Hadwin grinds through Bermuda winds to keep PGA TOUR future in reach
SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda — Adam Schenk finally won when he least expected it, closing with an even-par 71 in raging wind Sunday to claim a one-shot victory at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in his 243rd PGA Tour start.
But it was also a critical week for Canada’s Adam Hadwin, who battled through the same punishing conditions to post a four-over 75 and earn a share of 11th at 7 under. With gusts regularly topping 30 m.p.h. and the field averaging over par, Hadwin’s top-15 finish was enough to move him nine spots up the FedExCup standings. The Abbotsford, B.C., native is now projected to climb to No. 138 and remains in the hunt to retain his PGA Tour card.
Under the PGA Tour’s updated structure for 2026, only the top 100 in the final FedExCup standings – after the season-ending RSM Classic – earn full exempt status. Those between 101 and 125 receive conditional membership. With one event left to determine those spots, Hadwin’s performance in Bermuda keeps him firmly in the race and gives him a chance to secure full status next week at Sea Island.
Schenk, meanwhile, entered the week at No. 134 and was only two tournaments away from facing a return to Q-school. The 32-year-old handled some of the toughest conditions of his career at Port Royal Golf Course, making one birdie and four clutch par saves as the wind played havoc with approach shots and putts.
His toughest test came on the par-4 18th. Protecting a one-shot lead, Schenk saw his approach run just over the green. From a tight lie and with the breeze still ripping across the surface, he opted for putter from the fringe and rolled his attempt to five feet. He holed the par putt to hold off Chandler Phillips, who also shot 71.
Twice a runner-up in 2023—when he reached the Tour Championship for the first time—Schenk’s win secures a two-year exemption and spots in several marquee events next season, including the PGA Championship and The Players Championship.
Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, playing in the final group with Schenk, had a chance to force a playoff but saw his par attempt on the last lip out. He finished one shot back and moved to No. 99 in the FedExCup standings, setting up a pressure-filled week at the RSM Classic as he fights to stay inside the top 100.
Phillips began the week at No. 139 and jumped to No. 92 with his runner-up finish, effectively ensuring he will retain full status for next season.
Hadwin shares third as Bermuda turns into a tight chase for a PGA Tour card
SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda — Adam Schenk played bogey-free in strong wind Saturday for a 4-under 67, giving him a share of the lead with Braden Thornberry in what has become a tense chase for a PGA Tour card at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
Thornberry, a PGA Tour rookie who won the NCAA title at Mississippi eight years ago, shot a 69 to join Schenk at 12-under 201 with hardly any margin for error going into the final round.
Schenk and Thornberry are among 10 players from the top 11 on the leaderboard who arrived in Bermuda outside the top 100 in the FedEx Cup with time running out. The RSM Classic at Sea Island next week ends the season, the first one that offers cards to the top 100 instead of the top 125.
Schenk is at No. 134 and is running out of options. But he began making minor adjustments in his game the last few months and watched it pay off in a timely way at Port Royal.
Winless in 242 starts on the PGA Tour, he suddenly has a chance he didn’t see coming.
“A great opportunity to have for tomorrow,” said Schenk, who has a share of the 54-hole lead for the first time since Colonial two years ago. “I know if I don’t, I have to go to Q-school if I don’t get inside the top 100, so that’s a pretty big motivator.”
Thornberry is at No. 178 and only a win would secure a card, coming with a two-year exemption.
But they have plenty of company.
The group one behind included Adam Hadwin of Canada, who had the 36-hole lead, who had to settle for a 71 and was in a tie for third; Max McGreevy (69), Chandler Phillips (70) and Takumi Kanaya of Japan (66).
Hadwin, from Abbotsford, B.C., made four birdies and four bogeys, turning in 1-over 37 on the front nine before recovering with a 2-under 34 on the back at Port Royal Golf Course to sit in a tie for third at 11 under. Hadwin will tee off in the third-to-last group on Sunday at 9:05 a.m. local time (8:05 a.m. ET) with Americans Max McGreevy and Chandler Phillips.
The only player within three shots of the lead who didn’t face as much stress was Vince Whaley, who had a 68. He is at No. 86 in the FedEx Cup, virtually a lock to stay in the top 100.
Adding to the pressure of trying to keep a PGA Tour card is the wind that didn’t let up.
Adam Hadwin holds onto the lead in the windy Butterfield Bermuda Championship
SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda — Adam Hadwin held onto the lead Friday in the windy Butterfield Bermuda Championship in a late bid to retain full PGA Tour playing privileges, shooting a 5-under 66 at Port Royal to take a one-shot advantage into the weekend.
