

Under terms of its contract with the French Open, the European Tour was not allowed to sanction any other event.

The Bridgestone Invitational is among four events that make up the World Golf Championship. And while the WGCs are run by the International Federation of PGA Tours, it was another clear case that the PGA Tour has the final say. Three of the four WGCs are held in America.

“I think they’ve done the right thing by standing beside one of their mainstays of the European Tour,” Darren Clarke said. “The French Open is steeped in history, around a wonderful venue that we have the 2018 Ryder Cup around. They’ve showed loyalty to the French Open and rightly so.”

The PGA Tour said in a statement that golf’s return to the Olympics for 2016 came with big challenges for a summer schedule. Already the PGA Championship agreed to move from its August date to the end of July, just two weeks after the British Open. The John Deere Classic agreed to move to August during the Olympics, meaning Jordan Spieth likely will not be able to defend his title.

“Several events were impacted, and while we have had numerous conversations with the European Tour with respect to the scheduling of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, we were ultimately unable to find a solution that satisfied all parties,” the PGA Tour said.

Both fields are likely to be hurt.

The WGCs have an $8 million purse and offers far more world ranking points than a regular European Tour event. But some European Tour players who could be on the bubble for making the Ryder Cup team will not get money or ranking points from Firestone, and thus would be better off going to France.

Shane Lowry of Ireland won the Bridgestone Invitational this year.

McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter and Martin Kaymer are among several players who compete on both tours, and they must play at least 13 events in Europe and 15 on the PGA Tour. The top players could count on eight tournaments – four majors and four WGCs – to reach the minimum. Europeans will lose one of those.

Europeans who are PGA Tour members might be giving up crucial points that relate to the FedEx Cup and will have to decide between the two events.

Canadian David Hearn knows that he can break through on the PGA Tour as long as he keeps trying.

Hearn is having the best season of his pro career and has become a popular dark-horse selection to win the PGA Championship, the final major of the season.

A third-place finish at the RBC Canadian Open three weeks ago helped Hearn pass the US$1.7 million mark in earnings this season. More importantly, it’s given him momentum headed in to the PGA Championship.

“My confidence is definitely very high right now,” said Hearn on Thursday. “To be in contention and to play the golf I did at the Canadian Open felt amazing. I just need to keep giving myself these chances, because I’m definitely playing with confidence.”

The 36-year-old Hearn’s best finish at the PGA Championship came in 2013 (T47). Despite the way Whistling Straits is designed – it’s more links-style than a traditional PGA Championship layout – Hearn says he knows what it will take to contend.

“The reasons that major champions are the best in the game is because they’re able to keep golf at it’s most simple,” said the native of Brantford, Ont. “It really boils down to making good shots and good putts when you need to, regardless of what the golf course looks like.”

Whistling Straits was also the site of the 2004 and 2010 PGA Championships where Fiji’s Vijay Singh and Germany’s Martin Kaymer were the respective champions. Both would go on to become No. 1 in the world.

“We don’t see courses like this (Whistling Straits) very often, which makes them so unique. I think that’s why major championships like to go to these courses, because it tests a different area of our game,” said Hearn.

Hearn says he will try to play Whistling Straits in a way that makes him comfortable.

“As extreme as the golf course looks, if I can make it play like a North American-style golf course _ and focus on hitting fairways and greens and giving myself birdie opportunities – I like my chances here,” said Hearn.

Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., were scheduled to be the other Canadians at the PGA Championship, but DeLaet pulled out on Monday as he continues to struggle with an injured left thumb – the same injury that forced the 33-year-old to pull out of the RBC Canadian Open three weeks ago.

Although disappointed to withdraw from the RBC Canadian Open – and announce that he was also withdrawing from the PGA Championship – DeLaet said Friday he was inspired by seeing his friend Hearn have a chance to win Canada’s national open.

“He played well and it was so much fun to watch,” DeLaet said of Hearn’s final round at Glen Abbey.

Hearn and DeLaet are also fighting for a spot on the International Team at the biennial Presidents Cup competition.

The top 10 point-getters on both the International and American sides automatically make the team and there are two captain’s picks made to fill out the rest of the squad.

DeLaet, who earned a 3-1-1 record in 2013, currently sits 18th. Hearn is 23rd.

