SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Dottie Ardina birdied the final three holes Saturday in the Symetra Tour’s Four Winds Invitational, leaving Canadian teen Brooke Henderson three strokes back.

Ardina, from the Philippines, shot a 7-under 65 at Blackthorn to take a 10-under 134 total into the final round.

The 17-year-old Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., also had a 65.

“It was a lot of fun, my ball striking today was a lot better than yesterday and that was a big key,” said Henderson. “I didn’t give myself a lot of long birdie putts and the short ones I was able to make, which is awesome. My putter has been a little off and on the last couple weeks and today it was definitely on.”

Henderson started on the back nine and birdied the 11th hole before adding three more birdies on 14, 15 and 16. She closed her round with back-to-back birdies on eight and nine.

“My game is feeling pretty good, but I know I have a lot of work to do and I’m far from where I want to be,” said Henderson. “Rounds like this are really confidence boosters. There is a lot of golf left and a lot of great players up there on the leaderboard. I know I’ll have to post another really good round tomorrow to come away with the win.”

Henderson is playing the tournament as a non-member on a sponsor invite. Any money earned on the Symetra Tour doesn’t count towards the Volvik Race for the Card money list. She has earned $317,470 in seven LPGA Tour events this season, the equivalent of 20th on the LPGA money list.

Henderson will be aiming for her third win as a professional on Sunday.

Japan’s Chie Arimura was third at 6 under after a 66.

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — Masters champion Jordan Spieth is halfway home from the second leg of the Grand Slam.

It sure feels a lot farther away in this U.S. Open.

Spieth overcame a double bogey on the par-4 18th hole that he called “the dumbest hole” he has played, and a scary moment when Jason Day collapsed to the ground Friday on their final hole at the par-3 ninth from what was later diagnosed as vertigo. Spieth managed to make his birdie for a 3-under 67, giving him a share of the lead with Ryder Cup partner Patrick Reed going into what figures to be a long weekend.

The competition is plenty fierce. The real challenge might be Chambers Bay, from the wobbly roll on the greens to how the USGA presents its toughest test.

Henrik Stenson said it was like putting on broccoli. Reed was so furious after his closing bogey – he made only two pars over the final 12 holes – that he called it “Mickey Mouse golf” on the 18th green.

“But we’re in a good position,” Reed said after a 69, “and we hopefully can have a good weekend and have a chance to win.”

Spieth and Reed were at 5-under 135, one shot ahead of Branden Grace of South Africa (67) and Dustin Johnson, who had the lead for most of the afternoon until he closed with three bogeys on his last five holes for a 71.

Tiger Woods won’t be around to watch it unfold. He shot 76 and posted the highest 36-hole score (156) of his pro career.

Spieth can lean on his experience as a Masters champion, but this major is nothing like Augusta National. For starters, he had a five-shot lead going into the weekend at the Masters. And he is on a golf course where the greens are getting plenty of attention for being bumpy and difficult to make putts.

“It’s playing different,” Spieth said. “And I’m in a very different position. I’m not going to have a five-shot lead. So given it’s a U.S. Open, I imagine they’re going to try to bring us back to par. … So I’ll draw some on Augusta, but at the same time, my patience level has to be even that much higher.”

Day was two shots out of the lead when the Australian crashed to the ground as he headed to the green. Spieth rushed to his side, shooing away photographers as Day sprawled on the ground. Helped to his feet, Day managed to finish the hole with a bogey and a 70 and still was three behind. He was treated at the course, and his agent said he was resting comfortably and hoped to play on Saturday.

Sixteen players remained under par. Spieth is the only one with experience winning a major.

And it’s clear he’s not just satisfied with one.

Not since Woods in 2002 has anyone won the Masters and U.S. Open in the same year. Spieth still has a long way to go, and he realizes it will only get harder on a course that already is perplexing – and to some, aggravating.

Reed has heard about the adage that par is always a good score at the U.S. Open. He opted for three birdies, an eagle and five bogeys over the final three hours, at times going from the lead to trailing but always in the mix. He looked as if he would take the 36-hole lead into the weekend when his tee shot on No. 18 stopped just short of a bunker, and his 7-iron found the middle of the green. The pin was in a valley, however, and from 50 feet away, Reed could get no closer than 20 feet. He three-putted for bogey.

