THE R&A HAS UPDATED ITS AMATEUR SCHEDULE

The R&A has announced a revised schedule for its amateur championships and international matches in 2021.

The R&A confirmed the following changes:

The Home Internationals
The Men’s Home Internationals, which are being staged by the R&A for the first time, will be played from 14-16 April at Royal Dornoch. The matches are usually played in late August, but it is hoped the earlier dates will help with Great Britain & Ireland’s preparations for the Walker Cup match against the United States of America at Seminole, Florida, in May.

The Home Internationals for the women, girls and senior women as well as those for the boys and senior men will take place at one venue for the first time, with Woodhall Spa hosting all five matches from 4-6 August.

The Senior Amateur Championships
The Senior Amateur championships have been moved to earlier in the year. The Men's Senior Amateur championship will now take place at Ganton from 6-9 July followed by the Women's Senior Amateur at Ashridge from 7-9 July.

The 41st Curtis Cup
This year's Curtis Cup match between Great Britain & Ireland and the United States of America, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be played at Conwy in Ireland from 26-28 August 2021.

The Women’s Amateur Latin America Championship
Launched by The R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation this year, the Women's Amateur Latin America championship will be played for the first time from 18-21 November 2021. The event, which is for the top women amateur players in the region, will be hosted at Pilar Golf in Argentina. This year's inaugural event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said:

"We have considered a range of factors in revising our schedule of amateur championships and international matches and are grateful to all of the venues for their support and understanding to allow us to make these changes."

"We are hopeful that we will be able to stage these events as planned but we recognise that the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic still remains uncertain and will adapt our plans in line with the guidance provided by governments and our medical advisers."

The full calendar of events for 2021 can be found here.

SCOTTISH GOLF UPDATE ON COVID-19 GUIDANCE

Scottish Golf has issued a COVID-19 update in response to the emergency COVID-19 briefing given by First Minister of Scotland on Saturday.

The full statement issued today by Scottish Golf reads as follows:

"Following the First Minister’s weekend announcement that a move to Level 4 will be implemented from 26 December, we can advise that there has been no changes advised to the previously shared sporting guidance based on each local protection level."

"The Scottish Golf website remains current and the full detail of what is permitted can be found here, with further details from sportscotland on the wider sporting framework and responsibilities of COVID officers available here."

"Should there be any changes advised in the days ahead, we shall of course keep you updated but in the meantime all detail on our website shows the current position for golf."

"With best wishes to you and your membership for a safe festive season and collectively let’s hope for better things to come in 2021."

"Kind Regards,

The Scottish Golf Team"

JIN YOUNG KO SHOOTS 66 TO WIN LPGA TOUR FINALE

World No. 1 Ko Jin-young shot a six-under-par final-round of 66 to win the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship in Florida by five shots.

South Korea's Jin-young Ko had trailed her compatriot Sei-young Kim by one shot after Saturday's round, but birdied five of her last seven holes for a six-under-par final-round of 66, which took her to -18 and five shots clear of her nearest challengers, the World No.2 Sei Young Kim and Australia's Hannah Green.

Sei Young Kim traded blows with Jin-young Ko for ten holes, but was unable to match the barrage of birdies from the World No. 1 in the home stretch and could only manage a level-par round of 72. It left her in a share of second at -13 with Hannah Green, who finished with a bogey-free five-under-par 67.

America's Mina Harigae claimed fourth spot on -12, one shot ahead of New Zealand's Lydia Ko and America's Lexi Thompson. It is the first time in eight years that Thompson, the leading player after the first round, has ended the season without a single LPGA Tour victory.

England's Georgia Hall posted a level-par 72, after a costly double-bogey at the 16th, to finish tied for seventh at -10 with Canada's Brooke Henderson and America's Austin Ernst.

Fellow English player Charley Hull, who won the event in 2016, had to settle for a six-way tie for thirteenth on -7 after she shot a two-over-par 74.

The 2021 LPGA Tour will begin with the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions from 21-24 January at the Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club in Orlando, Florida.

SEI YOUNG KIM TAKES THE LEAD AT LPGA TOUR FINALE

Defending champion Sei-young Kim fired six birdies to take the lead by one from World No. 1 Ko Jin-young at the LPGA Tour season-finale in Florida.

South Korea's Sei Young Kim has a one shot lead heading into the final day of the CME Group Tour Championship at the Tiburon Golf Club in Florida, with England's Georgia Hall and Charley Hull in the chasing pack.

World No. 2, Kim, carded a five-under-par 67 to top the leaderboard at -13, one shot ahead of the overnight leader, South Korea's Jin Young Ko, who shot a three-under-par 69 to finish in solo second at -12.

England's Georgia Hall was one-over-par for her round with eight holes to play, but fired five birdies in a seven-holes to get to -10 and move up into third place on her own.

