O Canada! Native Hearn has Open lead


July 26, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

OAKVILLE, Ontario

David Hearn moved into position to become the first Canadian to win the Canadian Open in 61 years, taking a two-stroke lead over Bubba Watson and Jason Day on Saturday.

Hearn, from Brantford, birdied the par-3 15th and par-5 16th, but dropped a stroke on the par-4 17th and closed with a par for a 4-under 68 and a 15-under 201 total at Glen Abbey.

“This is something you dream of,” Hearn said. “I feel like I’m ready to step up to the challenge.”

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.

Hearn and Watson will play in the final group today. Hearn sees himself as the underdog.

“Hopefully, I can make some birdies and David can beat Goliath,” Hearn said.

Watson called himself “half-Canadian” because wife Angie is from Pickering.

“Truthfully, let’s be honest, we don’t think about where somebody’s from,” Watson said. “All we think about is there’s a guy in front of us. I’ve got a couple family members. They’re going to pull for me, too.”

Hearn is the first Canadian to have a 54-hole lead at the Canadian Open since Mike Weir in 2004 at Glen Abbey. Weir led by three shots, but lost in a playoff to Vijay Singh.

Hearn began the third round three strokes behind Chad Campbell after shooting a 64 on Friday.

Watson also had a 68, and Day shot 69.

Watson eagled the par-5 13th, made a bogey on the par-4 14th and rallied with birdies on 16 and the par-5 18th.

“I’m right where I want to be,” Watson said. “I just wish the leader was a little closer to us.”

Day, coming off a tie for fourth Monday in the British Open, dropped three strokes with a bogey on the par-4 10th and double bogey on the par-4 11th, then birdied six of the last seven holes.

“Obviously, it’d be great to see a Canadian win, but I’m going to do my best to try and spoil that,” Day said.