Snedeker has edge over amateur du Toit at Canadian Open
OAKVILLE, Ontario — Jared du Toit was in position to become the first Canadian to win the Canadian Open in 62 years — and the first amateur to break through on the PGA Tour in 25 seasons.
Brandt Snedeker was in a little better position. And U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson was right there, too.
“I think I’m going to be the most-hated man in Canada tomorrow, but it’s going to be a lot of fun trying to figure it out,” said Snedeker, the 2013 winner at Glen Abbey who eagled the par-5 18th on Saturday for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead over du Toit and Johnson.
Du Toit matched Snedeker with an eagle on 18, holing a 40-footer for a 70. On Friday, du Toit rebounded from a triple bogey and bogey with three straight birdies.
“I’ve never kind of been in this kind of pressure, this atmosphere before,” said du Toit, an Arizona State senior from Kimberley, British Columbia. “I’m here having fun and trying to go and play golf. It hasn’t set in so far, but loving every minute of it.”
Pat Fletcher, born in England, was the last Canadian winner in 1954 at Point Grey in Vancouver, British Columbia. Carl Keffer is the only Canadian-born champion, winning in 1909 and 1914. Albert Murray, a Canadian also born in England, won in 1908 and 1913. Phil Mickelson was the last amateur winner on the tour in the 1991 Northern Telecom Open.
“I’m honestly just out here to have some fun and enjoy the atmosphere,” du Toit said. “Obviously, I want to play well tomorrow, but it’s kind of my first go at it. Win or lose, I’m happy with the way this week’s gone.” He has Snedeker’s attention. “He’s great,” Snedeker said. “For a 21-year-old kid, to be playing golf here is awesome, let alone to do it in your national open. I mean, I can’t imagine the nerves this kid has to be playing as great of golf as he has. I’m looking forward to meeting him. I’m looking forward to playing with him, and I’m going to do everything I can to help him have a great day tomorrow.”
Snedeker overpowered the 18th, hitting a 378-yard drive and 121-yard approach to set up the 6-footer.
“Now I know what it feels like to be Dustin Johnson,” Snedeker said about his drive on 18. “Just had downwind, greens and fairways are so firm, if you get it. Unfortunately, them being firm, you have about 2 yards to get the ball in the fairway. I hit it right on my line, one of the best swings I’ve made all day. Hit hard and took off. Had a lob wedge into 18, perfect lob wedge, able to hit a good one and rip it in there about 6 feet and make a putt.”
INTERNATIONAL: In Gurnee, Ill., Charley Hull and surprising England grabbed the lead in the UL International Crown on Saturday, and the United States advanced with a sweep against Japan.
Hull, who missed Friday’s four-ball session with a fever and trouble with her asthma, teamed with Melissa Reid for a 3-and-1 victory over sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn of Thailand. Holly Clyburn and UNM grad Jodi Ewart Shadoff routed Pornanong Phatlum and Porani Chutichai 7 and 5, helping seventh-seeded England to a Pool B-best nine points.
“We couldn’t have asked for much of a better day than we got today,” Clyburn said.
The U.S., which began the day with just three points, turned in its best performance so far in the rare team event on the LPGA Tour. Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr posted their second straight win with a 4-and-2 victory over Ai Suzuki and Ayaka Watanabe, and Stacy Lewis and Roswell’s Gerina Piller surged to a 3-and-1 win over Haru Nomara and Mika Miyazato.
Taiwan also wrapped up a spot in the fourth session before a storm delayed play with two Pool A matches still on the course, leaving two spots open for today’s 10 singles matches.
SENIORS: In Carnoustie, Scotland, Miguel Angel Jimenez opened a four-stroke lead in the Senior British Open, missing matching the Carnoustie course record by a stroke Saturday with a 7-under 65.
The 52-year-old Spaniard had a bogey-free round in wind at 6-12 mph on the mostly cloudy afternoon. He had an 11-under 205 total after opening 70-70.