Golf Manitoba, in association with Golf Canada, wishes to extend a warm welcome to the Deloraine Golf Club, our newest member club!

Located in southwestern Manitoba, this nine hole course is one of Manitoba’s hidden treasures.

The Deloraine Golf Club offers an array of challenges for every age and ability. Golfers can choose between three sets of tees, ranging from a family friendly 5,720 yards to a more challenging 6,390 yards.  Another option for golfers is a new tee box on the sixth hole giving golfers a different approach to the green.

Jay Sunaert, President of the Deloraine Golf Club, is eager to let you know junior players 12 years of age and under golf for free when accompanied by an adult.

Available to all types of corporate and group tournaments, the fully licensed restaurant is sure to please every type of palate with an abundance of choices.

As an official Golf Manitoba/Canada member club, all games played at the Deloraine Golf Club are acceptable for handicap purposes and may be recorded toward establishing or maintaining an official Golf Canada Handicap Index.

For tee times and more information about the Deloraine Golf Club call (204) 747-2411 or visit them on Facebook and Instagram (golfdeloraine).

The 2021 Golf Manitoba championship season is now set with a full schedule of events slated to begin with the Match Play Championship Qualifier on May 29 at the Grand Pines Golf Club.  Read below to learn more about our health and safety protocols as well what is new for 2021.

HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS

As with this past championship season, the health and safety of all involved will continue to be of paramount importance as COVID-19 protocols continue to adjust. Enhanced healthy and safety procedures for our championships will include the following:

• Competitors and Golf Manitoba volunteers and staff are required to wear masks at both the starting and scoring tables
• Flags will remain in the hole at all times
• Physical distancing will be required at all times during play
• Touchless scoring

The safety of our member clubs, players, volunteers, and staff is our top priority and Golf Manitoba will continue to monitor the situation and adjust the season and our health and safety protocols accordingly.

CHAMPIONSHIP REGISTRATION

Starting in 2021, Golf Manitoba, along with Golf Canada and the other provincial associations, will use Golf Genius for its Tournament Management Software. Any previous login information related to BlueGolf will no longer be valid.

In order to be eligible to compete in Golf Manitoba competitions, players must be an active Golf Manitoba/Canada member through a member golf club or the Golf Manitoba Public Player Program, and must also hold an up-to-date Golf Canada Handicap Index visible on the Golf Canada Score Centre at the time of online registration.

If you do not have a Golf Manitoba/Canada membership you can click HERE to learn more and register.

Golf Genius

The 2021 registration process is easier, less time consuming and accessible through Golf Canada’s Score Centre. To enter all Golf Manitoba events, you must first log into your Golf Canada Score Centre profile using a web browser, please note that you will not be able to log-in through the Golf Canada app.  Registration for all events opens April 15th at 10:00 am so please ensure the following is updated in your Golf Canada Score Centre profile:

• Date of birth
• Address
• City, province and postal code
• Cell number
• Email address
• Current handicap index

To enter an event through your Golf Canada Score Centre account using a web browser, please select the competitions tab found under the user menu. Please see image:

If you have any questions regarding registration, please do not hesitate to contact Amy at amy@golfmb.ca.

You can view our 2021 championship schedule HERE.

2021 MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

The Match Play Championship will see a new schedule in 2021 in an effort to streamline the event.  The new calendar for the event is as follows:

• May 29 – Championship qualifying for all competitors (18-holes)
• June 3 – Round of 32 men (afternoon tee times)
• June 4 – Round of 16 for men, women and senior men (afternoon tee times)
• June 5 – Round of 8 for men, women and senior men (afternoon tee times)
• June 6 – Semi-finals (morning tee times), Finals (18-holes afternoon tee times)

All competitors will pay a Qualifying Fee.  Those who successfully qualify will then pay a Championship Fee to continue on in the event.  The event fee schedule is as follows:

Amateur Men:

• Qualifying Fee: $110

• Championship Fee: $95

Amateur Women & Senior Men:

• Qualifying Fee: $90
• Championship Fee: $75

All Match Play entry fees include GST.

SAFE SPORT

All golfers deserve to participate and compete in an environment free from bullying, abuse, harassment or discrimination, regardless of gender identity or expression, race, religion, language, age and ability. Golf Manitoba is aligned with Golf Canada and Respect Group in committing to fostering a safe sport environment for golf.

