Aussie Ruffels well placed
Inspired by countrymen Jason Day and Greg Norman, teen sensation Ryan Ruffels hopes to blast his way to a Canadian Open victory in the closing rounds of the US PGA Tour event in Toronto.
Ruffels made his Tour debut in the 2015 event at the Jack Nicklausdesigned Glen Abbey course and witnessed Day blitz the field with an average driving distance of 292m en route to a one-shot win.
Just two shots off the lead after yesterday’s second round, 19-yearold Ruffels believes his 296m average off the tee this week gives him a fighting chance to claim Australia’s ninth Canadian Open title.
Ruffels also pointed to Norman’s two victories (1984 and 1992) as evidence the 6650m course can be overpowered.
“It’s an American-style parkland course. Because the rough isn’t too bad, if you’re close enough to the green, you’ve got a good chance at making birdie,” Ruffels said.
“A lot of the Aussies hit it quite far and that allows you to take the bunkers out of play.
“You look at Jason, he’s a bomber, and obviously Greg Norman was one of the greatest drivers of the golf ball.”
With a pair of five-under-par 67s, Ruffels’ 10-under total leaves him within striking distance of unheralded American leader Martin Flores heading into the third round.
Flores (66) has set the pace at 12-under, with compatriots Brandon Hagy (68), Matt Every (68) and Gary Woodland (63) a shot back in second.
Ruffels shares fifth place with four others, including three-time major winner Vijay Singh (68).
World No 1 Dustin Johnson (69) is lurking at eight-under with a host of others, including English veteran Ian Poulter.
Ruffels believes plying his trade on the PGA Tour’s third-tier South American circuit has made him feel more comfortable when he ventures back to the main Tour.
Ruffels has made seven cuts in his 13 total starts on Tour but says he’s ready to bag his first professional victory.
“Playing in South America has taught me a lot, particularly how to weather rough patches in the middle of a round,” he said. “I’m feeling really comfortable now seeing my name on the leaderboard.”
Cameron Percy shot a 71 to be next best of the Australians at fiveunder, a shot ahead of countryman Brett Drewitt (72).
Two of the three Kiwis playing in the Canadian tournament survived the cut.
Danny Lee’s second-round 68 has him on four-under, while Steven Alker shot a second straight 70 to join Lee and a host of others tied for 58th.
With the cut coming at fourunder, fellow New Zealander Tim Wilkinson (on even-par) didn’t survive the weekend, after following up his first-round 74 with a 70 in the second.