Canada’s Sudarshan Yellamaraju is heading to the top tour in men’s golf.

The 24-year-old Yellamaraju, from Mississauga, Ont., earned his PGA TOUR card for next season by finishing 19th in the Korn Ferry Tour season standings after Sunday’s final round of the KFT Championship in French Lick, Ind. The top 20 in the season standings go to the PGA TOUR.

Yellamaraju entered the week ranked 20th. He moved up to 19th by shooting his third consecutive round of 1-under 71 on Sunday to finish 2 under for the tournament, good for a tie for 24th.

The Canadian had to sweat it out, though. He was off to a great start before bogeying three consecutive holes from Nos. 14-16. Yellamaraju got pars on the final two holes to hang on to a top-20 spot after all the golfers finished their rounds.

Yellamaraju was in his second season on the Korn Ferry Tour. He won the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic in January to vault himself into PGA TOUR contention.

Yellamaraju has taken a unique path to the PGA TOUR. He was born in India, and his family immigrated to Winnipeg when he was four. He moved to the Greater Toronto Area when he was 11. Yellamaraju won the Ontario Amateur at 16 but did not go to college in the United States, saying earlier this year he didn’t get enough money via scholarships to make it work. He instead turned pro immediately after finishing high school. 

Yellamaraju played on the PGA TOUR Americas in 2022 and 2023 before earning Korn Ferry Tour status in 2024. He finished 99th in the season-long points list last year. 

Meanwhile, Stuart Macdonald of Vancouver tied for sixth at the KFT Championship at 8 under. Three back of the lead entering the final round, Macdonald needed to win to get into the top 20 for the season.

Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., also fell short of the top 20 after tying for 43rd at this event.

Both players got entry into the final stage of PGA TOUR Qualifying School later this year for finishing in the top 50 on the Korn Ferry Tour.

American Chandler Blanchet won the season-ending event at 14 under.

Canada’s next wave of golf talent could qualify for the PGA Tour this week.

Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., and Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., are both within striking distance of earning membership on the top tour in men’s golf in 2026 when they tee it up at this week’s Korn Ferry Tour Championship. The top 20 players on the second-tier tour when play ends on Sunday will be promoted to the PGA Tour.

Yellamaraju is 20th and Creighton is 29th heading into play at The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort. 

“I need to have a very good week, but you really don’t want to do anything different to do that,” said Creighton on Wednesday, noting he’ll likely need to be in the top three to reach the PGA Tour. “It’s not like you just play more aggressive and that will lead to you having a better chance at playing better. 

“You think when you need to have a good week that you play very aggressive and go for it but it just doesn’t really work like that.”

They’ll be joined in French Lick, Ind., by Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald (50th) and Matthew Anderson (67th), also from Mississauga.

Yellamaraju has hovered around the top of the Korn Ferry Tour’s points list for most of the year since he won The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club on Jan. 22. That’s one of his four top 10 finishes this season.

Creighton rocketed 52 points up the standings to 16th after he won the Wichita Open on June 22. That was his only top 10 finish this season, but he has been remarkably consistent, making 16 cuts in 24 events played.

“Most guys hate being on the cut line, but I don’t,” said Creighton. “I kind of enjoy it, weirdly. I enjoy that battle of making a cut. 

“I think that’s what kind of makes a pro a pro, giving yourself a chance to play the weekend. You never know. When I won, I made the cut by one.”

DP WORLD TOUR — Aaron Cockerill of Stony Mountain, Man., is the lone Canadian competing in the Open de Espana. He’s 119th on the Race to Dubai rankings heading into play at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

CHAMPIONS TOUR — Calgary’s Stephen Ames and Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., are the only Canadians teeing it up at the SAS Championship on Friday. Ames is 41st in the Schwab Cup race and Weir is 71st. The tournament is at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, N.C.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – The R&A has announced the qualification pathways for The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, taking place July 12-19, 2026.

Once again, the RBC Canadian Open will be part of The Open’s qualification series, with three (3) places being awarded to the leading three players who are not already exempt and make the cut. The 2026 RBC Canadian Open will be taking place at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) from June 10-14, 2026.

Each year, international pathways are provided for players to qualify for golf’s original championship through prestigious professional tour events played around the world.

The Open Qualifying Series will begin in October and players will be able to qualify for The 154th Open through 15 events in 13 countries being played on the PGA TOUR, Korn Ferry Tour, DP World Tour, Asian Tour, KPGA Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Sunshine Tour and Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.