“I hit the ball in the middle of the green on 18 and have no chance to putt a normal putt and stop near the hole, and have to play Mickey Mouse golf to try to make par,” Reed said. “Unfortunately, a bad way to end the day.”

Reed knows what to expect from Spieth – they were 2-0-1 in their partnership as rookies in the Ryder Cup. He’s not worried about anything but Chambers Bay.

“That’s how it is at every U.S. Open,” he said. “It seems like until 72nd hole is done, it’s anybody’s game.”

Tony Finau, the powerful PGA Tour rookie making his major championship debut, let it rip on his way to a 68. He was in the group at 3-under 137 that included Joost Luiten of The Netherlands (69), Daniel Summerhays (67) and Ben Martin (70).

Rory McIlroy, the world’s No. 1 player, four-putted on No. 17 and closed with a bogey for another 72 that put him nine shots behind. Phil Mickelson shot a 74 and said he struggled with the surface area around the holes. He was eight shots behind.

Woods, again, was never in the picture – not the tournament, not on television. Fox rarely showed him, except for a few shots, including the opening hole when Woods was so far left up a dune that he slipped and fell while trying to size up the shot. He missed the cut for the second time in the last three majors.

“Obviously, I need to get a little better for the British Open, and I’ll keep working at it,” Woods said.

The 18th hole was a par 5 on Thursday, and a par 4 on Friday with the tees moved forward. Spieth wasn’t sure where to go, found a bunker and caught the lip trying to get out. “This is the dumbest hole I’ve ever played in my life,” he said after climbing out of the bunker on his way to double bogey.

His caddie, Michael Greller, helped to calm him down.

“I was really frustrated walking off the tee box, and Michael did a great job coming in and telling me, `Sit back, you’re still very much in this tournament, don’t let this get to you,'” Spieth said.

That might be good advice for the next 36 holes.

Canadian Brad Fritsch will be around for the weekend after a second round 74, while David Hearn missed the cut after posting a round of 75 today.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Natalie Sheary, Casey Grice and Katherine Perry all share the lead after the first round of the Symetra Tour’s Four Winds Invitational on Friday. Sheary, Grice and Perry all shot a 4-under 68 at Blackthorn Golf Club.

Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C., is the top Canadian at 2-under. Wallace shot an opening round 70 and is tied for ninth.

Brittany Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., is tied for 19th at 1-under while Nicole Vandermade of Brantford, Ont., is tied for 27th.

Henderson’s sister, Brooke, birdied the final two holes and is even after the first round. Brooke Henderson shot a 72 and is also tied for 27th entering Saturday. She is ranked 51st on the LPGA rankings list, making her the highest-ranked player to ever compete on the Symetra Tour.

Team Canada’s impressive run at the leaders fell short in Friday’s final as the Canucks struggled with a combined round of 214 (+1) to finish sixth at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan.

Tony Gil of Vaughan, Ont., was the only Canadian to shoot under-par in the final round at Chukyo Golf Club’s Ishino Course, shooting a 67 (-4) for his best score of the tournament. The University of Houston commit finished T10 individually as the lowest Canadian along with Étienne Papineau.

Papineau, 18, ran out of steam on Friday with a 2-over 73—his highest score of the tournament. Individually, the St-Jean-sur-Richelieu native finished at 4-under (70-69-68-73) alongside Gil.

Trevor Ranton of Waterloo, Ont., finished T21 at even-par (72-71-67-74) while A.J. Armstrong of St. Albert, Alta., came in at T35 (70-75-69-76).

Collectively, the Canadian quartet finished at 10-under par, two strokes behind fifth place Norway (-12) and three back of the United States (-13). The Koreans captured the bronze medal at 14-under, while the Swedes took home silver a good seven strokes ahead at 21-under.

The gold medal went to host nation Japan, who ran away with a score of 25-under—thanks in part to their tournament-best final round of 200 (-13). Japan’s Ren Okazaki won medalist honours, finishing at 13-under (67-68-71-65).

