Old friends Corey Conners and Brooke Henderson usually have to keep tabs on each other from afar, but this week they’ll get to see one another up close.

Conners and Henderson will team up once again at the Grant Thornton Invitational, a unique event where some of the best golfers from the PGA and LPGA Tours compete as pairs. The tournament is quickly becoming an annual reunion for the two graduates of Golf Canada’s junior program.

“Since turning professional, our careers have gone separate ways, and we haven’t been able to cross paths too much,” said Conners, who finished the men’s season 39th on the FedEx Cup standings. “I’m always cheering her on from afar, and always have my eye on the LPGA Tour leaderboard when she’s playing.”

Henderson, likewise, has been keeping tabs on Conners’s exploits.

“It’s just been really fun to watch his career and cheer him on,” said Henderson, who finished 13th in the women’s tour’s rankings. “I think this event has reconnected us, in a way, and it’s been really special and great to be able to know his family and just to watch this game and be his partner here is really cool.”

Both were on Team Canada back in 2013 when they won the Copa de las Americas along with Albin Choi and Augusta James.

Conners and Henderson also represented Canada at the last two Olympics but due to COVID-19 restrictions they didn’t get to interact at the Tokyo Games in 2021. The men’s and women’s tournaments were on different weeks at the Paris Games this past summer.

The two Canadians finished second at the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational last year with a combined score of 25 under, a shot behind New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and Australia’s Jason Day.

“It’s been great to be able to share some experiences like the Olympics and this event last year and spending more time together has been awesome,” said Conners, who is from Listowel, Ont. “She’s this amazing person, amazing golfer, and a fun partner at this event.”

The stacked leaderboard will see 16 pairs tee off on Friday at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla. American Tony Finau withdrew from the event on Wednesday afternoon. He was replaced as top-ranked Nelly Korda’s partner by Daniel Berger.

“I feel like we make a great team, and I’m excited for Friday to tee it up and hopefully make some birdies and be inspired by (Conners’s) great shots,” said Henderson, who is from Smiths Falls, Ont.

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PGA TOUR — Six Canadians are vying for a PGA Tour card at the PGA Tour Q-School this week. Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., Edmonton’s Wil Bateman, Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., Toronto’s Sebastian Szirmak, as well as Matthew Anderson and Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., will all be in the field at Dye’s Valley Course and Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., this week.

LPGA TOUR — Hamilton’s Alena Sharp and Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., both earned full status on the LPGA Tour for 2025 after solid showings at the final qualifying stage of the Q-Series on Monday. Sharp tied for 21st at 7 under and Leblanc tied for 24th at 6 under. The top 25 finishers in the tournament earned their status.

GOLFZON TOUR — A team of five golfers from the Greater Toronto Area will be competing in the GOLFZON Tour, a golf simulator league that features 12 teams from North America and the United Kingdom. Team Toronto will play its GOLFZON Tour quarterfinal match at a Golfplay location in Waterloo, Ont., on the virtual Old Course at St. Andrews against Team Orlando on Dec. 19. 

Canadian golfers Alena Sharp and Maude-Aimée Leblanc will return to the LPGA Tour in 2025 after earning their cards through the LPGA Tour Qualifying Series. Sharp, from Hamilton, Ont., finished tied for 21st at seven-under, while Leblanc, of Sherbrooke, Que., tied for 24th at six-under.

Sharp continues storied career

Sharp, 43, has been a fixture on the LPGA Tour since 2005. Over her career, she has made 375 official starts, earning $3,086,599 in prize money and recording 16 top-10 finishes. Her best result on the tour came at the 2016 CPKC Women’s Open, where she placed fourth.

In 2024, Sharp made seven cuts in 13 starts, with her best finish a tie for 19th at the Dana Open. She ended the season ranked No. 123 on the Race to CME Globe Points List.

Sharp has also found success on the Epson Tour, where she has two career wins and 14 additional top-10 finishes. Her most recent victory came in 2023 at the Champions Fore Change Invitational.

A three-time Olympian, Sharp represented Canada in Rio in 2016, Tokyo in 2021 and Paris in 2024, with her best Olympic finish a tie for 30th in Rio.

A graduate of New Mexico State University, Sharp continues to be a role model for Canadian golfers.

“I’m really happy walking away with a card and, you know, not sitting on the outside looking in for the first part of the season, Sharp told the LPGA. “Hopefully I’ll get starts right away instead of having to wait until like June to play.  Really excited about that.”

