WINNIPEG – American Josh Habig’s strong short game carried him to a 4-under-par 67 and the overnight lead at the Canadian Tour’s Players Cup on Saturday.
Habig, the 2006 Players Cup champion, regained the lead from fellow American Tom Hoge, who is one stroke back.
“The round was pretty solid today except for a loose swing on No. 2 and a bogey on 9, which for that hole I will take,” said Habig who currently sits in the 11th position on the Canadian Tour Order of Merit. “I was happy how I was able to bounce back after the bogey on two and make four straight birdies.”
Habig was at the top of the leaderboard after Thursday’s first round, but slipped behind a surging Hoge on Friday. Hoge has been the surprise of the Players Cup, having qualified for the tournament on Monday.
Roger Sloan (71) of Merritt, B.C., and Dustin Risdon (72) of Strathmore, Alta., were the top Canadians at 6 under par and in a four-way tie for sixth.
Ottawa’s Brad Fritsch (65) jumped up the leaderboard to round out the top 10 with a 5 under on the tournament.
If Habig wins the tournament he would gain an automatic exemption into next week’s RBC Canadian Open at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver. Habig last played in the Canadian Open in 2006 where he missed the cut in his second PGA TOUR start.
“That is the biggest bonus to winning this event but I didn’t think about it at all today,” said Habig, whose only tour win came in 2006 in Winnipeg. “I know I thought about it last night but I’m going to try not to think about it tomorrow and just focus on this tournament.”
Isabelle Beisiegel of St. Hilaire, Que., missed the cut on Friday. She is the first female member of a men’s professional golf tour. The Players Cup is her third tournament as a regular on the Canadian Tour.
The Players Cup is hosted by Chicago Blackhawks’ captain Jonathan Toews.
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