It was only when he was sitting alone in a hotel room in Argentina that Hugo Bernard truly appreciated that he was finally a professional golfer.

“I usually play events with my good friend Jared du Toit, but that week I was there just by myself,” said Bernard. “I was in my hotel room after every round and I was like ‘well, I just have to keep doing what I’m doing and just play golf.’

“It’s super different than amateur golf. Amateur golf you’re used to staying with host families or travelling with teammates.”

The 2016 Canadian amateur champion turned pro in October and played in four events on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica this winter – making the cut three times – most recently tying for 49th at the BMW Jamaica Classic. He returned home this week to start plying his trade on the Mackenzie Tour, starting on Thursday with the Canada Life Open at Vancouver’s Point Grey Golf and Country Club.

Bernard flew from Jamaica to Orlando, Fla., on Monday and then drove himself back home to Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., before flying on to Vancouver on Tuesday night.

“I was so excited to be back in Canada,” Bernard said with a relieved laugh. “It’s so easy here. You’ve got a Holiday Inn in every town or a host family and I’ve got friends on the tour.”

Du Toit, from Kimberley, B.C., and Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., are two other prominent Canadians on the Mackenzie Tour this season. The Mackenzie Tour is one of three international PGA Tour-sanctioned circuits that provide access to the Web.com Tour, the developmental circuit of the PGA Tour.

Notable alumni include Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., all of whom have gone on to win PGA Tour events.

“I’d say the Canadians on the Mackenzie Tour feel comfortable playing in Canada,” said Pendrith. “Just because it’s their home country. The golf courses are the same kind of grass that you grew up on playing. I think that can definitely translate into the golf game.”

Point Grey Golf and Country Club’s best known as being the site of the 1954 Canadian Open. Pat Fletcher won that year, no Canadian has captured the national championship since.

“You can feel it when you get there that it’s special,” said Bernard, who has previously played the course. “I remember the members form last year are super proud of their golf club. You can feel the atmosphere there.”

The big-hitting Pendrith, who arrived in Vancouver on Sunday, really likes how Point Grey plays, even though it rained a few times at the start of the week with more predicted on Saturday.

“The greens are perfect. They’re still kind of firm despite the rain,” said Pendrith. “It’s in fantastic shape. Should be a good test.

“The rough isn’t overly long, but it’s wet, so hitting fairways will be key.”

Ponte Vedra Beach, FLORIDA – The PGA TOUR announced today that PGA TOUR Canada – Mackenzie Tour President Jeff Monday will be retiring from the PGA TOUR after more than 30 years of service.

In 2012, Monday led exploratory efforts to determine the PGA TOUR’s role with the Canadian Tour, and he subsequently assumed the position of President when the TOUR agreed to assume operational control of the Tour starting with the 2013 season.

Monday has overseen significant growth of the Mackenzie Tour, with the schedule now including 12 official events with an average purse of $200,000 (CAD). Mackenzie Tour alumni since 2013 include 31 PGA TOUR players, including TOUR winners Mackenzie Hughes, Nick Taylor, Aaron Wise, Tony Finau and Adam Long, and more than 190 Web.com Tour players. The Mackenzie Tour has also made an impact in the communities in which it plays, having donated $4.1 million (CAD) to charity since 2013, including more than $1 million in each of the last three years.

“Jeff Monday has made incredibly significant contributions to our business during his career at the PGA TOUR,” said PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Thanks to Jeff’s vision and leadership, establishing the Mackenzie Tour has been a cornerstone of our international growth over the last six years, and the Tour is set up to flourish well into the future. We can’t thank Jeff enough for his contributions and leadership over the last 30 years.”

Prior to his position with the Mackenzie Tour, Monday held leadership roles as Senior Vice President and Chief of Operations for PGA TOUR Champions; Senior Vice President of Tournament Development; Vice President of Tournament Business Affairs for PGA TOUR Champions and Web.com Tour; and Vice President, Retail Marketing. He joined the TOUR in January 1988, leaving to oversee the American Golf Sponsors for five years before returning to TOUR employment in 1995.

