PGA Tour

DeLaet and Woods off to good start at Firestone

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Graham DeLaet (Gregory Shamus/ Getty Images)

AKRON, Ohio – Tiger Woods showed signs of a positive recovery Thursday at the Bridgestone Invitational.

Not just from back surgery, but from making bogeys.

Woods bounced back with birdies all three times that he made mistakes, opening with a 2-under 68 on a soft, gentle day for scoring at Firestone. It left him four shots behind Marc Leishman of Australia, and hopeful that this time he can build on a solid start.

Woods opened with a 69 at the British Open two weeks ago, only to plunge down the leaderboard the rest of the week at Royal Liverpool.

“I hit a lot of good shots,” Woods said. “I dropped shots at three holes out there today (and) got it right back on the very next hole.”

For so many players, the opening round of this World Golf Championship felt like either a warmup or an audition for bigger events to follow. Ryan Moore was among three players at 65, a good start for someone looking for one big week to get him on the Ryder Cup team.

Two more Ryder Cup hopefuls – Patrick Reed and Francesco Molinari of Italy – were among those another shot back.

British Open champion Rory McIlroy, who next week will chase his second straight major, was among the leaders until not paying attention to packed sand in a bunker that sent him to a double bogey late in his round. He still wound up with a 69.

Leishman has quietly gone about his work in reasonable form, with top 10s recently at Congressional and Royal Liverpool. He had the perfect formula for Firestone, a big golf course where good scores are available by keeping the ball in play.

“I drove the ball well. It makes this course a lot easier when you’re on the fairway,” Leishman said. “It’s pretty tough when you’re playing from the rough. Then, I hit my irons really well and was rolling the ball awesome. So it’s a pretty good combination for a tough golf course like this, something I can hopefully keep going.”

Charl Schwartzel and Justin Rose joined Moore one shot out of the lead.

Woods said only a mild breeze and soft conditions from overnight rain allowed for scoring, though he noted that no one went terribly low. The 64 by Leishman seemed like a good score, so maybe Woods was basing that on his own experience at a course where he has won eight times.

Woods twice has shot his career-best 61 at Firestone, including last year on his way to a seven-shot victory. That he managed six birdies was a sign that he was making putts, even though two of his birdies were tap-ins.

He still had a few wild moments, starting with a three-putt bogey from 10 feet on the opening hole. He hooked his drive so badly on the par-5 second hole that he worried it might not clear the lake on the adjacent third hole. It was far enough left to leave him a good angle with a 5-wood that he put on the green for a two-putt birdie.

His only big mistake was a shot into the trees on the ninth hole. It took him two shots to get out, and from behind the green he couldn’t get up-and-down and made double bogey. Just like two other bogeys in his round, he answered with a birdie with a shot into 6 feet on No. 10.

“I feel like I made some progress,” Woods said. “As I said, this is only my seventh round back. So it’s just going to take a little time. I’m starting to get in the flow of things. If you look at my iron shots into the holes today, a majority of them were pin-high. So I’m starting to get the feel back in my hands and get my trajectory under control.”

Woods missed three months following back surgery, and the six rounds he has played since returning have not been inspiring, except for that opening round at Hoylake. He needs more rounds like that to remind Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson he would be worth selecting, and to try to extend his season beyond the PGA Championship next week by moving up 90 spots in the FedEx Cup standings to qualify for the playoffs.

Phil Mickelson’s biggest struggle was with his health. He didn’t arrive in Ohio until Wednesday night because of strep throat, and he opened with a 71.

Canada’s own Graham DeLaet got his tournament off to a good start, coming off a top 10 finish at last week’s RBC Canadian Open at Royal Montreal. The Weyburn, Sask. native opened with a 3-under 67 and is tied for 5th heading into Friday.

19th Hole

Faxon, Fay to work for Fox Sports

Brad Faxon and David Fay are returning to the broadcast booth for Fox Sports.

Faxon worked briefly for NBC Sports and most recently for Golf Channel. He will serve as the lead studio analyst and a hole announcer for Fox, which has signed a 12-year deal to broadcast the U.S. Open and other USGA events starting next year. Fox also will broadcast the Shark Shootout in December.

