ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – The two main characters from Chambers Bay brought their games across eight time zones and an ocean Thursday and set the tone at St. Andrews for what could be another riveting battle at the British Open.

Spieth quickly seized on his opportunity for a third straight major with six birdies in his first 11 holes, fought through a chilly wind on the inward nine and closed with a birdie for a 5-under 67 that put him two shots out of the lead.

Johnson, whose three-putt from 12 feet on the final hole cost him a shot at the U.S. Open, looked as daunting as ever. He simply overpowered the Old Course with such force that he hit wedge into 10 of the par 4s and had an eagle putt on another. With a pair of big par saves on the tough closing holes, he played bogey-free for a 65 and for at least a day made good on a warning he made earlier in the week.

Asked about Spieth’s chances to sweep the four majors, Johnson said, “Well, I’m playing the next two so we’ll have to see.”

This was hardly a two-man show.

The six players who were one shot behind at 66 included former British Open champion Paul Lawrie and two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen. Jason Day, coming off his scary bout with vertigo symptoms at the U.S. Open, was back on his feet and back in the hunt. Most impressive from that group were Zach Johnson and Danny Willett, who posted their scores as the temperature dropped and wind stiffened late in the afternoon.

Spieth was joined at 67 by Louis Oosthuizen, the last Open champion at St. Andrews.

“If D.J. keeps driving it the way he is, then I’m going to have to play my best golf to have a chance,” Spieth said.

The real test might come from the weather.

Spieth and Johnson got a break by playing in the morning when St. Andrews was ripe for scoring – 10 of the top 12 scores came from that side of the draw. That didn’t help Tiger Woods, who hit into the Swilcan Burn on the opening hole, made only one birdie and shot 76.

“Guys have been shooting good numbers,” said Woods, a two-time Open champion at St. Andrews. “Unfortunately I did not do that.” Instead, he was headed for a missed cut for the third time in his last four majors.

The afternoon wave suffered in chill and wind so strong that Phil Mickelson hit driver and 3-wood and didn’t reach the 465-yard 13th hole. He said he had to hit 5-iron for his third shot on the par-5 14th. Johnson was pin-high with a 3-wood in the morning. Mickelson made only one bogey on the back nine and shot 70. He called the conditions “fun,” though his smile might not last if the morning group doesn’t face the same conditions.

“We were at a significant disadvantage today,” Mickelson said. “And hopefully, if we’re able to play an entire day tomorrow, it will even itself out.”

The first 26 groups had an average score of 71.46. The last 26 groups averaged 72.62.

Rickie Fowler, coming off a victory in the Scottish Open, said the final seven holes was “hanging on for dear life.” He made two bogeys, one eagle and 15 pars for a 72.

The forecast was for rain early Friday and wind calming as it clears, followed by stronger gusts in the afternoon. Saturday could have gusts approaching 40 mph.

Any duel between Spieth and Johnson is void of animosity. They played in the same group, and during one long wait on the 17th tee, they laughed and chatted as if this were an opening round at a regular PGA Tour event.

“No chat about the U.S. Open at all, as I wouldn’t imagine there would be, other than talking about the differences in the course,” Spieth said. “But I enjoy playing with Dustin. I’ve played a lot of golf with him.”

And he knows what to expect from golf’s most athletic figure. Johnson hit driver on all but three holes, leaving him wedges into the par 4s (except for three longer holes into a hurting wind on the back nine) and a 7-iron that Johnson stuck to 10 feet for eagle on the par-5 fifth hole.

“I’m going to hit driver on every hole if I can,” Johnson said.

Spieth already has shown at the Masters and U.S. Open that power isn’t everything. And while he laid back on several holes – Johnson’s tee shots were on average 36 yards longer – Spieth can score.

He birdied four of the first six holes with putts inside 12 feet and took a share of the lead with a 10-foot putt on the par-3 11th. His lone mistake came in bunkers – a pot bunker in the 13th fairway he had to play out sideways, and the Road Hole bunker on the 17th. He blasted out to 6 feet and missed.

“I’ve played enough golf with him to where I believe in my skill set, that I can still trump that crazy ability that he has,” Spieth said. “I expect when he stands on the tee it’s going to up there miles and down the fairway. I also expect that I can birdie each hole when I stand on the tee – it just happens to be a different route.”