Leblanc builds on strong form

Leblanc, 35, has competed on the LPGA Tour since 2012. In 2024, she made eight cuts in 19 starts, with her best result a tie for 19th at the CPKC Women’s Open.

Leblanc has four career top-10 finishes on the tour, the most recent at the 2022 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, where she tied for eighth.

Leblanc has also had a standout career on the Epson Tour, with 26 top-10 finishes. In her last full season on the developmental circuit in 2021, she made 12 cuts in 17 starts and posted nine top-10 results.

A graduate of Purdue University, Leblanc was part of the Boilermakers’ NCAA championship-winning team in 2010. The former Team Canada alumna also had a decorated amateur career, winning the Canadian Junior Championship and the International Junior Orange Bowl in 2006.

Canadians ready for 2025

Both Sharp and Leblanc are set to bring experience and consistency to the LPGA Tour in 2025, highlighting the strength of Canadian golf on the global stage.

Their achievements reflect the dedication and determination that have made them role models for the next generation of players. With new opportunities ahead, they will look to build on their careers and inspire golf fans across Canada.

For more information on the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, taking place August 20-24 at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club, click here.

Click here for full results from the final stage of LPGA Tour Qualifying Series.

EUROPEAN TOUR

Johannes Veerman overcame a five stroke deficit to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge after hometown favourite Aldrich Potgieter bogeyed the final hole, giving the American his second career European Tour title. It is his first win since 2021 when the 209th-ranked player in the world captured the title at the Czech Masters. Potgieter, who got a free drop after putting his approach shot into the rough near the grandstand on No. 18, missed a 10-foot birdie putt for the win and the subsequent short par putt which would have forced a playoff. Potgieter finished in a tie for second with Matthew Jordan and Romain Langasque. …Mackenzie Hughes recorded his fourth top-10 result in his last five starts and career best finish in a European Tour sanctioned event. …Corey Conners notched his second straight top-10 finish and his best career result in a European Tour sanctioned event.

NEXT EVENT: Alfred Dunhill Championship (Dec 12)

CANADIANS ENTERED: Aaron Cockerill

ASIAN TOUR

Joaquin Niemann made birdie on the second playoff hole to defeat Cam Smith and Caleb Surratt and win the PIF Saudi International, the season-ending event on the Asian Tour and The International Series. It was the second win of the year in Saudi Arabia for the LIV golfer who claimed the LIV Golf Jeddah in March. The victory in the most lucrative event of the season also gave Niemann the International Series title over Peter Uihlein. John Catlin finished in a tie for 34th, which earned him $36,000 and pushed his season earnings past $1.456 million, setting a new single-season earnings record that had stood for 16 years by just over $4,000. Catlin had already clinched the Order of Merit two weeks ago. Despite leading the International Series Rankings for most of the year, he ended the season in fourth, denying him a spot on the LIV Golf Tour next year. He will have another chance at next week’s LIV Golf Promotion event. …Richard T. Lee finished a career best third on the Asian Tour of Merit, his first top-10 finish since 2015. He was also fifth in the International Series Rankings, one spot shy of his career best in 2022.

NEXT EVENT: Asian Tour. Qualifying School Final (Dec. 17)

CANADIANS ENTERED:  Max Sekulic, Henry Hyoun Ho Lee, Ty Campbell, John Barker

PGA TOUR

Scottie Scheffler equalled the tournament record with a final round 63 to successfully defend his title at the Hero World Challenge, winning by six shots. The six shot margin of victory is the largest in the nine year history of the tournament. It is his ninth win in 21 starts, which includes the Masters, an Olympic gold medal and the FedEx Cup title. Scheffler is the first player since Tiger Woods in 2009 to spend the entire calendar year as the No. 1 ranked player in the world. Scheffler started the final round one shot behind Justin Thomas but took the lead with a birdie on the third and never looked back after dropping a 50-foot birdie putt on No. 4. Tom Kim finished solo second after Thomas made bogey on the final hole. Scheffler earned $1 million for winning the unofficial event – his smallest paycheck of the year, not including the Olympics. There were no Canadians entered in the tournament.