Fay was executive director of the USGA until retiring at the end of 2010, and he was in the booth during U.S. Opens for NBC Sports to serve as the rules expert. That’s the role he will take with Fox.

“Long known for his smooth putting stroke, Brad’s transition to broadcasting has been just as easy,” said Mark Loomis, the coordinating producer for Fox Sports. “He still has great relationships with, and knowledge of, today’s tour players, and that insight will prove invaluable to our telecasts.”

Loomis said adding Fay was a “no-brainer” because of his deep knowledge of the USGA and its championships.

Fay was a driving force behind the USGA’s recent move to play the U.S. Open on public golf courses more often, starting with Bethpage Black in 2002. The U.S. Open next year is at Chambers Bay outside Seattle, another public golf course.

 

Amateur Brooke Henderson LPGA Tour

Henderson, Piyapattra, Richdale and Feng earn Canadian Pacific Women’s Open exemptions

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Samantha Richdale (Golf Canada/ Chuck Russell)

London, Ont. (Golf Canada) –  Michelle Piyapattra of Corona, Calif., Team Canada amateur Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C. and Simin Feng of Windermere, Fla. have all earned exemptions into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open at London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont. August 18-24, based on their play during the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour season.

The 16-year old Henderson, currently the no. 2 ranked amateur golfer in the world, captured the second Canadian Women’s Tour stop of the season in Niagara Falls, Ont. at Legends on the Niagara as well as the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship at Firerock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont. Although previously exempt into the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, Henderson shot rounds of 65-66 (-13) to win the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship by five strokes.

Henderson’s play this season earned her the prestigeious Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year award and Amateur of the Year honours as she finished the season atop the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.

Piyapattra earned her exemption into Canada’s Women’s National Open Championship after winning the Canadian Women’s Tour stop at Morningstar Golf and Country Club in Parksville, B.C., in a playoff.

Samantha Richdale and Simin Feng received the final two exemptions based on the 2014 Order of Merit standings at the end of season. The duo finished tied for fourth at the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship to secure their exemptions from the Order of Merit.

The exemptions were announced at the conclusion of the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship which served as the third and final stop on the Canadian Women’s Tour.

A final listing of the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit can be found here.

Additional exemptions into Canada’s National Women’s Open Champion will be announced in the coming weeks.

The exemption contingent from the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour season will join a world-class field at London Hunt and Country Club that includes a number of confirmed LPGA Tour stars including two-time defending champion and Rolex Rankings no. 2 Lydia Ko, Rolex Rankings no. 1 Stacey Lewis, no. 3 Inbee Park,  no. 5 Lexi Thompson and no. 12 Paula Creamer.

In addition to Ko, past Canadian Women’s Open champions confirmed to compete include Brittany Lincicome (2011), Michelle Wie (2010), Suzann Pettersen (2009), Katherine Hull-Kirk (2008) and Cristie Kerr (2006) who won the event when it was last held at the London Hunt and Country Club.

A field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse when the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open makes its return to London Hunt and Country Club for the first time since 2006.

Tickets for all tournament days of the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open are still available with children aged 17 and under getting in free all week with a ticketed adult.

As an added incentive, title sponsor CP has stepped up to encourage spectators to buy advance tickets to the event for the benefit of the Children’s Health Foundation in London Ontario. Through the CP Ticket Rally for Heart campaign, for every eligible ticket purchased to the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open until August 17th, 2014, Canadian Pacific will donate at least $100 per ticket to the Children’s Health Foundation in support of paediatric heart health programs.

Amateur Brooke Henderson LPGA Tour

Henderson, Piyapattra, Richdale and Feng earn Canadian Pacific Women’s Open exemptions

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Samantha Richdale (Golf Canada/ Chuck Russell)

London, Ont. (Golf Canada) –  Michelle Piyapattra of Corona, Calif., Team Canada amateur Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C. and Simin Feng of Windermere, Fla. have all earned exemptions into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open at London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont. August 18-24, based on their play during the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour season.

The 16-year old Henderson, currently the no. 2 ranked amateur golfer in the world, captured the second Canadian Women’s Tour stop of the season in Niagara Falls, Ont. at Legends on the Niagara as well as the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship at Firerock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont. Although previously exempt into the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, Henderson shot rounds of 65-66 (-13) to win the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship by five strokes.