Not many can appreciate the route Spieth is taking. Only five other players since 1934 have won the first two majors of the year. Only Ben Hogan has won the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open in the same year. No one has won all four.

The key for Spieth in the first round was to stay close, and that’s what he did – not in driving distance, but by score, which ultimately is all that matters.

Canadian Graham DeLaet signed for an opening round 1-under 71 while David Hearn was 2-over on the day with a score of 74.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – On a day for reminiscing at the home of golf, a team led by Arnold Palmer captured the Champion Golfers’ Challenge.

The four-hole exhibition on the eve of the British Open pitted squads comprised of past winners, with the best individual score on each hole going toward that team’s total.

The 85-year-old Palmer, who spawned an American invasion with his Open victories in 1961 and `62, hit the opening tee shot for his team Wednesday. He then turned things over to Paul Lawrie, who eagled the second hole and rolled in a long birdie putt on the 18th to give his team – which also included Darren Clarke and Bill Rogers – a 3-under total.

The squads captained by Tony Jacklin, Tom Weiskopf and Peter Thomson also were 3 under. But Palmer’s team won the top prize of >100,000 ($156,452), which will be donated to a charity of their choice, by having the highest average age.

Team Jacklin (which also included John Daly, Nick Faldo and Tom Lehman), Team Weiskopf (Mark O’Meara and Tiger Woods) and Team Thomson (Ben Curtis, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson) all posted three birdies in four holes.

Tom Watson’s team (Ian Baker-Finch, Todd Hamilton and Louis Oosthuizen) finished at 2 under. Team Charles (Bob Charles, David Duval, Justin Leonard and Sandy Lyle) and Team Player (Gary Player, Stewart Cink, Mark Calcavecchia and Padraig Harrington) only managed to birdie the first hole.

No one seemed too concerned about the scores, however.

There were plenty of laughs and everyone paused for group pictures on the Swilcan Bridge at the 18th hole.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Tom Watson is filled with all sorts of conflicting emotions.

He’s melancholy that such a big part of his life is winding down, yet there’s an immense sense of pride in what he’s accomplished.

He’s realistic that it’s the right time to step away, but he can still flash that ol’ competitive streak when anyone suggests this is nothing more than a nostalgic farewell at the home of golf.

“This is not a ceremony at all,” Watson said Wednesday, his eyes steely and firm. “I’m trying to compete against these players out here.”

Some of them, such as Jordan Spieth, are young enough to be his grandchildren.

Which is why, in all likelihood, the 65-year-old Watson will be playing the British Open for the final time, a five-time champion making one last crossing of the Swilcan Bridge.

“There are some tools missing now, especially distance,” he moaned. “I need everything to compete against these kids,” pausing for emphasis. “Everything.”

Watson could earn the right to play another five years if he finishes in the top 10 this week, an exception that was hastily added to the Open’s 60-year-old age limit after he nearly became golf’s oldest major champion at Turnberry in 2009. Watson went to the 72nd hole with a one-stroke lead, only to make bogey and lose to Stewart Cink in a playoff.

That one still stings a bit, but Watson doesn’t spent too much time dwelling in the past.

When he does, the mind inevitably drifts to all the good times he had during the past four decades on the links courses of Scotland and England, a brand of golf he initially despised for the inexplicable bounces and the persnickety weather, for a capriciousness that was very much at odds with his desire to be precise in everything he did.

“I fought it. I didn’t particularly like it,” Watson recalled. “In fact, I didn’t like it at all when I first played here at St. Andrews in `78. I didn’t like the uncertainty of it, didn’t like the luck of the bounce, just didn’t like links golf.”

That would change, of course, as a victory at Carnoustie in his very first British Open in 1975 would lead to another two years later at Turnberry in the famous “Duel in the Sun” with Jack Nicklaus. Another title followed at Muirfield in 1980, then back-to-back wins at Troon and Birkdale in 1982 and `83. The claret jug would come to define his career, the Open providing five of his eight major titles and transforming this stoic man of the American Midwest into a beloved figure on this side of the Atlantic.

In recent days, Watson reflected on many of the people who passed through his life because of this tournament, going all the way back to his first Open as he prepared to face Jack Newton in an 18-hole playoff.

