PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) – Jessica Korda took the second-round lead in the season-opening Bahamas LPGA Classic, birdieing four of her last seven holes in high wind Friday for a 7-under 66.

The 20-year-old Korda had an 11-under 135 total on Atlantis Resort’s Ocean Club course.

“We went from beautiful, sunny, slight wind to cloudy and hurricane wind,” Korda said. “It was a tough day out there. I mean, a little mentally draining because you really had to put everything into every shot.”

The 2012 Women’s Australian Open winner for her lone LPGA Tour title, Korda recently started working with swing coach Grant Price. She struggled with her swing last year and felt that it led to some injuries in her left shoulder and wrist.

“It was just time for a change,” Korda said. “There was just stuff that wasn’t working. I’ve worked with (Grant) before, so I was really comfortable going into it, and he’s just super positive, and that’s something that I really needed coming into this year.

“We’re just working on keeping everything in plane and keeping it really simple to where if something does go wrong on the golf course, I can fix it myself.”

Price, Hall of Famer Nick Price’s nephew, is fighting testicular cancer.

Paula Creamer, playing alongside Korda, was a stroke back after a 65.

“Feeding off Paula was good,” Korda said. “She made four birdies in a row after (starting with a double bogey), and it wasn’t like she wasn’t giving herself opportunities. It was birdie after birdie. It was awesome to play with somebody like that because they really do push you and keep making you try harder.”

Creamer drove left on the first hole and three-putted from 7 feet. She birdied 10 of the last 17 holes.

“After that, I said, `Let’s go make some birdies.’ And I did,” said Creamer, winless since the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open. “I love playing in windy conditions. I always have. The more difficult, the better. You have to be kind of a feel player out in these kind of situations and trust what you’re doing and committing to your shots, and that’s something that I really worked hard on in the offseason and it paid off today.”

Michelle Wie and Monday qualifier Jenny Suh were tied for third at 9 under. Wie had a 65, and Suh shot 66.

Wie had 28 putts in her bogey-free round.

“I think I just had a good rest this offseason,” Wie said. “When I came back in January and I picked up my golf clubs, I was really excited to play. I was so ready to get back into a rhythm.”

Suh failed to gain fully exempt status on the tour when she lost a playoff at Q-school.

“I know what the weekend could do and what it could hold for me, but I’m just going to keep enjoying myself and try to make as many birdies as possible,” Suh said.

Lydia Ko, the 16-year-old New Zealander who shared the first-round lead with Meena Lee, was three strokes behind at 8 under after a 70. The fourth-ranked Ko is making her first start as an LPGA Tour member. She won the Canadian Women’s Open the last two years as an amateur and closed last season with a victory in a non-tour event in Taiwan in her second pro start.

Na Yeon Choi (68), Christel Boeljon (67) and P.K. Kongkraphan (69) also were 8 under.

Third-ranked Stacy Lewis was 6 under after a 71.

On the Canadian front, Toronto’s Rebecca Lee-Bentham and Alena Sharp of Hamilton were the lone Canadians to make the 36-hole cut. The pair both sit at 2-under and are tied for 35th.

Jennifer Kirby failed to make the cut in her debut as a LPGA Tour member. The former Team Canada member and Paris, Ont. native finished 2-over to miss the cut by a stroke.

Maude Aimee-LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que. finished 1-stroke back of Kirby at 3-over, while Langley’s Sue Kim was 11-over.

BARRANQUILLA, ATLANTICO, Colombia – Team Canada’s Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont. fired a 3-over 75 to sit tied for 6th, five strokes back of leaders Paul Howard and Jimmy Mullen of England, following the third round of the South American Amateur Championship.

Fellow Canadian Tony Gil of Vaughan, Ont. continued his strong play as well, carding a 1-under 71 to climb into a tie for 12th on the leaderboard. Kitchener, Ont. native and National Team member Chris Hemmerich slipped to 24th after struggling with a 6-over 78.