“It has been my profound honor to work for the PGA TOUR for these last 30 years. My first thought has been about the great people I have met and the experiences I have had. To be in an environment where you provide competitive opportunities for players while seeing the positive impact these tournaments have in communities has been something very special, and I will always value and treasure my involvement with that,” said Monday. “To work extensively on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, the Web.com Tour and, for the last seven years, the Mackenzie Tour has left me with a great appreciation for how many really good people there are in the golf world. It has been a true joy to be a part of this wonderful sport. I just feel so privileged and grateful.”

The transition in Mackenzie Tour leadership will include longtime Championship Management Executive Director Todd Rhinehart alongside current Mackenzie Tour Vice President Scott Pritchard.

Rhinehart will serve as a Managing Director for several of the TOUR’s international business interests, including the Mackenzie Tour. Previously, Rhinehart oversaw the PGA TOUR’s CIMB Classic in Malaysia as Executive Director, beginning in 2012, also assisting in the TOUR’s business development in Southeast Asia. Prior to his stint overseas, Rhinehart was the executive director of the TOUR Championship in Atlanta with additional responsibilities with various World Golf Championships events and the Presidents Cup. He has been with the TOUR since 1999.

Pritchard will continue to be based in the PGA TOUR’s Canada offices in Toronto, Ontario. As Vice President of the Mackenzie Tour, he will assume additional responsibilities overseeing tournament business affairs, marketing, sponsorships and scheduling. Pritchard is a veteran of the golf industry, having previously worked for the PGA of Canada in a number of roles from 2003 to 2011. He joined the PGA TOUR in February 2012 after working at the Canadian Tour as Director of Business Development and Communications.

The Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada announced its 2019 schedule today, featuring 12 events that will once again take the Tour from coast-to-coast.

The season will begin with the Freedom 55 Financial Open (May 20-26) at Point Grey Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, British Columbia. All regular events feature purses of $200,000 (CDN) and a $225,000 (CDN) purse for the season-ending Freedom 55 Financial Championship (Sept. 9-15) at Highland Country Club in London, Ontario.

“Thanks to the tremendous efforts of our host organizations, along with our great sponsors, we are pleased to announce the schedule for our seventh season,” said Mackenzie Tour President Jeff Monday. “We look forward to the players taking advantage of the opportunity to advance their careers and are particularly excited to add an event in Atlantic Canada.”

The inaugural HFX Pro-Am is set to take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia from July 15-21 at Oakfield Golf & Country Club and is part of a multi-year agreement with the Mackenzie Tour. The tournament will consist of 128 Mackenzie Tour professionals and 64 amateurs. Sports & Entertainment Atlantic (S|E|A), a leading production company for world-class sports and entertainment events in Atlantic Canada, will serve as the host organization.

Oakfield Golf & Country Club was designed by Robbie Robinson, who apprenticed under the legendary Stanley Thompson, and opened in 1962 before a redesign in 2003 by Graham Cooke. Oakfield has previously hosted the Men’s Canadian Amateur in 1989 and numerous provincial championships over the years, including most recently the 2017 Nova Scotia Men’s Mid-Amateur.

“The club is thrilled to play host to this wonderful event, and our membership and community alike look forward to showcasing our championship golf course this summer to both the professional golfers and amateurs,” said Oakfield Golf & Country Club General Manager Eric Tobin. “I am confident this event will be one of the highlights of the season for the players and will be one they look forward to year after year.”

“We are thrilled to bring a PGA TOUR sanctioned golf event back to Nova Scotia this summer,” said Sports and Entertainment Atlantic President and Founder Derek Martin. “This is an exciting opportunity to bring a fun and entertaining Pro-Am concept to the Mackenzie Tour and showcase our wonderful East Coast hospitality.”

