By Canadian Press

Petrovic sits atop leaderboard through first round of Shaw Charity Classic

Aug 18, 2023 | 4:23 PM

CALGARY — A late birdie barrage at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club vaulted Tim Petrovic into the lead after first-round play at the Shaw Charity Classic on Friday.

Petrovic birdied his final three holes, and four of his last five, to card a round of 8-under 62.

Starting on the back nine of the par-70, 7,061-yard course, Petrovic birdied the 17th hole and eagled the 18th to start a run that saw him go 8 under through his final 11 holes of the day.

His score was just one off the course record of 61, which has been posted three times in the 11-year history of the PGA Tour Champions tournament.

Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., finished as the top Canadian in a five-way tie for eighth at 3-under 67.

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After struggling with two bogeys on the front nine, the 53-year-old Canadian Golf Hall of Famer rolled in four birdie putts in his final eight holes.

The 57-year-old Petrovic enjoyed overcast and calm conditions for the majority of his round before the wind picked up and light rains started when he was putting on the seventh hole.

Petrovic, from Austin, Texas, proceeded to drain a birdie putt before doing the same on the eighth and ninth greens to finish his round in fine fashion.

Fellow American Harrison Frazar was atop the leaderboard for most of the day until Petrovic passed him.

Frazar had a hot start to the the three-day, 54-hole event by birdying four of his first five holes. After bogeying the seventh hole, the 52-year-old Dallas, Texas native rolled in three more birdie putts on his back nine to finish the day in second spot at 6-under 64.

Meanwhile, Billy Mayfair shot 65 to finish the first round in third, while Ken Duke, Thongchai Jaidee, Dicky Pride and Tom Pernice Jr. are tied for fourth at 4-under 66.

Alan McLean of London, Ont., finished in a 17-way tie for 13th place at 2-under 68, just one stroke ahead of fellow Canadians Stephen Ames and David Morland IV.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 18, 2023.

Laurence Heinen, The Canadian Press