Development Squad member Valérie Tanguay leads all Canadian females after shooting a 3-over 75 to move up six spots on the leaderboard to sit tied for 8th. Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C. also cracked the top 10, sitting in a tie for tenth at 19-over par with the windy conditions at Barranquilla Country Club.

Canadian Results – Round 3

Men: Click here for full results

T6. Garrett Rank (Elmira, Ont.) 74-71-75 (+4)
T19. Tony Gil (Vaughan, Ont.) 75-76-71 (+6)
T24. Chris Hemmerich (Kitchener, Ont.)  78-72-78 (+12)
T47. Étienne Papineau (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.) 81-81-75 (+21)
T52. Matt Williams (Calgary) 80-82-79 (+25)
59. Carter Simon (Sutton, Ont.) 83-84-81 (+32)

Women: Click here for full results

T8. Valérie Tanguay (St-Hyacinthe, Qué.) 74-85-75, +18
T10. Naomi Ko (Victoria, B.C.), 80-74-81, +19
T30. Jaclyn Lee (Calgary)  81-87-79, +31

PING recently unveiled the 13-degree Rapture 3-wood for golfers looking for a versatile driver alternative or hotter-faced 3-wood. The multi-material, adjustable design combines a Ti 8-1-1 titanium body, high-strength beta-titanium face and dense tungsten sole plate for increased ball speed and lowered spin, leading to more distance and accuracy.

“The weighting properties of titanium and tungsten provide our engineers a lot of opportunities to improve performance,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “The high-strength beta-titanium material allowed us to really focus on creating a hotter face that yields ball speeds and distance unlike any we’ve seen in fairway woods. The tungsten positions the weight extremely low so we can optimize the CG position. It has a taller face and deeper head profile, so golfers will have complete confidence with the Rapture. We think golfers will really appreciate this unique combination of technology to improve their performance. It’s extremely long off the tee. We’re excited to get it in golfers’ hands.”

A tall, extreme-variable-thickness face made of high-strength beta titanium (30% stronger than standard titanium) enlarges the hitting surface for increased forgiveness while accelerating ball speed to generate distance. Almost 25% of head mass is isolated in the tungsten sole plate, which positions the CG much lower in the Ti 8-1-1 head, further improving energy transfer for higher ball speed and less spin. The matte-black 219cc head has a deep profile for inspiring confidence. The standard 13 degrees of loft can easily be adjusted plus or minus ½ degree using PING’s Trajectory Tuning technology. The lightweight adjustable hosel has the same outer diameter and mass of PING’s traditional fixed hosels and provides the benefits of adjustability without sacrificing the performance that’s often lost in clubs with larger hosel designs.

Ketsch putter

Precision milled at PING headquarters the new Ketsch putter will offer unprecedented distance control, extreme forgiveness and accurate alignment.

It is the newest model to benefit from variable-depth grooves, which produce consistent results across the face. A 17-4 stainless steel sole weight creates a high MOI and makes the aluminum, mallet-style head highly forgiving.

“What really stands out about the Ketsch is the captured look it provides at address, inspiring confidence and promoting a consistent stroke, the key to holing more putts,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “It has three white, contrasting alignment aids extending from the top of the matte-black crown. The center line runs all the way to the back to make aiming easy. Our research shows that the head shape promotes extremely consistent alignment for the majority of golfers. Those factors, combined with our revolutionary variable-depth grooves and a high MOI, will help golfers putt more consistently.”

Variable-depth grooves milled into the face ensure ball-speed consistency whether the ball is struck in the center of the face, toward the heel or toe, high or low. Grooves are deepest in the center and shallower toward the perimeter, which PING calls True Roll (TR) Technology. PING studies show an increase in ball-speed consistency of nearly 50% compared to a non-grooved face when measured at nine points across the face.

To fit their body type and putting style, golfers can choose a fixed-length shaft (35 inches is standard), or they can upgrade to an adjustable-length version they can modify between 31 and 38 inches prior to a round.

