SAN DIEGO – Tiger Woods was alarmed, but not concerned, when shots into the green bounced nearly as high as the flagstick on the South Course at Torrey Pines.

The rough is thick, surprising only because it has been dry. It’s usually only thick and heavy when it’s cold and damp.

It almost reminded him of the U.S. Open.

“If they keep the golf course like this, it’s going to be one hell of a test as the week progresses,” Woods said Wednesday. “It’s going to get really difficult to post some good numbers. It’s going to be awfully difficult to get the ball close and make birdies. And as I said, it’s closer to an Open right now than how I normally see it.”

Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Woods smiled.

He usually does all right on firm, fast courses. He always seems to do well at Torrey Pines, where he has won times – including that 2008 U.S. Open.

“I find it good,” he said.

Woods was set to make his 2014 debut on Thursday in the Farmers Insurance Open, a tournament that has been very good to him. He is the star attraction, along with San Diego native Phil Mickelson, the two biggest stars of their generation. Mickelson is a three-time winner at Torrey Pines.

They don’t share the same outlook.

Woods and Mickelson were in the same group for that 2008 U.S. Open, the one in which Mickelson chose not to use a driver on a 7,643-yard course, which at the time was the longest in major championship history. Mickelson tied for 18th that week in the one major he has never won.

Mickelson loves Torrey Pines, a public course along Pacific bluffs where he played countless times as a kid. And he likes what having a U.S. Open did for his hometown, and the additional value it brought to Torrey Pines.

He just never liked what getting a U.S. Open meant to the golf course – specifically bringing in “Open Doctor” Rees Jones to redesign it, lengthen it and beef it up to standards worthy of golf’s toughest test.

Mickelson was asked if his results in the Farmers Insurance Open – not great – have been affected by his lack of fondness for the new South.

“I haven’t won since it’s been redesigned,” he said after a few seconds of contemplation. “My feelings of animosity toward it might have been a factor as to why I haven’t played well on it, but I have come close a few times. I’ve had a couple seconds that I can think of and I’ve learned to play it over the years, but it is not conducive to the way I like to play, which is aggressive.

“Every shot is repelled away from the tucked pins, every green breaks away from the bunkers, every time you’re in a bunker you’ve got a downhill shot. It’s just monotonous to me and it doesn’t allow for great recovery and it does not allow for aggressive play,” he said. “It allows for 40 feet away from the hole and try to make a putt, take advantage of the par 5s.”

Other than that, Mickelson was upbeat about his first PGA Tour event of the year (he was runner-up in Abu Dhabi last week on the European Tour). He loves his new driver, which he calls his favourite club. He’s excited about his putting. He’s more excited going into a year than any other time.

And yes, he’s excited about a U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, not because of where it is but what it is.

Mickelson won the British Open last summer at Muirfield, leaving him one leg short of the career Grand Slam. That would be the U.S. Open, where he already holds the record for most silver medals (six-time runner-up).

“I feel like it’s just a matter of time,” he said. “It may be this year at Pinehurst, it may not, but I do believe that will come. It’s a tournament I’ve played too well in over the years not to finally win, and I actually believe I’ll win a couple.”

Now that’s one thing they have in common. Woods also would love to win another U.S. Open this year. Actually, any major would do.

He has been stuck on 14 majors – four shy of Jack Nicklaus – since that ’08 Open at Torrey Pines. It has become such a talking point that even though the Masters is 78 days away, Woods starting his 2014 year at a regular tour event is enough to prompt the question, “Will he catch Jack?”

So when asked if this was a big year in that regard, Woods offered a different view – every year is a big year, so nothing has changed.

“Every year that I get a chance to compete and play in tournaments and major championships for as long as I decide to do it … every year counts,” he said. “Looking back from the beginning of my career to now, I know that I don’t have 20 years in my prime. I don’t see being 58 and being in my prime. Most guys don’t dunk from the foul line at age 58, so it’s a little different. But the outlook is still the same.

“I still prepare the same,” he said. “I still work my tail off to be ready to compete at this level and beat everyone that I’m playing against.”

DOHA, Qatar – Rafa Cabrera-Bello birdied four of his last five holes for a 7-under 65 Thursday to take a two-shot lead after the second round of the Qatar Masters.

The Spaniard had three straight birdies from the 14th and then rolled in another at 18 for a 13-under total of 131. The late charge meant he overtook first-round leader George Coetzee of South Africa, who carded a 69 earlier in the day at the Doha Golf Club course.