On the PGA TOUR, places will be available via the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, the RBC Canadian Open, while the Visa Argentina Open presented by Macro in South America will also offer a spot.

Please click here to view the full list of exemptions for The 154th Open.

Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The Open is one of the world’s great sporting events and its global nature is reflected in the number of outstanding opportunities we offer to golfers to qualify for the Championship through our exemptions and professional tour events held internationally each year.

“The Open Qualifying Series generates great excitement and intrigue each year as players compete to earn a coveted place in the Championship and so we look forward to seeing what stories emerge in the months ahead and the field coming together as we get closer to staging another memorable Open at Royal Birkdale next July.”

Regional and Final Qualifying events, which are open to professional and amateur golfers worldwide who meet the entry criteria, will take place at venues around Great Britain and Ireland in June ahead of the Championship.

A new Last-Chance Qualifier will be played at Royal Birkdale on Monday, 13 July. The field of 12 players competing for the final place in the Championship will be determined using an approach which complements the existing qualification criteria for The Open.

The Open is golf’s original championship. Played since 1860 on iconic links golf courses, it is the sport’s most international major championship with qualifying events on every continent. For one week each year, the pursuit of the famous Claret Jug trophy is the focus of the sporting world, followed globally by millions of fans.

Please click here to view the full schedule of events.

NAPA, Calif. — Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes quietly went about his work with a 9-under 63 on Thursday to lead the Procore Championship. The big crowds followed Scottie Scheffler and the U.S. Ryder Cup team and saw mixed results.

Scheffler, who hasn’t finished lower than eighth place since March, lost one streak on a breezy afternoon in wine country when he was wild off the tee at the par-5 18th and had to settle for par and a 70. That ended 21 consecutive rounds in the 60s.

Ten Ryder Cup players are here for the competition and to try to stay sharp ahead of Bethpage Black in two weeks, and that wasn’t lost on them regardless of the scores.

Russell Henley shot 65 and U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun had a 67. No one else broke 70, though all of them were at par or better. It’s not unusual to see prominent players in the same group for television. The difference here is that they’re all spending time together — same wave of tee times, same mansion to hang out in their spare time.

“I think it was a little different today just knowing that all of us were kind of paired in the same little area of tee times, and we obviously did spend a lot of time with each other this week so it definitely feels slightly different than it would have if this tournament was in March,” he said. “You know, the Ryder Cup is right around the corner.”

Just don’t get the idea this is a social week. Scheffler showed as much when he was visibly frustrated at a shot that defied gravity and stayed in thick rough over a bunker on the par-5 12th. He turned and slammed his club into the ground. The stance was so awkward that when he finally figured out how to play it, he had to jump down into the bunker after he hit it.

Scheffler made par. He made par on all the the par 5s, contributing to his first score that began with a “7” since his 72 in the third round of the Travelers Championship in June.

Hughes is playing for other reasons. He missed out on the top 50 in the FedEx Cup, which would have put him in all the $20 million signature events next year. But anyone finishing in the top 60 are the Fall Series gets into Pebble Beach and Riviera.

The 34-year-old from Dundas, Ont., had nine birdies in 13 holes and allowed his mind to think briefly about a 59, but only because he thought par was a 71. Either way, a pair of bogeys ended that, though he was happy enough with a 63.

“The goal is to get into that top 60 and set up my beginning to the year,” said Hughes, who is at No. 65. “I also won’t play five, six events to try to chase that. I’ve love to just play a few and get some good rest and be home a bunch this fall. That’s the plan right now. But we’ll see what happens.”

Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., shot 3-under 69, Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., went 1-under 71 and Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., was 4-over 76.

Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley was at Silverado, but only as a spectator.

“This is awesome to see,” Bradley said as he stood behind the 13th green watching Scheffler, Henley and Spaun walk side-by-side up the fairway.

Sam Burns had a 71, while the other Ryder Cup players — Justin Thomas, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, Harris English and Collin Morikawa — were all at 72.

Those at 72 were just outside the cut going into Friday. Young is the only Ryder Cup player who has played a tournament with a 36-hole cut in the last five week.

Bryson DeChambeau was not in the field because he’s a LIV Golf player ineligible for PGA Tour events, while Xander Schauffele is home in Florida with a newborn son.

