Tim Clark wins Canadian Open

South Africa’s Tim Clark birdied five of his last eight holes to win the RBC Canadian Open at Royal Montreal Golf Club by a single stroke from Jim Furyk of the USA.

South Africa’s Tim Clark birdied five of his last eight holes to win the RBC Canadian Open at Royal Montreal Golf Club by a single stroke from Jim Furyk of the USA.

Clark closed with a five-under-par 65 to overhaul Furyk who had taken a three-stroke lead into the final round. But after his run of birdies, the South African was one clear when the pair reached the home hole. He found the green in regulation, but left a long birdie putt some six feet short of the cup. That testing putt was for the victory and Clark displayed great nerve to knock it in.

“It was huge for me to get it finished right there,” he said. “I got hot with the putter on the back nine. To stand over that putt and still feel confident was really nice."

It was Clark’s second victory on the PGA Tour, his other title coming at the 2010 Players Championship.

It was another disappointing finish for Furyk who has now led seven times going into the final round on the PGA Tour since his 2010 Tour Championship victory, and failed to convert each time.

"I kind of controlled my own destiny," Furyk said. "I've got to shoot 3 or 4 under and it would have been impossible to catch me, or darn near it. I left the door open with even par on the front nine and Tim took advantage and shot 30 on the back."

Justin Hicks of the USA fired a superb closing round of 64 to climb the leaderboard and end the week alone in third, two ahead of Matt Kuchar, Michael Putnam and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano who tied for fourth.

Graham DeLaet was the top Canadian, finishing in a tie for seventh.

RBC Canadian Open Royal Montreal GC, Ile Bizard, Quebec, Canada Jul 24-27, purse $5,700,000, par 70

1    Tim Clark (RSA)        67    67    64    65    263    $1,026,000 2    Jim Furyk (USA)        67    63    65    69    264    $615,600 3    Justin Hicks (USA)    66    67    70    64    267    $387,600 T4    Matt Kuchar (USA)    69    65    70    65    269    $235,600 T4    Michael Putnam (USA)    64    70    69    66    269    $235,600 T4    Gonzalo Fdz-Castano (Esp) 67 67    69    66    269    $235,600 T7    Dicky Pride (USA)        66    71    70    63    270    $183,825 T7    Graham DeLaet (Can)    69    63    70    68    270    $183,825 T9    Kevin Kisner (USA)    70    69    68    64    271    $153,900 T9    Brad Fritsch (Can)    72    68    67    64    271    $153,900 T9    Graeme McDowell (Nir)    68    65    70    68    271    $153,900

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage