As far as bounce-backs go, this one was like rocketing a Titleist golf ball off a railroad tie.
Riley Wheeldon of Comox rebounded from a missed cut at last week鈥檚 Freedom 55 Financial Open event on PGA Tour sa国际传媒 to record a 6-under 64 at Bear Mountain Resort to claim top spot in the RBC Canadian Open regional qualifier on Monday.
Wheeldon used eight birdies to edge playing partner Dillon Rust of Oklahoma and Seann Harlingten of West Vancouver to take top spot by a stroke.
Ian (Jae Hoon) Kim of Surrey was a shot back at 4-under 66 and Brad Clapp of Chilliwack, Ben Taylor of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Ryan Burgess of Dallas were tied for the fifth-and-final spots at 2-under 68.
The seven players advance to the Monday qualifier for the PGA Tour event, slated for July 18-24 at Glen Abbey in Oakville, Ont.
鈥淥bviously, missing the cut last week left a sour taste in my mouth. To get back out and get competitive and record rounds that I鈥檓 more used to playing will help me regain some confidence going into Uplands this week,鈥� said Wheeldon, who tees it up in the Bayview Place Island Savings Open presented by the sa国际传媒 event on Thursday.
Wheeldon was playing great on the Vancouver Golf Tour where he recently won the Battle at the Bear at Bear Mountain and the Pagoda Ridge/Royalwood Open. He also finished second at Chilliwack.
鈥淭he Canadian Open is a few months away. It鈥檚 a goal, but it鈥檚 not on the front of my mind. Uplands is on the front of my mind right now,鈥� admitted Wheeldon.
Playing in the group in front of Wheeldon, Harlingten was also rock solid.
鈥淚鈥檓 happy with that,鈥� Harlingten said of his 65. 鈥淚 made it real easy on myself. I think I missed one green today and hit it close all day. I left a few out there, but made birdies when I needed.
鈥淚t would be one of the biggest experiences of my life, for sure,鈥� he said of an opportunity to get to the Canadian Open. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been one of my goals to get into a PGA event.鈥�
He recorded six birdies and a bogey for the round on Monday.
鈥淚 got through last year [to the Canadian Open Monday qualifier] and missed it by a shot, so hopefully I get some redemption,鈥� said Harlingten, who finished tied for 33rd at Point Grey after he shot a final-round 75 on Sunday.
Clapp played well last week on the Mackenzie Tour finishing in a tie for 19th at Point Grey with rounds of 71-70-73-69.
鈥淚t played a little shorter than we鈥檙e used to here, with some of the tees up,鈥� Clapp said of the Mountain Course. 鈥淚 think that brought more players into the field.鈥�
Twenty-seven players teed it up in the regional qualifier.