One shot behind Hall is England's Charley Hull, who shot eight birdies to equal the lowest round of the day with a six-under-par 66 and jump into a share of fourth on -9. Hull is joined at -9 by Canada's Brooke Henderson and Australia's Minjee Lee, after they matched her round of 66. Completing the group in fourth are America's Austin Ernst and Lexi Thompson.

Three shots behind the leader, tied for ninth at -10, are Christie Kerr (USA), Lydia Ko (NZL), Mina Harigae (USA) and Hannah Green (AUS).

JIN YOUNG KO LEADS THE FIELD AT LPGA TOUR FINALE

World No 1 Jin Young Ko leads the field heading into the weekend of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club in Florida.

South Korea's Jin Young Ko shot a five-under-par 67 on Friday, in the chilly and breezy conditions at Tiburon Golf Club, to take a one-stroke lead, at -9, over the defending champion, South Korea's Sei Young Kim, and the 2018 winner, America's Lexi Thompson, in the season-ending LPGA Tour event.

Australia's Hannah Green, who turns 24 on Sunday, shot a 4-under-par 68 on Friday to sit in solo fourth on -7.

England's Georgia Hall is a further shot back in a tie for fifth place on -6, after a brace of 69s, with Nelly Korda (USA), Cydney Clanton (USA), Austin Ernst USA), Megan Khang (USA) and Caroline Masson (SWE).

New Zealand's Lydia Ko followed her first round of 74 with the round of the day, a bogey-free 65, for a share of 11th at -5.

JUNIOR WINTER SERIES - NEW EVENT ANNOUNCED

The 5th Junior Winter Series Order of Merit event has been confirmed as: 21st February 2021 at Crail Golf Club. Both girls and boys can enter.

There are now three fantastic Junior Winter Series Order of Merit events to look forward to in the New Year.

The updated 2020/21 Junior Winter Series Fixture List is as follows:

11 February - West Kilbride - Closing date: 11 January
21 February - Crail (Balcomie Links) - Closing date: 18 January
14 March - Fortrose & Rosemarkie (rescheduled) - Closing date: 22 January

Entries for all three Junior Winter Series events are open. Girls and boys can enter. To find out more information &/or enter click on the links below:

West Kilbride &/or Crail: @sgfoundationgolf
Fortrose & Rosemarkie: @juniortourscotland

NEW CHANGES TO THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

The R&A has confirmed more changes to The Open Championship schedule, as a result of the cancellation of this year's Open at Royal St. George's.

The R&A has announced that The 151st Open will now be played at Royal Liverpool from 16-23 July 2023 and The 152nd Open will be played at Royal Troon from 14-21 July 2024.

The venues were originally scheduled to welcome the championship a year earlier, but the cancellation of this year's Open at Royal St. George's, due to the coronavirus pandemic, has prompted both events to be shuffled back a year. It is the first time since 1945 that the historic tournament has been cancelled.

The R&A has already confirmed that the famous links at Royal St. George's will stage The 149th Open from 11-18 July 2021 and that St Andrews will remain the host for The 150th Open, albeit a year later than planned, from 10-17 July 2022.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said:

"We have been working closely with Royal Liverpool and Royal Troon and the relevant local agencies to reschedule the Championships."

"We are grateful to everyone involved at the clubs and at our partner organisations for supporting our plans and showing flexibility to adapt their own schedules. We can now look forward to seeing the world’s best players competing at these outstanding links courses in 2023 and 2024."

The revised schedule for The Open Championship is:

The 149th Open - Royal St George’s - 11-18 July 2021
The 150th Open - St Andrews - 10-17 July 2022
The 151st Open - Royal Liverpool - 16-23 July 2023
The 152nd Open - Royal Troon - 14-21 July 2024

A LIM KIM WINS THE US WOMEN'S OPEN ON HER DEBUT

South Korea's A Lim Kim produced a spectacular finish to clinch a shock one-shot victory at The 75th US Women's Open in Houston, Texas.

World number 94, South Korea's A Lim Kim birdied the last three holes to claim her maiden major title at The 75th US Women's Open and win her first tournament in the United States.

The 25-year-old, who started five strokes behind the overnight leader, South Korea's Hinako Shibuno, fired the round of the day, a four-under-par 67, to finish on -3 and win by a single shot from South Korea's Jin-young Ko and America's Amy Olson.

World number one Jin-young Ko, one of only six players to break par on the final day, closed with a three-under-par 68 to finish tied for second on -2 with Amy Olson. Olson managed to hold it together amid the grief of learning her father-in-law died unexpectedly on Saturday night and had a two-shot lead on the back nine, but could do nothing about Kim's late charge.

South Korea's Hinako Shibuno, the overnight leader, holed a monster putt for a birdie at the 18th to end a disappointing day with a big smile, despite her three-over-par round of 74, and finish on her own in fourth at -1. American's Megan Kang finished two shots further back in fifth on +1.

The top amateur was American Kaitlyn Pappa. She finished in ninth on +3.

England's Charley Hull, who had been in contention after the first round, hit a one-over 72 to close on +8 in a 10-way tie for 30th along with compatriot Bronte Law. Fellow Englishwoman Jodi Ewart Shadoff signed off at +17 after a final round of 80.

After her win A Lim Kim said:

"I'm very honoured to win the 75th US Women's Open. I still can't really soak in that I'm the champion, but it feels different winning the tournament here."

"Back in Korea the style and the environment is different. But I'm really glad, and through COVID-19 we had a lot of difficulties, but glad we had the US Women's Open held in Houston. It was a great win. I love this golf course, love this environment. I want to actually put a tent up here and stay a few more days!"

A Lim Kim wictory means that South Korean players have won three of the four majors played this year. Sei Young Kim won the The Women's PGA and Mirim Lee won the ANA Inspiration. The fourth, the AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon, was won by Germany's Sophia Popov, who like Kim claimed her first major this year as a non LPGA Tour member.

US WOMEN’S OPEN FINAL ROUND DELAYED TO MONDAY

The final round of The 75th US Women's Open will be played on Monday after bad weather wiped out most of Sunday's play in Houston, Texas.

The final round of The US Women's Open has been delayed until Monday, after a series of heavy downpours on Sunday forced play to be suspended and then abandoned.

The tee times for the final round on Sunday had been brought forward after heavy rain and thunderstorms were predicted to arrive during the morning at the Champions Club. The forecast proved accurate when play was suspended shortly after 9am local time.

The leaders in the final four groups had still to tee off when the players were called back to the clubhouse, where they remained for over three-and-a-half hours with the threat of electrical activity still in the air.

Given the conditions, USGA officials were left with no option but to abandon play for the day, with the final round resuming on Monday at 9am EST.

A USGA statement read:

"Fourth-round play at the U.S. Women's Open has been suspended for the day due to course conditions and potential inclement weather later this afternoon. The Champions Golf Club has received 73 inches of rain in the past 24 hours."

The overnight leader, Japan's Hinako Shibuno, will resume on Monday on -4, one shot ahead of America's Amy Olson. Shinbuno and Olson are two of only four players who are under par for the tournament, along with Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn and Korea's Ji Yeong Kim2, who are tied on -1.

England's Bronte Law is seven shots off the lead in a tie for 19th on +3 after completing two holes of her final round.

It is only the third time in US Women’s Open history that play has extended into Monday without a playoff.

HINAKO SHIBUNO LEADS THE US WOMEN'S OPEN BY ONE

Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, the 2019 AIG Women’s Open champion, takes a one-shot lead into the final round of the 75th US Women’s Open in Texas.

Hinako Shibuno hung on to her US Women's Open lead as only two players managed to break par on a brutally tough third day in Houston.

Shibuno, who was three shots clear overnight, shot in a three-over-par 74, which was enough to keep her on top of the leaderboard at -4, although her advantage was whittled down to a single shot.

America's Amy Olson, the first-round leader, maintained her challenge for a maiden major after a commendable level-par 71, which moved her up to solo second place on -3.

Tied for third place on -1 are South Korea's Ji Yeong Kim2 and Thialand's Moriya Jutanugarn. Kim2 posted the round of the day by a large distance, firing a remarkable four-under-par 67.

New Zealand's Lydia Ko is tied for fifth on level-par alongside the American trio of Yealimi Noh, USA Solheim Cup star Megan Khang and amateur Kaitlyn Papp, while the current world No 1, South Korea's Jin Young Ko is just five off the pace heading into the final major round of the year.

England's Charley Hull crashed out of contention following a seven-over 78, which included a quadruple-bogey 8, leaving her compatriot Bronte Law as the leading British player tied for 19th on +3.

SHIBUNO LEADS BY THREE AT THE US WOMEN'S OPEN

Japan's Hinako Shibuno leads the field by three shots at the half way stage of the 75th US Women's Open, at the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas.

Major winner Hinako Shibuno added a four-under 67 on the Jackrabbit course to her first round 68 on the Cypress Creek course to open up a three shot lead on -7 heading into the weekend of the US Women's Open.

The Japanese star, who is affectionally known as the "Smiling Cinderella" due to her engaging smile, rose to sudden fame in the summer of 2019 when she won the AIG Women's British Open at Woburn, her first major, the first time she played outside Japan.

Swedish star Linn Grant leads the way for the amateurs after a brace of 69's left her in solo second place on -4.

Chasing her is America amateur, Kaitlyn Papp, who shot a three-under-par second round of 68 for a share of third on -3 with American duo Amy Olson, the overnight leader, and Megan Khang.

Behind them, in a group of eight on -2, is former US Women's Open winner, Thialand's Ariya Jutanugarn, her sister Moriya Jutanugarn and the American two-time major winners Stacy Lewis and Cristie Kerr. Kerr, a former US Open winner, dislocated a couple of ribs in a cart accident only a week ago and wasn't even sure she could play until the Open began.