NEXT EVENT: Grant Thornton Invitational (Dec. 13)

CANADIANS ENTERED: Corey Conners, Brooke Henderson, Nick Taylor (alternate)

PGA TOUR Q-SCHOOL

Two Canadians will join four others in the final stage of PGA Tour Q-School next week. Sudarshan Yellamaraju and Sebastian Szirmak were among the top 17 players who advanced from a second-stage qualifier in Georgia. They have guaranteed themselves at least eight starts on the Korn Ferry Tour next year. Chris Crisologo (T26) and Brandon Lacasse (T26) missed qualifying in Georgia by three strokes while Thomas Giroux (T35) was four shots outside the cut line. …Canadians who did not advance from the four second stage events: Cougar Collins, Johnny Travale, A.J. Ewart, Carter Graf, Etienne Papineau, Stuart MacDonald and Joey Savoie.

NEXT EVENT: PGA Tour Q-School (Dec. 12)

CANADIANS ENTERED: Matthew Anderson, Wil Bateman, Myles Creighton, Roger Sloan, Sebastian Szirmak, Sudarshan Yellamaraju

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS

Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen birdied four of the last six holes to cruise to an eight-stroke win at the PGA Tour Champions Qualifying Tournament. Kjeldsen, who doesn’t turn 50 until May 2025, carded the lowest total score since 2006 when the final stage of Q-School returned to 72 holes from 108 holes. His eight-stroke margin of victory is the largest in final stage history. Kjeldsen will be joined on the Champions Tour by Sweden’s Freddie Jacobson, who finished runner-up, and Mark Walker, Felipe Aguilar and Brendan Jones who all finished tied for third. They are all fully exempt next season. Dicky Pride, Scott Barr and Andre Stolz finished a stroke out of a playoff which would have been for full status. …Gordon Burns finished three shots out of the top 30 which would have made him eligible to play in open qualifiers in 2025.

NEXT EVENT: PNC Championship (Dec. 20)

Mollie Marcoux Samaan is resigning in January as LPGA commissioner, a surprise announcement Monday after record growth in prize money along with criticism the LPGA wasn’t gaining in popularity during the surge in women’s sports.

Marcoux Samaan is leaving on Jan. 9, three weeks before the LPGA begins its 75th season. Liz Moore, the chief legal and technology officer, will be interim commissioner until a search committee hires a new one.

Marcoux Samaan did not cite a specific reason for resigning except to mention spending more time with her three children. She will serve the third-shortest stint among nine LPGA commissioners dating to 1975, behind only Jim Ritts (1996-99) and Bill Blue (1988-90).

“With the LPGA positioned for continued growth, it’s time for me to have more time to cheer on our three amazing children as they live their dreams while I continue to pursue my passion for building leaders, uniting communities and creating value through sports, particularly women’s sports,” Marcoux Samaan said in a statement.

The LPGA said prize money increased by more than 90% under Marcoux Samaan, a big part of that the major championships. The five majors had a combined prize fund of $23.4 million in 2021. Next year, the majors combine to offer at least $47.8 million in prize money.

She announced the end of her tenure a week after the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship awarded $4 million to the winner, Jeeno Thitikul, from an $11 million purse.

“Since joining the LPGA in 2021, Mollie has been instrumental in solidifying our position as the global leader in women’s professional golf, realizing record growth in player earnings and fan engagement,” said John B. Veihmeyer, chairman of the LPGA board. “Mollie has been a steadfast advocate for equity in the sport and has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for women and girls through the game.”

The LPGA said the average earnings for the top 100 players topped $1 million this year, compared with an average of just over $570,000 in 2021.

Women’s sports across the landscape has seen a spike in money and interest, though Marcoux Samaan was criticized for the LPGA not getting enough attention behind remarkable story lines this year. Nelly Korda tied an LPGA record with five straight wins, and Lydia Ko won Olympic gold to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame, and then won another major at the Women’s British Open at St. Andrews.

The Americans also won the Solheim Cup, but not without a transportation mess on the opening day at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia when there were not enough buses for spectators and many of them waited hours before they could get in, missing the opening tee shots that typically feature packed grandstands and raucous cheering.

Marcoux Samaan pointed to growth in defending her job when some of the criticism was raised at the season-ending tournament.

“I focus every day on trying to support the athletes, to try to grow the tour, and to try to make this the best place in the world to play and to give additional opportunities to girls and women. So I feel like the statistics really speak for themselves,” she said at the Tour Championship.