Cabrera-Bello said “I got on a very hot streak on my back nine with the putter, so that was very good.”

Three players – Sweden’s Johan Carlsson (65) and the English duo of Matthew Baldwin (66) and Steve Webster (69) – were tied for third on 10 under.

SAN DIEGO – Eight years after the PGA Tour crossed the $1 billion in charity, it announced another milestone Wednesday. Commissioner Tim Finchem said the tournaments and the tour now have contributed over $2 billion.

“When you consider that charity on the PGA Tour started with a $10,000 check in 1938 at the Palm Beach Invitational and 67 years later in 2005 we passed the $1 billion mark, I think it’s a great testament to everybody involved in the current day tour that in just these past eight years, a second billion dollars was reached,” Finchem said.

Finchem said the $2 billion does not include what he estimated to be $35 million in charitable donations from players and their foundations for the last year.

He said from now on, the tour would include players’ own contributions.

“The $2 billion number is just a number, it’s just a point in the road,” he said. “The reason we decided to focus on it was because … we can get more folks’ attention. And if we can get more people’s attention and they realize that when they buy a ticket, play in a pro-am, their company invests in hospitality, a percentage of those dollars is going to the bottom line, staying in the community.”

Finchem said the charity money alone last year was $130 million.

Meanwhile, Finchem confirmed that the tour is urging its tournaments to beef up their reserve funds. The PGA Tour made it through the economic downturn of 2008-09 without too many hitches.

“It would be good for their security as they’re growing the money they could give to charity to also make sure they’re paying attention to reserves,” he said. “Because we did do well in the downturn, but that doesn’t mean we’ll do well in the downturn of 2017 or 2018. We know there’s going to be another one, that’s the way it’s been for eight years. So that the tournament can ride out those bumps, we want to work with them on their reserves but still continue to grow charity at the same time.”

Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada is the official national charity for Golf Canada’s RBC Canadian Open. The charity provides more than 10,000 Canadian families a year with qualified staff and dedicated volunteers who are committed to taking care of the day-to-day essentials of running a home, so families with sick children have one less concern to worry about. The Houses also have programs that offer everything from education to home-cooked meals and are filled with many different families who all share a common bond – love for their sick child.

Since coming on board as title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open in 2008, RBC along with Golf Canada have raised more than $5 million for charitable organizations across Canada that support children’s wellness initiatives. Throughout its history, Canada’s National Open Championship has generated more than $45 million in charitable proceeds for important causes.

BARRANQUILLA, ATLANTICO, Colombia – After the opening round of the South American Amateur two Team Canada members sit inside the top-15 with the windy conditions at the Country Club de Barranquilla in Colombia.

On the women’s side, Valerie Tanguay opened with a 2-over 74 and currently sits in a tie for 3rd. Tanguay carded three birdies on Wednesday and trails Colombia’s Cynthia Diaz by two strokes. Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C. carded a 8-over 80 to finish the day in a tie for 20^th, while Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee struggled carding a 9-over 81 and is tied for 26th.

In the men’s competition, Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont. leads the Canadian squad at 2-over par after an opening round 74. Rank currently sits in a tie for 12^th, eight strokes behind Jimmy Mullen who opened with a 6-under 66.

Team Canada Development Squad member Tony Gil of Vaughan, Ont. carded a 3-over 75. The 15-year old currently sits as the second low Canadian in a tie for 15^th. National Squad member Chris Hemmerich posted a 6-over 78 and sits in a tie for 32^nd. Étienne Papineau opened with a 9-over 81, while Carter Simon finished at 11-over.

Canadian Results – Round 1

Men: Click here for full results

T12. Garrett Rank (Elmira, Ont.) 74, +2
T15. Tony Gil (Vaughan, Ont.), 75, +3
T32. Chris Hemmerich (Kitchener, Ont.) 78, +6
T41. Matt Williams (Calgary) 80, +8
T47. Étienne Papineau (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Qué.) 81, +9
59.   Carter Simon (Sutton, Ont.) 83, +11

Women: Click here for full results

3. Valérie Tanguay (St-Hyacinthe, Qué.) 74, +2
T20. Naomi Ko (Victoria, B.C.), 80, +8
T26. Jaclyn Lee (Calgary)  81, +9

UXBRIDGE, Ont – The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) has announced its 2014 tournament schedule that will again feature some of the best golf courses in Ontario.

Kicking off the schedule is the Men’s Better-Ball Championship on May 15 at Oakdale Golf & Country Club in Toronto.

“I think we have strong clubs lined up for 2014, especially for our major events,” said Director of Rules and Competitions Dave Colling.