Mackenzie Tour players will once again look to make the next step on the path to the PGA TOUR. The Order of Merit winner will be fully exempt on the Web.com Tour for the following season, with those finishing in the second-through-fifth positions earning conditional status. Players who finish in the Nos. 2-10 spots will also earn an exemption into the Final Stage of the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament, while Nos. 11-25 on the Order of Merit will earn an exemption into the Second Stage of the Qualifying Tournament.

Players will attempt to follow in the footsteps of Mackenzie Hughes, Tony Finau, Nick Taylor, Aaron Wise, and mostly recently, Adam Long, who became the fifth alum to win on the PGA TOUR with his win in January, at the Desert Classic. In total, 31 alumni have gone on to earn their PGA TOUR cards, while more than 190 Mackenzie Tour players have earned Web.com Tour status, including 83 for the 2019 season.

Off the course, Mackenzie Tour events will look to build off a third consecutive season of more than $1 million raised for local charities across Canada, bringing the total since 2013 to more than $4.1 million.

Cozumel, Mexico – Despite a valiant Mackenzie Tour – PGATOUR Canada charge, the PGATOUR Latinoamerica held onto their lead and won the Go Vacaciones Cozumel Cup presented by Assist Card by a mark of 11.5-8.5 on Saturday at Cozumel Country Club.

With the Mackenzie Tour picked up points in the first four matches of the day thanks to the efforts of Michael Gellerman, Sam Fidone, Mark Anguiano and Zach Wright, the next five points on the leaderboard went to the blue team, with Tyson Alexander’s victory on the 18^th green securing the 10^th point, and with Ian Holt already dormie, secured the Cup.

“We played good golf, nobody got more than one or two up and we were making birdies and pars, it was fun,” said Alexander, who made a five-foot par putt to win the match on the closing hole. “My (teammates) came out at the end to watch, and it happened to go my way.”

Not a single player on the Latinoamerica team lost all three of their matches, and the team effort turned out to be essential in winning the cup back after the Mackenzie Tour took it from them in 2016.

Meanwhile, on the Mackenzie Tour side of things, Playing Captain Sam Fidone was happy with how hard everybody played on the final day.

“Nobody ever likes losing,” said Fidone. “But those 10 guys over there played awesome all week, and I’m proud of our guys too for putting up a huge fight today and this whole week.”

Fidone was one of the strongest players on the Mackenzie Tour side, like Alexander, winning all three of his matches.

“Just having the opportunity to play in this event was a huge honour,” added Fidone, the 6^thranked player on the Mackenzie Tour this season. “Cozumel is beautiful, and I don’t think you’ll see any of us pouting about this when we get back to Secrets.”

Harry Higgs, the PGATOUR Latinoamerica’s Playing Captain, matched Fidone’s 3-0 record.

“They’re brothers of mine,” said Higgs. “We’ve been together and been on the same flights and see each other at the golf courses sun up to sun down all year, so it means a lot to win a team competition after the years we all have had.

“I will never forget this week with these nine knuckleheads.”

The Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada is busy preparing for another strong season, announcing on Thursday the dates and sites for its six 2019 Qualifying Tournaments, events that determine the membership of the Mackenzie Tour.

The six sites will be: TPC San Antonio in San Antonio, Tex. (Feb. 25- March 1), Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howie-In-The-Hills, Fla. (March 4-8), Carlton Oaks Golf Club in Santee, Calif. (March 25-29), Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield Park, Ariz. (April 1-5), TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (April 22-26) and Crown Isle Resort & Golf Club in Courtenay, BC (April 29-May 3).

Each event is a 72-hole, no-cut qualifying tournament, with fields of 120 players.

“Due to a steady increase in demand seen the past few seasons, we are excited to add another Mackenzie Tour qualifying tournament to the calendar to allow more aspiring professionals the opportunity to work their way towards the PGA TOUR,” said Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada President Jeff Monday. “With the new season right around the corner, we look forward to seeing which stars of tomorrow emerge out of the 2019 qualifying sites.”