“I think we’re experiencing enormous growth. That’s really what my job is.”

Along with huge increases in earnings, Marcoux Samaan announced full subsidized health care for the LPGA for the first time in its history. She also was behind stipends for missing the cut and domestic travel in a bid to make sure players were adequately compensated.

Official prize money for the LPGA in 2025 is $127.5 million.

Terry Duffy, the chairman and CEO of CME Group, signed a two-year extension of the LPGA deal. In an interview with Golfweek, he gave Marcoux Samaan high marks.

“I don’t know how you could not give A++ to where the tour is at today under her leadership,” Duffy said. “I run markets. I don’t care if you’re running a business at a hardware store or an exchange or professional golf, there’s ebbs and flows to everything in life and everything in business. … If you’re worth more today than you were 10 years ago or three years ago, you’re doing the right things.”

Marcoux Samaan was the ninth commissioner — and second female commissioner — when she left her role as athletic director at Princeton. Marcoux Samaan replaced Mike Whan, who took over in 2010 when players revolted and ousted Carolyn Bivens.

Whan brought high energy and a big personality during his 11 years, making him the longest-serving LPGA commissioner in history.

The LPGA board will work with an executive search firm to conduct a global search for the organization’s next commissioner.

—————–

The LPGA Tour visits Canada for the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, scheduled to take place at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., from August 20 to 24. Visit cpkcwomensopen.com for more into.

World’s longest-running women’s professional sports organization to award over $131 million in prize money across 35 events 

As it enters its 75th anniversary season, the LPGA Tour proudly announces the 2025 schedule, celebrating its legacy as the world’s longest-running women’s professional sports organization. In this milestone year, the LPGA Tour will feature 35 events (33 official events), where the world’s top athletes will compete for a historic total prize fund of more than $131 million. This represents the largest prize fund in the Tour’s 75-year history and marks a significant increase of over $62 million in four years, up approximately 90% from 2021, underscoring the Association’s continued growth and success.

“The 2024 season was another year of historic growth for the LPGA Tour, and with this 2025 schedule we will continue to improve on that growth,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “This schedule is highlighted by two exciting new events, a new multi-year title for the longest-running non-major tournament on the LPGA Tour, even higher purse sizes, increased benefits that will enhance the athlete experience, improved geographical flow and a longer off-season that will give our athletes a well-deserved rest after their tremendous work in 2024. We’re excited to see even more thrilling competition and unforgettable moments for our partners, athletes and fans worldwide as we continue to celebrate and support the remarkable journey of women’s golf in our 75th year.”

The global schedule will begin two weeks later than in 2024 and take the LPGA Tour to 14 states in the United States and 11 other countries, including two multi-event Asian swings, the first in February and March and the second in October and November that includes the return of the Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown in Korea. One European swing will take place in July and August. New on the calendar in 2025 is the previously announced Black Desert Championship – the only domestic event providing private charters for LPGA athletes – which will be held at Black Desert Resort’s signature course in May. Additionally, the LPGA Tour returns to Mexico for the first time since 2017 for the Riviera Maya Open in Cancun, also in May.

Non-major purses total over $83 million for the 2025 season, up from $45.8 million in 2021. The JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro returns to the calendar in 2025 after receiving the 2024 LPGA Tournament of the Year for continuing to drive purses higher across the Tour and increasing player benefits. So far, nine tournaments have announced elevated purses from 2024, with the FM Championship becoming the first non-major, non-CME Group Tour Championship purse to surpass $4 million. Additional purse increases are expected to be announced, building on the record-breaking prize fund for 2025. Sixteen events have purses of at least $3 million, including 10 non-major and non-Tour Championship events. On top of increased purse sizes, 24 events will be elevating the athlete experience through travel stipends, free accommodations and/or guaranteed minimum payouts.

The season-ending CME Group Tour Championship continues to lead the way in non-major purse size. The LPGA announced earlier today

 the extension through 2027 of CME Group as the title sponsor of the CME Group Tour Championship, which boasts the biggest non-major prize fund and winner’s check on Tour. The $11 million purse includes a $4 million dollar winner’s check, the largest single prize in the history of women’s golf and among the very highest in women’s sports.