Henderson’s play this season earned her the prestigeious Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year award and Amateur of the Year honours as she finished the season atop the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.

Piyapattra earned her exemption into Canada’s Women’s National Open Championship after winning the Canadian Women’s Tour stop at Morningstar Golf and Country Club in Parksville, B.C., in a playoff.

Samantha Richdale and Simin Feng received the final two exemptions based on the 2014 Order of Merit standings at the end of season. The duo finished tied for fourth at the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship to secure their exemptions from the Order of Merit.

The exemptions were announced at the conclusion of the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship which served as the third and final stop on the Canadian Women’s Tour.

A final listing of the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit can be found here.

Additional exemptions into Canada’s National Women’s Open Champion will be announced in the coming weeks.

The exemption contingent from the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour season will join a world-class field at London Hunt and Country Club that includes a number of confirmed LPGA Tour stars including two-time defending champion and Rolex Rankings no. 2 Lydia Ko, Rolex Rankings no. 1 Stacey Lewis, no. 3 Inbee Park,  no. 5 Lexi Thompson and no. 12 Paula Creamer.

In addition to Ko, past Canadian Women’s Open champions confirmed to compete include Brittany Lincicome (2011), Michelle Wie (2010), Suzann Pettersen (2009), Katherine Hull-Kirk (2008) and Cristie Kerr (2006) who won the event when it was last held at the London Hunt and Country Club.

A field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse when the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open makes its return to London Hunt and Country Club for the first time since 2006.

Tickets for all tournament days of the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open are still available with children aged 17 and under getting in free all week with a ticketed adult.

As an added incentive, title sponsor CP has stepped up to encourage spectators to buy advance tickets to the event for the benefit of the Children’s Health Foundation in London Ontario. Through the CP Ticket Rally for Heart campaign, for every eligible ticket purchased to the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open until August 17th, 2014, Canadian Pacific will donate at least $100 per ticket to the Children’s Health Foundation in support of paediatric heart health programs.

Amateur Canadian Junior Girls Championship

St-Germain continues to lead Canadian Junior Girls Championship

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Grace St-Germain (Golf Canada)

Thornhill, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Grace St-Germain carded a third round 1-under 71 to head into the final round atop the leaderboard at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Thornhill Golf and Country Club.

St-Germain’s third round was highlighted by six birdies, including one on the final hole, that gave her the outright lead over Team Canada Development Squad member Valérie Tanguay.

“Valérie was playing really well and I was having a couple of bogeys and I just tried to come back,” St-Germain said. “I was just trying to make birdies and sometimes my putts just wouldn’t go in or my drive would bounce out into the rough and I just tried to keep it together.”

The 15-year-old Ottawa native sits one-stroke ahead of Tanguay at 5-under 211 after rounds of 70-70-71. After her third round she admitted to nerves playing a factor on Thursday.

“I’ve been quite nervous, I was given some good advice just to stay calm, stay in the moment and relax so I’ve been trying to do that,” St-Germain continued. “Tomorrow I’m just going to play my best and see what happens, I still haven’t totally grasped [being in the lead] yet.”

Tanguay, of St-Hyacinthe, Que., opened her third round with a 3-under 33 and held the outright lead on the closing nine until carding a double bogey on the par-4 14th hole. The 18-year-old currently sits at 4-under 212 heading into the final round, while Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont. jumped into third place after a 3-under 69. Costabile, 16, sits at even-par 216 for the championship and will play in the final pairing on Friday.

After 54 holes, Team Canada Development Squad member Naomi Ko sits in fourth place at 6-over 222, while Courtney Tolton of Mitchell, Ont. and Michelle Kim of Surrey, B.C. share fifth place at 7-over 223.

In the Juvenile Division (16 and under), St-Germain leads by five strokes over Costabile.

Starting times, post-round results, full field list, and live scoring are available here.

Amateur Team Canada

Brooke Henderson wins PGA Women’s Championship of Canada

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Brooke Henderson (PGA of Canada)

KOMOKA, Ont. – Brooke Henderson become the youngest winner of the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada presented by Nike Golf after an unbelievable two days at FireRock Golf Club.