For more information, please refer to the FAQ on PGATOUR.com.

The Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada announced its 10-player team for the Go Vacaciones Cozumel Cup presented by Assist Card, the third annual Tour vs. Tour event which pits the top Mackenzie Tour players against the top PGA TOUR Latinoamérica players.

The team, consisting of the top available players on the 2018 Mackenzie Tour Order of Merit, will compete against a 10-player team from PGA TOUR Latinoamérica in a Presidents Cup-style event at Cozumel Country Club in Cozumel, Mexico, from December 11-15, 2018. The PGA TOUR Latinoamérica team will be announced following the season-ending Latinoamerica Tour Championship – Shell Championship in Miami, Florida, November 29-December 2.

The three competition days of the Go Vacaciones Cozumel Cup is comprised of four-ball, foursomes and singles matches, on December 13, 14 and 15, respectively.

After a team vote, the players announced the playing captain representing the Mackenzie Tour is Sam Fidone, the sixth-ranked player on the 2018 Order of Merit.

“Everyone on this team has proven themselves as great players this year and throughout their young careers so far. It was great getting to know the guys this season, and I’m confident in our team morale,” said Fidone, a native of Lufkin, Texas. “We know it’ll be a challenge because of the talented team PGA TOUR Latinoamérica will have, but we’re confident and looking forward to a great event.”

Joining Fidone on the team are: George Cunningham (Tucson, Arizona), Zach Wright (Phoenix, Arizona), Corey Pereira (Mission Viejo, California), Michael Gellerman (Tucson, Arizona),  Danny Walker (Bradenton, Florida), Ben Griffin (Chapel Hill, North Carolina), Ian Holt (Stow, Ohio), Mark Anguiano (Bellflower, California), and Blake Olson (Pensacola, Florida).

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this event and tee it up with the guys at the Go Vacaciones Cozumel Cup,” said Cunningham, who finished second on the 2018 Order of Merit. “Based on the competition on the Mackenzie Tour, I know we have some very strong players on this team and it’s going to be a great way to celebrate the end of an awesome year. I’m sure our team will have a blast in Cozumel.”

Leading the team in international experience is Wright, who was one of the best-performing members from the 2016 American Arnold Palmer Cup team. Wright had a 2-0-2 match record at the event that pits American and international college golfers against each other.

The inaugural team event, previously named the Aruba Cup, took place in 2016, with the team from PGA TOUR Latinoamerica defeating the team from the Mackenzie Tour, 13-7, while the 2017 edition saw the Mackenzie Tour strike back with a tight 11 ½-10 ½ victory.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The end-of-season team competition between Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada players and PGA TOUR Latinoamérica players has a new home. Cozumel Country Club will host this year’s Go Vacaciones Cup in Cozumel from December 13-15.

Originally named the Aruba Cup and scheduled for Tierra del Sol Resort and Club in Noord, Aruba, officials had to find a new venue when irrigation issues prevented Tierra del Sol from hosting the event for a third consecutive year.

Cozumel Country Club, located on Cozumel’s north shore, features a golf course created by the Nicklaus Design Group and is home to Mexico’s first Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Golf Course, earning that distinction in 2006—five years after the course’s opening. For this project, the Nicklaus Design Group, led by Steve Nicklaus, built the par-72, 6,800-yard Cozumel Country Club around mangroves, marshlands and a tropical rainforest, balancing the requirements of constructing a first-class golf course within the delicate ecosystem of the surrounding area.

“We are so excited to be hosting the Copa Go Vacaciones in Cozumel 2018,” said Erika Garcia, CEO of Go Vacaciones! “We have been working with the PGA TOUR on some unique opportunities here in Mexico, and we are thrilled to start this partnership and host the best players of both the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Latinoamérica. Cozumel is an incredible destination, and we are sure the players will have a memorable stay. In addition, we look forward to seeing how the partnership with Go Vacaciones can strengthen the cultural, experiential and sporting connection of Golf in Mexico. We welcome everyone to join us in the Mexican Caribbean!”

