Hearn feels ‘close’ to PGA winner’s circle

Canada’s David Hearn came achingly close to his first PGA Tour victory last season.

He’s had three top-10 results this season and feels ready to put it all together and finally hoist a trophy at the top level.

“I feel really close,” Hearn said Wednesday. “I got really close last year at the John Deere (Classic) just before the Canadian Open. I’m a little bit surprised it’s taken me quite as long to get back into contention.

“But I feel like everything is right where it needs to be to have a week where I know I could put it all together. I’ve improved a lot of little areas of my game and I feel like my game is consistently better.”

Hearn’s best career finish came at the 2013 John Deere Classic. He was tied with Jordan Spieth and Zach Johnson after regulation but Spieth took the title by hitting a par putt on the fifth playoff hole.

The 35-year-old is enjoying a break before ramping things up in July. He plans to play at The Greenbrier Classic before returning to the John Deere Classic.

Entry in the British Open remains a question mark but Hearn is locked in for the July 24-27 RBC Canadian Open at the Royal Montreal Golf Club. He has yet to play the Ile-Bizard, Que., course but feels his game should be a good fit.

“It’s a course from my understanding that keeping the ball in play off the tee is going to be at a premium,” he said on a conference call. “That’s something that my game is well suited for.”

Hearn will be joined in the field by fellow Canadians Graham DeLaet, Mike Weir and Stephen Ames. Golf Canada confirmed Wednesday that world No. 15 Dustin Johnson is also entered along with Charl Schwartzel, Chris Kirk, Matt Every and Charley Hoffman.

The 2014 field for the $5.7-million event includes eight former champions in Brandt Snedeker (2013), Scott Piercy (2012), Sean O’Hair (2011), Carl Pettersson (2010), Nathan Green (2009), Jim Furyk (2006, 2007), Vijay Singh (2004) and John Rollins (2002).