The 16-year-old posted a two-day total of 13-under par, setting a new championship scoring record and adding her name to a list of champions that includes Lorie Kane, Cathy Sherk, Gail Graham, Nancy Harvey, Jessica Shepley and Alena Sharp.

“Coming into this week I saw all those great names on the trophy and I wanted to have my name alongside them,” the Team Canada member said. “It’s a great feeling to know I am able to compete against the best players in Canada and someday the best players in the world.”

Henderson’s 36-hole total of 131 (65-66) was five shots better than 2008 winner Hannah Jun of San Diego. Hamilton’s Alena Sharp, a three-time winner of the PGA Women’s Championship, finished third at six under. Samantha Richdale of Kelowna B.C. and American amateur Simin Feng rounded out the top five.

The Smith Falls, Ont., native’s 36-holes at FireRock Golf Club featured 14 birdies and an eagle, with a stretch of five birdies in a row on the back-nine Thursday afternoon.

“I struggled a little bit on the front nine – I was hitting some great shots, but the putts just weren’t dropping,” Henderson admitted about her front nine score of 2-under-par 34. “But that all changed starting on No. 10 with a birdie. I think I had five in a row coming down the stretch and it was awesome.”

With the win, Henderson, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, pads her already impressive tournament stats in 2014. She was the low amateur (T10) at the U.S. Women’s Open, finished tied for 26th at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, and tied for 45th at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic. She’s also has wins this year at the Canadian Women’s Tour event in Niagara Falls, the Porter Cup, the Ontario Women’s Amateur and the Scott Robertson.

The PGA Women’s Championship of Canada counted as the third and final stop on the Canadian Women’s Tour, with points awarded toward the Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year at the conclusion of the championship.

Similar to past years, the champion of each Canadian Women’s Tour stop and the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada will receive an exemption into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open to be held Aug. 18-24, 2014 at London Hunt & Country Club in London, Ont. As well, two (2) additional exemptions were awarded to the top competitors, not otherwise exempt into the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open from the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.

As well, the top five (previously the top 3) players on the Canadian Women’s Tour season-ending Order of Merit will be awarded direct entry into LPGA Stage-2 Qualifying.

Henderson captured the Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year award, with Richdale and Feng earning exemptions into the CP Women’s Open.

For complete results, click here.

Amateur

Mary Ann Hayward successfully defends Ontario Senior Women’s Amateur title

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Mary Ann Hayward (Golf Association of Ontario)

WINDSOR, Ont. – Aurora’s Mary Ann Hayward will have her name engraved on the Investors Group Ontario Senior Women’s Amateur Championship trophy a fourth time, after winning her second consecutive title at the event 2014 edition of the event which took place at Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor.

The North Halton member entered the final round with a five-shot lead and would save her best for the last day. The Canadian, Ontario and Quebec Golf Hall of Famer would finish the day six-under (66) and end the tournament at seven-under to win comfortably by 12 shots.

“I wasn’t really thinking of the number of times or back-to-back, I think just shooting 66 today is what I am going to remember from this,” said Hayward after the round.

It was obvious the 54-year-old was on her game during the round, as she began the day with three-straight birdies. She did have back-to-back bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes, but was able to settle down after that. She birdied the ninth and then added four more on the back nine, including one on No. 18 that brought the gallery to their feet as she clinched the title.

After the round, Hayward thanked her caddie, Dave Mulholland, for keeping her calm after her mistakes.

“Dave is a great guy,” she said. “He is always encouraging me – just telling me ‘you’re good, just calm down’. I tend to beat myself up a little bit, so he just reels me back in.”

Her play throughout the week was spot on, but Hayward said it was her ball-striking and final-round putting that were the best parts of her game.

“The ball-striking was pretty good all three days,” she added. “The putter comes and goes, but today it was unbelievable. I think I made almost every birdie putt I had.”

Finishing in second spot was Whitevale Golf Club member and Uxbridge resident Gail Pimm. Pimm was the only other player to finish the round under par at one-under (71) for the round. She finished the tournament at five-over.