• All players 18 and under must have at least one (1) parent complete the Respect In Sport Parent Program no later than the deadline of the tournament they wish to enter.  Events include the Match Play Championship, Bantam Championship and the Provincial Junior Championship.
• If the program is not completed by the deadline the player will not be able to complete the registration process.
• The program only needs to be completed once for the 2021 season.

Program access instructions are below:

• Parent Program (2021) – https://smbparent.respectgroupinc.com/
• For parents of 18 years of age and under
• If you have already taken this particular program you may look up your certification # on the above page.

2021 PROVINCIAL JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Due to the generous support of the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation, entry into 2021 Golf Manitoba Junior Championships will be subsidized by 50% making them the lowest fees for provincial junior golf championships in Canada.  The fee schedule is as follows:

Junior Bantam Championships:

• Regular entry of $150 subsidized to $75

Junior Provincial Championships:

• U12 Regular entry of $150 subsidized to $75

• 13 and over Regular entry of $200 subsidized to $100

Golf Manitoba conducts championships in all age categories for both male and female golfers at member clubs across the province. Some events provide an opportunity for Manitoba’s best golfers to test their skills against each other; others are focused more on ensuring that all golfers have an opportunity to compete at a level with which they are comfortable. Golf Manitoba championships attract over 700 participants annually with over 1,600 rounds played.

For more information about our 2021 championship season, please contact Lisa Andersen, Director of Competitions, at lisa@golfmb.ca.

Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk announced today that Brian Munz has been named Director of Communications.

A veteran sports broadcaster with 27 years of experience in both radio and television, Munz brings a wealth of media knowledge as we look to grow the Golf Manitoba brand.

“Brian is one of Canada’s most respected broadcast voices for the Winnipeg Jets and Hockey Canada’s Championship games on TSN television and radio. His passion for story telling and creating compelling content is something we are excited to add to our Golf Manitoba platforms” said Ladobruk.

• Website: www.golfmb.ca
• Twitter: @golf_manitoba
• Instagram: golfmanitoba
• Facebook: Golf Manitoba

As Director of Communications, Munz will assist provincial and national media in the promotion of Golf Manitoba member clubs, competitors and volunteers.

“I have been so fortunate to live a childhood dream broadcasting AHL and NHL hockey in Winnipeg. As much as I love hockey, golf has been a passion since I was a young guy going to the course with my dad. This is an incredible opportunity to promote our province’s great golf courses and share the stories of those who love the game as much as I do” said Munz. “Being a member of the media, I know how hard it is to manage all the sports stories fans want to hear. I’m here for Golf Manitoba to be on the radar daily”.

Prior to his time in Winnipeg, Munz’s broadcast career included stints in Edmonton, Alberta, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Melfort, Saskatchewan and Duncan, British Columbia. In 2014, he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Hall of Fame.

About Golf Manitoba

Golf Manitoba is recognized by Sport Manitoba as the Provincial Sport Organization and governing body of amateur for golf in the province. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf in Manitoba and North West Ontario for the benefit of all participants.

For more information:

Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
jared@golfmb.ca
204.925.5729

Bridges Golf Course

• Starbuck, MB
• Opening April 9 (weather dependent)
• $59 Spring Rate (riding)
• To book, call 204-735-3000 ext. 1
• bridgesgolfcourse.com

Dauphin Lake Golf Club

• Dauphin, MB
• April 19, 2021 (tentative)
• Start up rates 18 Holes – $30.00 9 Holes $20.00 (in effect until April 30)
• To book call 204-638-7269 or golfdauphinlake.com

La Broquerie Golf Course

• La Broquerie, MB
• Opening April 2nd with spring rate specials
• To book call 1.888.424.5046 or at labgolf.com

Larters at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club

• St. Andrews, MB
• Opening April 2nd with spring rate specials
• To book call 204.334.2107 ext. 1 or at larters.com

Hecla Golf Course

• Located in Riverton, MB
• Opening May 13
• To book call 204.279.2072 or visit the course website

Souris and Glenwood Golf Course 

• Souris, MB
• Opening April 9th depending upon the weather
• Earliest opening ever, come and enjoy the 40 year anniversary of the course
• To book call 204 483 2956

Canadians needing a social outlet and a sense of recreational normalcy during the uncertainty of the pandemic in 2020 turned to golf in a major way. Now Golf Canada, with the support of industry partners, will build on the excitement, increased interest, and elevated levels of play with a national golfer retention campaign to welcome new and returning players back to the golf course in 2021.