TORONTO, Ont. — Canadian golf star Nick Taylor is no stranger to thrilling golf fans and inspiring the next generation of players. All it took was draining a historic 72-foot putt on a fourth playoff hole to become the first Canadian in 69 years to win Canada’s National Open Golf Championship.

Now the five-time PGA TOUR winner and 2023 RBC Canadian Open champion is giving back to youth golf, becoming an official ambassador for First Tee – Canada and taking on a leading role alongside his wife Andie and their family in inspiring children from all backgrounds to experience the sport and its core values.

As the program’s newest ambassador, the 2024 Olympian will carry the First Tee – Canada logo on his TOUR bag in support of the national youth development program delivered by Golf Canada which has introduced nearly 200,000 youth to the sport since launching in 2021.

“Being part of First Tee – Canada is an incredible opportunity to give back to the game that has given me so much,” said Taylor, the only Canadian male golfer to have won the Canadian Junior, Amateur and National Open trifecta. “Golf has shaped my life in many ways, and I want kids across our country to experience the values of discipline, friendship, integrity and the joy of competing which they can carry into everything they do. Andie and I are humbled to be able to support First Tee – Canada through our annual charity event.”

First Tee – Canada, a program designed to make golf more accessible by providing equipment, coaching and inclusive spaces, has quickly expanded into schools, community centres and golf facilities nationwide. Many of the program’s nearly 200,000 youth participants have joined from communities that would not otherwise have the opportunity to play the sport. Along with golf instruction, participants learn about perseverance, integrity, teamwork and respect — skills that reach beyond the fairway.

With First Tee – British Columbia as one of the charitable beneficiaries of the Nick Taylor Charity Classic since 2024, Taylor strives to make the sport he loves more accessible and inclusive for youth. His support for the program has helped the BC chapter expand no-cost programming to Cultus Lake Golf Club, reaching hundreds of participants near his hometown of Abbotsford, B.C.

Fundraising for First Tee – Canada is led by the Golf Canada Foundation, and the program is proudly supported by RBC and other contributing partners.

As a member of Team RBC, Taylor’s ambassador role also builds on his involvement with the RBC Community Junior Golf initiative, launched by RBC in partnership with Golf Canada in 2022, which brings affordable and community-based golf opportunities to children across Canada.

“Golf Canada has been fortunate to know Nick and the Taylor family since he was a young teenager,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “He has excelled at every level of golf, from junior through his amateur young pro career and now being one of the top professionals on the PGA TOUR. What has been equally amazing to witness is Nick’s commitment to making an impact when he’s off the golf course. In becoming a First Tee – Canada ambassador, it further demonstrates Nick’s incredible contribution to golf, to Canada and to the youth and families whose lives he will shape and inspire.”

With the shared commitment of Taylor as a proud ambassador, Golf Canada will continue to expand the First Tee – Canada program across the country, encouraging more equity-deserving youth to discover the game, embrace its values and develop skills for life.

For more information about First Tee – Canada, visit firstteecanada.ca.

RBC to continue sponsorship of PGA TOUR Signature Event and golf’s third-oldest national championship in multi-year agreement

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida and TORONTO, Canada – The PGA TOUR and RBC, in partnership with the Heritage Classic Foundation and Golf Canada, today announced a multi-year extension of the bank’s title sponsorship of the RBC Heritage and RBC Canadian Open. RBC is a long-standing supporter of golf at the professional and amateur levels and has been the title sponsor of the RBC Heritage and RBC Canadian Open since 2012 and 2008, respectively.

The 2026 RBC Heritage, a PGA TOUR Signature Event, begins Thursday, April 16 at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and the 2026 RBC Canadian Open, Canada’s National Open, will return to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ontario, on Thursday, June 11.

“As the title sponsor of two events on the PGA TOUR schedule, RBC plays an essential role in golf, providing both critical development at the amateur level and life-changing moments for the world’s greatest players,” said PGA TOUR CEO Brian Rolapp. “We are grateful to extend our relationship with RBC, Canada’s national championship at the RBC Canadian Open, as well as the RBC Heritage, the Signature Event culminating across the marina from Harbour Town’s iconic lighthouse.”

Since joining as title sponsor of the RBC Heritage and RBC Canadian Open, RBC has helped contribute to communities in the U.S. and Canada by increasing access to the game and supporting charities in areas such as youth, education, the arts and more. RBC also supports a roster of Team RBC ambassadors on the PGA and LPGA TOUR.

