Pettersson storms to victory

Pettersson: Late charge

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(US unless stated)

-14 C Pettersson (Swe)
-13 D Wilson
-12 L Donald (Eng)
-10 M Letzig
-10 G Chalmers (Aus)
-10 C Hoffman
-10 Six other players

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Carl Pettersson produced four birdies on the back nine to claim a dramatic victory in the RBC Canadian Open.

The Swede, who shot himself into contention with a course-record 60 on Saturday, benefitted from a shaky final round by Dean Wilson at St. George's Golf and Country Club in Ontario.

The American, who took a four-shot lead into Sunday's final round, could only manage a two-over par 72 as he saw his hopes of victory slip away.

Pettersson was still four shots behind as he teed off at the 11th, but a hot streak over the next five holes put him in control.

He would eventually go on to card a three-under round of 67, taking victory despite a bogey at the last hole.

Wilson stumbled with bogeys at the 12th and 14th while Pettersson was in the midst of a charge, picking up a shot at 11 before reeling off three birdies in a row between the 13th and 15th.

The result was a two-shot lead for Pettersson, who could afford the luxury of a dropped shot at the last after Wilson could only make par there.

Delighted

It was Pettersson's first victory on the PGA Tour since his triumph at the Wyndham Championship nearly two years ago and the delighted Swede said afterwards: "I still can't believe I won the tournament.

"I know it's difficult to shoot another low one after a round like that, so I was just trying to downplay it. I just tried to stay calm and [told myself] 'Whatever happens today, happens'.

"I love the back nine, it sets up great for me. I played very aggressive coming in and all of a sudden I had the lead when I birdied 14.

"But 16 and 17 are difficult holes and I knew even with a two-shot lead anything can happen. I guess this was my week."

A disappointed Wilson commented: "I think when I'm leading the tournament in my mind you have to make up your mind to be real aggressive or to play just a tiny bit safe. It's hard to just go for them (the flags).

"Carl did that towards the end; he just kept shooting at the pins because he had no choice. I had a four-shot lead going into the back and just couldn't get anything done, couldn't get any birdies and Carl shot four-under.

Disappointed

"Being in the position that I was, I'm a little disappointed. But still, lots of positives.

"If you would have told me before the week that I could be second alone, I would have been tickled."

England's Luke Donald finished in third position after an impressive final round of 66, which included five birdies.

Charlie Wi, Greg Chalmers, Michael Letzig, Charley Hoffman, Matt Kuchar, Jeff Quinney, Bryce Molder and Bob Estes and Tim Clark finished in a nine-way tie for fourth on 10-under par, four shots back of Pettersson.