The Ketsch is available in three shaft bends to fit any stroke type: Straight, Slight Arc, or Strong Arc. Results from hundreds of player and robot tests at PING show that golfers are more consistent with a putter balanced to fit their stroke type. The midsize PP58 black rubber grip is designed with a familiar shape, but its larger size quiets the wrists for improved confidence and stroke repeatability.

Both the Rapture 3-wood and Ketsch putter are currently available to pre-order from PING-authorized golf shops.

Titleist has updated the NXT Tour, NXT Tour S, Velocity and DT Solo golf balls to deliver even better performance and feel in its new 2014 versions.

New NXT Tour and softer-feeling NXT Tour S provide exceptional distance and commanding short game scoring performance. Both new models have been improved with a re-engineered softer compression core and cover so golfers will experience even softer feel. The NXT Tour S is available in both white and high optic yellow colors.

Titleist’s research and design team designed the 2014 Velocity with a reformulated LSX core to produce a high initial ball speed for powerful distance. A new, spherically tiled 328 tetrahedral dimple design delivers a more penetrating trajectory with a shallower angle of descent for even more roll. The result is even more explosive distance on all full swing shots.

The new DT Solo – also available in both white and optic yellow colors – has been redesigned to provide the best combination of soft feel and distance in a DT yet. With its super soft compression core and soft ionomer cover, the 2014 model features a new spherically tiled 376 tetrahedral dimple pattern that contributes to even longer driver and iron distance while retaining the distinctly soft feel and consistency DT players have come to love and trust.

“When we make an improvement to a Titleist golf ball, it’s in direct response to what golfers tell us they need and want,” said Bill Morgan, Senior Vice President of Titleist Golf Ball research and design. “We’re constantly in the field talking with golfers, capturing their launch conditions on all types of shots, and observing how different golf balls perform for their game. All of this information feeds the product development process and allows us to focus our design efforts and ultimately our prototype testing in ways that will enhance performance for these golfers.”

More than 40,000 golfers from around the world participated in the white-box testing and validation process, with golfers receiving prototype NXT Tour, NXT Tour S, Velocity or DT Solo golf balls for on-course evaluation. Player feedback was then gathered through Team Titleist and shared with Titleist R&D.

All new models are available in golf shops beginning February 7, 2014.

DOHA, Qatar – Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain squandered a two-shot lead in finishing tied with Steve Webster of England on top of the leaderboard heading to the final round of the Qatar Masters on Friday.

Cabrera-Bello shot a 1-over-par 73 and was caught by Webster, who carded 70 at Doha Golf Club for three-round totals of 12-under 204.

They were only one stroke ahead of Adrien Saddier of France, the biggest mover with six birdies in his opening seven holes in a round of 64, South African Thomas Aiken (70) and Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen (68) on a packed leaderboard.

Just four shots separated the top 19 players, among them Paul Lawrie (69) at 10 under and looking to become the first three-time Qatar champion, and Sergio Garcia (69) at 9 under. Garcia was runner-up last year with George Coetzee of South Africa (73), who was at 10 under.

Cabrera-Bello, chasing his first win on the European Tour in two years, began the day leading by two on 13 under, and went three shots clear with a birdie at the second hole.

However, he dropped shots on Nos. 6 for a second straight day, 13 and 15.

“I didn’t think I played that bad,” Cabrera-Bello said. “On the back nine, I didn’t quite make the birdie putts as I did yesterday, but overall, I could have won it today.

“I’m a bit disappointed for not keeping a few shots ahead of the pack. I’m still on top of the leaderboard and still people need to try and catch me.”

Webster, looking to win for a first time in over six years, bogeyed the fourth and fifth holes to fall to 8 under then played the rest of the way in 4 under. On the par-5 18th, he pitched to 10 feet for a birdie putt and outright lead but missed.

“I don’t know what happened at first as I was hitting it really good on the range, but then I got a bit cocky on the course and the first six holes was like I had never played golf before,” Webster said.

Saddier, who graduated sixth from qualifying school to compete in his rookie tour season, has already showed his potential with a sixth-place tie in the Nelson Mandela Championship last month.