England's Charley Hull started the day two strokes off the lead, but shot a two-over 73 to drop into a tie for 20th on level-par with her compatriot Jodi Ewart Shadoff and defending champion, South Korea's Jeongeun Lee6.

Solheim Cup star, England's Bronte Law and the 2020 AIG Women's Open Champion, Germany's Sophia Popov, narrowly made the cut on +3.

But the 2019 British Women's Open champion, Georgia Hall, will miss the weekend after finishing on +7, alongside her fellow Englishwomen Mel Reid and Megan MacLaren, as will all three GB&I amateurs. Hall shot a bogey free three-under-par 68, but it was not enough to make up for a disappointing opening round of 81.

Also making an early exit is South Korea's Mirim Lee, who won her first major at the Anna Inspiration this year and Europe's newly crowned number one, Denmark's Emily Pedersen.

The tournament, which has a $1m winners' cheque, was scheduled to take place in June but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

ANNIKA SORENSTAM ELECTED AS NEW IGF PRESIDENT

Ten-time major winner, Sweden's Annika Sorenstam is to take over as the new president of the International Golf Federation, on 1 January 2021.

Annika Sorenstam, who was a global ambassador for golf’s return to the Olympics in Rio, is to succeed former R&A chief executive Peter Dawson as the new International Golf Federation (IGF) president.

After 10 years of service, Dawson had notified the Board that he would not seek reappointment when his current two-year term expired at the end of the year. In light of Dawson’s decision, the IGF board elected Sorenstam as the IGF president, effective January 1, 2021.

Peter Dawson said:

"It has been a great pleasure and privilege to serve as IGF President. Golf’s reinstatement to the Olympic programme was a landmark for our sport and it was a true thrill to witness our return at Rio 2016. Our Olympic status has been a strong catalyst for increasing cooperation and coordination between the major organisations in golf and has significantly strengthened the bonds between the IGF and our National Federations."

"My thanks go to so many people in golf and in the Olympic family for their support over the past 10 years,” he added. “Their help and goodwill have been invaluable. I wish my successor, Annika Sorenstam, every success. The IGF could not be in better hands."

The chairman of the IGF Board, Jay Monahan, who is also the PGA Tour Commissioner, said:

"With Peter’s impending departure, we are thrilled to have someone as accomplished and universally respected as Annika Sorenstam to move into the role as IGF President. As a generational talent in women’s golf, Annika played a prominent role in golf’s successful Olympic bid by serving as a Global Ambassador with Jack Nicklaus and since retiring from competition, has been dedicated to promoting women’s golf at all levels through her foundation. She is the ideal person to succeed Peter in this role."

Annika Sorenstam said:

"Peter did a great job the last 10 years as IGF President and I am humbled and honored to have been asked to succeed him. As an international player, having golf back in the Olympics means so much to me and to our sport. I very much look forward to working with the Board, the IOC and the governing bodies of golf in their efforts to continue to grow the game globally."

In addition to naming Annika Sorenstam as the new IGF President, the IGF Board has appointed PGA Tour executive Ty Votaw to another term as IGF Vice President.

About the International Golf Federation (IGF)

The International Golf Federation is the international federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the world governing body for golf. The headquarters of the IGF is located by the shores of Lake Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In addition to the two World Amateur Team Championships, the Eisenhower Trophy for men and the Espirito Santo Trophy for women, the IGF organizes the golf competitions at the Olympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games.

THE US WOMEN'S OPEN STARTS IN TEXAS TOMORROW

Defending champion, Jeongeun Lee6, joins the best female golfers in Texas for the final major of the 2020 season, The 75th US Women’s Open.

The 75th US Women’s Open will start tomorrow, Thursday, 8 December 2020, in Houston, Texas. The championship was supposed to be held in the first week in June until the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the LPGA Tour for more than five months. The best option for the event was to reschedule it two weeks before Christmas, making it the final major of the year.

Uniquely, due to daylight constraints, the first two rounds will be contested on two courses at the Champions Golf Club. The players will play one round on the Jackrabbit course and the Cypress Creek course on either Thursday or Friday. Once the cut is made at the end of Friday’s play, the final two rounds will be played on the Cypress Creek course.

The 156-player field includes players from 26 countries, nine former US Open Champions, 26 amateurs and seven Texas stars including the 2020 Scottish Ladies Open champion, former Houston resident, Stacy Lewis, and the winner of last week’s Volunteers of America Classic, Angela Stanford.

The field will also include the defending champion, Jeongeun Lee6, and world number one, Jin Young Ko, two members of a formidable 27-strong contingent of Korean competitors.

Europe's challenge is spearheaded by Denmark's Emily Pedersen, who shot up the World Rolex Rankings after she dominated the 2020 Ladies European Tour to become Europe's No. 1 golfer.

Another European to watch out for is the 2020 AIG Women's Open champion Sophia Popov from Germany.

The British favourites will be out in force too. Georgia Hall and Mel Reid, who have already won on the LPGA Tour this year, are joined by an in-form Charley Hull, who has had a run of four top-ten finishes, along with Solheim Cup star Bronte Law, Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Meghan MacLaren.