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Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru will hold its 12^th annual National Event at Richmond Hill Golf Club, in Richmond Hill, Ont., on September 29. Over 120 golfers are slated to participate in the 18-hole charity event held in celebration of another successful year in promoting and raising funds for the fight against breast cancer.

This past Sunday’s National Cancer Survivors Day – observed on the first Sunday of June – offers those with a history of cancer with the opportunity to share their journeys and celebrate their triumphs. Events such as the Golf Fore the Cure National Event aim to further promote awareness and fund initiatives to assist in the search for a cure against cancer.

“We are honoured to host this year’s Golf Fore the Cure National Event, and to be part of the tournament’s ongoing success,” said Donna Norman, Assistant Professional at Richmond Hill Golf Club. “The passion of everyone involved with organizing the tournament is so impressive; and the participants, by playing the game they love, are helping make a positive difference in providing hope in the lives of women faced with the challenge of living with cancer.”

Golf Fore the Cure encourages women of all skill levels to participate in fun-filled golf events to raise funds for breast cancer research and to support those whose lives have been affected by the disease. Every year, thousands of women are diagnosed with breast cancer. The Golf Fore the Cure initiative has raised over $5.1 million; this year’s nationwide fundraising goal has been set at $500,000. The proceeds from 2015 will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.

“We are delighted to team up with Richmond Hill Golf Club in support of such a worthy and important cause,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “Breast cancer has impacted the lives of so many women and families across Canada. On behalf of the Canadian golf community, we are proud to contribute to the awareness and fundraising efforts of breast cancer research through the game we love.”

The National Event celebrates the many contributions of the dedicated volunteers, host golf courses, and generous communities that host Golf Fore the Cure “pink-out” events across the nation during the golf season. Foursomes from the top three fundraising events will be honoured at the National event.

For the fourth year, Evanka Osmak, Broadcaster for Rogers Sportsnet, will be in attendance at the National Event to continue her role as an ambassador for the tournament.

In addition to the goal of ending breast cancer in our lifetime, Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru aims to encourage women’s participation in the sport. Golf Canada developed the friendly competition as a platform for members of the golf community to come together and rally around a worthy cause through the sport of golf.

Subaru Canada has been a proud partner of Golf Fore the Cure since 2007. The company recently renewed its partnership for two additional years, reaffirming its commitment to making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. As a dedicated contributor to Golf Fore the Cure events, the “Subaru Safest Drive” competition will be held at each site with Subaru providing prizes for participants.

Registration is open to the public; additional information can be found here.

We cherish the opportunity to share our experiences. For many of us, those most memorable golfing moments fuel our emotion for the game. And we know Canadian golfers are a passionate bunch – a community that counts nearly 5.7 million enthusiasts that play more than 60 million rounds annually.

Celebrating the moments and memories that connect golfers is the driving force behind Golf Canada Golf, a national marketing campaign designed to engage golfers through storytelling. The campaign invites golfers to share their stories and special connections to the game across video, online and social channels. The end goal is simple – remind golfers why it is we all love this great game and hopefully inspire a few more rounds along the way.

Golf Canada Golf is based on a simple premise that among golfers, there’s always a story—memorable shots, family experiences, favourite courses, golf trips with friends, or compelling stories of people using the game to overcome personal adversity.

In a column last year, I wrote a personal tribute to my best friend Rick Soverign after he lost his courageous battle with cancer. I shared how golf brought Rick – ‘Sovy as we knew him – together with his many friends and how he reminded us to enjoy every round as if it were our last. For ‘Sovy, golf was about camaraderie. He would celebrate golf ’s intangibles, the memorable moments, the buddy trips, or other factors that make the game special. As golfers, we can all relate.

The campaign provides an outlet for Canadians to celebrate the Rick Soverigns of the world – friends, family, colleagues and strangers whose passion and enthusiasm makes golf more fun for those around them.

Golf Canada Golf has also given me another forum to pay tribute to my late pal. Posting my story to the Golf Canada Golf website and sharing it with family and friends through Twitter and Facebook has brought back a wave of great memories as well as a bit of reflective sadness. It reminded me of the promise I made to my best friend before he passed – to play a bit more golf than I did the year before and enjoy each round as if it were my last.