“I was leaving the house, and it’s raining, it’s cold, and here comes a little Scottish girl, comes up to the front door and says, `Mr. Watson, please take this for good luck,'” Watson said, his lips curling into a slight grin. “I could barely understand her, but I finally figured it out. She gave me a little thing of tinfoil, and in it was some white heather. I kept that in my bag for many years for luck, and it brought me good luck. But I remember that little girl.”

Watson also remembers an immigration worker at Prestwick Airport near Glasgow, a frequent entry point into the country early in the golfer’s career. The man spoke with a thick Scottish accent that Watson never quite deciphered, but it didn’t matter. They were able to connect on a different level.

“We were friends for years and years, a man whom I never understood, but understood that he liked me and I liked him,” said Watson, his eyes watering just a bit.

“There is a certain sense of melancholy. You can sense that. The regret that it’s over,” he said. “It’s a little bit like death. The finality of the end is here. But what tempers that very much are the memories and the people I’ve met along the way.”

Another big part of his life will end next spring. Watson decided this was also the right time to announce that the 2016 Masters will be his last, his decision influenced in large part by a second-round 81 at Augusta National this year.

“The golf course is too big for me,” he said. “When you shoot 81, it’s time to say goodbye.”

While Watson’s competitive nature would never allow him to totally rule out another turn-back-the-clock performance in the British Open, he knows this will surely be his final trip across the Swilcan Bridge, an emotional crossing that so many greats have walked before him, from Arnold Palmer to longtime friend and rival Nicklaus.

In fact, Watson was paired with Nicklaus for his final British Open a decade ago. That day, the younger man bawled his eyes out as the Golden Bear walked up the 18th fairway.

There will surely be a few more tears shed this week, whether Watson’s final shot comes on Friday or if he manages to hold off the inevitable until Sunday.

“Do I have any regrets?” he said. “The only regret I have is that it’s the end.”

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – With a chance to match history at the home of golf, Jordan Spieth is trying to make the British Open feel like just another event.

And that might be as tough as any challenge at St. Andrews.

The press room was at capacity and spilled out the door when he spoke to the media Wednesday for the first time this week, creating an atmosphere normally reserved for Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy. Fans gathered around a board that listed the practice round schedule, scanning up and down until they found Spieth.

“Please hold the cameras until after the shot,” caddie Michael Greller told the gallery. The sound of shutters began at the top of his swing, and Spieth could only laugh when he launched his tee shot. “It’s like this on every hole,” he said.

The 21-year-old Texan does not have the aura of Woods.

He does not have the accomplishments of McIlroy.

He still is the main attraction at this British Open, and would be even if McIlroy – the defending champion and No. 1 in the world – were not out with an ankle injury.

Folks know their history at St. Andrews.

Ben Hogan in 1953 is the only other player to capture the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open in the same year. Only three players since then – Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Woods – have ever come to Scotland with hopes of a Grand Slam.

Spieth knows history, too, as much as he’d rather not think about it until he has no choice.

“I like to study the history of golf, and it’s extremely special what this year has brought to our team,” he said. “And to have a chance to do what only one other person in the history of golf has done … I’m sure embracing that opportunity.

“But by the time I start on Thursday, it won’t be in my head. It’ll be about how can I bring this Open Championship down to just another event, get out there and try and get myself into contention.”

He set out for his final practice round on a cool morning with an overcast sky, occasional rain, and not much wind. There is plenty of talk about how ready Spieth will be for his shot at history. He played two full rounds and 10 holes leading up to the start Thursday. He played the Old Course four years ago on his way to the Walker Cup.

Then again, St. Andrews has rarely been this green, this slow, because of recent rain. That takes some of the roll out of the fairway, and with it the unpredictable nature of links golf.

Spieth is the betting favorite, and it didn’t hurt that he won the John Deere Classic on Sunday for his fourth PGA Tour title of the year. Whatever he lost in study by not coming over early, he might have gained in confidence that not much has changed since the U.S. Open.

“Coming over earlier certainly could have helped,” he said. “I just liked the fact that I could go somewhere I could play hard, and possibly win a PGA Tour event in preparation. But certainly, more time on this golf course couldn’t ever hurt anybody.”

The jet lag hasn’t been a problem. Besides, Spieth won the Australian Open in late November, flew straight to Dallas, went to Florida the next day for the Hero World Challenge, and beat an 18-man field of top 50 players by 10 shots.

But this is a full field, and the oldest championship in golf on the links where it all began.

“Maybe a slightly bigger stage,” Spieth said.

The only concern is the weather. It has been reasonable all week, though the forecast is for wind to increase up to 35 mph (55 kph) with shifting directions.

“It seems a little easier than I think it’ll play,” Spieth said. “So I would have liked to see tougher conditions in practice rounds to get used to prevailing winds and wind switches. That’s part of the fun and the adjustment.”

Everything seems fun to Spieth at the moment.

Just two years ago, he didn’t even have a full PGA Tour card when he won the John Deere Classic by holing a bunker shot on the 18th and winning a playoff. The next day he was in Muirfield, and the 19-year-old was three shots off the lead going into the weekend. He faded badly.

“I remember almost thinking like that was too big for me at the time in a way,” Spieth said. “I felt like I wanted to compete, I loved the pressure, and I felt like I could do it, but it was a position I’d never been in, and it was an odd feeling being in contention in a major on a weekend. It was brief. I didn’t finish well that round.”

It’s different now.

He dominated at Augusta National and tied Woods’ record score of 270 in a wire-to-wire victory. In the final hour of the U.S. Open, he kept reminding himself that he had won a major and others in contention had not.

Now, the trick is to forget about the green jacket and the U.S. Open trophy.

“When I step on the tee Thursday, I don’t look at this as trying to win three in a row,” Spieth said. “I look at this as trying to win The Open Championship at a very special place. That’s the hardest thing for me, is trying to forget about where you are because being here at St. Andrews and looking at the past champions and who wins Open Championships here, that’s elite company.

“And that’s something I’m just going to have to forget about more than the other two majors.”

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Tiger Woods is still gunning for Jack Nicklaus’ record.

Despite a slump that has sent him plummeting to No. 241 in the world golf rankings, Woods remains confident he can win at least four more majors in his career.

Woods comes into the British Open with 14 major titles on his resume, but his last victory in one of golf’s biggest events came at the 2008 U.S. Open.

Nicklaus holds the record with 18 championships.

Woods pointed out he doesn’t turn 40 until December.

“I’m still young,” he told reporters on Tuesday. “I know some of you guys think I’m buried and done, but I’m still right here in front of you.”

Woods is a three-time British Open winner, capturing two of his titles at the Old Course.

He hopes that familiarity will carry him into contention this week.

“I just love the creativity,” Woods said. “You need to have the right angles. Over the years of learning how to play the golf course under all different type of wind conditions, it changes greatly, and it’s based on angles. You have to put the ball on certain sides of the fairways in order to get the ball close.

“To me, that type of thinking and the strategy that goes into that is something I’ve always loved. Yeah, you can run the ball up here on a lot of the holes. It won’t really be doing that this week because it’s a little bit softer, but still, you have that option. You know, a five-degree wind change here changes the whole golf course completely. I’ve always found that very fascinating.”

Once the world’s most dominant player, Woods has been plagued by injuries and turmoil in his personal life since his stirring victory at Torrey Pines more than seven years ago.

He missed the cut last month at the U.S. Open, after opening with an 80. Woods hasn’t finished in the top 10 of a major since a sixth-place showing in the 2013 British Open at Muirfield.

Even so, he feels better about his game after making the cut two weeks ago at the Greenbrier Classic, insisting that he “hit the ball the best I’ve hit it in probably two years.”

“That was awfully nice to be able to do coming into this week,” Woods said. “I’ve hit the ball just as well in my practice rounds.”

The Canada Day Pro-Am is set for Monday July 20 to kick off the tournament week of the 2015 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club. The Canada Day Pro-Am will tee off in a 12:30 p.m. shotgun featuring Toronto Maple Leaf Alumni and Canadian PGA TOUR stars along with up and coming Canadian talents in a charity Pro-Am to support the Golf Canada Foundation.

