ONTARIO, Canada - American Jim Furyk tuned up for the Ryder Cup by capturing the Canadian Open golf title today, firing a final round five-under 65 to edge Bart Bryant by one stroke.
Britain's Justin Rose began the day with a one shot advantage but was quickly joined atop the
leaderboard by Furyk when the world number three birdied the third and fourth holes.
Furyk then dropped a shot on the par three sixth but it would be his only blemish, the veteran American playing error free golf the rest of the way while carding four more birdies to finish with a winning total of 14-under 266.
While the victory was just Furyk's second of the season the US$900,000 ($1,428,798) payday pushed his season earnings over US$6 million, second only to world number one Tiger Woods.
Aside from Woods, Furyk has been the PGA Tour's hottest golfer, finishing in the top four in eight of his 12 events since the US Masters.
With Furyk on the driving range preparing for a playoff, Bryant made a back nine charge with three birdies, rolling in a 15-foot putt on 17 to get within one of the lead.
But Bryant was unable to get the birdie he needed at the last to force a playoff signing for a three-under 64 and second place on 13-under 267.
Even par after 11 holes, American Sean O'Hair also made a late run with birdies on 12 and 16 for a two-under 68 but finished in a tie for third with Jonathan Byrd (68) with 12-under 268.
Riding the momentum from a season best fourth place finish at last week's Deutsche Bank Championship and a Hamilton Golf and Country Club professional course record 63 in the opening round, Rose had looked ready to claim his long awaited maiden PGA Tour win.
But the 26-year-old Englishman was never able to find any rhythm on a bright sunny afternoon, his chances of victory disappearing with a double bogey on the par four 11th and a final round four-over 74.
- REUTERS
