Pre-tournament favourite Alan MacLean survived to win the PGA Seniors Championship of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ on Friday, but just barely, while Jim Rutledge’s hunt to join Canadian legend Moe Norman came up short.
MacLean, from Ontario and coming off a 42nd-place finish at the U.S. Senior Open, took a three-shot lead into Friday’s final round at Ledgeview Golf Club in Abottsford, but needed a playoff hole to secure the victory and the $7,000 top prize.
MacLean, who plays out of Echo Valley Golf Club in London, Ont., shot a final-round 70 but Dennis Hendershott fired a 66 on Friday to force the playoff hole. MacLean was victorious and now the Ontario pro earns a trip to Calgary next week for the PGA Tour Champions Shaw Charity Classic.
Rutledge, of Victoria, was looking for his eighth PGA Seniors Championship of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ title which would have tied Norman for the most on record. But the Uplands member shot an even-par 70 on Friday to finish in eighth spot, earning him $700.
Randy Frank, general manager at Olympic View Golf Course in Colwood, finished up with a 73 on Friday and tied for 22nd overall.