His round of 64 was five shots better than his previous tour low of 69 when he competed as an amateur in the 2012 European Masters.

After a 74 to lie 3 under, Henrik Stenson had a long session on the range under coach Pete Cowen.

Ernie Els (71, 2 under) and Luke Donald (74, 1 under) couldn’t stay in contention, and U.S. PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner slumped to 3 over following his round of 78 that included seven bogeys and one birdie.

SAN DIEGO – The best score belonged to Stewart Cink. The best round belonged to Pat Perez. Tiger Woods didn’t come close to claiming either Thursday in the Farmers Insurance Open, where the seven-time champion failed to break par in the opening round for first time in his career.

Cink ran off three straight birdies late in his round on the easier North Course at Torrey Pines for an 8-under 64. That gave him a one-shot lead over Gary Woodland, who also was on the North, which is more than 600 yards shorter.

Perez was on the South Course, host of the 2008 U.S. Open and with greens so firm this year that it felt like a major. Perez had a 67, the best score on the South by two shots, and even more astounding is that he played bogey-free.

The South played nearly four shots harder than the North.

Woods, making his 2014 debut, failed to birdie any of the par 5s and had to settle for a 72.

Even at eight shots behind, he wasn’t worried about a chance to win at Torrey for the ninth time – including a U.S. Open. The courses are so different than it’s difficult to gauge where anyone stands until everyone has had a crack at both courses. The weekend rounds are on the South.

Phil Mickelson, meanwhile, felt awful.

He was coping with a back locked up on him, unusual for Mickelson because he doesn’t have a history of back pain. It got so bad at one point that Mickelson thought about withdrawing from his hometown event, especially after his 4-iron on the par-5 18th at the North Course nearly went out-of-bounds. Mickelson used his short game to make birdie, and then made another birdie on the next hole and he scratched out a 69.

Ottawa’s Brad Fritsch opened with a 3-under 69 and is tied for 17th. Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., is tied for 29th after carding a 70. David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., shot an even par 72 and is tied for 63rd. Riley Wheeldon (T126) of Comox, B.C, who qualified on Monday, signed for a 4-over 76. Mike Weir (T136) was another shot back.

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas – Lydia Ko took a share of the lead in her first start as an LPGA Tour member, matching Meena Lee with a 5-under 68 on Thursday in the season-opening Bahamas LPGA Classic.

The 16-year-old Ko turned pro late last year. She won the Canadian Women’s Open the last two years as an amateur and closed last season with a victory in a non-tour event in Taiwan in her second pro start.

Ranked No. 4 in the world, the South Korean-born New Zealander had six birdies and a bogey on Atlantis Resort’s Ocean Club course.

“I just tried to play my own game and be relaxed,” Ko said. “I got off to a shaky start and I needed to make a 4-footer for par, but when I made birdie at No. 2, I was able to relax. I was actually shocked that I wasn’t nervous. I felt I even played better than my score. I gave myself a lot of opportunities.”

Lee, from South Korea, eagled the par-4 13th and had four birdies and a bogey.

“I had a wintertime working hard, so that’s why I have more confidence than last year,” said Lee, a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour. “That’s why I feel very good and happy to play in the first tournament.”

Third-ranked Stacy Lewis was a stroke back at 69 along with Jessica Korda, Brittany Lang, Mirim Lee, Austin Ernst, Danah Bordner, Amelia Lewis, P.K. Kongkraphan and Candie Kung.

Lewis played alongside Ko.

“When she gets some confidence in herself, the rest of this tour better watch out,” Lewis said. “When I saw we were paired together, I was pretty happy. She is just a really likable kid. …

“I think our games are very similar, just the way we play. We both hit it solid and make some putts. She rolled it great today. For the first seven, eight holes, she made everything she looked at.”

Lewis had five birdies and a bogey.

“I thought I’d be a little bit more rusty than I was,” Lewis said. “But I got off to a good start, and really just hit the ball really solid and was able to control some shots in the wind and the shots that I saw I was able to pull off. I was really happy with the way I hit the ball.”

