Jim Rutledge inched closer to his fifth Mr. Lube PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada after a second-round 3-under-par 67 Thursday at the Burlington Golf & Country Club.
The soon-to-be 58-year-old’s two-day total of 8-under-par (65-67) sees him three shots clear of PGA of Canada legend Gar Hamilton and four shots better than Mike Burrows of Austria.
Heading into the final round, Rutledge says he’s going to keep pressing forward.
“I’d like to make lots of birdies tomorrow because I’ve left a few out there,” Rutledge said about his mindset heading into Friday’s final round. “Getting off to a good start on this golf course is the key to putting together a good round.”
Rutledge, Hamilton and Burrows will tee off in the championship’s final pairing at 11 a.m.
Rutledge won’t be the only one pressing in the final group, however. Hamilton, who is a four-time PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada and PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada winner, says he wants to put a little pressure on the leader Friday.
“If I make some putts, maybe I chase down this young guy (Rutledge),” Hamilton said. “I’m hitting it really nicely right now, but I’ve got to get the ball in the hole because that’s the name of the game.”
Jean LaForce of Club de Golf Le Champetre sits alone in fourth at 1-under-par, with Phil Jonas and Jeff Buder, both of BritishColumbia,are T5.
Rutledge’s past Mr. Lube PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada victories came in 2015 at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club; 2013 at Lookout Point Country Club; 2012 at Emerald Hills Golf Club; and 2010 at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club. He’s also a former winner on the Web.com Tour, has six Mackenzie-PGA TOUR Canada titles and is a former PGA Championship of Canada winner.
However, he admitted he’s not about to get ahead of himself this week at Burlington.
“It’s an old cliché, but I’m taking one day at a time and I’ve really enjoyed coming here this week seeing old friends and playing a great golf course.”
Hamilton captured the Super Senior Division Wednesday, with Attila Becsy winning his second-consecutive Diamond Division title.
Burlington Golf & Country Club features undulating topography and an attractive location on Hamilton Bay. Today’s challenging layout at Burlington Golf and Country Club, still essentially that designed by Stanley Thompson, Canada’s leading contemporary golf course architect, opened in 1924.
The PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada was first played in 1938 as a division of the Canadian PGA Championship. In 1973, the championship became an independent event and has remained as such.
Among the Canadian golf legends to win the PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada are Stan Leonard, Moe Norman—who won a record seven straight years from 1979-1985—Bob Panasik, Al Balding—who wowed the golf world by winning at age 76 in 2000—and Rutledge.
To follow the Mr. Lube PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada online throughout tournament week, visit pgaofcanada.com
Click here to view the leaderboard and final round tee times.