Storytelling is a common thread that connects our golf experiences. When you visit golfcanadagolf.ca you will experience compelling video features along with golfer story submissions from across the country. You will also find links to connect with a club or PGA of Canada professional in your community as well as information about programs to engage children and new golfers.

The campaign welcomes golfers to socialize their golf experiences all season long. Whether you’re out playing a round, sharing news on Twitter or Facebook, introducing a new golfer or cheering on our Canadian athletes in competition, #GolfCanadaGolf has the power to connect golfers and their stories from coast to coast.

At the end of the day, Golf Canada Golf is a reminder to all golfers – members, public players and new enthusiasts – to celebrate the impact golf can have on our lives and the emotions we experience. I know that every golfer has a ‘Sovy in their life, a constant reminder of why we love this great game.

#golfcanadagolf

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — So much for Chambers Bay being the star of this U.S. Open. Thursday turned into another horror show for Tiger Woods.

Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson set the tone on the wild terrain of Chambers Bay, which made a relatively gentle debut. Both shot 5-under 65 and shared the lead.

And then came Woods.

He made bogey after bogey, from the bunkers and tall grass, until he ended this not-for-prime-time performance by topping a 3-wood from the 18th fairway that bounced over one bunker and disappeared into another. He wound up with an 80, his worst ever at the U.S. Open.

“I fought. I fought hard. And that was my number,” Woods said.

It was the third time this year he has shot in the 80s, only this time he had some company. Rickie Fowler played alongside him and shot 81.

Their scores were not a reflection of the conditions at Chambers Bay, the 8-year-old course on the edge of Puget Sound that was a mystery to so many players going into this U.S. Open unlike any other.

Johnson was flawless and powerful. His only mistake came on his final hole when he pulled a 6-iron on the par-3 ninth over the green and made his only bogey. Stenson, among the cynical of Chambers Bay when he first saw it, birdied four of his last five holes. He poured in a 25-footer on the 18th for his 65.

They had a one-shot lead over Patrick Reed.

Just over two dozen players managed to break par in the U.S. Open, the major where anything around par is considered a hard day of work. Masters champion Jordan Spieth was among those at 68. Phil Mickelson, going for the one major keeping him from a career Grand Slam, started strong and settled for a 69.

Rory McIlroy had a rough day. He was frustrated with the bumpy greens and shot 72.

Several tees were moved forward. Several pins were in spots where the slopes could be used to get the ball close. Complaints – except for the greens – were at minimum.

“My guess was there would be 20 to 30 guys under par after today, and by the end there will be barely any,” Geoff Ogilvy said after his 69. “With a course like this, I would have thought that would be a sensible strategy to keep us all happy on Thursday and then gradually wear us down.”

Woods wasn’t happy, though he managed a few laughs.

“The bright side is at least I kicked Rickie’s butt today,” he said.

Woods said he was on the right path with his new swing, but it was taking time and he was trying his hardest. That’s the message he gave at Memorial after his 85, yet his struggles were never more exposed than at the toughest test in golf, a major he had won three times.

From the side of a hill in deep, yellow grass, he hit one shot in which the club came out of his hand and landed some 15 feet behind him. That would have been an image that defined this day at Chambers Bay – until he got to No. 18 and hit a shot with which millions of hackers could identify.

Leave it to Woods to steal the show at the U.S. Open, even if he wanted to hide.

Chambers Bay showed off some of its nuances. Camilo Villegas took four shots to get out of a bunker on No. 12 that ruined his birdie-birdie start. Jason Day was motoring along toward the leaders until a stiff breeze showed up off Puget Sound and left his tee shot on the par-3 15th hole some 15 yards short of the green, buried in the sand just beyond a mound of tall fescue. Day still managed a 68.

“It’s only going to get tougher and tougher as the week goes on and everyone knows that,” Day said. “It’s all about the attitude. You have to have a good attitude in U.S. Opens. It’s easy to play yourself out of the tournament real quick here.”

The first time Stenson saw Chambers Bay, he walked the course without playing it. The Swede did just fine with clubs in his hand.