The 2025 major championship season will be an exciting one, with LPGA Tour athletes competing for more than $47 million and visiting three new major-championship venues. This major purse total is the highest in the Tour’s 75-year history and an increase of more than 104% since 2021.The season kicks off in April with The Chevron Championship, taking place once again in The Woodlands, Texas at The Club at Carlton Woods. In May, the LPGA Tour will make its first trip to Erin Hills in Erin, Wisc. for the U.S. Women’s Open. Three weeks later, the Tour will visit the home of the PGA of America for the first time, playing the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco in Frisco, Texas. The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in France will kick off the summer European swing in July, and the AIG Women’s Open in Wales at Royal Porthcawl, another new venue for the Tour, will conclude it in August.

Thirty-two athletes will have a chance to represent their countries at the Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown in October at New Korea Country Club in Goyang, Republic of Korea. The bi-annual team match-play event features eight teams, represented by four athletes each, all competing for the coveted Crown. The Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown was last played in 2023 at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, where the Thailand Team of Ariya Jutanugarn, Moriya Jutanugarn, Patty Tavatanakit and Jeeno Thitikul was victorious over the underdog Australians. The United States Team finished third.

The LPGA Tour will announce full broadcast details for the season in 2025, with all events airing on Golf Channel and at least seven events on NBC and four events on CBS. As previously announced, the LPGA will continue its partnership with ESPN+ in 2025, with three events to be showcased on the streaming platform next season, including the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.

2025 LPGA Tour Schedule

Canada’s Savannah Grewal has re-earned her LPGA Tour card for 2025 and will take plenty of lessons into her second season as a pro.

Grewal, of Mississauga, Ont., finished tied for 48th on Sunday at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican — the final full-field event of the LPGA Tour season — and ended the year at No. 97 in the Race to CME Globe standings. The top 100 earn LPGA Tour cards for next year.

“I hit the ball, for the most part, pretty good — just made some mental mistakes the first two rounds. I learned from that, especially Saturday,” Grewal said from Bellair, Fla. “Just happy to have made the cut and hopefully keep my Tour card.”

Grewal was just three shots back of the lead through two rounds last week at the Lotte Championship but struggled over the weekend, shooting 74-76, to drop into a tie for 54th. She needed to make the cut this week at the penultimate event of the season and did it on the number.

Grewal rallied to shoot a 4-under 66 on Saturday but gave it all back Sunday after a 4-under 74. It was still enough to solidify a second year in a row on the LPGA Tour.

“I just tried to stay really calm, especially in the first two rounds, just knowing I had to make the cut. I just tried to stay really present,” Grewal said. “I made triple bogey on my 18th hole in the first round because I did not stay present. Other than that, I felt like I did a pretty good job of staying calm.”

Grewal’s best result came in her second event of the year, the Blue Bay LPGA, where she finished tied for fourth. She struggled to put two good rounds together after that, however, missing nine straight cuts at one point. But she found the weekend in her last five tournaments in a row, which proved to be the difference.

Grewal, a pre-med graduate from Clemson University, earned LPGA Tour status for this season via a tie for 10th at the LPGA’s Q-Series finale last December.

She admitted she “wasn’t in a great spot” mentally this year but is eager to improve upon that for 2025.

“As long as I can stay present and confident, I can be just fine next year,” Grewal said. “That’s been my biggest takeaway.”

Nelly Korda captured The Annika on Sunday for her incredible seventh victory on the LPGA Tour in 2024. Grewal finished 15 shots back of Korda’s winning total.

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp also made the cut at The Annika. She finished tied for 43rd and ended up No. 123 on the Race to CME Globe.

Four Canadians — Yeji Kwon of Port Coquitlam, B.C., Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont., Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., and Josee Doyon of St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que. — will aim to follow in Grewal’s footsteps and earn LPGA Tour status via the finale of LPGA Q-Series Dec. 5-9.

The LPGA Tour wraps up its 2024 campaign at the CME Globe Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla., next week.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. will be the lone Canadian in the field that features only the top 60 in the Race to CME Globe standings. Henderson, thanks to eight top-10s this year, is No. 14.

Korda — who has already locked up Player of the Year honours — will enter the season finale No. 1 in the standings. Up for grabs is the biggest first-place prize in women’s golf, US$4 million.

There are four rounds left in the LPGA Tour’s regular season, and rookie Savannah Grewal is determined to be mentally present for all 72 holes.

