Leader Wilson has friend in Weir

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This article was published 25/07/2010 (5850 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO — Dean Wilson might never have made it into the RBC Canadian Open — let alone to the top of the leaderboard — if not for some Canadian hospitality.

The week began with him on the list of alternates for the third oldest national championship in golf. He might have stayed there had former college roommate Mike Weir not mentioned to organizers that Wilson could use a spot in the event.

Exemption

A late sponsor’s exemption arrived Monday courtesy of tournament director Bill Paul.

"I’m pretty sure (Weir) had a big hand in it," Wilson said Saturday after breaking free from a crowded leaderboard. "When they’re going to hand out sponsor exemptions and they’ve got a chance of giving it to a John Daly or a Dean Wilson, they’re going to lean towards John Daly.

"I’m just fortunate to be in (the tournament)."

The 40-year-old has been the most consistent player at St. George’s Golf and Country Club, shooting three straight 65’s to open up a four-shot lead over Carl Pettersson (60), Bob Estes (66) and Tim Clark (68). Four other players were in a group another stroke back.

It’s the first time Wilson has ever held the 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour. He’s experienced plenty of struggles in recent years and doesn’t hold full-time playing privileges — a humbling experience for a veteran who won the 2006 International and six professional events in Japan.

"I’m a little more appreciative of getting in tournaments and playing and being out here," said Wilson. "That time away makes you think about what you don’t have. And sometimes when you’re playing tournament after tournament after tournament and things aren’t going your way, (you think) ‘I’ve got next week.’

"You know, I don’t have next week."

No one had more fun on Saturday than Pettersson, who was in the third group off the tee and flirted with golf’s magic number before the rain started to fall. Clark and a couple other players came out to the 18th green to watch as the Swede narrowly missed a 30-foot putt that would have made him the fifth man in PGA Tour history to shoot 59.

Afterwards, Pettersson had a little trouble recounting exactly where he picked up all of his shots.

"You sort of get in your own little zone and just keep going," he said. "You don’t really want to think about it because then your mind works against you. I just try to blank everything out.

"In the moment, it’s just kind of a blur."

His 60 is the lowest score ever shot in one round at the 101-year-old event and established a new course record at St. George’s. Six players in Canadian Open history have signed for a 62.

Pettersson felt like he was on borrowed time simply by getting the chance to play here on the weekend.

"I thought I was going to miss the cut yesterday," he said. "We got finished with the round and it was right on borderline."

— The Canadian Press