THE STARS:

• Wendel Clark – Played 13 NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs; captained the team from 1991-1994.
• Rick Vaive – Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain who played eight seasons with the team; first Leaf in franchise history to score 50 goals in one season.
• Peter Ing – Former NHL goaltender played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings.
• Bill Derlago – Selected 4th overall in the 1978 NHL Draft; played for five NHL teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Mark Osborne – Former Maple Leaf played 900 NHL games with four different clubs.
• Mike Pelyk – Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman.
• Pat Boutette – Former Toronto Maple Leaf centre.
• Greg Hotham – Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman selected in 1976 NHL draft; played a total of 230 games with Toronto and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• Lou Franceschetti – Former NHL player with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres.
• Kevin Maguire – Former NHL player with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia and former NHL Referee.
• Jim McKenny – Retired NHL player and sports broadcaster; scored the 5th most points in Maple Leafs history among defencemen.
• Ric Nattress – Former NHL player with five teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.
• Dave McLlwain – Former NHL player with six teams including the Toronto Maple from 1991-93.
• Pat Hickey – Played 10 seasons in the NHL with five teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Mark Laforest – Goaltender with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1989-90 season; played for four NHL teams in his career.
• Bob Nevin – Former NHL winger played over 1,100 NHL games; member of two Stanley Cup teams with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1962 & 1963.
• Jim Morrison – Former NHL defenceman played seven seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs; also played for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins.
• Mike Palmateer – Former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender; played six of his eight NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs including the 1978 team that reached the Stanley Cup semifinals.
• Ron Ellis – Won the Stanley Cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1967; played 16 seasons in the NHL, all for the Leafs, reaching the 20-goal mark in 10 consecutive seasons.
• Dave Hutchison – Former NHL defenceman who played 10 seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils.
• Dave Reid – Played three seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs; also played for the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and won the Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in the 1998-99 season.
• Peter Holland – Current NHL player with Toronto Maple Leafs; drafted 15th overall by the Anaheim Ducks and traded to the Leafs in the 2013-14 season.

THE PROS:

• Graham DeLaet – Currently the top-ranked Canadian on the World Golf Rankings (No. 80). Competing in his 7th RBC Canadian Open.
• David Hearn – Currently ranked No. 128 in the world and No. 60 in the FedEx Cup standings; competing in his 13th RBC Canadian Open.
• Adam Hadwin – PGA TOUR Rookie topped the 2013-14 Web.com money list; competing in his 6th RBC Canadian Open (finished T4 in 2011).
• Nick Taylor – PGA TOUR Rookie won the 2014 Sanderson Farms Championship (first Canadian-born player to win on PGA TOUR in six years). Former World No. 1 Amateur is competing in his 6th RBC Canadian Open.
• Roger Sloan – PGA TOUR Rookie won the 2014 Web.com Tour Nova Scotia Open; competing in his 3rd RBC Canadian Open.
• Brad Fritsch – Currently ranked No. 81 on the 2015 Web.com money list; competing in his 8th RBC Canadian Open.
• Corey Conners – Member of Golf Canada’s Young Pro Squad; runner-up at the 2014 U.S. Amateur to earn an exemption into the 2015 Masters; competing in his 3rd RBC Canadian Open.
• Taylor Pendrith – Member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad; low amateur at 2014 RBC Canadian Open; competing in his 2nd RBC Canadian Open.
• Adam Svensson – Member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad; two-time runner-up on the Mackenzie Tour PGA Tour Canada; competing in his 3rd RBC Canadian Open.
• Austin Connelly – Member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team is currently ranked No. 13 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; will represent Team Canada at the 2015 Pan-Am Games golf competition; competing in his 1st RBC Canadian Open.
• Blair Hamilton – Member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team is currently ranked No. 104 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; competing in his 1st RBC Canadian Open.
• Garrett Rank – Current NHL Referee and Former Team Canada National Team member won the 2014 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship; 2015 Ontario Mid-Amateur champion; will represent Team Canada at the 2015 Pan-Am Games golf competition; competing in his 1st RBC Canadian Open.
• Billy Walsh – Currently ranked No. 1 on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC; competing in his 2nd RBC Canadian Open.
• Richard Jung – Winner of the 2015 RBC Canadian Open Ontario Regional Qualifier; competing in his 1st RBC Canadian Open.

*Additional participants TBD

For information and to purchase tickets please click here.

To print your FREE Junior Pass (17 years old & under) click here.

After 22 years, Bill Paul, the veteran tournament director of the RBC Canadian Open stepped aside from his day-to-day job and into a more strategic role as Chief Championship Officer.