“We have established a great tradition with this tournament, and we’re pleased we can continue a competition that brings the best players from both the Mackenzie Tour and PGA TOUR Latinoamérica together for a friendly and spirited competition,” said Mackenzie Tour President Jeff Monday. “With PGA TOUR Latinoamérica winning the inaugural tournament in 2016 and the Mackenzie Tour exacting revenge last year, it will be fun to see which Tour can take win this tournament for a second time.”

The two teams will consist of the top-10 available players on the 2018 Mackenzie Tour Order of Merit and the top-10 available money-winners from PGA TOUR Latinoamérica. The Mackenzie Tour completed its season in mid-September, while PGA TOUR Latinoamérica is playing its final full-field tournament this week in Argentina, the 113 Visa Argentine Open presented by Macro. PGA TOUR Latinoamérica closes its 2018 season in two weeks, at the Latinoamérica Tour Championship – Shell Championship.

At the Go Vacaciones Cup in Cozumel, the two teams will compete in a three-day Presidents Cup-style event preceded by a practice round and a pro-am. The three competition days will feature first-day four-ball (best-ball) matches followed by foursomes (alternate shot) matches on the second day and singles matches to close the tournament.

“We are thrilled to take this important event to such a terrific course as Cozumel Country Club. This will be one of the more scenic places we’ll see this year, and the quality of the course ensures that the tournament itself will be competitive and exciting as these two teams engage in their yearly battle,” added PGA TOUR Latinoamérica President Jack Warfield. “Mexico is a great home for PGA TOUR-sanctioned golf, whether it’s the three official events we hold there on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, our two official PGA TOUR tournaments or the Web.com Tour’s annual visit. Mexico is a great golf country, and we’re pleased to add the Go Vacaciones Cup in Cozumel to the list of tournaments we hold in Mexico.”

The Mackenzie Tour will announce its team next week, while PGA TOUR Latinoamérica will wait to present its 10 participants following the season-ending Latinoamérica Tour Championship – Shell Championship in Miami, Florida.

In 2016, Team Latinoamérica prevailed 13-7 in Aruba, with Martin Trainer and Andrés Echavarría compiling perfect 3-0-0 records in their matches against Team Canada players. A year ago, Team Canada narrowly won, 10 ½ to 9 ½, with Robby Shelton leading the way for Canada with a 2-0-1 record in his matches.

LONDON, Ont. – After a year that featured three victories, Tyler McCumber officially locked up Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada Player of the Year honours Sunday.

The native of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida finished with $139,300 for the season and topped the money list – leading the five players who earned status on the Web.com Tour for 2019.

McCumber, 27, won the Osprey Valley Open and then won the very next week at the Syncrude Oil Country Championship presented by AECON. In the process, he became the only golfer in Mackenzie Tour history to win back-to-back events.

A three-time winner on PGA TOUR Latinoamerica, McCumber finished third at the ATB Financial Classic after his two-straight wins, but won The Players Cup the very next week.

McCumber, who was battling a shoulder injury for most of last year, was “totally healthy” as of November. He said he a routine of working out and practicing whenever he wanted, which was beneficial for him going into this season.

“Having full status on this Tour I had a good game plan coming in,” said McCumber. “The formula is really good and what I’m doing is right for me. I’m not surprised I came out with a good year. There’s a lot that goes into being No. 1 – getting momentum, capitalizing on opportunities, and I did a good job of that.”

McCumber had the money title locked up before the final event of the season. After his victory in Edmonton he moved to the top of the Order of Merit, a spot he never relinquished.

George Cunningham, after a tie for second at the Freedom 55 Financial Championship – his sixth top-10 of the year – ended up at No. 2, $37,133 behind McCumber. With $102,167 earned on the year, he became the first golfer in Mackenzie Tour history to earn more than $100,000 and not finish on top of the money list.