The campaign – GOLF IS CALLING – is a Canada-wide marketing initiative to speak to new, younger golfers as well as the community of avid players, each uniquely drawn to the game whether it be for exercise, the social experience or the challenge of the sport.

Read more >>

Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce that the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation has again committed to support junior golf programming and the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame in 2021.  The Foundation has agreed to make a $86,000 donation with the proceeds to benefit both grassroots and high-performance junior golf programs, the University of Manitoba Bison Golf program and the annual induction ceremony conducted by the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum.

Approximately 60% of the donation will go to support grow-sport programs including Golf in Schools, Mobile Clinics, provincial junior team travel assistance, external junior programs as well to support Golf Manitoba member clubs with junior program grants.  Also for 2021, proceeds from the donation will subsidize entry fees for all participants who compete in Golf Manitoba junior championships.

“With this contribution, we have been able to reduce our entry fees into our junior championships by 50% making our championships the most affordable in the country,” said Ken Warwick, President of Golf Manitoba. “By subsidizing our fees, we hope to see an uptake in participation as our competitions now become more affordable for Manitoba families.  This is directly aligned with the vision that Mrs. Colonello had when establishing the Foundation and that was to assist in making golf more accessible for young people.”

The Golf Manitoba Golf in Schools program will also benefit from this year’s contribution by allowing the program to extend its reach beyond the traditional months of May and June.  Starting in the fall of 2021, Golf in Schools will be delivered from September through to the end of June with instruction moving indoors during the winter months.  The expanded reach of the Golf in Schools program will further introduce the sport of golf to young people in Manitoba.

Proceeds from the donation will also provide support to the Golf Manitoba Junior Development Team program.  The Junior Development Team program identifies both female and male junior golfers who are on the competitive pathway and provides training and resources to help them achieve success both on and off the golf course.

The Junior Girl’s Development Team will be lead by PGA of Canada professional Bri-ann Tokariwski and the Junior Boy’s Team by PGA of Canada professional Derrik Goodwin. With a focus on the team’s vision, mission, and values aimed at inspiring excellence, both Tokariwski and Goodwin will work to help team members grow as golfers while also instilling habits that will lead to success throughout life. The 9-month program includes winter team training at the Golf Dome, club competition in the Nassau and Mundie Putter leagues, spring and summer training camps, weekly practices, strength and fitness coaching, nutrition, and sports psychology and coaching observation and support at regional, provincial and national level championships.

Proceeds from this year’s donation will also be directed to support the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame which recognizes and celebrates those who have made extraordinary contributions in the Manitoba golf community as well as nationally and internationally. A goal of the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame is to make known the achievements of its Honoured Members and Teams to serve as inspiration to future generations which is consistent with the goals of the Alex and Peggy Colonello Foundation to support junior golf. The 2021 induction ceremony is scheduled to be held in late September.

The donation from the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation will again be made through the Manitoba Fund within the Golf Canada Foundation, a fund dedicated to providing development opportunities for juniors in the province of Manitoba. For more information about the Manitoba Fund and how your contribution can help to grow the sport of golf in the province, please contact Jared Ladobruk, Executive Director for Golf Manitoba at jared@golfmb.ca or at 204.925.5729.

About the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation: In 2018 at the age of 94, Peggy Colonello established the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation with a mandate to support junior golf in Manitoba. To support that endeavor, Mrs. Colonello created an endowment of $3 million dollars that will aid in the development of junior golfers through grassroots golf initiatives and high-performance programming. Since 2019, the Foundation has committed $120,000 to junior golf programs including the Golf in Schools initiative, provincial junior women’s and junior men’s team development, the University of Manitoba Bisons women’s and men’s golf programs and supporting the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame.

About Golf Manitoba: Golf Manitoba is recognized by Sport Manitoba as the Provincial Sport Organization and governing body of amateur for golf in the province. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf in Manitoba and North West Ontario for the benefit of all participants.