Hadwin is 147th in the FedEx Cup standings, with the top 100 next week after the RSM Classic keeping their tour cards for next year. The 38-year-old Canadian, a PGA Tour winner and two-time Presidents Cup player, missed the FedEx Cup playoffs for the first time in his tour career.
Hadwin had an 11-under 131 total after opening with a 65 on Thursday.
“A little bit more scrambly than yesterday, didn’t quite hit it as well,” Hadwin said. “A little off early. … Just a little off. Didn’t quite have the same feel as I did yesterday, but scrambled really well. Short game, putting, made a bunch of putts today.”
Chandler Phillips (64) and Braden Thornberry (65) were tied for second. Max McGreevy (64) and Noah Goodwin (67) were 9 under. Six players were unable to finish before dark.
McGreevy faced the toughest wind conditions, playing in late Thursday and early Friday.
“Being from Oklahoma and seeing a lot of wind in my life, I’ve seen fair shares of good and bad breaks type of thing,” McGreevy said. “You’ve just got to kind of roll with it.”
With wind gusting to 26 mph, Hadwin rebounded from a double bogey on the par-3 13th — his fourth hole of the day — with an eagle from the rough on the short par-4 sixth.
“I thought just push it up there and get within 50, 60 yards of the green and just kind of pitch back up to that pin,” Hadwin said. “I thought as long as you keep it right of the bushes you’ve kind of got 50, 60 yards to work with. It came off perfectly, the pitch shot did. You’re a little bit lucky to kind of make it, but I did exactly what I wanted to do.:
He’s making his 299th PGA Tour start. He won the 2017 Valspar Championship for his lone PGA Tour title.
Three members of Team Canada named 2025 Players of the Year by Pacific Northwest Golf Association
TACOMA, Wash. – Team Canada members Lauren Kim, Clara Ding and Austin Krahn have been named 2025 Players of the Year by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA).
Kim of Surrey, B.C. was named Women’s Player of the Year, earning the honour for a third consecutive year. Kim is currently ranked No. 20 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and enjoyed a strong 2025 season, highlighted by competing in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur for a second straight year as well as the CPKC Women’s Open. Kim, a junior at the University of Texas, earned her second collegiate win at the Betsy Rawls Invitational in March and added a pair of third place finishes as well as a top five. Kim also represented Canada at the World Amateur Team Championship in Singapore in October.
Ding of White Rock, B.C. was named Junior Girls’ Player of the Year. Ding won twice in 2025, taking the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open and the Women’s Orlando International Championship. Her win in B.C. came as part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series, earning her an exemption into her first appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open. In her debut at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship, Ding helped lead Team Canada 2 to its best result in tournament history, finishing sixth place and was runner-up in the individual competition by one stroke.
Krahn of Christina Lake, B.C. was named Junior Boys’ Player of the Year. Krahn followed up a strong 2024 season, with five titles in 2025 including the British Columbia Junior Championship and the British Columbia Amateur title. In addition, Krahn led his province to its second straight gold medal at the 2025 Canada Summer Games and also won individual gold in Newfoundland and Labrador. Krahn earned two additional wins this year including the MJT Odlum Brown Classic and the MJT National Championship.
Along with the Team Canada athletes a familiar name in Canadian women’s golf was awarded the Senior Women’s Player of the Year. Shelly Stouffer of Nanoose Bay, B.C. has now earned the honour three of the past four years. In August, Stouffer won her third Canadian Women’s Senior Championship and added wins at the PNGA Senior Women’s Amateur, Irish Senior Women’s Amateur and BC Senior Women’s Amateur. She was also a semi-finalist in the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and qualified for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open and U.S. Women’s Amateur.
For all the award recipients or to learn more about PNGA, please click here.
Adam Hadwin leads in Bermuda in last-ditch bid to keep his PGA Tour card
SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda — Adam Hadwin got off the start he needed in his bid to retain full PGA Tour playing privileges, shooting a 6-under 65 in windy conditions on Thursday in the first round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, which was not completed because of darkness.
Hadwin entered the week at No. 147 in the FedEx Cup standings; the top 100 after next week’s RSM Classic keep their tour cards next year. He led Takumi Kanaya by one shot. Braden Thornberry was also 5 under with two holes to play at Port Royal.
The 38-year-old Hadwin, a two-time Presidents Cup player from Abbotsford, B.C., had never missed the FedEx Cup playoffs in a decade on tour before this year.
“A bit of the shock to the ego, not gonna lie,” Hadwin said. “It might have hindered me a little bit through the season as I continued to struggle a little bit. I reached a point, though probably too late, probably July, August where I kind of accepted where I was at, just needed to battle through.
“I do truly believe that I’ve got my best golf is still to come, I’ve got a lot more in me and then I’ll be a better player once I get through this. It was just a matter of when I got through this and today’s a good start.”
Fellow Canadian Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., shot a 2-over 73, while Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., had a 74.
Kanaya and Thornberry also began the week outside the top 100. Ryo Hisatsune, Alex Smalley and Isaiah Salinda each shot 67, and Frankie Capan III was 4 under with two holes to play.
Aaron Cockerill earns 2026 DP World Tour card through Q-School
TORRRENT (Spain) — Aaron Cockerill finished tied for second in the final stage of the DP World Tour’s Q-School on Tuesday at Infinitum Golf in Tarragona, Spain and with it, regained his card for the 2026 season.
Cockerill of Teulon, Man. finished 24-under through six rounds to secure his status for next season, which will be his seventh full season on the DP World Tour. Those finishing inside the top 20 at Q-School regained or earned their cards for 2026.
Cockerill made his DP World Tour debut in 2019 but only played in three events. Since then, he has competed in 147 tournaments and made 90 cuts with two runner-up finishes in his career to date.
Cockerill’s first runner-up finish came at the 2022 Magical Kenya Open and the second, a year later at the ISPS Handa Championship in Omitama, Japan, where he lost in a playoff. Cockerill also earned a third-place finish in 2022 and eight additional top 10 finishes over the course of six seasons. In 2024, Cockerill earned his best ranking on the DP World Tour, finishing 49th.
Since turning pro in 2015, Cockerill has competed in nine events on the PGA TOUR, including the RBC Canadian Open on three occasions. His best finish at Canada’s National Open Championship came in 2022 where he finished T48 at St. Georges Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Ont.
The 2026 DP World Tour season will open later this month with the BMW Australian PGA Championship at the Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane, Australia, taking place November 27-30.
Golf Canada and Golf La Tempête announce multi-year partnership to host three national amateur championships
OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada and Golf La Tempête are proud to announce a multi-year partnership that will see the Quebec City and Lévis area club host three national amateur championships over the next eight years. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing amateur golf in Canada.
As part of the agreement, Golf La Tempête will host the 2026 Canadian University/College Championship, 2031 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and the 2033 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, all presented by BDO.
“We are proud and excited to announce this partnership with Golf La Tempête,” said Adam Daifallah, President, Golf Canada. “Golf La Tempête provides a world-class facility, and we look forward to bringing three of our prestigious national championships to a dynamic and supportive partner and to a region that has long been home to passionate supporters of golf. We know our staff and the players competing at Golf La Tempête will be treated to a memorable experience.”
Golf La Tempête opened in 2005 and is known for the exceptional quality of its golf courses and facilities, premium services and innovative character. The club previously hosted two international events, the 2009 Telus World Skins Game and the 2014 Quebec Championship an official PGA Tour Champions event. With the opening of its brand-new South Course (Parcours Sud), Golf La Tempête has recently completed a major expansion, elevating the club to a 36-hole championship facility.
“At Golf La Tempête we are proud to actively contribute to the development of elite amateur golf in Canada,” said André Raymond, General Manager and Co-Founder, Golf La Tempête. “This partnership with Golf Canada aligns with our commitment to supporting excellence in the sport and building lasting relationships with key stakeholders in the national golf community. We are also particularly delighted with the strong female contingent competing in the 2026 and 2033 events – a growing segment that is truly close to our hearts at Golf La Tempête.”
This multi-year partnership underscores a long-term vision shared by both organizations to elevate the amateur game while celebrating Canada’s most promising amateur golf talent and to position Golf La Tempête as a cornerstone in the country’s competitive golf landscape.
The 2026 Canadian University/College Championship will be the 22nd playing of the national championship bringing together Canada’s best student-athlete golfers as they compete for team and individual championships. The individual winners will earn exemptions into the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships.
The Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is the third oldest amateur championship in the world, having debuted at the Ottawa Golf Club – modernly known as The Royal Ottawa Golf Club – in 1895. Initially contested as a match play competition, Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George S. Lyon won the Amateur eight times between 1898 and 1914 while fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Sandy Somerville captured six championships between 1924 and 1938.
The 1969 championship marked the event’s initial shift to stroke play and was held under that format until 1994 when it reverted to match play in honour of the Royal Canadian Golf Association and the championship’s centennial in 1995. In 2010, the tournament adopted to a double-field format to account for larger field sizes and held its last match play competition in 2007, where five-time PGA TOUR winner Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. claimed the title at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask. Other Canadians currently playing on the PGA TOUR have secured victories at the prestigious championship as well, including Mackenzie Hughes of Hamilton, Ont. winning back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. Declan O’Donovan of Sydney, Australia claimed the 120th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in July, becoming the first Australian to accomplish the feat in 32 years.
The Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship debuted in 1901 at the Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Que., the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship stands as one of the oldest amateur golf events in the world. Current LPGA Tour stars Ariya Jutanugarn (2012), Brooke Henderson (2013), Hye-Jin Choi (2016), Jennifer Kupcho (2017) and Yealimi Noh (2018) have all lifted the Dutchess of Connaught Gold Cup – though none have matched Marlene Stewart Streit’s record of 11 victories that helped her become the first-ever Canadian inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Team Canada – NextGen member, Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. added her name to the prestigious list of champions this July at The Riverside Country Club in Rothesay, N.B.
The full 2026 championship schedule will be announced in the new year.
Remembering fallen golf heroes
They are some of Canada’s most renowned golf legends, a list amassed of professional and amateur players, course architects and administrators. They have all contributed to the growth of the game of golf in this country. However, their contributions to golf pale in comparison to their contributions to the fabric of our nation.
November 11 is Remembrance Day. A day we remember and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. What better day to remember Canadian golfers of the past who helped our nation during its greatest times of need.
The following are just some of the contributions Canadian golf legends made to the Allied forces during the First and Second World Wars.
During World War I, Hamilton, Ont. native Florence Harvey, along with other women golfers in Canada, raised enough money to purchase an ambulance for use in Serbia.
A staunch advocate of women’s golf, Harvey founded and held the position of Secretary of the Canadian Ladies Golf Union – later known as the former Canadian Ladies’ Golf Association (CLGA).
One of the top players of her day, Harvey won the 1903 and 1904 Canadian Ladies’ championship, while capturing the Ontario Ladies Championship on four occasions.
During WWII, the CLGA also raised money, this time their money went towards the purchase of a Spitfire plane.
Karl Keffer is best known for becoming the first Canadian-born golfer to win our national championship – the RBC Canadian Open – in 1909. He also won in 1914.
Keffer, from Tottenham, Ont., was a founding member of the PGA of Canada and held numerous positions during his 29-year involvement with the association including; secretary-treasurer, captain and president. Keffer, a war veteran, pleaded with other golf professionals of his day to join the war effort.
Most golf enthusiasts will know Stanley Thompson as a renowned Canadian golf course architect. Thompson, who was born in Toronto, has 200 course designs to his credit throughout an illustrious career as an architect with a majority of them residing in Canada.
However, most don’t know Thompson was awarded a Bronze Star for his service in WWI.
Donald Carrick, born in Thunder Bay, Ont., was a standout amateur golfer. A two-time Canadian Amateur champion, Carrick also won the 1924 US Junior Boy’s Championship, several Ontario amateur titles and played for Canada against the British Walker Cup team before retiring from competitive golf in 1933 to focus on his family and law practice. Carrick would become a political figure and also competed as a boxer in the 1928 Summer Olympics.
Carrick also received the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) for his service in the Royal Artillery during WWII.
Winnipeg’s Geoffrey Cornish, one of the legendary Stanley Thompson’s protégés, fashioned a career in golf course architecture. He was one of the best Canada has ever produced. With a career that included more than 200 golf course designs or remodellings, Cornish turned his attention towards chronicling the history of his field, becoming an author and penning several internationally-acclaimed books on golf course architecture in the later part of his career.
Cornish was a Major in the Canadian Army, serving in Europe from 1940-45.
To these and other notable figures in Canadian golf who have supported our troops as well as all of the brave men and women who have served our country – thank you.
Golf beyond the greens — Fun ways to play off‑course
Golf in Canada doesn’t have to stop when the course closes. Whether it’s snowing, the daylight’s gone, or you’re just looking for a new way to tee it up, off‑course golf is giving Canadians fresh, fun ways to play. Here are the main types — and how you can enjoy each one.
Simulators
Imagine stepping into a climate‑controlled bay, selecting your dream course (Pebble Beach? St. Andrews? Why not both?) and swinging away while the weather rages outside. Simulator bays give you that. You can work on your swing, play a full virtual round, or just hang with friends in a casual setting. Ideal for skill‑builders or anyone wanting to keep their game alive when the real thing isn’t available.
Driving Ranges & Short‑Game Zones
Still love the feel of actual balls flying and clubs in hand? The good old driving range remains a go-to. These facilities often include short‑game practice areas for chipping, pitching and putting too — so you can refine your finesse around the greens, not just your big tee‑shots. Perfect for quick sessions, lazy evenings, or when you’re prepping for your next round on the grass.