Picking up the bronze medal was Thornhill resident and Thornhill Golf and Country Club member Judith Kyrinis who carded a final round at two-over (74) finishing the tournament at six-over.  Etobicoke’s Terrill Samuel, nine-over, and Stouffville’s Ivy Steinberg, 14-over, rounded out the top five.

Hayward, along with Kyrinis and Steinberg will all represent Ontario in the inter-provincial competition at the Canadian Senior Women’s Championship, Aug. 19-21 at the Milby Golf Club in Sherbrooke, Que.

The 60+ division winner was Sue Postian, from London and the Sunningdale Golf Club who finished the tournament 19-over. The 70+ division was won by Ellen Horton, from Collingwood and the Blue Mountain Golf & Country Club, at 54-over for the tournament.

The Ada Mackenzie Matches Team was also announced after the final round. The matches are a team-competition between Ontario and New York State in the spring of 2015. The team members are: Hayward, Pimm, Kyrinis, Steinberg, Lynn Morrison, Andrea Blackwell, Marion Reid, Jane Hedges-Morrison, Postian and Sarah-Anne Smurlick.

Click here for the full leaderboard.

The Investors Group Ontario Senior Women’s Amateur Championship is contested annually and features the province’s best female amateurs age 50 and over. Past champions of the event include Ada Mackenzie, Kay Helleur, Gayle Borthwick Hitchens and World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit.

PGA Tour

Dustin Johnson takes leave of absence from golf

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Dustin Johnson (Golf Canada/ Bernard Brault)

AKRON, Ohio – Dustin Johnson is taking a leave of absence from golf to seek help for “personal challenges,” a swift end to his season that will keep him from playing the PGA Championship, the FedEx Cup playoffs and the Ryder Cup.

In a statement Thursday from Hambric Sports Management, the 30-year-old Johnson said his leave of absence was effective immediately. It did not indicate how long he would be out, though agent David Winkle told the PGA of America he would not be at the PGA Championship next week or the Ryder Cup at the end of September.

“I will use this time to seek professional help for personal challenges I have faced,” Johnson said. “By committing the time and resources necessary to improve my mental health, physical well-being and emotional foundation, I am confident that I will be better equipped to fulfill my potential and become a consistent champion.”

He asked for privacy “as I embark upon this mission of self-improvement.”

Johnson, who tied for fourth in the U.S. Open and tied for 12th in the British Open, was No. 5 in the Ryder Cup standings and virtually certain to earn one of nine automatic spots when qualifying ends next week at the PGA Championship.

As long as he stays in the top nine, he will be replaced by the next player in the standings.

“We will certainly miss Dustin Johnson at Gleneagles, and we wish him the best,” U.S. captain Tom Watson said. “As one of the longest hitters in the game with an undefeated record of 3-0 at Medinah in 2012, he has clearly been an asset for the United States team. That said, the United States is a team with an abundance of talent.”

Players at the Bridgestone Invitational said they were surprised by the announcement.

“If anything, I just hope this is the start of something really, really positive,” Zach Johnson said. “And I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what the specifics are, nor should I know. That’s none of my business. I feel for him.”

Justin Rose called it “big blow for the tour.”

“He’s always been a charismatic player and popular player out here,” Rose said. “He’s not going to play in the Ryder Cup. That will be a blow for the American team. Just wish him well, whatever he’s facing right now. Can’t be easy for him.”

Johnson played poorly in his first Ryder Cup at Wales, not winning a match until the final day in singles. He was the only American to go undefeated last time in Medinah, winning both fourballs matches with Matt Kuchar and handily beating Nicolas Colsaerts in a singles match.

“I’ll tell you what, you always want guys with that kind of power to play on any team,” Tiger Woods said. “I’ve been his partner in the Presidents Cup in Australia, and the firepower that he has, it’s pretty cool to be around. It’s not too often you see the guy carry the ball 320 (yards) without even trying, and then when he steps on it, he can hit it even further. When he gets it going, it’s awfully impressive.”

Johnson was replaced in the PGA Championship by Jerry Kelly. Pat Perez is now the first alternate, and will get into the PGA provided the Bridgestone Invitational winner is already eligible.

Johnson won the HSBC Champions in Shanghai last October at the start of the PGA Tour’s wraparound season. He has seven top 10s this year on the PGA Tour and was at No. 4 in the FedEx Cup standings. He will not be replaced in the 125-man field at The Barclays when the FedEx Cup playoffs begin Aug. 21.

