Bogey-less Garrigus sets record
Hits clean round at Canadian Open to best Palmer's Day 3 tourney total
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/07/2012 (5059 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
HAMILTON — Move over, Arnold Palmer. Robert Garrigus is taking up residence in the RBC Canadian Open record book.
Garrigus didn’t just grab the lead at Hamilton Golf and Country Club with his bogey-free 64 on Saturday, he also bettered a mark that stood for nearly half a century at the third-oldest championship in golf.
“Oops,” said Garrigus. “Sorry Arnie.”
His three-round total of 194 was one shot better than what Palmer managed at Weston Golf and Country Club in 1955 and Dean Wilson equalled two years ago at St. George’s.
It also left Garrigus in prime position to claim his second career PGA Tour title. He’ll enter the final round with a one-shot lead over William McGirt (66) and a two-shot advantage on Scott Piercy (67).
“This is what we play for,” said Garrigus, who has made just one bogey all week. “Having a one-shot lead and playing good golf, this is a blast. I’m very blessed to be in this position. I’ve got to go make birdies tomorrow.”
That’s what everyone has been doing at a Hamilton layout made considerably easier by persistent rain. The soft conditions have given players license to take dead aim on the traditional H.S. Colt design.
McGirt shared the overnight lead with Piercy before jumping ahead with three consecutive birdies on the front nine. There wasn’t even the slightest hint he was playing in the final pairing at a PGA Tour event for the first time in his career.
“I handled it pretty well,” McGirt said. “We got out there and just had fun and were laughing and joking all day.”
Garrigus got his third round jump-started at the par-5 fourth hole, where he hit a five-iron from 212 yards to three feet and made eagle. He went on to make four more birdies from there and was willing to risk his health on No. 18 to preserve his spot at the top of the leaderboard.
After hitting his tee shot through the fairway to the edge of a bridge, Garrigus found himself in a hazard and had an official test his uncertain lie. He then calmly pulled out a pitching wedge from 145 yards and managed to advance the ball to the edge of the green and make par.
“If I hit it a millimetre fat, I’d break my wrist,” said Garrigus. “I was really scared to do that. I clipped the ball probably about an eighth of an inch underneath… “
Smiles were hard to find from the remaining Canadians in the field as none has been able to take advantage of the favourable conditions. David Hearn (72) of Brantford, Ont., and Graham DeLaet (70) of Weyburn, Sask., were tied for low Canadian honours after three rounds — 14 shots behind Garrigus.
— The Canadian Press