“Every event I have leading up to the Presidents Cup cutoff is a big event for me,” said Hearn. “I’m really looking forward to continuing my good play, and giving captain (Nick) Price a little notice of how I’m playing. But, I’m going to have to earn my way onto that team like Graham did two years ago.”

Although not in the Presidents Cup conversation, Taylor is in the PGA Championship thanks to his maiden Tour victory in November – something both Hearn and DeLaet are still shooting for.

The 27-year-old will be playing in his first major as a professional – he finished as low amateur at the 2009 U.S. Open – and admits he’s looking forward to the opportunity.

“I’m very excited,” Taylor said. “I don’t have any specific expectations for the week, but I’m going to focus on my preparation and make sure I’m in the best position I can be once the first round begins Thursday.”

The 2015 RBC Canadian Open did not fall short on making memories—from the fans, to the volunteers and even to the players. One group, in particular, etched a series of memories throughout open week that will be cherished for a lifetime.

While prone to slip under the radar amongst the drama of a national open, the festivities for a select group of junior golfers had no such lack of excitement.

Among the thousands of juniors admitted to the RBC Canadian Open, there were 22 who qualified atop the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge leaderboard who travelled to Oakville, Ontario to compete in the Junior Skills National Event.

For the first time in history, the event was hosted at the site of the RBC Canadian Open (Glen Abbey Golf Club). Needless to say, participants were blown away by the big stage and the feeling of competing on the same grounds as some of the PGA TOUR’s biggest names.

“Although we were thrilled that Eric won his competition, after the way you treated us it would not have mattered how he finished,” wrote Dwight and Daniela Collier, parents of boys 8–11 winner, Eric. “The memories he (Eric) and all of our family have from all of the events you put on will quite literally last a life time—we hope that Eric qualifies again next year because it would be amazing to do it again.”

Two-time winner of the boys 15-18 group, Tyler Leclair of North Vancouver, B.C., shared his excitement alongside father (and caddy) Tim.

Click here to read up on the event and this year’s winners.

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To mark the significance of the event being a part of the RBC Canadian Open, junior participants were invited to stay the week at Glen Abbey, taking part in the following activities:

Junior Open—9 holes at Glen Abbey Golf Course in peak condition

The Sunday prior to tournament week, the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge participants from the National Event a day earlier were back on site to tee-it-up in an exciting match-play format on the back-9 of Glen Abbey’s pristine conditions pre-tournament week.

Of course, a match at the site of the RBC Canadian Open wouldn’t be complete without caddies. That’s where mom and dad come in.

Canada Day Pro-Am chip-off

Back at it. The group of juniors are still full-steam ahead at the Open, posting up on the par-4 15^th hole to challenge pros and amateurs to a chip-off during the Canada Day pro-am.

In addition to collecting as many signatures as possible, juniors had the opportunity to showcase their short game skills against Canadian stars like Nick Taylor in front of a mini gallery on hand.

Wendel Clark, former NHL star with the Toronto Maple Leafs, also took his chance at the difficult downhill chip out of the rough (sharing a laugh in the process).

Time with Team Canada

Also on Monday, the lucky group had a full hour to learn from Team Canada in a closed session on the back range at Glen Abbey. Men’s Head Coach, Derek Ingram, led the session with support from the six athletes competing at the Open: Adam Svensson, Taylor Pendrith, Corey Conners, Albin Choi, Austin Connelly and Blair Hamilton.

Walk with a Pro

Back by popular demand, the CN Future Links Walk with a Pro event pairs each junior up with a PGA TOUR star to walk the par-3 7^th hole and even help putt-out. A fan-favourite, the Walk with a Pro event is always good for a few laughs.

Flag bearing ceremony on 18^th green

To cap off the week that was, all CN Future Links participants were included in one last activity to help send the 2015 RBC Canadian Open out with a bang. Following the trophy presentation, all junior participants were responsible for unveiling the large Canadian flag on the 18^th green alongside the champions to celebrate the conclusion of the tournament.

At the end of the day, the week was a special one for many Canadian golf fans, including this lucky group of junior golfers—the future of the sport in Canada.

To learn more about Canada’s junior golf program, CN Future Links, visit CNfuturelinks.com.

PORTLAND – Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., has qualified to play in this week’s Cambia Portland Classic on the LPGA Tour.

Henderson, 17, shot a four-under 68 at Columbia Edgewater Country Club to grab one of two spots available in the field this week. She joins sister Brittany, who received a sponsor exemption, in the field in Portland. Brittany Henderson, who plays on the Symetra Tour, was granted a sponsor’s exemption, a spot that might have gone to Brooke, except she has already received her maximum seven for the year.

If Henderson had not qualified Monday, she would have caddied for Brittany – something she did during the LPGA qualifying tournament last year. Brittany has caddied for Brooke five times this year, including at the U.S. Women’s Open and Women’s British Open.

“I love it,” Brooke Henderson said. “She’s a great caddie. I’m not sure how good I am, but she’s great. We know each other so well, so we know what to say when things aren’t going well, and when things are going well, to keep us going.”

Florida’s Doris Chen, a University of South California graduate, claimed the other Monday qualifier spot.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – Graham DeLaet of Canada has withdrawn from the PGA Championship because of a thumb injury.

It’s the same injury that forced him to withdraw from the RBC Canadian Open last month. It’s not clear how much time he will be away. DeLaet is No. 99 in the FedEx Cup with only two events remaining until the playoffs.

He is replaced at Whistling Straits by former RBC Canadian Open champion, Sean O’Hair.

TORONTO – Thunderstorms and the ensuing unplayable conditions have forced the postponement of the opening round of the 2015 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Weston Golf & Country Club and The Lambton Golf & Country Club in Toronto.

While pleasant conditions and cool breezes set the stage for the morning rounds, clear skies quickly gave way to cloud cover and heavy rainfall shortly after 1 p.m. EDT. With inclement weather continuing, play was cancelled at both courses at 5 p.m.

The first round of play will resume on the morning of Tuesday, August 11 at 7:30 a.m. EDT. Round two tee times will be adjusted due to time restrictions resulting from the suspension of the first round.

“Unfortunately, inclement weather and unplayable conditions have delayed the completion of the first round of play,” said Tournament Director Adam Helmer. “We are hopeful that the weather will hold for the ensuing rounds and that we will be able to complete the 72-hole national championship.”

The winner of the Earl Grey Trophy as Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion will be awarded an exemption into the 2016 RBC Canadian Open to be played at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., as well as, entry into the 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship.

An inter-provincial team competition will be played in conjunction with the first 36 holes. Vying for the Willingdon Cup as team champions will be 12 provincial and territorial three-person teams from across the nation.

For additional information on the championship, including adjusted second-round tee times and live scoring, please proceed to the competition’s website.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. —An array of Canadian golf legends are set to compete at the 2015 Mr. Lube PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada presented by Adams Golf at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

Remi Bouchard looks to defend his championship title Aug 12-14, but faces tough competition from the likes of Champions Tour winner Rod Spittle; three-time past champion Jim Rutledge; European Senior Tour regulars and past PGA of Canada national champions Ken Tarling and Phil Jonas; and a host of other top professionals.

Past champions teeing it up include three-time winner Rutledge, 2011 winner Tarling, 2005 champion Hocan Olsson and Gar Hamilton who won in 2002 and last year’s Super Senior Division title.

Other notable players in the field include European Senior Tour player and two-time PGA Assistant’s Championship of Canada winner Philip Jonas; Scott Allred, who is ranked No. 8 on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings; former PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada winner Ian Doig; past PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada winner Marc Girouard; two-time PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada winner Brian Hutton; former European Senior’s Tour player David Wettlaufer; six-time PGA Tour Canada winner Daniel Talbot; and Credit Valley’s own Jerry Anderson, a European Tour, Web.com Tour, PGA Tour Canada and PGA Championship of Canada winner.

Credit Valley is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year. Originally, the hunting and fishing grounds of the Ojibway people, Credit Valley traces its golfing beginning back to 1930. Ontario’s then Lieutenant Governor, W.D. Ross, commissioned that six holes be built on the original property which was located where the driving range and parking lot now stand.

Twelve-time PGA Tour winner Steve Stricker won the PGA Championship of Canada when Credit Valley hosted in 1993, while Hannah Jun captured the 2008 PGA Women’s Championship at the Mississauga venue.

The two-day, 54-hole championship will be played Aug. 12-14 at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club. Admittance to the Mr. Lube PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada presented by Adams Golf is free and spectators are encouraged to attend during championship play.

The PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada was first played in 1938 as a division of the Canadian PGA Championship. In 1973, the championship became an independent event and has stayed that way since.

Among the Canadian golf legends to win the PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada are Stan Leonard, Moe Norman—who won a record seven straight years from 1979-1985—Bob Panasik, Al Balding—who wowed the golf world by winning at age 76 in 2000—and Jim Rutledge.

Warren Sye confessed the other day that he’s not pounding the ball the way he wants to coming into the 2015 Canadian Amateur. A shoulder injury he suffered a year ago has limited the golf game of the two-time national champion.

But you can wager that the 59-year-old Sye will give it his best effort and that as he walks the fairways of Weston his emotions will be evident.

Twenty-five years ago, Sye captured his first Canadian Amateur to get “over the hump.” Back then Weston was his home course. He arrived on the scene having placed third four times and fourth on another occasion in the previous six Canadian Amateur tournaments.

He doesn’t quite recall an “ah-ha” moment, but he does remember a conversation he had with veteran Gary Cowan, who won two U.S. Amateur titles, a Canadian Amateur and a record nine Ontario Amateur crowns.

“I remember he told me that my time would come and that before I know it I’ll enjoy quite a run,” Sye said.

Cowan was right. After graduating from the University of Houston in 1980, where Sye played on the golf team with Fred Couples, Blaine McCallister and future sports broadcaster Jim Nantz, Sye had quite a run, beginning with the 1986 Eisenhower Trophy.

The Eisenhower Trophy is a biennial world amateur team event that dates back to 1958. Canada had never won the prestigious title until Sye and his teammates Mark Brewer, Brent Franklin and Jack Kay Jr. broke through for their brilliant championship.

This was the beginning for an incredible run for Sye on the national stage. Before his big victory at the 1990 Canadian Amateur, Sye reeled off an 11-shot win at the Ontario Amateur in 1988.

Then, after his triumph at Weston 25 years ago, he won the Ontario Amateur four more times in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1996 and won another Canadian Amateur in 1994 at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club, where he also won the 1991 Ontario Amateur as well as the Ontario father-son with his Dad.

“I had a good run, then the family came,” said Sye, who now has three grown children, two sons and a daughter.

His championship run at Weston 25 years ago began with rounds of 70 and 68 for a six-under 36-hole total and a stroke lead over Arden Knoll of Estevan, Sask.

Sye’s early spectacular play led his Ontario teammates Craig Marseilles, Mike Weir and Cowan to a 19-stroke Willingdon Cup victory for the province’s first title since 1984.

Knoll, however, wasn’t going away. A former hockey player with the Yorkton Terriers and the University of Saskatchewan, he took up golf seriously only six years prior to his run at Weston after four knee operations from hockey injuries. He turned professional a few months later, won on the Canadian Tour, played briefly on the PGA Tour and represented Canada at the World Cup.

Thanks to a third-round, three-under 69, the then 27-year-old Knoll entered the final day with a two-shot advantage over Sye and Jeff Cannon of Don Mills, Ont.

In a sad postscript to the 1990 Canadian Amateur, Cannon was killed in a car accident near Dryden, Ont. the following summer. After his strong showing at Weston, like Knoll, he also turned pro and played the Canadian Tour. But after missing the cut in an event in Regina, Cannon headed home but never made it.

In the final round, Sye rebounded with a hot start. He birdied four of the first five holes before he stumble with a double bogey at No 6 brought him back. The southpaw Knoll, however, struggled on the back nine with double bogeys Nos. 14 and 16.

Sye closed with five consecutive pars for a one-under 71 and seven-under total, two better than Knoll and Cannon, who checked in with final rounds of 75 and 73, respectively.

“I don’t care what anyone says, it’s hard to win at home with everyone following you and pulling for you.”

“It’s a weight off my shoulders, like when I finally won an Ontario Amateur title in 1988.”

Sye had a brief flirtation with the pro game a few years ago, when he attempted to qualify for the Champions Tour. But he has returned to amateur golf and now lives in London in the RiverBend Golf Community. He resides on Moe Norman Way in a neighbourhood that also has roads named Weir Ave., Marlene Stewart St., Ed Ervasti Lane, Jack Nash Dr. as well as Sandy Somerville Dr.

“I don’t have many expectations this week, but if the shoulder holds up, who knows,” Sye said.