Ko recently signed an equipment deal with Callaway, changed her swing coach and hired a new caddie.

“Over the last month hearing the word change, it could pretty much be my middle name,” Ko said.

Lewis also commented on all the changes Ko has made.

“You can change your clubs, your coach, all these things, but she’s still the same person,” Lewis said.

Jaye Marie Green had a 71. The 19-year-old Green won the LPGA qualifying tournament by 10 strokes last month, finishing the 90-hole event at a record 29 under.

Michelle Wie shot 72.

Defending champion Ilhee Lee opened with a 74. Last May, the inaugural event was reduced to three 12-hole rounds because of flooding.

Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto leads the five Canadians in the field after shooting a 1-over par 74. She’s tied for 60th.

Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. recorded an ace on the par-3 12th. She’s tied with fellow Canadian Maude-Aimee LeBlanc for 104th. The pair shot 6-over 79’s.

BARRANQUILLA, ATLANTICO, Colombia – Team Canada’s Garrett Rank fired one of the only under-par rounds of the day at the South American Amateur Championship on Thursday.

The Elmira, Ont. native closed his final nine with two birdies on a windy day at the Country Club de Barranquilla in Colombia to finish at 1-over 145 after 36 holes. Rank’s 1-under 71 vaulted him up the leaderboard into a tie for third with Colombia’s Mateo Gomez. The duo trails England’s Paul Howard by five strokes heading into the third round.

Chris Hemmerich of Kitchener, Ont. and Tony Gil of Vaughan, Ont. both moved inside the top-20 after solid second rounds. Hemmerich currently sits in a tie for 16th after carding an even-par 72, while Gil carded a 4-over 76 to finish the day in a tie for 19th.

On the women’s side, Development Squad member, Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C. overcame tough conditions to card a 2-over 74 and move into a tie for third. Ko currently sits at 10-over 154. Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh and Oona Vartianinen of Finland lead the championship at 6-over par.

Valérie Tanguay struggled during the second round carding a 13-over 85 to finish in tie for 14th. Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee sits in 38th position at 24-over.

Canadian Results – Round 2

Men: Click here for full results

T3. Garrett Rank (Elmira, Ont.) 74-71 (+1)
T16. Chris Hemmerich (Kitchener, Ont.)  78-72 (+6)
T19. Tony Gil (Vaughan, Ont.) 75-76 (+7)
T49. Étienne Papineau (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.) 81-81 (+18)
T49. Matt William (Calgary) 80-82 (+18)
T59. Carter Simon (Sutton, Ont.) 83-84 (+23)

Women: Click here for full results

T3. Naomi Ko (Victoria, B.C.), 80-74, +10
T14. Valérie Tanguay (St-Hyacinthe, Qué.) 74-85, +15
38. Jaclyn Lee (Calgary)  81-87, +24

OAKVILLE, Ont. – As we enter into personal income tax season, Golf Canada would like to remind you of the Canada Revenue Agency’s Children’s Fitness Tax Credit. This tax credit was designed to support children’s participation in programs that contribute to their fitness by allowing parents to claim up to $500 for each child younger than 16 years of age on their income tax return for fees associated with eligible programs.

We have prepared this brief to help the Canadian golf industry and parents understand whether their junior golf programs qualify for this tax credit.

Eligible Programs

Contrary to some reports, there are no specific sports included or excluded. Instead, the tax credit is designed to fight childhood obesity and therefore will consider any supervised physical activity that promotes cardio-respiratory endurance. To be specific, the definition of an eligible program for the purposes of the tax credit is as follows:

An on-going, supervised program, suitable for children, in which substantially all of the activities undertaken include a significant amount of physical activity that contribute to cardio-respiratory endurance, plus one or more of:

• Muscular strength
• Muscular endurance
• Flexibility, and
• Balance

Further, the programs should encourage children to strive toward at least 30 minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous physical activity per session for children under 10, and 60 minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous physical activity for children 10 and over.

Eligible programs must last at least eight weeks at a minimum of one session per week or, in the case of children’s camps, five consecutive days – provided in the latter case that more than 50 per cent of the program time is devoted to physical activity.

A child’s membership in a club, association or other organization for two months or more would also be considered participation in an eligible program if more than 50 per cent of the programs available as a result of membership are in the nature of an “eligible program”, or more than 50 per cent of the available time is devoted to activities in an “eligible program”.

So how does this translate to your junior golf programming?

Junior Golf Club Membership

A key component of an eligible program or membership is supervision. If your club has a membership category that allows a junior access to the golf course only under the supervision of an adult, this membership may qualify, as long as the other criteria such as frequency and level of physical exertion are met. A basic junior golf club membership without guaranteed supervision while the junior plays, does not qualify. We are reasonably confident that if the junior is walking and carrying his/her bag for at least nine holes, the cardio-respiratory requirement is met, but it is up to your club to determine if the supervision and frequency requirements are met. Clubs should consider the existence and frequency of course marshals, location of pro-shop with associated course visuals and other supervisory actions.

Competitions, Tournaments, Junior Tours

If a tournament is a minimum five days in length and the competitor plays all five days, the tournament may qualify as a “camp” under the definitions.

Again, if the competitor is playing a minimum of 18 holes per day, the tournament would meet the cardio-respiratory requirement. However, questions arise with supervision. The tournament must have qualified Rules officials and other adult supervisory staff out on the golf course to ensure a good level of supervision.

All CN Future Links Regional Championships should therefore qualify as a “camp” under the definitions, as long as the competitors also play in the practice round for a total of five consecutive days. The fee directly associated with each CN Future Link Championship should be eligible.

Further questions arise when a competitor is playing in events less than five consecutive days in length. We asked the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) if a series of two or three-day events played every week, to reach the minimum number of eight days at least once per week, such as a junior tour could qualify as a “program” under the definitions. Their response was not definitive. There should be consistency in supervision and organization. The events should all be run by the same organizers and must meet all other criteria. If the series of events does qualify for the tax credit, only the fees associated directly with the tournament days may be claimed. Annual fees for membership in a junior tour would not be eligible.

Junior Instructional Camps and Programs

The tax credit recognizes there is a developmental phase to learning a skill such as golf. However, the spirit of the tax credit is to encourage physical activity. CN Future Links camps which are a minimum of five consecutive days in length must include the minimum 30 or 60 minute vigorous physical activity, depending on age, each day to qualify for the tax credit. The instructional camps are by nature supervised, so this requirement is met, but the level and duration of exertion should be analyzed by organizers to ensure all criteria are met.

For supervised instructional summer programs that are spread out over a number of weeks, please note the minimum eight sessions at least once per week requirement, as well as the minimum physical activity requirement.

Receipting and Other Record-keeping

Clubs should ensure they provide parents with receipts for the eligible portion of the participation fee. Even though the parents will not be required to submit this receipt with their tax return, this receipt must be kept for six years and available if they are audited.

Because supervision is such an integral part of the tax credit criteria, camp/tournament/program organizers should keep record of the officials/instructors/supervisors involved in the event in question. Proof of supervision may be required at a later date.

Curriculum for all instructional camps and seasonal programs should also be kept or even shared with the parent should CRA require proof of the level of physical activity involved in each of these.

Please include the following information on the receipt:

• Organization’s name and address
• Name of the eligible program or activity
• Total amount received, date received, and the amount that is eligible for the children’s fitness tax credit
• Full name of the payer
• Name of the child and child’s year of birth
• Authorized signature (not required for electronically generated receipts)

Further Information:

Each club is responsible for assessing their programs, lessons and membership to determine eligibility for the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit. Clubs should seek the assistance of qualified tax advisors or the CRA should they have questions about their particular programs, lessons and memberships.

