Piercy Captures Canadian Open


Scott Piercy recorded his second PGA Tour victory Sunday after closing with a 3-under 67 to win the Canadian Open. The $5.2 million PGA Tour event took place at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Ancaster, Ontario.

The 33-year-old Las Vegas native began the final round a stroke back of Robert Garrigus. After getting off to a fine start, with birdies on the second through fifth holes, Piercy's progress slowed with bogeys on the eighth and 14th holes and all pars in between. But a birdie on the par-4 15th and pars the rest of the way resulted in his reaching 17-under 263, good for a one-stroke triumph over Garrigus (70) and William McGirt (69).

The win, worth $936,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points, means that Piercy, whose first title came in last year's Reno-Tahoe Open, earns a spot in next week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone, the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Resort in two weeks and the 2013 Masters. "I'm so excited," he said during a TV interview. "There's a lot of big stuff ahead for me.

"You have to believe in yourself - that's half the battle," he added.

Garrigus owned or shared the lead for much of the day but a bogey at the 16th hole dropped him a stroke behind Piercy and McGirt. Garrigus had a chance to force a playoff on the 18th hole, but missed a 15-foot birdie try. McGirt had his opportunities as well, but he bogeyed the 15th and 18th, the latter particularly painful since he, too, could played extra holes against Piercy.

Sharing fourth at 266 were Josh Teater (66), Bud Cauley (66) and Chris Kirk (68). Vijay Singh (67) ended up tied for seventh at 268 with Bo Van Pelt (70) and Scott Stallings (70).

Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., shot an even-par 70 to finish as the low Canadian at 2-under 278. "I guess it's a nice consolation prize," said the 30-year-old of being the lowest-scoring citizen in his country's national championship. "You know, we come in here with higher expectations than just trying to beat the Canadians. We want to beat everyone in the field, but there's a lot of great Canadians in the field, and I guess I am honored to be the low Canadian. It's my first time. So hopefully next year it's low Canadian and champion, for whoever it is, whether it be myself or any other Canadian.

"But it was a great week, a lot of support. I got a lot of comments on my outfit today, and it was just cool playing in front of the home fans, and a little disappointing that I wasn't able to really get anything going this week, but at the same time, nice to be back home."

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