The GAO is also pleased to return to Northern Ontario at the Timberwolf Golf Club, just outside of Sudbury, for the Investors Group Junior Boys’ Championship, July 15-18. The Junior Boys’ event will feature final qualifying this year, similar to what has been used with the Men’s Amateur.

This year, both the Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships will take place at the same time, July 8-11, in the same area. The Brampton Golf Club will welcome the ladies, while The Club at North Halton in Georgetown will host the men. A pair of changes to the Women’s Amateur Championship in 2014 are that it will be a 72-hole event, a first for the tournament, and there will be a reduction in the eligible handicap from 12 to 8.4.

The GAO is also returning to Eastern Ontario with the Bantam (U15) Boys’ and Girls’ Championships at the Canadian Golf and Country Club in Kanata. There will be off-site qualifying for this event at three different courses.

The 2014 Juvenile (U17) Boys’ and Girls’ Championships will be run as part of the Ontario Summer Games August 8-10 at Roseland Golf and Country Club in Windsor. This year’s field has been expanded to include 90 players, 60 boys and 30 girls.

Finally, the George S. Lyon Team Challenge, September 2 at The Club at Bond Head, reverts to an open format in 2014 after a senior tournament in 2013. The event will continue to alternate between the two formats in future years.

Registration and qualifying info is set to go live on gao.ca at noon on Jan 27.

PUMA Golf has introduced two new shoes – the Biofusion Tour and the Biofusion Spikeless Mesh.

Designed to provide golfers with performance, lightweight comfort and style, the Biofusion Tour combines PUMA Golf’s innovative footwear technologies into one sleek and eye-catching silhouette, while offering a two-year waterproof guarantee.

“The Biofusion Tour literally fuses our most advanced and top performing technologies into a system that works together to create a revolutionary golf shoe,” said Grant Knudson, footwear manager, PUMA Golf. ”Our goal here is to provide golfers with the best of what PUMA Golf has to offer, merging function and fashion to improve their game and increase confidence on the course.”

A modern, clean and pure cell structure design in the shoe’s upper utilizes engineered shapes and innovative Rovenica Plus microfiber to provide supportive, lightweight and breathable performance. Biofusion’s lacing system moves freely from the upper and cradles the mid-foot to maximize support and stability while providing a truly customized fit and feel.

In addition, a super thin PowerFrame outsole utilizes strategically-placed flex grooves and traction elements that unite with a revolutionary FusionFoam midsole and integrated external heel counter to provide a flexible yet stable platform designed to move with the golfer’s foot.

“The Biofusion is easily the best golf shoe I’ve ever worn,” said Rickie Fowler, a PUMA Golf Tour staffer. “The technology behind this shoe makes a noticeable difference for me on the course, its super light but provides the right amount of flexibility and support through my swing.”

The Biofusion will be available at golf retailers starting February 1, 2014.

Along with the Biofusion, PUMA Golf is launching the Biofusion Lite, which has the same performance features found in the Tour level shoe, boasts a similar silhouette, and is available at retailers starting March 1, 2014.

PUMA Golf also announced the Biofusion Spikeless Mesh shoe. It’s an even lighter weight, spikeless version of the Biofusion Tour. It’s designed for wear on and off the course. They will hit golf retailers on March 1, 2014.

“I absolutely love the look and feel of the Biofusion Spikeless Mesh,” said Jonas Blixt, PUMA GOLF Tour professional. “It’s a great performer on the course that allows me to really grip the ground through my swing. At the same time, it’s a cool style I’ll definitely be rocking off the course.”

Biofusion Spikeless Mesh

SAN DIEGO – Three of golf’s prominent golf organizations have created the Latin America Amateur Championship, giving amateurs from 27 countries a shot at playing in the Masters and qualifying for golf’s two oldest championship.

The inaugural Latin America Amateur will start next January in Argentina.

It follows the model of the Asia-Pacific Amateur, which began in 2009 with the backing of Augusta National Golf Club and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club. The U.S. Golf Association joined the latest effort in Latin America, with all three groups offering some major perks.

The winner will receive a spot in the 2015 Masters and will be exempt into the final stage of qualifying for the British Open and U.S. Open, along with an exemption to any other USGA championship for which the amateur is eligible.

And just like the Asia-Pacific Amateur, the idea is to accelerate the development of golf in a region that doesn’t get a lot of attention.