“One day out of four done, and we’re right there with where we want to be,” Stenson said. “It’s still a long journey until Sunday afternoon.”

Johnson lost a chance to win the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach five years ago with an 82 in the final round. He missed out on a playoff at the PGA Championship that same year by grounding his club without realizing he was in a bunker at Whistling Straits. And his challenge at the British Open in 2011 was derailed by a 2-iron that went out-of-bounds on the 14th hole.

But coming off a six-month break to get his life in order, Johnson is as imposing as ever. He already has won a World Golf Championship this year. And he likes the look of a big course where he can smash his way around it – and hitting it straight always helps.

“I really felt like I swung it well and hit a lot of quality iron shots,” Johnson said. “So the confidence is definitely there. I feel really good about where I’m at going into tomorrow.”

Two Canadians are in the field, Brad Fritsch fired an even par round to place him in a tie for 26, while David Hearn shot a 2-over par 72.

INVERNESS, N.S. — Danny King realized a dream Thursday at Cabot Links in Inverness, N.S., winning the PGA Championship of Canada sponsored by Mr. Lube and presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf.

The 47-year-old from the Performance Academy at Magna bested Oliver Tubb of Seymour Creek Golf Centre 1-up in the championship’s final match at the No. 2-ranked golf course in Canada.

“To have my name etched on this trophy among the legends of golf is really surreal,” King said. “Guys like George Knudson who mentored me when I was growing up and Bob Panasik, a man I absolutely admire, have won the PGA Championship and now I can say I have too.”

King, who said Cabot Links is without a doubt his favourite golf course in Canada, jumped out to an early 3-up lead thru the first three holes Thursday afternoon. The two-time PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada winner slightly stumbled with bogeys on Nos. 8 and 15, allowing Tubb a breath of life on the 18th green. However, King was able to convert a four-foot par putt for the win.

“I really felt I was in control when I was up three thru the first three holes,” King said. “But I had to stay patient out there on the back nine, so I really focused on my breathing and felt I stayed in the moment.”

King also admitted his caddie and close pal Mike Belbin played a big part in his success this week at Cabot Links.

“Mike is a great friend with an unbelievable head on his shoulders,” he said. “It was just a great time out there for the past couple days.”

In the third place match, Alf Callowhill of Rattlesnake Point Golf Club beat Twenty Valley Golf & Country Club’s Rony Kenesky on the 19th hole.

With the championship win, King not only takes home the P.D. Ross Trophy and a $15,000 winner’s cheque, he also earns 60-ranking point and moves inside the top five on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings.

By virtue of his T9 finish and the 15-rankings points, Billy Walsh of the Fairtree Golf Centre earns an exemption into next month’s RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club as the No. 1-ranked player from the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC.

Past champions of the PGA Championship of Canada include Moe Norman, George Knudson, Al Balding, Bob Panasik, Wilf Homenuik, Stan Leonard, Lee Trevino and Arnold Palmer.

The next PGA national championship takes place July 20-22 at Burlington Golf & Country Club for the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.

TOYOTA CITY, Japan – Team Canada rebounded in strong fashion on Thursday, dealing a low-round 204 (-9) to climb into a tie for fourth place at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup.

The Canadian foursome was led by Waterloo, Ont., product Trevor Ranton. The towering Indiana University commit carded a 4-under 67 at Chukyo Golf Club’s Ishino Course—his previous best score was an even-par 71.

Next in line was St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Qué. native, Étienne Papineau. The 18-year-old remained consistent in the tournament, posting a 3-under 68 to sit in a tie for fourth as Canada’s lowest individual scorer at 6-under overall (70-69-68).

The third and final score posted by the Canucks came from matching rounds of 69 from Tony Gil of Vaughan, Ont. and A.J. Armstrong of St. Albert, Alta. (team’s lowest three scores count towards daily total).

The Swedes hold the outright lead at 16-under for the tournament, four strokes ahead of host Japan (-12) and defending champion Norway (-12). Heading into Friday’s final round, the Canadian quartet is deadlocked with the Koreans at 11-under.

Team Canada is paired up in Friday’s final with the Koreans and Americans in the earliest tee-time slot at 8:00 am JST.

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