“We are pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with the PGA TOUR, and to continue working with our partners to elevate the RBC Heritage and RBC Canadian Open for players and fans,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “The unforgettable moments these events create bring our communities together and inspire golfers at every level, from grassroots to our Team RBC professionals. These world-class tournaments are also becoming powerful drivers of economic and social impact, with more than $56 million raised for local charities across North America, and nearly $250 million of economic impact generated in 2024 alone. We look forward to building on that momentum and continuing to support the lasting impact these events create both on and off the course.”

The RBC Heritage, which made its debut in 1969, ranks annually among the most-attended professional sporting events in the Carolinas. The Heritage Classic Foundation is the host organization of the RBC Heritage and donates tournament proceeds to charitable organizations in the Lowcountry. Recent champions include Justin Thomas, Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Jordan Spieth.

“We are thrilled that RBC has extended our partnership, as their continued commitment strengthens our world-class PGA TOUR event on Hilton Head Island and fuels its profound impact across South Carolina,” said Steve Wilmot, Heritage Classic Foundation President and RBC Heritage Tournament Director. “The RBC Heritage is a major economic driver for our state and a powerful force for good. Having a steadfast partner like RBC allows us to grow our mission and deepen our reach, and we look forward to this exciting next chapter together.”

Dating to 1904, the RBC Canadian Open is the third-oldest national championship. Previous champions include Team RBC ambassador Nick Taylor and Rory McIlroy. In partnership with Golf Canada, RBC is committed to growing the game through RBC Community Junior Golf, which has introduced over 55,000 young people across Canada to the sport through First Tee – Canada and Youth on Course programming. RBC is also a proud supporter of Golf Canada’s National Team program, the Golf Canada Foundation, the CPKC Women’s Open and the She Plays Golf Festival.

“Golf Canada is extremely proud to celebrate the extension of a tremendous partnership with our friends at RBC as well as the PGA TOUR,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “From investing in access for the next generation of young golfers to supporting pros, RBC is the most committed, invested and engaged partner in Canadian golf, and the driving force behind the incredible growth of Canada’s historic National Open Championship.”

The 2026 RBC Heritage and 2026 RBC Canadian Open will be broadcast on CBS/Paramount+, GOLF Channel, PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+, Sirius XM and distributed internationally via the TOUR’s World Feed.

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Adam Svensson made a 48-foot eagle putt on the closing hole to complete an 11-under 60 on Thursday that gave him a two-shot lead over Sam Stevens and Thorbjørn Olesen after one round of the 3M Open.

Svensson also made nine birdies and did not drop a shot in the lowest round in the tournament’s seven-year history. He tied the TPC Twin Cities course record set by Paul Goydos at the 2017 3M Championship on the PGA TOUR Champions.

Chris Gotterup, who finished third at last week’s Open Championship and won the Genesis Scottish Open two weeks ago, was three shots back along with Chad Ramey and Matti Schmid. Zac Blair, Chris Kirk, Jake Knapp and Brendan Valdes were another shot back, and Rickie Fowler and Emiliano Grillo were among those at 6 under.

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Svensson’s lone TOUR win is The RSM Classic in 2022. The 31-year-old Canadian has one top-25 finish in 21 starts this season and has missed 11 cuts.

“I had a great range session today. Just really putted amazing, I made a bunch of breakers. It was probably my best putting round I ever had,” said Svensson, who needed just 25 putts, including a nearly 40-foot birdie on the 11th hole and a 34-footer on the fourth.

His career-best 60 is the second-lowest score on the PGA TOUR this season. Jake Knapp shot 59 at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches in February.

Stevens could have shot 59 with an eagle on the par-5 18th, but instead he put his second shot from 246 yards into the water in front of the green, leading to his lone bogey and a 62 that was still his lowest round on TOUR.

“I have a pretty big gap between my 3-iron and my 3-wood, and I hit a terrible shot. I thought if I hit a 3-wood, it was just going to fly to the back of the green, and I kind of had to hit a 3-iron perfect to even cover the water. But I figured that was my best chance to shoot 59, so I gave it a go,” he said.

Fowler and Grillo are among a group of 18 players who rank between 60th and 80th in the FedExCup standings, needing a strong performance to help secure spots in the 70-man field for the first Playoffs event in two weeks. Fowler entered the week at No. 63 and Grillo is No. 71.

