Dillard Pruitt Walks Away With 98th Canadian Amateur Championship

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:43:33

"Edmundston, NB - Dillard Pruitt of Greenville, SC watched his ball disappear into the 31st hole of the day, kissed his caddy - his wife - and walked away the winner of the 98th Canadian Amateur Championship conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association and hosted by Fraser Edmundston Golf Club in Edmundston, NB.

Drawing on 12 years of experience as a player on the PGA TOUR, Pruitt defeated Michael Mezei of Lethbridge, AB 6 and 5 in the 36-hole championship final.

Competing in only his second amateur championship since his amateur status was renewed in the spring, and his first Canadian Amateur, Pruitt was thrilled with his win.

"I feel so great. It has been such an honour to come up here and play in Canada's most prestigious amateur championship. Having played professional golf and not ever felt quite good enough, for me to come back and win this championship, I can't tell you how good this feels," said an emotional Pruitt.

Pruitt is one of three Americans to win the championship in the last four years. The last Canadian to take home the title was Craig Matthew of Pointe Claire, QC in 1998.

In today's final match, Pruitt went 1-up with an early birdie on hole No. 3, and never let up. After 18 holes, he held a comfortable 4-up advantage over Mezei. He carried his lead into the afternoon match, and extended it to six with birdies on holes No. 6 and 10.

"When I went 6-up after ten, I relaxed. Even though Mike [Mezei] won the next hole, I felt safe. With my victory on the 12th hole I thought, 'Well all I have to do now is make some pars'," said Pruitt.

Heading into the 13th hole dormie in the match, Pruitt did make par, halved the hole, and won the championship. He was 3-under after 31 holes. Mezei finished the morning round at even par 70, but struggled in the afternoon match.

"I knew I would have to shoot under par to stand a chance against Pruitt. You can't beat him without a lot of birdies - he's too good a player - and I just wasn't giving myself the chances I needed this afternoon," said Mezei.

Mezei's chance at the Canadian Amateur title has passed; however, both players are exempt to compete in the 2002 Bell Canadian Open at the Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, ON from September 2-8, 2002.

Due to other commitments, Pruitt will not honour his exemption."