Grewal, from Mississauga, Ont., and Hamilton’s Alena Sharp are the only Canadians at this week’s The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge. The 23-year-old Grewal is right on the cusp of earning a card for the 2025 LPGA Tour season, but she needs to at least make the cut at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla., to clinch it.

“Honestly just one shot at a time,” said Grewal on her approach. “I think you come in at every tournament and your goal is to go out there and compete and to be in contention, so that’s obviously still the goal of this event. 

“But I think that as long as I’m not looking at the leaderboard too much and I’m just really focusing on where I am in that moment, I think that’s probably what’s going to help me the most.”

Grewal is 96th in the Race to CME Globe Standings, the LPGA Tour’s points list. The top 100 players on the elite women’s professional golf tour will receive a card for next year.

“If I don’t play well there’s a chance I might not keep my card for next year, but I feel pretty confident with where I’m at and I think as long as I stay present and I don’t get too far ahead of myself, things will be just fine,” said Grewal.

Sharp is 126th in the rankings and will likely need to finish in the top six at the ANNIKA, depending on how the golfers ahead of her in the standings do, to make it back on tour in 2025 without qualifying through another means.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., is not playing this week. At No. 13 on the standings, she is already guaranteed a spot on next year’s tour and will also play in the CME Group Tour Championship next week.

No. 146 Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., and No. 192 Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., are not in this week’s field. As a result, they will both need to requalify to return to the LPGA Tour next season.

Grewal earned some critical points at least week’s LOTTE Championship, ultimately tying for 54th at even par. She started strong with a first-round 68 and maintained her solid position with a second-round 70. However, a third-round 74 and fourth-round 76 put her in this week’s high-stakes position.

“I think as long as I focus on my breathing and just go out there and I enjoy being out there, just have fun with it, I think that’s probably going to be the best thing for me,” said Grewal. 

“I think that last week I did a really good job of that the first two rounds and I think the, after the cut, I kind of started to get ahead of myself and look at that leaderboard.”

“I think as long as I stay present and I don’t get too far ahead of myself, things will be just fine.”

Crunch-time from @SavannahGrewal‘s maiden @LPGA Tour season, with next year’s status on the line:

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) November 13, 2024

AROUND THE TOURS

PGA TOUR — The fall ball season continues with the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda. Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., isn’t just the highest ranked Canadian in the event, at No. 51 he’s the highest ranked golfer in the field, period. No. 57 Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., and No. 176 Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., will also tee it up.

CHAMPIONS TOUR — Danny King of Aurora, Ont., was tied for fourth at 4-under overall on Wednesday after two rounds at the 2025 PGA Tour Champions Qualifying first stage at Buckhorn Springs Golf and Country Club in Valrico, Fla. Martin Plante (74) of St-Sauveur, Que., and Dennis Hendershott (73) of Brantford, Ont., was tied for 36th at 5 over. Craig Watkins of Georgetown, Ont. was disqualified. Mike Woodcock (79) of Chatham, Ont., was tied for 43rd at 16 over in the qualifying stage at Grand Bear Golf Club in Saucier, Miss. Calgary’s Stuart Patterson withdrew after one round.

DP WORLD TOUR — Aaron Cockerill of Stony Mountain, Man., will be in the second pairing to tee off at the DP World Tour Championship on Thursday. It was his goal all season to reach the European tour’s finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Earth course, Dubai, UAE. He was 49th in the Race to Dubai rankings after last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, with the top 50 golfers on the DP World Tour reaching its championship tournament.

BELLEAIR, Fla. — Caitlin Clark has one goal when she plays in an LPGA pro-am.

“I’ve tried to practice as much as I can,” Clark said Tuesday. “I’m just the average golfer. I’m going to hit some good, I’m going to hit some bad. … Just going to try not to hit anyone standing outside of the ropes. But it’ll be fun.”

The WNBA rookie of the year star was invited to take part in Wednesday’s pro-am at Pelican Golf Club ahead of The Annika. The presenting sponsor is Gainbridge, which has an endorsement deal with Clark.

She took part in an LPGA Women’s Leadership Summit with Sorenstam, the tournament host, and former model and business leader Kathy Ireland.

Clark will be playing the front nine with Nelly Korda, the No. 1 player in the women’s ranking who has clinched the LPGA’s player of the year award. She plays the back nine with Sorenstam, who retired in 2008 and now dabbles in senior golf.

Clark had said after the Indiana Fever were eliminated from the WNBA playoffs that she planned to play golf until it became too cold in Indiana, adding with a smile, “Become a professional golfer.”