“We believe this event will be motivating to current and future generations of golfers, and one day create heroes that will inspire others to give the game a try,” Augusta National chairman Billy Payne said Wednesday. “This belief has guided us well through the early successes of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, and with the collective expertise in guiding the game of golf provided by the R&A and the USGA, we are hopeful in achieving equally exciting results.”

Hideki Matsuyama, a two-time winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur, is now No. 24 in the world. The most recent winner was Guan Tianlang, who at 14 last year became the youngest player to make a cut in a major.

The first Latin America Amateur will be Jan. 15-18, 2015, at Pilar Golf in Argentina.

The PGA Tour recently began a Latin American satellite tour, and the new amateur event could provide an even bigger boost with golf returning to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 games.

The 120-man field will be determined largely by the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

At least two players will come from each of 27 countries recognized by the International Olympic Committee, which also are part of the International Golf Federation. Along with South America, they include countries in the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico.

The two players will be decided by the world ranking. If there are no players in the ranking, the national golf association will nominate the players. The remainder of the field will be filled by the ranking, with no country allowed more than six players. The exception is the host country, which can have as many as 10 players.

It will be 72 holes of stroke play, same as the Asia-Pacific Amateur.

“Supporting the game’s continuous growth has been a responsibility taken very seriously throughout the 260-year history of the R&A,” chief executive Peter Dawson said. “Having been involved in this region of the world for many years, we understand the potential impact a championship of this stature can have on golfers with dreams of competing at the highest level.”

In 1999, thanks to a dramatic 15-foot putt by the late Payne Stewart, Phil Mickelson finished runner-up at a Major for the firsts time in his career. It was an unforgettable moment at Pinehurst, just a day before the birth of his first child.

Fifteen years later, at this year’s U.S. Open, Mickelson will return to the venerable track still in search of his first U.S. Open title – one that would complete his Major Grand Slam.

Check out this video as Mickelson relives the heartbreaking defeat and speaks about his growing anticipation for the U.S. Open’s return a course he says is “the first Open course I’ve played that tested every area of a player’s game.”

Tiger closing in on Snead’s record 82 PGA Tour wins

When Sam Snead watched on as Tiger made his debut on the PGA Tour at the 1992 Norther Trust Open as an amateur he surely didn’t anticipate their names, records and legacies would be intertwined.

Now, two decades later and just three victories shy of tying Snead’s all-time PGA Tour win record of 82, Woods is in ideal position to pounce on one of the most coveted records in golf.

Check out this video as the Tour’s top players reflect on Woods’ amazing quest to surpass Snead’s record.

DOHA, Qatar – George Coetzee of South Africa needed just 21 putts to shoot an 8-under-par 64 for a one-shot lead on the opening day of the Qatar Masters on Wednesday.

Coetzee eagled the par-5 10th hole and birdied his closing three holes in a round that was just two shots more than his best on the European Tour, a 62 which equaled the Old Course record at St Andrews in Scotland 15 months ago.

“I was quite lucky to get away with a few shots, but it was another good putting display to put a nice number,” he said.

“There’s a lot of luck involved in this game, especially the way I play, and I had 21 putts with a three-putt, so that goes to show.”

Sitting 7-under are countryman Dawie Van Der Walt and Steve Webster of England, who began in spectacular manner by holing a 254-yard, 5-wood second shot for an albatross at his opening hole, the 548-yard, par-5 10th.

BARRANQUILLA, ATLANTICO, Colombia – Team Canada will be represented by nine athletes at the upcoming South American Amateur Championship, a 72-hole stroke play event from January 22-25, which features 117 players from across the globe.

The Canadian contingent features National Amateur Team players Garrett Rank (Elmira, Ont.) and Chris Hemmerich (Kitchener, Ont.) along with seven athletes from the Development Squad (four boys and three girls).

Matt Williams (Calgary), Carter Simon (Sutton, Ont.), Étienne Papineau (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Qué.) and Tony Gil (Vaughan, Ont.) will be accompanied by Head Coach Robert Ratcliffe to make up the boys side of the Development Squad.

The girls side consists of Development Squad members Valérie Tanguay (St-Hyacinthe, Qué.), Naomi Ko (Victoria, B.C.) and Jaclyn Lee (Calgary). They will be led by newly assigned Head Coach Ann Carroll.

The countries competing against Canada are: Argentina, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Uruguay, Scotland, Wales, Finland, India, U.S.A., Ireland, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, England and Mexico.

Canadian National Team member Brooke Henderson won the 2013 women’s event at El Rincon in Bogota. The men’s event was won by Callum Shinkwin of England.

For a list of all 2014 participants, click here.