(July 28, 2012 - Ancaster, ON) - Canadian Tour Order of Merit leader Matt Hill shot a one-over 71 Saturday to put himself in the hunt for the Rivermead Cup at the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ontario.
Hill, who is playing the weekend for the first time at the Canadian Open, will look to become the third straight low Canadian at the Open from the Canadian Tour. Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, BC took the Rivermead Cup each of the last two seasons.
"I didn't get much out of my round but I hit a lot of great shots out there," said Hill who made three birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. "I'm still feeling good about this week and really looking forward to tomorrow."
Teeing off the back nine after tee times were moved up due to overnight weather concerns, Hill got off to a hot start going two-under for his first six holes before losing a series of shots on his final nine.
"I had it going pretty early but just didn't finish the round really well," commented Hill, who will be looking to top his best PGA TOUR finish ofT-50 at the 2010 Reno-Tahoe Open.
"I feel like my game isn't far off from being able to compete out here," said Hill, who sits tied for 62nd through 54 holes.
Hill is the only active Canadian Tour member to make the weekend in Ancaster. Five others (Adam Hadwin, Cory Renfrew, Brad Fritsch, Michael Gligic and Nick Taylor) played in the tournament but failed to make et 36-hole cut.
Canadian Tour alumni David Hearn, who works with Hill's swing coach Ralph Bauer, and Graham Delaet sit at two-under par to lead all Canucks in the field. Other Canadians to make the cut include amateur Albin Choi (one-under) and Canadian Tour alumus Matt McQuillan (four-over).
Palm City, FL's Ken Duke and Australia's Nathan Green top a list of numerous Canadian Tour alumni in the field this week, sitting at eight-under par and tied for 15th spot.
Hill will tee off the first hole at 8:20 AM with 2008 Masters Champion Trevor Immelman. Follow along at PGATOUR.com for live scoring.
