Veteran Presence

Heading into tomorrow’s final round on the Wanamaker Course at PGA Golf Club in Port St Lucie, Fla., Magna Golf Club’s Danny King and Brett Burgeson of Country Hills Golf Club both sit at 3 under, 141.

Burgeson’s second round featured five birdies and two bogeys en route to a 3-under par 69, while King made three birdies and three bogeys for an even-par 72.

“I made four birdies over the first six holes and really I should have had five,” Burgeson said of his outward. “The thing for today was that I wanted to get close to the lead because you don’t want too much separation going into the final round, especially with the wind the way it is.”

Tuesday’s second round conditions saw more blustery winds with clouds parting mid-morning and the sun warming temperatures 75 degrees.

At last year’s championship, King was in great position to grab his third PGA Club Pro Championship of Canada title, but was unable to get the job done in the third round. This time around however, he says he’s just going to let things fly a little bit more and enjoy the situation.

“Some people are comfortable with playing in the lead and some are not,” King says. “But I relish it and try to hit every shot as good as I can and go from there and whatever happens, happens.”

Sitting just one shot back of the No. 2 and the No. 6-ranked players from the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC is BraeBen Golf Academy’s Bradlee Ryall. The 230th-ranked player will join King and Burgeson and says he’s excited about the possibilities come Wednesday’s final round.

“I’m looking forward to an unbelievable opportunity tomorrow to play with my friend Danny King and get to know Brett Burgeson,” Ryall says. “I’ll be happy for anyone who wins and I’m going to give it my best.”

1997 PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada winner Marc Girouard (Diamont Club de Golf), 2000 champion Graham Gunn (White Sands Golf & Practice Centre) and Eric Laporte (Montcalm Club de Golf) are T4, two shots off the lead at 1 under. Dean North (Carman Golf Club), first round leader Scott Allred (Elbow Springs Golf Club) and 2010 champion Brian Hutton are at even-par, T7.

Rounding out the top 10 at 1 over are Lance McCullough (The Ridge Course at Cordova Bay), Chris Barber (The Landings Golf Course & Teaching Centre) and Scott Hickson (The Royal Montreal Golf Club).

In total, 73 players made the cut, with tee times taking place Wednesday morning between 7:30-11:15.

In the Inter-Zone Team Championship, Ottawa Valley and Quebec tied at 435, however, under the tie breaking procedure, the Ottawa Valley squad—Barber, Marc Foucalt (Kingsway Parc Club de Golf), Gunn and Chris Learmonth (Deep River Golf Club)—took home the title. Team Ontario finished third at 436.

For final tee times and the full leaderboard, CLICK HERE.

To follow the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada online throughout tournament week, visit the PGA of Canada’s Twitter feed, YouTube channel, FaceBook page and website