Golf Canada didn’t have to look very far to find his replacement. In fact, Brent McLaughlin was only one office away.

But the long-time lead of the rules department at Golf Canada – and the tournament director at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open – is far from your usual championship leader.

Here are five things you need to know about the 44-year-old McLaughlin.

His ice-fishing hut is parked at Glen Abbey

Dubbed the Heisenberg II – because of it’s glaring resemblance to the trailer from the critically-acclaimed television show Breaking Bad – McLaughlin’s ice-fishing hut is actually an old trailer he bought from Kijiji and fixed up.

The grounds crew at Glen Abbey lets him park it in the maintenance yard during the summer months before he takes it up to Cook’s Bay and Lake Simcoe for the winter.

“It has a woodstove in it, three fishing holes… it’s hilarious. I originally stored it in the parking lot of Glen Abbey,” he says. “Being from (Sault Ste. Marie) I love the outdoors. I love fishing and hunting. I just can’t shake it.”

He’s riding home from the CP Women’s Open in Vancouver on his motorcycle

At the conclusion of the CP Women’s Open, McLaughlin will be taking a well-deserved vacation.

But not just any vacation.

McLaughlin, who says he has driven across Canada a few times, will be riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle back to Oakville from Vancouver, through the U.S. The ride will take 10-12 days, and admits he has a bunch of landmarks chosen to stop at.

However, he says he hasn’t arranged hotels in every city. He’ll be bringing a tent with him, just in case, on his self-described, “hippie trip.”

“I’ve always love the bad-boy image of the Harley, and I’m a true-and-true Harley guy now. I love the sound of it,” he explains. “I’ve got my bike shipped out (to Vancouver) and I’ll just take my time getting home.”

He went on tour with the Barenaked Ladies

In the early-1990s, the Barenaked Ladies were one of Canada’s biggest bands. Their song “If I had $1,000,000” was burning up the charts and they were about to embark on their first cross-country tour, called the “Mr. Rockin’s All You Can Eat Salad Bar” Tour.

And, McLaughlin would be along for the ride.

“I was shipping lumber at Lansing Build-All and my roommate was scheduled to go on this tour as a roadie with another buddy. In the 11th hour, literally two days before it started, he bailed. (My roommate) was looking for someone, so I said I was in,” McLaughlin explains. We picked up tour buses in Victoria and went all the way to Newfoundland and back to Toronto. It was an unbelievable trip.”

Six months prior, McLaughlin began dating a girl. He told her he was going on this tour and left. But, she was waiting for him when he got back.

That girl is now his wife.

He has a great Justin Leonard story

In 1996, Justin Leonard was playing in the Canadian Open as a young PGA Tour pro. Although “kind of a nobody” according to McLaughlin, he could not have been nicer, and the Texan and McLaughlin ran into each other a few times at Glen Abbey.

The next year, Leonard won the British Open and went on to be, well, Justin Leonard.

Fast-forward to 2015, and Leonard is still as nice as ever to McLaughlin, but for a slightly different reason.

“When I first took over this job, I got an email from Leonard saying he needed a larger rental vehicle because he’s bringing his family,” McLaughlin says, laughing. “He doesn’t know me from a hole in the ground, but I’m going to tell him that story. He’s emailed me, he congratulated me on the job, but he still needs that van.”

Bill Paul gave him awesome advice

McLaughlin knows he can lean on more than two decades of knowledge from Bill Paul, and, he’s been thrilled to receive two pieces of advice that he’s constantly coming back to.

Firstly, he was told to enjoy the experience.

“It’s such a unique job,” he says. “There’s just one tournament director for the RBC Canadian Open, so even when you’re worried about how many people can park on site, or, the fact that the washrooms are overflowing in The Valley, you have to take a step back and realize you have a great job.”

Secondly, family comes first.

“You get all consumed with (the tournament) and you have to have a life,” McLaughlin explains. “Steal a little time away with your family and enjoy the summer time, because it’s so short. I’m trying to live by that.”

SILVIS, Illinois – Jordan Spieth made it a lot tougher on himself than it needed to be.

In the end, Spieth got exactly what he was looking for from the John Deere Classic: a win and some positive energy ahead of the British Open.

Spieth beat Tom Gillis on the second hole of a playoff to win at TPC Deere Run on Sunday for his fourth victory of the season.

