PGA Tour`s Jim Furyk back to defend title at Canadian Open at Angus Glen in Ontario
Released on = July 26, 2007, 10:00 am
Press Release Author = GolfPublisher Syndications
Industry = Media
Press Release Summary = Jim Furyk, Mike Weir, PGA Tour, Canadian Open, Angus Glen Golf Club, British Open
Press Release Body = From WorldGolf.com News Services, Golf Publisher Syndications
Jim Furyk\'s respect for his position as defending champion might be the only thing bringing the world No. 3 out to play in this week\'s Canadian Open
The tournament, beginning today at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont., features a $5 million purse with a winner\'s share of $810,000. Coming off a top-12 finish in last week\'s British Open, Furyk will be playing in his fourth consecutive event.
Last year\'s Canadian, played in September at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, provided the second of Furyk\'s two 2006 titles. After opening with a 7-under 63, a course record, he shot 71, 67 and 65 to beat Brad Bryant by a stroke.
Although he might be getting a bit weary, Furyk said he never considered going back on his pledge to return to try to become the first player to win back-to-back Canadian Open titles since Jim Ferrier in 1950-\'51.
\"The first question when I got in the media room [after winning last year] was, \'Are you coming back next year?\'\" Furyk told reporters Wednesday. \"I was like, \'Why wouldn\'t you if you\'re the defending champ?\' And they said this is where it sits in the schedule and I kind of chuckle today.
\"Yeah, you\'re in a tough slot, but definitely coming back, it\'s never a question.\"
Furyk, who normally plays a heavy PGA Tour schedule, said it\'s not unusual for him to compete in four consecutive events. But he said he couldn\'t remember the last time he played eight of nine weeks - going four, taking one off then playing four more.
\"I do it a couple of times once or twice every year of my career where I played three or four in a row,\" he said. \"I don\'t mind playing three or four in a row, but I\'d like to take a break - like a two-week break.\"
Furyk took advantage of a perk offered to pros who wanted to play both the British and Canadian opens - a charter flight that got him to Ontario around 12:30 a.m. Monday, early enough to get a good night\'s sleep and not lose a day to travel.
\"I was productive on Monday,\" Furyk said. \"I got to get some work done. Came out here and practiced for a couple of hours to kind of just get loose, basically, and try to get the stiffness out from the flight.\"
Productive is something Furyk has been much of this season, even though he is still searching for his first 2007 win. He has recorded seven top-10 finishes in 17 events, including a tie for second at the U.S. Open, and earned about $2.8 million. He currently ranks sixth in the Ryder Cup standings.
\"My game seems to be in pretty good shape,\" he said. \"The last couple of months have been successful. I\'ve had some opportunities to win events, but it\'s been a pretty solid year.\"
No Canadian has won his native open championship since Pat Fletcher back in 1954. Coming off a tie for eighth at Carnoustie, Mike Weir would like to end that drought. But the Ontario native said he doesn\'t feel any additional pressure to win this event.
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July 25, 2007 Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management.
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