Yes, she was kidding.

“I’ve tried to take as much time as I can to practice, but there is only so much hope. You just cross your fingers, pray,” she said Tuesday. “No, I’ve practiced a little bit and I just had the quote about becoming a professional golfer. Everybody thought I was serious. I was not serious. I love it. I love being outside and making it competitive with my friends.

“It’s challenging and getting to come here and be around the best and have a good time is what I’m looking forward to.”

This will be her second pro-am, which often attracts athletes and entertainers. Clark played in the pro-am at the John Deere Classic in July 2023 when she was still at Iowa.

Which female Canadian athlete would you most like to see at the @cpkcwomensopen Pro-Am?

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) November 13, 2024

Yeji Kwon’s life is unusual, but she wouldn’t trade it for anything.

The 18-year-old Kwon has spent the past five months on the road with her parents, playing golf on the Women’s All Pro Tour, sharpening her skills to become Canada’s next top player. That hard work paid off last week as she was the top Canadian at the qualifying stage of the LPGA Tour’s Q-Series, tying for 10th to advance to the final level.

“Definitely different from regular teenagers who go to school every day,” said Kwon on Wednesday from her home in Port Coquitlam, B.C. “I’m definitely missing out on that side but I’ve gotten used to it, and honestly, I love this life. 

“I travel with my parents everywhere, we take the van, and I’ve had a lot of fun this summer. It’s been busy, it’s been very busy, but I’ve been enjoying every single moment of it.”

The qualifying stage at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Fla., was certainly a highlight.

Kwon had a rough start to the four-round tourney on Oct. 22, shooting a 2-over 74 on the club’s Panther Course. But she bounced back the second day, reeling off five consecutive birdies to finish the day with an 8-under 64 card on the Bobcat Course.

“Going into the first round, I was definitely a little bit more nervous. I had a lot more thoughts going on,” said Kwon, noting she was more comfortable in the second round. “I was a lot more confident. I wasn’t thinking a lot. 

“I wasn’t hitting the ball really, really great, but my putting was amazing. I was making everything from almost everywhere, and made almost every par save.”

She then had a 3-under third round and a 1-under fourth round to finish 10-under overall. That put her four shots back of co-winners Mimi Rhodes of England and French amateur Adela Cernousek.

“Yeji came in very prepared, had spent lots of time playing the courses and getting used to them leading up to the event,” said Salimah Mussani, Golf Canada’s women’s head coach, who was in attendance at Plantation. “She has always been a very composed golfer, from watching over the last couple years.

“She carries herself with a high sense of confidence, and complements that with a strong work ethic.”

Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont., Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., and Josee Doyon of St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que., tied for 31st at 4-under overall. All four Canadians will play in the LPGA Tour’s Q-Series final stage on Dec. 5-9 at Magnolia Grove Golf Club in Mobile, Ala.

“It’s super cool, because obviously, all these girls I look up to and you’re going to advance the final stage along with them,” said Kwon. “It means a lot.

“I’m not really gonna think much about it, though, just play my own game.”

Mussani said she has high hopes for Kwon, who is a member of Golf Canada’s 2024 NextGen girls team.

“To continue to grow, continue to develop her skills and learn more about herself,” said Mussani in text messages to The Canadian Press. “She is still quite young, so I hope she finds time to enjoy her youth as well, while also following her dreams and working towards her goals.”

The Ottawa Senators have reached a multi-year partnership with Canadian LPGA star Brooke Henderson, the NHL team announced Wednesday.

As part of the agreement, Henderson’s water bottles and golf towels will feature the Ottawa Senators logo.  

The 26-year-old Henderson is the most decorated Canadian golfer in major professional tour history. 

The Smiths Falls, Ont., native has 13 LPGA tour wins, including major titles at the 2016 Women’s PGA Championship and the 2022 Evian Championship.

“We are so happy to collaborate with Brooke on this partnership,” said Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer. “Brooke’s spirit, values and determination embody what our Ottawa-Gatineau community is all about.”

“I’m super excited to team up and partner with the Senators. It’s such a cool opportunity,” Henderson said. “Growing up, I played hockey, I watched hockey and I always cheered for the Sens, so it feels like a perfect fit. 

“I’m very proud to do it and show everybody who I’m cheering for and where my love is.”