Gillis and Spieth, who opened the tournament with an even-par 71, finished the final round at 20-under 264. Zach Johnson and Danny Lee tied for third at 19 under.

“To be able to shoot 20-under in three rounds is nice momentum,” Spieth said. “The finish, when I really didn’t feel like tee to green I had much (Sunday), gives me a lot of momentum to draw on if I don’t have my best stuff. “

The 46-year-old Gillis, who was attempting to become the oldest first-time winner on the PGA Tour in 20 years, sent an approach into the water. Spieth made par for his second win at this tournament in three years.

Now Spieth heads to the British Open in search of his third consecutive major championship.

Spieth is the first golfer to win four times before the Open Championship since Tiger Woods in 2000 – and he silenced many of the critics who questioned why he played this tournament instead of heading overseas early to prepare for St. Andrews.

“I really didn’t care anyways. I came here for a reason, and we accomplished that reason,” Spieth said.

After shooting a career-best 10 under on Saturday, Spieth entered the final round with a two-shot lead.

But the field caught up to Spieth when he turned in a pedestrian front nine.

Spieth bogeyed two of his first three holes and was soon passed by the likes of Gillis and Johnson. Spieth was even at the turn and two shots back of Gillis, who in 171 previous PGA Tour starts had only finished in the top three twice.

Spieth’s low point was a bogey on the par-4 11th hole after a putt from the fringe went left.

But Gillis played his final six holes at even par. Spieth roared back into contention with four birdies in five holes, including a 21-foot chip from the fringe on No. 16.

Spieth had a 30-foot putt for the win on No. 18, but he pushed it left. He nearly won on the first hole of the playoff, but his 33-foot try lipped out.

Even though Spieth ultimately outlasted the field, he knows he has some work to do – specifically with his driver, which abandoned him at times this weekend – if he hopes to make it three majors in a row.

“I need to fine tune my driver. I love where my putter is at. My pace control, my speed is awesome right now,” Spieth said.

Gillis matched Spieth with a par on the first hole in sudden death. But a tee shot that went into the rough led to a shot in the water, effectively ending his bid for an elusive victory.

Gillis shot a 7-under 64 in the final round.

“When you’re going to be 47, the window is closing,” Gillis said. “What I saw (Sunday) and the last three days, I’d have to say makes me think I’ve still got some tread on the tires left.”

Canadians Adam Hadwin and Roger Sloan finished in a six-way tie for 18th at 12-under while David Hearn finished at 1-under for the competition.

SILVIS, Illinois – Jordan Spieth’s tee shot on the par-5 17th hole landed in the trees.

Spieth’s second shot landed in the fairway.

His third one landed in the hole.

Spieth’s decision to spurn Scotland for the John Deere Classic looks more prescient with each passing round.

Spieth, bolstered by a 106-yard eagle on No. 17, shot a career-best 10-under 61 in the third round Saturday to grab a two-shot lead.

“With some good breaks and really good putting, a round like (Saturday) comes together,” said Spieth, who will go for his third straight major title next week at the British Open.

Spieth was at 17-under 196 after the best round of the tournament since Steve Stricker shot a 60 five years ago. Danny Lee is second after shooting a 62, followed by Shawn Stefani, Justin Thomas and Johnson Wagner at 14 under.

The round was suspended for close to three hours because of two weather-related delays.

The rain made the course even softer than usual, setting the stage for the low scores.

No one took advantage of the favorable conditions more than Spieth, who has done his best to answer the critics who felt he would be better off prepping for the Open Championship in Scotland compared to Illinois.

Spieth got off to a fast start on No. 2, sticking a 260-yard approach within three feet for an eagle.

Spieth’s approach on the par-4 eighth hole came so close to going in that it left a divot on the cup before spinning 10 feet forward. Spieth then converted the birdie putt.

Spieth made three more birdies on par 4s, and he hit a 12-footer on No. 16 to join Lee in first. But it was the next hole that really made Spieth’s day.

He escaped trouble by putting his second shot in the fairway. He then stuck his approach with a sand wedge directly behind the cup, where it spun in to the disbelief of even Spieth – who said he “mishit it.”

“I certainly didn’t think it had a chance to go in. I thought it was going past the hole,” Spieth said.