About Golf Canada Foundation:  Founded in 1979 with the purpose to raise and grant funds for the advancement of golf in Canada. As a registered Canadian Amateur Association, the Foundation delivers this mandate by awarding scholarships to Canadian student golfers and distributing grants to support initiatives that fall into five key areas:

• Junior Golf
• Collegiate Golf
• Women’s Golf
• High Performance Golf
• Heritage

In 2020, the Foundation granted $1.16 million to programs nationwide which brings our total to more than $10 million since 2012, and $11.46 million invested in the sport since the Foundation’s inception.

For more information:
Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204.925.5729
jared@golfmb.ca

The unseasonably warm weather has many golfers chomping at the bit to get the season started.  As some courses set to open in March here in Manitoba, there are still a few weeks to wait before you can officially post scores toward maintaining and establishing your Golf Canada Handicap Index with the official score posting season in Manitoba to open from April 15 to October 31. More on that later.

What is a Handicap Index?

A Handicap Index provides you with a portable measure of your playing ability that’s consistent with how golfers are measured world-wide and is always expressed as a number taken to one decimal place (e.g. 21.3). This number is used to calculate how many strokes you would potentially need to adjust your score back to par, and allows golfers of all skill levels to compete equitably regardless of ability or gender. For example, if you have a Handicap Index of 21.3, it means you generally shoot about 21 strokes above par on an average golf course. Under the World Handicap System, a golfer can use their Handicap Index on any golf course around the world.

However, your actual number of strokes will vary depending on the par and rating of the course and set of tees that you play, otherwise known as the Course Handicap. Once you know the Course Handicap for the course and set of tees you’re playing, you can take your gross score (what you actually shot) and subtract the Course Handicap to get your net score. Using the example above of 21.3, a Handicap Index of 21.3 equates to a Course Handicap of 23 when playing the blue tees at Neepawa Golf & Country Club, host of this year’s Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship (we’ll go over how to determine the Course Handicap in the next section). If you shoot a gross score of 94, you would subtract 23 strokes from this number to give you a net score of 71.

How do I determine my Course Handicap?

Now that you have a Handicap Index, you must convert that to a Course Handicap for the course and tees you are about to play. The easiest way to determine your Course Handicap is to use the Golf Canada app. The Golf Canada app has a handy Course Handicap calculator tool (or you can use the Golf Canada Score Centre on your desktop computer) where you can easily find your Course Handicap.  The app will automatically calculate your Course Handicap when you select the Course Handicap feature under the course you are about to play on (see image right).  The Calculator will show your Course Handicap based on all tees available. To download the free app, please click

HERE.

I have my Course Handicap, now what?

If you’re just playing a normal round of golf, it’s usually enough to just know your final net score. However, there are times when you’ll need to know exactly on which holes to allocate your strokes, such as match play, stableford, or even just playing for skins with your friends. Also, when playing in a handicapped tournament or event, you may see dots on different holes on your scorecard. Each dot represents how many extra strokes you are allocated on specific holes.

How do I apply the adjusted strokes?

Each hole on the course is given a number based on the difficulty, with 1 being the most difficult hole and 18 being the easiest. For each hole with a number less than or equal to your Course Handicap, you will subtract a stroke from your gross score for that hole. For example, if you score a 5 on a hole numbered 1-13, your net score will be 4. If your Course Handicap is greater than 18, you’ll subtract 1 stroke for every hole, then continue to subtract additional strokes restarting with 1 until you reach your Course Handicap. For example, a Course Handicap of 20 would subtract 2 strokes on holes rated 1 and 2, and 1 stroke on every other hole. You can always find the rating for each hole on the course scorecard.

Why do I need a Handicap Index?

By playing with a Handicap Index, you can compete with golfers of any golfer regardless of ability or gender. By using a Handicap Index, you can also compete against your own potential scoring ability instead of other golfer’s scores. Sticking with the example from the first section, let’s say you shoot a gross score of 94 with a Course Handicap of 23, and your friend shoots 86 with a Course Handicap of 14. Even though your friend shot a lower gross score (which, based on the handicap differences, they will almost every time), your net score is lower (71 vs. 72).  An official Golf Canada Handicap Index is also required to be eligible to compete in many club level events, charity or corporate events, and also all Golf Manitoba provincial and Golf Canada national championships.

How do I get a Handicap Index?

You can obtain an official Golf Canada Handicap Index in three simple steps:

1. The first is to join a member club of Golf Manitoba/Canada. All member clubs in good standing of Golf Manitoba/Canada are officially rated using the World Handicap System Course Rating System as administered by Golf Canada. All games played at these clubs (and under the Rules of Golf and the Rules of Handicapping) are acceptable for handicap purposes and may be recorded toward establishing or maintaining an official Golf Canada Handicap Index. If you are not a member of an member club, you can still establish a Handicap Index by joining the Golf Manitoba/Canada public player program!  The public player program provides the same level of member benefits that you would receive as a member of a club.  Click HERE to learn more.
2. Step two requires you to post a minimum of three 18-hole scores (or a combination of 18-hole and 9-hole scores) at any registered Golf Manitoba/Canada member club that has an official course and slope rating under the World Handicap System.
3. Upon conclusion of posting your third 18-hole game, you will receive a Golf Canada Handicap Index the next day!

When can I post scores?

The World Handicap System stipulates every player is responsible for returning all acceptable scores into one’s scoring record from rounds played on courses observing their active season, which is part of the golf season when courses have acceptable playing conditions. As mentioned earlier, the active score posting season in Manitoba is always from April 15 to October 31. Click HERE to view the active seasons across the country.

Scores made at any golf course observing an inactive season are not acceptable for handicap purposes. The rationale behind this is that posting scores during inactive seasons (periods of poor course conditions) could artificially increase a player’s Handicap Index. It’s also important to note that if you are travelling to other countries, you should determine their active seasons to prevent posting unacceptable scores. Your home club needs all acceptable scores from the “off-season” as well to ensure your Handicap Index is accurate once recalculated at the beginning of the season.

Handicapping education

For more information on the Rules of Handicapping under the World Handicap System, please visit our resource page HERE.

Ready to establish your Handicap Index today? Get started HERE.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA AND TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA – Due to logistical challenges related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the PGA TOUR, title sponsor Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Golf Canada announced today that the 2021 RBC Canadian Open, scheduled for June 7-13 at St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Etobicoke, Ontario, has been cancelled.

“Even with an extensive health and safety plan in place, we faced a number of significant logistical challenges that led us to this decision,” said PGA TOUR President Tyler Dennis. “While we are disappointed to cancel Canada’s National Championship, we are thankful to our partners RBC and Golf Canada – along with our Canadian fans — for their unwavering support and cooperation throughout this process. We look forward to the RBC Canadian Open returning to our schedule next year.”

The RBC Canadian Open had put together a comprehensive health operation protocol with consultation and direction from local, provincial, and federal government and health officials, and was working together with a multitude of partners to navigate the impact of the travel restrictions and quarantine measures currently in effect, given the number of stakeholders required to cross the border for the week of the event. A decision timeline was also established to allow the PGA TOUR a sufficient window to fill the event date.

Tournament organizers will now redirect efforts to the return of the RBC Canadian Open to the PGA TOUR schedule in 2022.

“Together with RBC and the PGA TOUR, we set a decision timeline based on the most up to date travel and quarantine restrictions in effect along with consideration for the TOUR’s ability to pivot and successfully fill a significant date on the schedule,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “It was also important to be respectful partners to the health leaders and government officials who have helped inform our operation protocols and provided great direction on this journey. The timing simply did not align for us and we are deeply disappointed that the celebrated return of the RBC Canadian Open will have to wait another year.”

Since assuming sponsorship of Canada’s National Golf Championship in 2008 and the RBC Heritage in 2012, RBC continues to be a strong advocate for the game, supporting PGA TOUR and LPGA players through Team RBC, and funding youth and amateur golf initiatives in Canada through the Golf Canada Foundation.

“We share in the disappointment with our RBC Canadian Open community over the cancellation of this year’s tournament,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “Persistent challenges and health and safety considerations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including international travel restrictions, quarantine measures and government mandates, presented significant logistical challenges for this year’s tournament. We are immensely proud to be title sponsor of Canada’s National Open Championship, and to promote this great sport. We are more excited than ever to return in 2022 and bring this world-class event to new and existing Canadian golf fans.”

Established in 1904, the RBC Canadian Open — the third-oldest national championship in golf behind The Open Championship and the United States Open — had been previously conducted every year since 1904, with the exception of wartime cancellations from 1915-18 and 1943-44, and as the result of complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The RBC Canadian Open was last played in June 2019 at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Ontario, with Rory McIlroy winning in his debut appearance.

