News

Green Beats Goosen In Extra Holes

July 26, 2009
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Nathan Green's par on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff was enough to get the victory on a Monday finish in the rain-delayed event.

OAKVILLE, Ontario (AP) -- Nathan Green won the Canadian Open on Monday for his first PGA Tour victory, beating Retief Goosen with a par on the second hole of a playoff in the rain-delayed tournament.

After Green missed a 12-foot birdie attempt on the par-4 17th, Goosen's 8-foot par try slid right, ending the first Monday finish in the national championship since 1988.

"It's a huge surprise to finally win," said Green, the 34-year-old former Canadian Tour player from Toronto -- Toronto, Australia, that is. "This is where I started my pro career. I love coming up here. The people are great."

In sunny conditions, Green completed a third-round 69 with an eagle on 18 and shot a 68 in the fourth round at saturated Glen Abbey. Goosen three-putted the 18th for par and a 67 in the morning, then eagled it in the afternoon for a 69.

Goosen had a putt to win on 18 on the first extra hole, but missed a 6-foot birdie try after leaving his bunker shot above the hole.

Anthony Kim (66-73) and Jason Dufner (70-73) tied for third, four strokes back at 14 under in the event soaked by nearly 5 inches of rain the first four days. Lee Janzen (70-67), Brandt Snedeker (67-68) and Jerry Kelly (72-71) followed at 14 under.

Stephen Ames was the top Canadian, tying for eighth at 12 under after rounds of 72 and 67. Mike Weir (69-71) tied for 24th at 10 under.

Green won for the second time in Canada, following a 2000 victory in a Canadian Tour event in Sudbury. He also won the Queensland PGA in Australia in 2000, and took the European tour's 2006 New Zealand Open.

DIVOTS: Ken Green won the 1988 tournament at Glen Abbey in a Monday finish. ... The 2010 tournament will be played at St. George's in Toronto.