But as if to prove it wasn’t a fluke, Spieth sent his final tee shot of the round into the trees as well – and still picked up a birdie.

“I had a fist pump on the last shot because walking up after the second shot I said to (caddie) Mike (Greller), `I just saw the board and I think this is for my lowest round that I’ve shot on the PGA Tour,'” Spieth said. “I said that’s pretty cool, and he said (that) it doesn’t matter where you’re at. Just keep on trekking. And I said `Yeah, but I appreciate this and I really want to make this thing.'”

Though overshadowed by Spieth, Lee put himself in position for some history of his own on Sunday.

Lee, who was born in Seoul and raised in New Zealand, picked up his first career win at The Greenbrier Classic just last week. He will try to become the first player since David Duval in 1997 to get his first two PGA Tour wins in back-to-back tournaments.

Lee knows he is a heavy underdog. But Lee hit nine birdies on Saturday and is playing as well as anyone on the tour outside of Spieth.

“All I know is there’s going to be a lot of people watching us,” Lee said. “I think it’s going to be a fun day. I cannot wait.”

SILVIS, Illinois – Four holes into Friday’s second round, Jordan Spieth knew he was in danger of missing the cut.

The Masters and U.S. Open champion will head into Saturday knowing he’s got a shot at another win before the British Open.

Spieth bounced back from an even-par opening round with a 7-under 64 to give himself a chance to contend at the John Deere Classic.

Spieth, 21, still has a lot of work to do to catch the leaders, though.

He’s five shots behind Justin Thomas, who leads with a 12-under 130 total. Johnson Wagner is a shot back after shooting a second-round 63, as is Tom Gillis after shooting a 65.

Spieth said he knew he needed to shoot at least a 67 on Friday. He did better than that.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a course that yields a lot of birdies. It’s still hard to do on the PGA Tour. I wasn’t taking it for granted. I was still searching,” said Spieth, who will try for his third straight major title next week at St. Andrews. “Once I got a couple of shorter putts to go in and got a little bit of breathing room, I was able to be patient knowing that there were other birdie holes left.”

Spieth took two weeks off after winning the U.S. Open and acknowledged he was rusty during his first round at the TPC Deere Run.

After opening with four straight pars Friday, Spieth finally got going with four birdies and an eagle over a remarkable seven-hole stretch.

Spieth, who started on the back nine, stuck his approach on the par-4 14th hole within 3 feet. He then hit putts of 24 and 16 feet to get to 3 under.

The best hole of the tournament for Spieth came on No. 2. A 319-yard drive and a 241-yard approach left him with a 4-foot eagle putt.

Spieth needed just 25 putts Friday. This week is playing out similarly to his first tournament after winning the Masters. After opening the RBC Heritage in late April with a 74, Spieth shot a 62 in the second round.

“I knew I’d have my chances, and then my putter started working,” Spieth said.

Thomas, 22, has had something of a rivalry with Spieth for years.

They were two of the best college golfers in the country while Thomas was at Alabama and Spieth was at Texas – though Spieth has clearly outpaced Thomas in the pro ranks.

But it’s Thomas who heads into the weekend with the advantage.

Thomas opened play with a tournament-best 63 and followed it up with a solid 67. Thomas had five more birdies Friday, putting himself in position for his first career win after losing the lead with a dreadful back nine at last week’s Greenbrier Classic.

“I’ve had my opportunities and I’ve learned from my mistakes, learned from the times when I didn’t feel like I played or made the mental decision I felt like I should have,” Thomas said.

Zach Johnson won’t tee off Saturday with one of the top groupings.

But he’s in prime position for another strong finish at the TPC Deere Run.

Johnson, who won here in 2012 and has finished in the top three in five of his last six starts at Deere Run, strung together three straight birdies for a 68 – his 26th straight round in the 60s at this course.

Johnson is four back of Thomas at 8 under and one shot ahead of Spieth.

“I had my chances,” Johnson said. “I just didn’t get it in the low, low number. But I can’t be too upset.”

Canadian Roger Sloan posted a round of 3-under 68 Friday, while Adam Hadwin and David Hearn signed for a scores of 70 to play the weekend.  Nick Taylor missed the cut after a round of 72 today. Mike Wier withdrew from the competition after an opening round of 73.