Two promising English amateurs Emily Toy and Lily May Humphreys, who were recently named in the GB&I squad for the 2021 Curtis Cup, will make their major debuts in Houston. Toy earned her place as the 2019 British Women’s Amateur Champion, while Humphreys is ranked 17th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), with the top 20 eligible.

The English duo will be joined by the Northern Ireland amateur, 23-year-old Olivia Mehaffey, who is also in the GB&I squad for the 2021 Curtis Cup and 18th in the WAGR standings.

PETER ALLISS 'THE VOICE OF GOLF' HAS DIED AGED 89

Tributes have poured in from across the world of golf and broadcasting after the death of the ledgendary commentator Peter Alliss at the age of 89.

A former professional player, Peter Alliss started his broadcasting duties at The Open championship in 1961 and became the lead man for the BBC’s golf coverage in 1978. Known as 'the voice of golf' to fans around the world, he became synonymous with British golf coverage for more than half a century.

Having left school at 14, Alliss followed in the footsteps of his father, Percy, and became a successful golfer in his own right. He won more than 30 professional tournaments at home and abroad and finished in the top-ten at The Open championship five times. He represented GB&I eight times in the Ryder Cup between 1953 and 1969. Long before that final appearance, he had already combined playing with microphone duties.

Alliss soon became known not only for his forensically detailed knowledge of his sport, but also his witty moments. His live depiction of Jean Van de Velde’s epic collapse at the 72nd hole of the 1999 Open is the stuff of legend.

His celebrity status also enabled him to run a business designing more than 50 courses with his business partner Dave Thomas, including The Belfry, the home of the PGA, and the Landsdowne course at Blairgowrie. He also wrote many books.

Peter Alliss was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame with a Lifetime Achievement award in 2012 and he delivered his final commentary, on The Masters, last month from his home in Surrey. He had been due to retire after next year’s Ryder Cup, completing what would have been a remarkable six decades in the commentary booth.

In a statement released on Sunday, Alliss’ family explained his death was "unexpected but peaceful".

Tim Davie, director general of the BBC, led the tributes, saying:

"No one told the story of golf quite like Peter Alliss. He captured golf’s drama with insight, wisdom and humanity. He was a legendary commentator who brought the game to life for millions of us."

John Cleese added:

"I always thought that I could cope with the ending of the world if only Peter was commentating on it."

SCOTTISH GOLF PAST PRESIDENT MALCOLM M MITCHELL

Scottish Golf has announced the sad news that its immediate past President Malcolm M Mitchell passed away at the weekend.

Scottish Golf issued a brief statement as follows:

"Scottish Golf is saddened to learn of the passing of immediate past President Malcolm M Mitchell."

"Malcolm, who was a past captain of The New Club in St Andrews and a former PGA Scottish Region Secretary, passed away at the weekend following a short illness."

Karin Sharp, Chief Operating Officer of Scottish Golf said:

"On behalf of everyone at Scottish Golf, I would like to extend our condolences to Malcolm’s family and friends from across the game at this sad time."

"Malcolm was a great servant of the game and a proud ambassador in his role as President and will be sadly missed by those who knew him."

STANDFORD WINS VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CLASSIC

Angela Stanford, in her 20th year on the LPGA Tour, shot the round of the day to win by two shots at the Volunteers of America Classic on Sunday.

American veteran Angela Stanford captured her seventh LPGA Tour title with a two-stroke victory at the LPGA Volunteers of America Classic in her home state of Texas.

The 43-year-old Texan began the final round one shot behind the leaders, but carded seven birdies in a four-under-par 67 to finish on -7 and pick-up her first LPGA title since her major win at the Evian Championship in 2018.

Stanford is the first player at or over the age of 40 to win on the LPGA Tour since America's Cristie Kerr at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia in 2017 and Scotland's Catriona Matthew at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in 2011.

Major winners, South Korea's Inbee Park and Ryu So-yeon, who had tied for the overnight lead with the American rookie Yealimi Noh, had to settle for a share of second on -5 after all three players shot a one-under-par final round of 70.

World number one, South Korea's Ko Jin-young, who started the day one behind the leaders with Stanford, got herself briefly into a share for second after two birdies, but a double bogey at the par-four 14th halted her challenge and she finished alone in fifth on -4.

England's Charley Hull eagled the 17th to finish with a level-par 71 and tie for sixth place with Sweden's Anna Nordqvist on -3.

After her win Stanford said:

"It’s pretty cool since my parents have never seen my win in person. “It was fun to have my dad walking around the whole time and then mom at the end. I know there are going to be a lot of people giving me grief because I did it during a COVID year and nobody could come out. But to have my parents here, that was a pretty big deal."

Stanford, also revealed she had been working hard with coach Todd Kolb on her short game, one of her key assets during the week.

