Pruitt, Mezei to Meet in Finals of 98th Canadian Amateur
Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:43:30
Pruitt eliminated Andrew Parr of London, ON in Saturday's semi final with ease. Playing in his first Canadian Amateur Championship, Pruitt defeated Parr 4 and 3. He was victorious on the first hole during the match, and never surrendered his lead.
After nine holes, Pruitt enjoyed a 3-up advantage. A birdie on hole No. 11 followed by consistent golf on the next four holes secured Pruitt a place in the final.
Mezei didn't have it so easy. In a match that lasted 19 holes and one where Harvey was 1 up on eight, and the pair were all square for the other ten, Mezei came through on the 19th hole to advance.
"Harvey hit his tee shot too far right off the tee on the 19th hole. He had a good second shot, but his chip rolled 20 feet past the hole. He missed the putt for a potential half," said Mezei, who capitalized on his opponent's mistake, by hitting the green in two and making his second putt, to advance to Sunday's final round.
He'll try to beat Pruitt by hitting fairways and making birdie putts.
"Tomorrow is going to be all about making putts. If I can hole lots of putts for birdie, then I'll be hard to beat. Otherwise it'll be tough. Dillard [Pruitt] is a great player and if I come out tomorrow and shoot a 71, I won't stand a chance," said Mezei.
Mezei has his work cut out for him. Pruitt played professional golf from 1984 to 1996. His amateur status was renewed in November 2001. This is only Pruitt's second amateur championship since reclaiming his amateur status; he is currently the 2002 Sunnehanna Amateur champion.
Mezei, however, is backed by an impressive championship resume of his own. He won the Canadian Junior Championship in 2000. That same year he finished first at the 2000 Alberta Junior Team Trials, and topped the Canadian Junior Order of Merit. This year he finished second at the Alberta Amateur. Tomorrow, he'll try for the biggest win of his career.
If Mezei comes out on top in the final round, it will be the first time a Canadian has won the Canadian Amateur in four years, and the first time a player from Alberta has won in over ten. In 1989 Peter Major of Calgary, AB was the last Albertan to win the title.
Semi Final Match Play Results:
(20) Dillard Pruitt, Greenville, SC def. (24) Andrew Parr, London, ON 4 and 3
(2) Michael Mezei, Lethbridge, AB def. (22) Ronald Harvey Jr,Picadilly, NB 19th hole
Quarter Final Match Play Results:
(24) Andrew Parr, London, ON def. (16) Bill Seagris, Red Rock, ON 6 and 5
(20) Dillard Pruitt, Greenville, SC def. (60) Jason Monteleone, Kelowna, BC 2 and 1
(2) Michael Mezei, Lethbridge, AB def. (39) Marc-Andre Roy, Boisbriand, QC 19th hole
(22) Ronald Harvey Jr, Picadilly, NB def. (30) Charlie Woo, Markham, ON 19th hole
Final Match:
Morning Draw (original seed number in brackets)
8:00a.m. (20) Dillard Pruitt, Greenville, SC VS (2) Michael Mezei, Lethbridge, AB
The 98th Canadian Amateur will culminate in a 36-hole championship final on Sunday, August 18 starting at 8:00a.m. To view the match play brackets, please visit www.rcga.org and look under the amateur championship link. Also, look for a one-hour feature documenting the highlights of the championship and the lives of the finalists on CTV in the near future."