“At the end of the day, good golf solves a lot of things,” Fowler said.

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Rickie Fowler flights it close for back-to-back birdies at 3M Open

Patrick Rodgers and Gary Woodland (66th and 78th, respectively) each shot 67. No. 70 Keith Mitchell had a 68, and 65th-ranked Cam Davis shot 71.

Defending champion Jhonattan Vegas shot 68. Haotong Li, who was in the final pairing with Scottie Scheffler at last week’s Open Championship and finished tied for fourth, shot a 1-under 70.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Corey Conners delivered a composed, confident performance at the 153rd Open Championship, finishing tied for 10th at Royal Portrush and once again asserting himself as Canada’s most reliable presence in major championship golf.

The 32-year-old from Listowel, Ontario, closed with back-to-back rounds of 66, finishing at 9-under-par (275) — just seven shots off the winning mark set by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

A Weekend Surge at Royal Portrush

After a steady start with rounds of 71 and 72, Conners vaulted up the leaderboard with a clinical 66 on Saturday — then matched it Sunday with another six-birdie performance, capped by a confident up-and-down on the final hole.

“It feels great to play well on this stage,” said Conners after his round. “Portrush is a tough test. I stuck to my game plan, stayed patient, and made the most of my chances over the weekend.”

Conners’ score tied for the lowest combined weekend total among the top 15 finishers.

Lone Canadian to Make the Cut

Conners was the only Canadian to reach the weekend, as Mackenzie Hughes, Nick Taylor, and Taylor Pendrith missed the cut.

This marks Conners’ third top-10 at a major and his best finish at The Open. Known for his steady ball-striking and calm under pressure, he continues to lead the charge for Canada in golf’s biggest events.

What’s Next for Conners?

With the FedEx Cup Playoffs fast approaching and an eye toward potential Presidents Cup selection, Conners’ showing at Portrush may prove to be a momentum builder. The performance will also provide a boost in the Official World Golf Ranking, where he remains the top-ranked Canadian on the men’s side.

His summer schedule will continue with PGA TOUR stops at the 3M Open and Wyndham Championship before heading into playoff season.

Canadian Golf on the Rise

While this year’s Open didn’t feature multiple Canadians in contention, Conners’ steady play reaffirmed his place as one of the most dependable performers in Canadian golf — a player whose best may still be ahead.

As the country celebrates recent successes across both the PGA and LPGA Tours, Conners’ latest showing reminds fans that Canada continues to earn its place among the world’s elite golf nations.

Four Canadians are in the field for The Open, which begins Thursday at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

World No. 24 Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., leads the Canadian contingent, joined by No. 29 Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., No. 35 Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., and No. 58 Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont.

Conners is grouped with 2023 U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark and fellow American Tom Hoge for Thursday’s opening round.

Pendrith will play alongside 2015 PGA Championship winner Jason Day of Australia and Jacob Skov Olesen of Denmark.

Hughes is paired with Americans Patrick Cantlay and Cameron Young, while Taylor tees off with Harris English and Tony Finau, both of the United States.

Royal Portrush last hosted The Open in 2019, when Ireland’s Shane Lowry claimed the Claret Jug.

Defending champion Xander Schauffele returns after a final-round 65 clinched a two-shot win at Royal Troon in 2024.

Hughes was the top Canadian last year, finishing 2 over for the tournament and tied for 16th.

The tournament offers a purse of US$17 million.

OAKMONT, Pa. – Canadian golfer Corey Conners has withdrawn from the final round of the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club due to a right wrist injury.

The 33-year-old from Listowel, Ont., sustained the injury during the first round on Thursday when his club struck a television cable while playing from a bunker. Despite the setback, Conners completed rounds of 72, 74 and 72, positioning himself within the top 15 heading into Sunday’s final round. 

On Saturday, the injury worsened, prompting Conners to seek medical treatment and undergo imaging. He attempted to warm up on Sunday morning but was unable to continue, leading to his withdrawal just hours before his scheduled tee time alongside Ryan Fox, who recently won the RBC Canadian Open.

Conners has had a consistent season on the PGA TOUR, making 14 cuts in 15 events and securing five top-10 finishes. He was ranked ninth in the FedEx Cup standings entering the U.S. Open. His best major result this year was a tie for eighth at the Masters. 

The extent of Conners’ injury and its impact on his participation in upcoming tournaments, including the $20 million Travelers Championship, remains uncertain.