"After the Evian, it would have been easy to be satisfied and I think I was for a little bit," she added. "But then there's just something about bad golf. I don't like bad golf."

"So I really kind of went to work with my instructor, Todd, up in South Dakota and it was always my short game. My short game's always kind of held me back. I told him I would commit to it if he would commit to help me a certain way."

"So it was fun to win around here because I've struggled here because of my short game."

The US Women's Open starts in Houston on Thursday, with the season-ending Tour Championship the following week in Florida.

THREE WAY TIE AT VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CLASSIC

The Volunteers of America Classic is set for thrilling climax in Texas with a three-way tie between Inbee Park, Ryu So-yeon and Yealimi Noh.

South Korea's Inbee Park and Ryu So-yeon are in a three-way share of the lead with American teenager Yealimi Noh at the top of the leaderboard, on -4, as they head into the final round of the Volunteers of America Classic.

Ryu, a two-time major champion, shot a six-under-par round to move level with 19-year-old Noh, a joint overnight leader, and world number five Park, who has five majors under her belt and is chasing her 20th career LPGA title.

England's Charley Hull is just one shot behind the leaders after 54 holes as she looks to emulate her compatriots Georgia Hall and Mel Reid in winning on the LPGA Tour this season.

Hull made light of the conditions, after a two-hour delay for frost, carding a three-under-par 68, which lifted her to within one shot of the lead and a share of fourth on -3 with world number one, South Korean Jin Young Ko, and American duo Jessica Korda and Angela Stanford.
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Ireland's Leona Maguire shot her best round of the week, a one-under-par 70 to move to +3 and in a tie for 30th.

English duo Mel Reid and Jodie Euart Shadoff both shot a level par third round of 71 to tie for 44th with a group of ten on +5, while Northern Ireland's Stephanie Meadow shot a three-over 74 to tie for 68th on +9.

The event is the final LPGA tournament before next week's US Women's Open in Houston.

EMILY PEDERSEN WINS THE LET BREAK PAR CHALLENGE

Race del Costa De Sol winner, Emily Pedersen, has won another European title to add her collection, the 2020 'LET Break Par Challenge'.

Denmark's Emily Pedersen has added to her remarkable haul of European titles with victory in the inaugural 'LET Break Par Challenge', sponsored by Golf Saudi, and with it a cheque for €5,000 to donate to a charity close to her heart, the ‘Pink Cup Breast Cancer Foundation’.

The big-hitting Dane has been in sizzling form all year, winning an impressive five LET titles, four individual and one team, while breaking par no less than 171 times in 42 rounds. As part of that tally, she shot an astonishing 13 eagles, more than double her nearest challenger. With 5 points for a eagle and 1 point for a birdie, the 24-year-old amassed an massive total of 223 points, 54 points ahead of the runner-up, Belgium's Manon de Roey.

Not even an albatross, which is worth 25 points, from Manon de Roey or a hole-in-one, which is worth 10 points, from four other players could stop the 24-year-old. As a result of her victory, Pedersen will donate €5,000 to the ‘Pink Cup Breast Cancer Foundation’, for which she is an ambassador.

Speaking about her win, Pedersen said:

"I’m delighted to have won this challenge. It has been exciting for me to try and make birdies and eagles to win points throughout the season and I am proud to be able to make positive change for the ‘Pink Cup Breast Cancer Foundation’ as a result of my play. It is always fun to shoot under par but having this new challenge to think about and seeing the leaderboard each week has been something I have had my eye on and I am extremely pleased to win the award and donate money to them."

Alexandra Armas, Ladies European Tour, CEO, said:

"We launched the LET Break Par Challenge as a fun way to highlight the exceptional skill and talent that our Tour has to offer. Emily is a worthy winner of the first edition and has played some magnificent golf, making eagles and birdies when they mattered the most. Golf Saudi have been terrific supporters of the LET this year and our partnership with them on this challenge highlights their commitments to showcasing the women’s game on the global stage."

The top GB&I player in the 2020 'LET Break Par Challenge' was Scotland's Kylie Henry, who finished in fourth place with 5 eagles and 123 birdies from 37 rounds. Her tally of 5 eagles was only surpassed by Pedersen.

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU WINS LET ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Stephanie Kyriacou has topped off an extraordinary first season on the Ladies European Tour by winning the 2020 ‘LET Rookie of the Year’ title.

Australia’s Stephanie Kyriacou has claimed this year's prestigious 'LET Rookie of the Year’ title. The accolade completes a superb debut year as a professional for Kyriacou, who won the title by 92 points from England's Alice Hewson.

Kyriacou's remarkable year started in February when the teenager made an extraordinary breakthrough victory as a amateur at the Australian Ladies Classic Bonville, destroying the field of top pros to win by eight shots. Turning professional the following week, she joined the Ladies European Tour only to find, after one event, her new career was put on hold for almost six months because of coronavirus.

