Kent Eger wins Canadian Tour stop at Seaforth, Ont.
Seaforth, Ont. - Kent Eger may want to consider relocating from Regina to Seaforth, Ont.
After all, the place has got to be feeling like home.
For the second time in the brief three-year history of the Canadian Tour's Economical Insurance Groups Seaforth Country Classic, Eger's name will be scrawled on the championship trophy after he closed with a 6-under 65 Sunday. Thanks to a late-day birdie binge, Eger ended his week at 20-under 264, two shots clear of Kiwi Josh Geary (64). Cesar Coello of Mexico (66) and American Tom Glissmeyer (67) finished third, three shots back.
Overnight leader Darren Griff (70) of Nanaimo, BC and Matt McQuillan (65) of Kingston, Ont. placed fifth at minus-16. Looking to win his third consecutive Canadian Tour start, Californian Aaron Goldberg couldn't get untracked Sunday and ended up five shots off the pace.
Shortly after he accepted hardware yet again Sunday afternoon, Eger shared his thoughts on the misfortune of Mexico's Jose de Jesus Rodriguez, who was disqualified Saturday afternoon. Rodriguez had just put the finishing touches on a course record-tying 10-under 61 to seemingly open a three-shot lead before failing to sign his scorecard after his round.
Nothing can take away from Eger's performance Sunday, but he admitted it was a tough break for the Mexican.
"Well, it worked out better for me, but that doesn't really matter," admitted Eger. "You just don't want to see that happen any time. But he's a great player - he'll get back there soon enough."
As Sunday dawned, it was shaping up to be a sprint to the finish and the final day didn't disappoint.
As expected, the leaders were neck and neck at the turn, with Geary, Griff and Stephen Gangluff leading and four others, including Eger, one shot back. Playing four groups in front of the leaders, Geary separated himself from the pack thanks in part to an eagle on the par-5 15th. Holding a two-shot lead late in the day, Geary limped in with a bogey on the closing hole.
Not that it mattered. Eger went on a tear late in the day with birdies on four of his final five holes, including a clutch 45-footer on 15.
"I just really enjoy playing here," said Eger. "I sort of tweaked my attitude coming into this week. It seems I've played frustrated for the past year and a half. Now I'm just trying to stay out of my own way. It seems to be working."
Prior to Sunday, 2010 had been shaping up as a rather mediocre season for Eger. Making the cut in four of seven starts heading into Seaforth, he had been unable to crack the top ten and had missed the weekend in each of his last two starts.
Instead of losing his cool, Eger is just trying to take a more simplistic approach.
"I've learned it's not even an issue if I make bogey," he added. "You're going to make bogeys in this game. I'm just trying to move on to the next shot and go from there."
With the tour set to move into St. Catharines for this week's $325,000 Canadian Tour Championship, Eger is looking forward to an encore performance as players chase the highest purse in Canadian Tour history.
"I'm feeling really good right now. Better than I've felt in the last year and a half.
"A win never hurts the confidence."