(Gananoque, Ont., - September 9, 2012) - Eugene Wong of North Vancouver, BC continued his hot streak Sunday, claiming the 2012 Great Waterway Classic just two weeks after his first career professional victory at the Canadian Tour Championship and a week after capturing the Vancouver Open on the Vancouver Golf Tour.
Wong fired a final round 6-under 65 to edge two-time Canadian Tour winner Daniel Im of La Mirada, CA to claim his second consecutive Canadian Tour win by a single shot. The 21-year old shot four-under 32 on the final nine, and birdied the 16th to secure the victory.
"It's been a pretty unbelievable stretch for me," said Wong. "I just tried to stay focused on what I was doing and was fortunate to come out with the victory."
Im, a two-time winner on the Canadian Tour, made an impressive run at Wong which began yesterday when the UCLA product shot what was described as the round of the year. Im posted 8-under 63 in treacherous conditions on Saturday and followed it up with a 6-under 65 on Sunday.
"Daniel played great golf the last two days, and that really put some pressure on me," said Wong, who was able to lay up on the par-5 18th and two-putt to secure the victory.
After hitting the flagstick with his approach on the ninth hole and making birdie, Wong made another birdie on the 10th hole to key a back nine run.
"That birdie on 10 really got me going," said Wong, who turns 22 years old tomorrow. "I hit a lot of solid golf shots after that."
Wong's round of 65 was his eighth straight round of 68 or better on the Canadian Tour.
Matt Hill of Sarnia, ON earned Canadian Rookie of the Year honours presented by The Great Waterway, as well as the top spot on the Order of Merit. Hill finished first on the Order of Merit with just under $50,000 in earnings. Hill joins the likes of Mike Weir and Graham DeLaet as past winners of the rookie award.
With his Order of Merit victory Hill also grabs one of the exemptions into the second stage of PGA TOUR Qualifying School. Joining Hill at second stage will be Burlington's Michael Gligic who earned just under $43,000 in seven events played.
Andrew Roque of Monterey Park, CA takes home International Rookie of the Year honours which has been won by the likes of Steve Stricker and Chris DiMarco.