In August, with her dad in tow, the 19-year-old headed headed to Scotland, as the LET season restarted with the Scottish Open and AIG Women’s Open at Royal Troon, only for the pair to end up stranded in Europe. Twice, their precious return flights to Australia were cancelled amid the global crisis. As Kyriacou explained:

"So, basically, we came for two events in Scotland over a fortnight and ended up flying all over Europe and the Middle East, playing eight tournaments in five countries over three-and-a-half months in the middle of a pandemic because we couldn’t get home."

For dad Nick, a keen club golfer, it was doubly challenging, having to run his building and property business in Australia from thousands of miles away while doubling as Steph’s factotum, manager, roommate and caddie.

Despite all those challenges and the fact that her breakthrough win did not count towards the title race, it did not stop the youngster proving herself to be the best new talent on the LET.

In what would turn out to be a three-and-a-half month roller coaster of a trip, she played in her first major championship, shot a course record, recorded five top ten finishes in eight starts, finished third in the 2020 LET Race to Costa Del Sol and pocketed a cool €84,272.43 in prize money.

As a result of her remarkable efforts, she becomes the third Australian to win the ‘LET Rookie of the Year’ title and joins an illustrious group, which includes major winners Laura Davies, Annika Sorenstam, Suzann Pettersen, Anna Nordqvist and the 2020 Race to Costa del Sol winner Emily Pedersen.

Commenting on her achievement, Kyriacou said:

"It was one of my goals at the beginning of the year so I am glad that I could tick this one off the list. There are some big names on the trophy and one of my friends has been updating me every week on my progress and as the season went on, I started to think I had a good chance."

"When I was playing amateur events, I thought I was ready but then I was so nervous in the first few events as a professional. Once I had made a few mates on tour though, I started to feel more comfortable. People think I look calm out there, but I am feeling the nerves just as much as anyone. I am so happy to win this title."

Alexandra Armas, Ladies European Tour CEO, said:

"Stephanie burst on to the scene as an amateur back in February with a win at the Australian Ladies Classic in Bonville and has shown tremendous resilience in her first year as a professional. She has taken quickly to life on tour and kept us entertained with her exciting play on the course and easy-going attitude off it. She should be incredibly proud of her achievement and we look forward to watching her progress in the coming years."

As there is no 2020 LET Qualifying School and a category freeze across the board on the LET, the Australian star will still be a 'rookie' in 2021, giving her a chance to become the first-ever two-time ‘LET Rookie of the year’.

EMILY PEDERSON IS RACE TO COSTA DEL SOL CHAMPION

'The great Dane' Emily Pedersen has dominated the Ladies European Tour this season to win the 2020 'Race to Costa del Sol' title in style.

Denmark’s Emily Pedersen signed-off on her impressive Ladies European Tour season with a victory at the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open De Espana and her third LET title in a row to win the 2020 'Race to Costa del Sol' by a huge 834-point margin.

The 24-year-old Dane has been in unstoppable form all year. She recorded a remarkable seven top ten finishes from 12 starts, won four LET individual titles, shot a career-best 11th place in a major at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Troon, pocketed €415,000 in prize money and finished with more than triple the points of her nearest challenger, Sweden's Julia Engstrom.

Pedersen is only the second player to win three LET titles in a row, after France's Marie-Laure de Lorenzi in 1988, and only the second Danish golfer to top the money list on any major international tour, emulating six-time LET winner Iben Tinning, who won the LET Order of Merit in 2005.

It's been a remarkable turn-around for Pedersen, who has recently been struggling to make cuts and had slumped as low as 540 in the Rolex World Rankings last year. As a result of her latest triumphs, she has catapulted into the top 100 for the first time in her career and sits on top of the European Solheim Cup standings.

Reflecting on her increadible season, Pederson said:

"I can’t believe I’ve won the Race to Costa del Sol, it’s always been a dream of mine and I am so happy to not only be playing well this year but to win a few trophies too. There were times when I thought that I wouldn’t get back to my best but working with my team we have focused really hard on not just reaching the same level of where I was but going past it. The last few months have been amazing."

"I’m proud to be flying the flag for Danish golf and I’ve had so many nice messages from not just players on the LET but the men’s European Tour too. I enjoyed myself on the golf course this year and winning the Race to Costa del Sol will give me lots of confidence for 2021 as I set my sights on being part of Team Europe for the Solheim Cup and maybe even the Olympics."

FOUR SCOTS IN GB&I VAGLIANO AND CURTIS CUP SQUAD

The R&A has named its Great Britain and Ireland squads for next year's Walker Cup, Curtis Cup and Vagliano Trophy.

The R&A has selected two squads of Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) players ahead of next year’s Walker Cup and Curtis Cup matches against the USA and the Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe.

The 48th Walker Cup will be played at Seminole Golf Club in Florida from 8-9 May 2021 and the Vagliano Trophy will be played along with the Junior Vagliano Trophy at Lausanne Golf Club in Switzerland from 25-26 June 2021. Meanwhile, the rearranged 41st Curtis Cup will be played at Conwy Golf Club in Wales from 26-28 August 2021, after the match was postponed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the Vagliano Trophy the GB&I team is looking for its first win against the Continent of Europe since 2005. While in the Curtis Cup GB&I will be aiming to extend the team's unbeaten home run to three in a row at Conwy, having won the match at Nairn in 2012 and Dun Laoghaire in 2016.

Four Scots are included in the GB&I Vagliano Trophy and Curtis Cup squad. 17-year-old Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe), who was a member of the 2019 European Junior Solheim Cup Team at Gleneagles, is the youngest to be selected for the 17-strong squad. She is joined by Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne), one of only four players selected from the 2018 GB&I Curtis Cup team, Chloe Goadby (St Regulus) and Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon).

Elaine Ratcliffe, the GB&I captain, said:

"We have been able to bring in a number of new players into the squad alongside those who were selected last year and are now looking forward to working with the group as we prepare for the Vagliano Trophy and Curtis Cup. We have a good blend of youth and experience in the squad but there is still time for other players to make their case for inclusion in the final teams selected. I know the girls will relish the opportunity to compete and try to win the two matches."

GB&I Vagliano Trophy and Curtis Cup squad:

Hannah Darling (17, Broomieknowe, Scotland)
Shannon McWilliam (21, Aboyne, Scotland)
Annabell Fuller (18, Roehampton, England)
Olivia Mehaffey (23, Royal County Down Ladies, Ireland)
Chloe Goadby (23, St Regulus, Scotland)
Emily Price (21, Ludlow, England)
Paula Grant (27, Lisburn, Ireland)
Euphemie Rhodes (18, Burnham and Berrow, England)
Charlotte Heath (19, Huddersfield, England)
Emily Toy (23, Carlyon Bay, England)
Lily May Humphreys (18, Stoke by Nayland, England)
Lauren Walsh (20, Castlewarden, Ireland)
Hazel MacGarvie (21, Royal Troon, Scotland)
Isobel Wardle (20, Prestbury, England)
Julie McCarthy (21, Forrest Little, Ireland)
Annabel Wilson (19, Lurgan, Ireland)
Caley McGinty (20, Knowle, England)

In the Walker Cup, the United States of America halted a run of home wins after an outstanding performance in the afternoon singles of the second day at Hoylake last September, and so, GB&I will be looking to replicate that success and win away from home for the first time since 2001.

World No 8, Nairn's Sandy Scot, who played for GB&I at Royal Liverpool, is the sole Scottish player to be named in the 15-strong Walker Cup squad.

You can read the full statement published by The R&A and also see the full list of players selected for the GB&I Walker Cup squad at:
https://www.randa.org/News/2020

SCOTTISH GOLF APP - CHECK YOUR COURSE HANDICAP

Did you know that you can now use the Scottish Golf App to check what your Course Handicap will be at any golf course in Scotland?

Scottish Golf has added a new Course Look Up feature to its Scottish Golf App. Providing you are a member of a Scottish Golf Club and have a current Scottish Golf CDH ID number, you can use it to check your Course Handicap for any golf course with a current course and slope rating in Scotland.

All you need to do is click on the blue 'Course Lookup' button at the top of your Scottish Golf App 'Home' screen and use the search function to find the course you want to play. You will then be able to see what the par, course rating and slope rating is for each set of the tees on that course, whether they are rated for men and/or women and what your Course Handicap will be.

A Course Handicap is the number of strokes a player receives, before handicap allowances, from a specific set of tees as determined by the Slope Rating. This is the handicap you will put on your score card.

A Handicap Allowance is the percentage of a Course Handicap that is recommended to create equity for all players participating in a specific format of play. It is used to convert a player's Course Handicap to a Playing Handicap when a player is playing in competitions. It ensures that all players can enjoy a fair and equal game when playing with or against one another.

You can find out more and/or download the Scottish Golf App at:
https://scottishgolf.org/scottish-golf-app/

SCOTTISH GOLF APP - SUBMIT A GENERAL PLAY SCORE

Did you know that you can submit a score for your handicap at any time using the General Play function on the Scottish Golf App?

One of the key changes of the new World Handicap System (WHS) is the option to submit scores under General Play.

Under the WHS you can submit a General Play score to count towards your Handicap Index at any time, providing it is played for over a measured course. It means you don’t have to wait for the next medal day at your golf club or for an open competition in order to improve your handicap.

In order to submit a General Play score, you must:

• Register for your General Play score before you tee-off
• Play with at least one other person.
• Play on a course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating.
• Ensure the round is in accordance with Rules of Handicapping.
• Follow the Rules of Golf.
• Play during an active season (all-year-round in GB&I).

Providing you are a member of a Scottish golf club and you have a current Scottish Golf CDH ID number, one of simplest ways to register and submit a General Play score is to download the Scottish Golf App and follow the step-by-step video above.

You can find out more and/or download the Scottish Golf App at:
https://scottishgolf.org/scottish-golf-app/