“I’ve learned a ton this year,” said Cunningham, who finished in the top 30 at the RBC Canadian Open in his first PGA TOUR start this summer. “I’m such a different player I feel like from when I was in college, and I thought I was playing really well in college. Every single thing I’ve learned this year is off the charts.”

Zach Wright, who finished 39th at the Freedom 55 Financial Championship, moved down to third on the Order of Merit after Cunningham jumped him to get to No. 2.

“I did well. I’ve been very consistent. I’ve had a few rounds where my attitude got int the way, but I can always learn from that. Overall I did pretty well,” said Wright, who became the only player in Mackenzie Tour history to open a season with six consecutive top-10 finishes. “At the beginning of the year I moved back home and started working with my old coach, and everything I was feeling good about. It was nice to get off to a good start because it gave me confidence, and I knew I could do it.”

Corey Pereira of Mission Viejo, California, and Michael Gellerman, of Tucson, Arizona, joined Wright, of Phoenix, Arizona, and Cunningham, also of Tucson, Arizona in The Five.

“Getting into The Five does feel far fetched at the beginning of the year,” admitted Pereira. “You know you have to win out here and then you know you need a top-5 or top-3 to secure your status. It’s extremely challenging. To come out and get it done feels awesome and gives me a lot of confidence.”

Gellerman, who, like Wright, never won this year on Tour but still finished in The Five said he made some good progress from 2017, which was his main goal at the start of this year.

“I tried to reach some of my goals mid-year and see where that led me. I played some good golf along the way. Unfortunately Tyler (McCumber) got in the way a few times,” said Gellerman with a laugh, who finished second to McCumber at both the Osprey Valley Open and The Players Cup. “I’m really happy to be here.”

The Five will graduate to the Web.com Tour in 2018 and look to follow in the footsteps of 19 players who have gone on from the Mackenzie Tour to the PGA TOUR during the PGA TOUR-era (2013-present), including PGA TOUR winners Tony Finau, Nick Taylor, and Mackenzie Hughes.

“It’s been a great season on the Mackenzie Tour with so many incredible performances, especially for the players who make up The Five this year,” said Mackenzie Tour President Jeff Monday. “A special congratulations goes to Tyler, who played some truly impressive golf this year. We wish all five players success on their journey to the PGA TOUR.”

PLAYERS 6-10 EARN SPOTS INTO FINAL STAGE

In addition to The Five earning status on the Web.com Tour, players finishing 6-10 on the Order of Merit earned an exemption into Final Stage of Web.com Tour Q-School, led by No. 6 Sam Fidone, of Lufkin, Texas, who earned $66,742.

After his victory Sunday at the Freedom 55 Financial Championship, Danny Walker of Bradenton, Florida, moved up 44 spots on the Order of Merit to the No. 7 spot.

Ben Griffin, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Mark Anguiano of Bellflower, California, and Ian Holt of Stow, Ohio – who shot a 6-under-par 64 Sunday at the Freedom 55 Financial Championship to move into a tie for fourth and move five spots up the Order of Merit – round out the rest of the top 10.

Players finishing No. 11-25 earned an exemption into Second Stage of Web.com Tour Q-School. The biggest mover of that group Sunday was Jonathan Garrick of Chicago, Illinois, who, after finishing tied for second at the Freedom 55 Financial Championship, moved up 20 spots to No. 19.

LONDON, Ont. — Coming into the day four strokes off the lead, Danny Walker made five birdies on the front nine and picked up his first professional win at the Freedom 55 Financial Championship at Highland Country Club by two strokes.

The win vaults the University of Virginia grad all the way up from No. 51 on the Order of Merit to No. 7, exempting him into the final stage of 2019 Web.com Tour Qualifying School later this Fall.

“It’s a huge relief not to have to worry about the first or second stage of Q-School,” said the 22-year-old, just four months removed from turning professional. “It’s nice to have a little more time to relax, and maybe take a week or two off after this, everything is about moving up the ladder, so it’s pretty exciting.”

