The party started for Carl Pettersson before he even made the cut at the RBC Canadian Open. Little did he know it would continue right through the weekend.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “I still can’t believe I won the tournament.”

Pettersson’s path to victory started on Friday night when he made a 10-foot par putt at No. 18. He was well back of the lead at that point and headed to the clubhouse at St. George’s Golf and Country Club unsure if he’d be booking a flight home.

“I walked in the locker-room and Jay Williamson had all the (cut) scenarios written out, and he’s like, `Grab a beer,”‘ said Pettersson. “Before you know it, I’d had seven beers. Made the cut. And my caddie had to drive me home.”

The next morning he got in contention by shooting a course-record 60 — narrowly missing a 30-foot birdie putt for a 59 — and on Sunday afternoon he pulled out a one-shot victory over Dean Wilson by closing with a 67.

Even that seemed unlikely early in the final round when Wilson held a four-shot lead. But Pettersson turned the heat up with consecutive birdies from Nos. 13-15 and held on for his fourth career PGA Tour win and a first-place cheque of US$918,000.

It was a crushing loss for Wilson, who got into the $5.1-million tournament on a late sponsor’s exemption and had the chance to secure his tour card for the next two years with a win.

The low Canadian this week was Adam Hadwin, who finished off his first PGA Tour event in style by hitting an approach within inches at the 72nd hole. He shot 71 to tie for 37th. Jon Mills of Oshawa, Ont., shot 72 and was 48th while Calgary’s Stephen Ames had a 70 and was 59th. Mike Weir did not make the cut.

Read the full article here.