Global Golf Post - July 5, 2010

Mize Goes Low To Get Win In Montreal

BLAINVILLE, QUEBEC | At long last, Larry Mize was allowed to scratch that 17-year itch.

And then the tears came.

With an overflow crowd of more than 22,000 sending a jolt through Club de Golf Le Fontainebleau, Mize snapped a winless skid that was nearing 20 years with a thrilling triumph Sunday at the maiden Montreal Championship presented by Desjardins. The 1987 Masters champion went low for an 8-under 64 to close at 17-under 199 after three days, one shot better than overnight leader John Cook.

Moments after Cook pushed his 25-footer past the cup on the final hole, Mize let it all out.

“I was holding back some emo-
tion,” he admitted. “I teared up a
little bit. It’s been a long time. Once
it happened, it was hard to keep that
emotion back. You know, it’s hard to
believe.”
Dan Forsman (65) and Corey
Pavin (67) were three off the pace.
For the third consecutive day, a gal-
lery of thousands followed Couples,
the undisputed sentimental favor-
ite of the masses in Montreal this
week. Couples wasn’t able to turn
it up on the final day, firing a 68 to
grab a share of fifth.

If Cook is wondering where he
let this one get away, it was on
the driveable par- 4 16th, when he
missed a gimme three-footer that
would have pulled him even.

SMALL’S WORLD NOW HAS
THREE NATIONAL PGA TITLES

In Mike Small’s world his most formidable opponent may be himself. The University of Illinois men’s golf coach rallied from a near-disastrous start in the final round of the 43rd PGA Professional National Championship Wednesday at French Lick Resort, knocking home three birdies in his final five holes for a 1-over-par 73. It was good enough to seal a three-stroke victory at 8-under-par 278 over longtime friend Sonny Skinner of Sylvester, Ga., earning $75,000 and a piece of history with a record-tying third National Championship.

“It feels good to finish it off,” said Small, whose previous titles in 2005 and last year allowed him to catch the late Larry Gilbert of Lexington, Ky., a winner in 1981, ’82 and ’91.