Clark reels in Furyk to win Canadian Open

A scorching inward nine on Sunday lifted Tim Clark to his second PGA Tour title and first in four years with a one-stroke victory at the RBC Canadian Open.

Clark trailed overnight leader Jim Furyk by three strokes entering the last round at Royal Montreal Golf Club and was only even-par for his first ten holes on Sunday. Five birdies in the last eight, however, saw the diminutive South African overhaul Furyk and secure his first title since the 2010 Players Championship.

Tim Clark punches the air after making a birdie on the 17th hole in the final round. PHOTO: Getty Images

Playing together in the last threesome, Clark clung to a one-stroke edge on the 17th but watched as Furyk struck a perfect tee shot to within a few feet of the cup at the par-3. The 2008 Australian Open champion then rolled in a 15-footer to match Furyk’s birdie and stay one stroke clear. Furyk had a chance to force a play-off after a pinpoint approach to the last green but his birdie putt missed on the high side. Clark still need to hole a par putt to claim the title but coolly rolled in a seven-footer.

The win was actually Clark’s third in Canada after twice capturing Canadian Tour titles earlier in his career. This victory also capped a comeback from a horror run of injuries throughout recent years – and he’s eager for more.

“If I stay in this sort of frame of mind, there’s no reason why I can’t keep it going,” Clark said, looking ahead to this week’s WGC–Bridgestone Invitational and next week’s PGA Championship. “The next two events are big for us, and I’d love to keep it going.

“I knew I had to make birdies, and sometimes that can be easier when you know you have to be aggressive,” Clark said. “At that point (I had) nothing to lose. I suddenly just got hot, and I went with it.”

Furyk has now lost his past seven 54-hole leads. His one-under 69 in the final round was hardly mediocre but wasn’t enough in still conditions where the scoring was excellent.

Jim Furyk tees off on the 17th hole in the final round. PHOTO: Getty Images

“It was a benign day and 69 is not a bad round by any means, but by only making two birdies I let a couple of guys back into the tournament,” Furyk said. “I’m obviously disappointed,” he said. “I just didn’t putt well enough, and I didn’t convert the opportunities I had.”

None of the Australian contingent figured in the outcome, although Robert Allenby and Geoff Ogilvy both showed signs of returning to form with decent 72-hole totals.

LEADERBOARD

1. Tim Clark (RSA) 67-67-64-65—263

2. Jim Furyk (USA) 67-63-65-69—264

3. Justin Hicks (USA) 66-67-70-64—267

T4. Matt Kuchar (USA) 69-65-70-65—269

T4. Michael Putnam (USA) 64-70-69-66—269

T4. Gonzalo F’dez-Castano (Esp) 67-67-69-66—269

ALSO:

T20. Robert Allenby (Vic) 66-69-72-66—273

T34. Geoff Ogilvy (Vic) 70-68-70-68—276

T34. Danny Lee (NZ) 69-65-72-70—276

T53. Nathan Green (NSW) 67-69-71-71—278