To fill the week left open on the calendar, the PGA TOUR will secure an alternative venue in the United States to host an official FedExCup event for one year only. Details on the replacement event are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Bay Hill was bustling Thursday, just like golf before the pandemic. The fans were limited in numbers but they all wanted the same dose of entertainment provided by Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau.

First it was McIlroy, slowly feeling better about his game, and with good reason. Starting with a 55-foot putt on the par-3 second hole, he ran off five straight birdies for a share of the lead with Canadian Corey Conners in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at 6-under 66.

In the group behind McIlroy was DeChambeau, who has been contemplating a shot across the water to cut the 528-yard sixth hole down to size by going for the green. This was not the day with a slight breeze into his face, so the U.S. Open champion had some fun. He took out an iron, and then hit a conservative tee shot (309 yards) to the middle of the fairway.

It was a boring birdie, his third in a row, and he opened with a 67.

“There was a high expectation level of me trying to go for the green there, and it was a little pressure that I wasn’t expecting,” DeChambeau said. “But no, it was fun. The crowds were great with it. I pulled out an iron as a joke off the tee box. And for me, it was just too much off of the right and more into the wind than anything.”

 

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In the group with DeChambeau was Jordan Spieth, making his debut at Bay Hill, and producing high adventure in a 70 that left him satisfied he remained on track – and irritated hitting off the toe of his driver and into the water on No. 6.

Even having to hit his third from the tee, he salvaged bogey with a 25-foot putt and made a 35-foot birdie on the next hole.

“Definitely proud of the way I responded, but the way I putted today, certainly would have liked a lower number,” Spieth said. “But it all just comes down to one shot for me today.”

Conners, from Listowel, Ont., played in the afternoon and was 6 under through seven holes, capped off by an eagle on the par-5 16th. He took the lead with birdie on the par-5 sixth, but finished with a three-putt bogey from 60 feet to fall into a tie with McIlroy.

Shadow Creek winner Jason Kokrak opened with a 68. Of the 60 players who teed off in the morning, only six broke 70. Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton shot a 77, while past Bay Hill winner Francesco Molinari took a step back from his progress with a 78.

McIlroy wasn’t too happy with his game after missing the cut – a rarity for him these days – at Riviera, then not having ideal practice sessions. He still managed some improvement last week in the World Golf Championship, and saw big even better results Thursday.

Most pleasing was seeing the ball go where and how he wanted it. He made three of his birdies on par 3s, the strength of Bay Hill. What stood out was a pair of 5-irons into the wind on the 14th and 17th holes, both tight draws, flighted the way he wanted to about 15 feet.

“Those shots last week that I was trying to hit were missing the target 20 yards left,” he said. “So it was nice to just see them coming out in the window I was anticipating.”

Canada’s @coreconn is putting on a clinic ??

This was to take the lead @APinv pic.twitter.com/TuOgzp3g4F

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) March 4, 2021

He said it was his best round of the year, and it helps being at Bay Hill, where McIlroy had a victory and no finish worse than a tie for sixth the last four years. He has seen enough of Tiger Woods’ eight victories in the Arnold Palmer Invitational to appreciate how to attack.

“He played it very conservatively. He took care of the par 5s. And that was usually good enough to get the job done,” McIlroy said. “So sort of take a little bit of a leaf out of his book.”

He only made birdie on two of the par 5s, going long on the 16th and having to lay up on the 12th from a fairway bunker.

Through it all, it was the activity outside the ropes at Bay Hill that stood out.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational was the last PGA Tour event that had a full complement of fans, one week before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down golf. The tournament is allowing 25% of capacity – roughly 5,000 fans a day – and when most are watching some of golf’s bigger draws such as McIlroy, DeChambeau and Spieth, it feels even larger.

All were wearing masks, though no one got high marks for social distancing.

“It’s nice to hear some cheers and a little bit of energy from the fans,” Martin Laird said after a 69. “It was fun to play in front of a crowd again.”

Nicky Taylor and Adam Hadwin, both from Abbotsford, B.C., struggled in the first round. Taylor fired a 1-over 73, while Hadwin shot a 7-over 79.