Should you have questions directly related to your program, please contact the Canadian Revenue Agency or visit the webpages below:

Information for Organizations Providing Prescribed Programs of Physical Activity
Children’s Fitness Tax Credit Eligibility Checklist

The future of Canadian golf is looking bright as more Canadians than ever before are climbing the ranks on the professional and amateur circuits.

This year Canadians will have their eyes on the five Canucks – and any other who qualify – teeing it up each week on the PGA TOUR. Graham DeLaet, David Hearn, Mike Weir, Stephen Ames and Brad Fritsch each have status on the major circuit, while the Web.com TOUR will see Adam Hadwin and Roger Sloan return for their second season alongside rookie Cam Burke and recent PGA TOUR Canada graduates, Mackenzie Hughes, Riley Wheeldon and Albin Choi.

On the women’s side, the LPGA will boast a stronger Canadian roster with Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Alena Sharp, Lorie Kane, Maude Aimee-Leblanc, Jennifer Kirby and Sue Kim playing this year. The LPGA’s Symetra Tour will also serve as a training ground to nearly 18 Canadians such as, Stephanie Sherlock, Natalie Gleadall, Jessica Shepley, Sara-Maude Juneau and Izzy Beisiegel.

The game is also thriving on the amateur circuit with nine Canadians currently ranked inside the top-100 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. At No. 6 in the world Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson sits as the highest ranked Canadian in the standings after notching five victories last year and winning the South Atlantic Amateur in Florida to kick off her 2014 season.

The Toronto Sun’s Mike Koreen took an in-depth look at the future of golf in Canada, speaking with the PGA TOUR’s David Hearn and Golf Canada’s CEO Scott Simmons in his latest article ‘The Future is bright for Canadian golf’. Here’s a snippet.

David Hearn loves what he sees when he looks behind him.

The Brantford-born professional golfer is one of our country’s two best bets (along with Graham DeLaet) to break a five-year victory drought on the PGA Tour in the near future, but Hearn feels there will be plenty more chances in the years to come.

It’s hard to argue. Canada’s two best men’s golfers — still very much in their prime years at 32 (DeLaet) and 34 (Hearn) — lead a young, talented group that appears very much poised to make the country a significant international player as the sport counts down to its Olympic debut in 2016.

“We’re in a great spot,” said Hearn, one of five PGA Tour card-carrying Canadians (DeLaet, Brad Fritsch of Manotick, Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont., and Stephen Ames of Calgary are the others) this year.

“I think we’re going to continue to get more Canadians on the PGA Tour. For a long time, it was just Mike Weir and someone else, whether it was Ian Leggatt or Glen Hnatiuk or someone else.

“I think we have tremendous depth and talent now. There are a lot of good young players.”

Indeed, what’s transpired over the past few years or so shows far better days may be ahead. Consider:

* Four Canadians earned Web.com Tour (essentially triple-A to the PGA Tour) at qualifying school this past December — Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., Cam Burke of New Hamburg, Ont., and Albin Choi of Toronto. All four are in their 20s.

* Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Riley Wheeldon of Comox, B.C., picked up Web.com cards by finishing as first and second, respectively, on PGA Tour Canada’s money list last season. Again, both players are in their 20s.

* Speaking of PGA Tour Canada, it’s now on much healthier footing operating under the PGA Tour umbrella. The top five money earners each year get Web.com cards, which basically makes the Canadian circuit a double-A. Being part of the PGA Tour system helps in a big way.

To read Mike Koreen’s full article, click here.

Lee-Bentham featured in LPGA Tour’s 2014 ad campaign

Canada’s Rebecca Lee-Bentham has been included in the LPGA Tour’s 2014 ad campaign.

Lee-Bentham, along with other LPGA Tour players, are featured in the latest See Why It’s Different Out Here campaign spots which debuted during the first round of the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic on Golf Channel. The fourth edition of the LPGA’s annual ad campaign again highlights the unique personalities of the biggest stars in the women’s game. The spots will air during LPGA telecasts on Golf Channel throughout the 2014 season. You can see Lee-Bentham cheer on her favourite team – the Toronto Maple Leafs – in the video below.