Mini‑Golf
Sometimes you just want to have fun — no serious swing mechanics required. Mini‑golf is the perfect choice: creatively themed courses, fun obstacles, quick rounds, and zero pressure. It’s a great way to introduce friends or family to golf vibes without committing to hours on the greens.
Video Games
Yes, golf meets gaming. For those who prefer digital greens, video golfing offers competitive play with friends (offline or online) and is especially appealing to younger folks or anyone who enjoys gaming. A good reminder: video play can spark the joy of the sport and maybe lead you back to the traditional game.
Virtual Reality (VR)
Here’s the futuristic side: pop on a headset and you’re standing on the 18th tee, wind in your (virtual) hair, club in hand. VR setups deliver immersive golf experiences from your living room — full rounds, multiplayer, visual feedback — so you can stay sharp all year long. Especially handy when the Canadian winter has you stuck indoors.
Off‑course golf isn’t just a substitute for real golf — it’s a way to keep your passion for the game alive, sharpen your skills, and enjoy social time with other golf lovers, no matter the weather or your schedule.
Ready to try off-course golf near you?
Extend your season! Golf Canada launches off-course strategy
There is no such thing as an off-season in golf. Discover golf: anytime, anywhere.
OAKVILLE, Ont. – As temperatures drop and the outdoor golf season in most parts of the country draws to a close, Golf Canada is proud to announce the launch of a new comprehensive off-course golf strategy supported by the Just Swing campaign, which highlights the benefits and different forms of off-course golf.
Golf Canada endorses and supports all forms of golf and is encouraging Canadians to experience the game year-round through off-course golf experiences.
These experiences include golf simulators, driving ranges, short game areas, mini golf, virtual reality golf and golf-themed video games that all provide opportunities to engage with the sport year-round. Complementing traditional green grass golf, off-course golf provides a continuity of golf experiences that can welcome new individuals into the sport in ways that best fit their lifestyle.
For Golf Canada’s Chief Marketing Officer Tim McLaughlin, the campaign is about having a presence wherever and however golf is being enjoyed.
“There has been an explosion in off-course golf options in our country, most notably golf simulators, and Golf Canada is excited to officially launch our off-course strategy. This initiative is reflective of the reality that an increasing number of Canadians are now participating in golf activity year-round in non-traditional venues like simulator facilities. Off-course golf has the potential to be transformational for our sport, combining fun and realistic golf experiences with affordable options that are accessible 12 months a year,” said McLaughlin. “This strategy acknowledges the way that Canadians are engaging with the game is evolving, and our intention is to create a greater connection between these new off-course formats and the broader golf landscape.”
As part of this strategy, Golf Canada, in partnership with the Provincial Golf Associations, is proud to launch a new facility membership offering, specifically designed for off-course operators. Through this program off-course facilities will now be able to become official members of Golf Canada and have the ability to promote their operations to Canada’s largest and most engaged golf audience.
It will also be easier for Canadians to find places to play off course. A comprehensive digital program promoting off-course golf will connect Canadians to Official Member Facilities of Golf Canada. Golfers will soon be able to log and track their off-course activity at simulators in the
Golf Canada app beginning in early December. For more information or to download Canada’s number one golf app, click here.
“It’s not just having a presence where golf is being played in the winter, it’s about building meaningful relationships with the off-course facilities and owners who are invested in this growth sector of the sport. These facilities are providing a fun and social environment for golf enthusiasts and newcomers looking to experience golf, and we feel we can deliver year-round value and benefit to their operations.”
Interest in off-course golf has grown substantially in Canada over the past four years. In 2021, 19 per cent of Canadians were using golf simulators; that number rose to 43 per cent in 2024, an increase of 24 per cent over four years. In addition to the countless green grass facilities that transform their operations to accommodate indoor golf each winter.
The Just Swing campaign will support Golf Canada’s complete off-course strategy to have a presence wherever golf is being played. The campaign encourages Canadians to discover golf, anywhere, anytime and Just Swing, highlighting the many benefits the game can provide. This campaign is designed to re-frame perceptions of the sport by driving understanding that whether you pick up a club on a golf course or a simulator its all golf. The hope is to position the sport in a new way, particularly for new audiences who aren’t currently active golfers.
For more information on the Just Swing campaign, the benefits of off-course golf or to find a location near you, please visit golfcanada.ca/justswing.
For facilities interested in learning more about the benefits of becoming a Golf Canada Facility Member, click here.