It’s the second time in two years that Johnson has missed a major under curious circumstances.

He pulled out of the Masters in 2012, saying that he tweaked his back while lifting a jet ski. He wound up missing three months, and won in his second tournament back.

Johnson played in the final group in the third round of the British Open with Rory McIlroy, fading with a 71-72 weekend and tying for 12th. He missed the cut the following week at the RBC Canadian Open, and then withdrew from the World Golf Championship at Firestone.

The PGA Tour, which does not comment on disciplinary action, offered little in a statement.

“We have nothing to add to Dustin’s statement, but we wish him well and look forward to his return to the PGA Tour in the future,” the tour said.

Johnson is No. 16 in the world ranking with eight PGA Tour victories. He is the first player since Tiger Woods to go from college to winning in each of his first seven seasons on the PGA Tour. He lost a three-shot lead in the final round of the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, closing with an 82. Later that year, he was assessed a two-shot penalty on the final hole of the PGA Championship for grounding his club in a patch of sand, not realizing it was a bunker at Whistling Straits.

Johnson last year got engaged to Paulina Gretzky, the daughter of NHL great Wayne Gretzky.

Amateur Canadian Junior Boys Championship

Austin James grabs second round lead at Canadian Junior Boys Championship

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Austin James (Golf Canada)

Niagara Falls, Ont. – After Wednesday’s suspension of play during the second round of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship, Austin James, 18, of Bath, Ont. resumed his round at 7:00 a.m. to grab the top spot on the leaderboard.

James shot a second round 8-under 64 that matched the course record on Legends on the Niagara’s Battlefield Course, originally set on Tuesday by 17-year-old Patrick Murphy of Crossfield, Alta. James was 9-under through 12 holes at the time of yesterday’s suspension for the championship. He birdied two additional holes when play resumed Thursday morning to finish at 11-under 133.

“I came back out this morning planning to just keep playing the way I was playing yesterday. The first couple swings were a little tight because I was a little nervous, but other than that it was good.” said James. “I’m going to go get some sleep, then when I come back hopefully the next round will go the same way.”

A.J. Armstrong, 17, of St. Albert, Alta. sits five strokes behind James at 8-under 136, while Team Canada Development Squad member Matt Williams, 18, from Calgary is in third. After an eagle on the par-5 11th hole, Williams sits at 5-under 139 heading into the third round. Murphy, who shot 64 in the first round to lead, fell into a tie for sixth after shooting a second round 5-over 77.

Thursday’s third round will begin at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Legends on the Niagara’s Battlefield Course, with the field being cut to low 70 players and ties.

In the Inter-Provincial Team Competition, which was contested over the first 36 holes of the Championship, Team Alberta claimed first place over Team Manitoba. The Team Alberta contingent of Tyler Saunders, 18, of Sturgeon County, Andrew Harrison, 17, of Camrose, and Jack Wood, 18, of Banff, finished at 5-under 283. Team Manitoba finished four strokes behind at 1-under-287, while Team British Columbia was third at even-par.

In the juvenile division (16 and under) Team Canada Development Squad member Tony Gil of Vaughan, Ont. shares first place with Tristan Mandur of Mill Bay, B.C. The pair sit at 1-under-par 143.

Starting times, post-round results, full field list, and live scoring are available here.

Holly Sonders quitte Golf Channel

L’animatrice Holly Sonders a récemment décidé de quitter Golf Channel au profit de la chaîne Fox.

Sonders, qu’on pouvait notamment voir dans les émissions « Morning Drive », « School of Golf » et « Playing Lessons », sera affectée à la couverture du golf, en plus de travailler comme reporter le long des lignes de côté durant les parties de la NFL.

« Nous lui souhaitons le meilleur en vue du futur », s’est contenté d’affirmer un porte-parole de Golf Channel.

Âgée de 27 ans, Holly Sonders, qui travaillait pour Golf Channel depuis 2011, a fait partie de l’équipe de golf féminine du Michigan State pendant quatre ans.

VIDÉO :Au 19e – Saison 3 – Entretien avec Holly Sonders