Walker only made one bogey during the tournament, on the tough hole No. 16 on Thursday, and carded rounds of 63-68-66-64 to pick up the win.

“I knew I had it in my because I’ve been hitting it well all week,” said Walker. “I just needed to keep hitting them like I had been, and then make some putts, which I did. I made some good putts on the front nine to really get my round going there.”

On the outside looking in, Walker quickly moved his way up the board on Sunday, making five birdies between hole Nos. 3-9 on the front to make the turn in 31. One more birdie on the back allowed Walker the opportunity to casually two-putt for par on No. 18, and, barring a hole-out from the final group, assured him the victory.

“I don’t even know what to think yet,” said the Bradenton, FL native. “I was pretty nervous coming down the stretch, I didn’t know where things stood until I got to 17 green and saw I was leading by one.

“I didn’t think about it too much and just tried to put one more birdie in there to distance myself a little bit, but overall it was a really solid day, I’m happy with how I played under the pressure.”

Meanwhile, with scores of 64-70-64-67, Jared du Toit took home his second Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Week award.

Gligic Wins Canadian Player Of The Year Award

Michael Gligic won the Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year award and the $25,000 bonus that goes along with it, placing 16^th on the Order of Merit in the process.

The final event of the 2018 season also solidifies The Five players who earn Web.com Tour status: Tyler McCumber, George Cunningham, Zach Wright, Corey Pereira and Michael Gellerman.

LONDON, Ont. — With 19 birdies through three days of competition, Jonathan Garrick managed to pull ahead of second-round co-leader Corey Pereira during the third round of the Freedom 55 Financial Championship, firing a 63 to take a two-stroke lead into the final round.

Through the front nine, Garrick and Pereira engaged in a back-and-fourth battle of epic proportions, exchanging 10 birdies between the two of them.

It wasn’t until a two-stroke swing on the long par-4 14^th hole, where Pereira made bogey, that Garrick took a stranglehold of the lead.

“It was fun. I don’t want to say I was rooting for or against him, but it was fun to see him make birdies because I knew the more he made, the more I wasn’t going to let up either,” said Garrick. “He (Pereira) made a few long putts there and we kept going back and fourth.”

Hole Nos. 14-16 have played the toughest at Highland Country Club this week, ranking first, third and second hardest respectively. Despite the challenge, Garrick played the toughest stretch on the course 2-under par on Saturday.

“I wasn’t even trying to really birdie them,” said the 24-year-old. “I made a long putt on 14, hit a good iron shot on 15 and made about a 15 or 20-foot putt on 16, and it was one of the easiest putts you can get on that green, so I did a good job to get it there.”

Before the week, Garrick, who is playing his third-consecutive year on the Mackenzie Tour, had yet to head into the final round of an event with the lead, but says he is confident that he will be prepared for tomorrow.

“I’ve never done it before, but I felt comfortable today,” said the UCLA alum. “I was just playing golf, I wasn’t too nervous, I was just calm and able to keep making birdies which was good. Tomorrow is the same thing.”

Trailing Garrick by two is Carter Jenkins, who has a lot to play for, currently projected to move into the top-25 on the money list with the second spot on the leaderboard. Meanwhile, with a win, Garrick would move into the top-10 on the Order of Merit, a spot that would send him to the final round of Web.com Tour Q-School.

On the Canadian side of things, for the second time this tournament, Michael Gligic managed to avoid bogeys on his card, making six birdies to sign for a 64, matching his score from day one.

““I’ve been hitting it good for a while and the putter has been good for the second half of the season, so I’ve got one more day in me and we’ll see what happens,” said Gligic.

The round puts him one-stroke ahead of Jared du Toit, and, already leading the Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year Race, puts him in prime position to earn his third consecutive Canadian Player of the Week award, and fourth of the season.

“I’m really excited for tomorrow. I should be last two, three or four groups so right in the mix tomorrow,” said du Toit. “I have a lot to play for this year still, so really looking forward to it.”