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Considered to be the unofficial fifth major by golfers and spectators alike, the 2015 RBC Canadian Open brought the hype and the drama as advertised.
The third oldest national championship tournament in history, behind the British and the US Opens, this year’s Canadian Open saw many of the biggest names in golf in contention, leading up to one of the most exciting finishes on the tour so far this season.
Jason Day shot a four-under 68 in the final round at Glen Abbey to take home the trophy as Canada’s National Champion. The Australian birdied his final three holes, including a 21-foot clutch putt on the 72nd-hole to seal a two shot lead before American Bubba Watson cut the lead with a birdie of his own.
Jason Day. That’s as clutch as it gets. #QuickHits http://t.co/sig4O6LV7K
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 26, 2015
Coming off the British Open, where Day missed out on the 3-way playoff to decide the Claret Jug by just one stroke after missing a makeable birdie putt on the final hole, this Canadian Open marked a good bounce-back for him. With this win, Day records his ninth professional victory and 4th career PGA win following his last win at the Farmers Insurance Open in February, and had a little fun with the trophy presenters afterwards.
Watson ended his sixth Canadian Open appearance in sole possession of second, one shot behind Day and finishing his final round with five birdies in the last six holes.
16 Canadians were in the field this weekend, four finished on Sunday, but one name stood above the rest. Brampton, Ontario’s David Hearn came into the final round with a one shot lead, looking to become the first Canadian to win his country’s tournament since Pat Fletcher in 1954. After sinking birdies on nos. 1 and 2, Hearn followed with bogeys on nos. 3 and 7. He would finish as the low Canadian and in third place overall behind Day and Watson with a score of 15-under; this was his fourth top 10 finish this season.
Vancouver’s Adam Hadwin finished in a tie-for-seventh, five shots back of the winning number, shooting a final round of 68.
Canada’s current top golfer Graham DeLaet withdrew after four holes into his second round. The 33-year old jammed his left thumb during Thursday’s opening round and was unable to recover quickly to finish his country’s national championship.
You did us proud @HearnDavid! Great playing bud! — Graham DeLaet (@GrahamDeLaet) July 26, 2015
The PGA Tour will now make its way to the Greater Washington, D.C. Area for the Quicken Loans National. Round One coverage begins Thursday July 30th.