PGA TOUR: Former AU golfer Dufner finishes in tie for third at Canadian Open

OAKVILLE, Ontario — Former Auburn golfer Jason Dufner couldn’t hold on to a share of the lead heading into the final round, finishing in a tie for third at the Canadian Open on Monday.

Nathan Green won the tournament in a playoff over Retief Goosen.

For Dufner, it was his first top-three finish at a PGA event. He moved back into a tie for lead while finishing up his third round Monday, sinking an eagle on the par 5 18th hole.

The tournament was hampered by rain all week. Dufner had to play 30 holes Monday.

“It’s just been a bizarre week. A long week,” Green, who picked up his first victory in 112 PGA starts, told the Associated Press.

Dufner is having his best season to date, with top-10 finishes at the Quail Hollow Championship, St. Jude Classic, Zurich Classic and Honda Classic. He has made 16-of-20 cuts and earned $1,348,199.

Dufner, who still resides in Auburn, was 36th in the FedEx Cup standings when they were released Monday morning.

“It’s a huge surprise to finally win,” said Green, the 34-year-old former Canadian Tour player from Toronto — Toronto, Australia, that is. “This is where I started my pro career. I love coming up here. The people are great.”

After missing a 12-foot birdie attempt on the par-4 17th on the second extra hole, Green won when Goosen’s 8-foot par try slid right.

“I’m not too disappointed,” Goosen said. “I had my chance.”

In sunny conditions, Green completed a third-round 69 with an eagle on the par-5 18th and shot a 68 in the fourth to match Goosen at 18 under. Goosen three-putted the 18th for par in his morning 67, then eagled the closing hole in the afternoon for a 69.

Goosen had a putt to win on 18 on the first extra hole, but missed a 6-footer after leaving his bunker shot above the hole. Green saved par after his second shot bounced off a cart path, landing near the scoring trailer above the green.

“I dodged a bullet,” said Green, who also saved par on the 18th to force the playoff after hitting over the green and into the crowd.

Goosen had his fourth straight top-six finish worldwide. After tying for 16th in the U.S. Open, the 40-year-old South African was third in the BMW International in Germany, tied for sixth in the Scottish Open and tied for fifth in the British Open.

“I’m very happy with the way I’m playing,” said Goosen, the Transitions Championship winner in March. “I’ve had chances to win in the last four tournaments I’ve played in. I’ve just got to keep going and hopefully it’s going to come my way.”

Anthony Kim (66-73) and Jason Dufner (70-73) tied for third at 14 under, a stroke ahead of Lee Janzen (70-67), Brandt Snedeker (67-68) and Jerry Kelly (72-71).

Stephen Ames (72-67) and Chris Baryla (70-66) were the top Canadian finishers, tying for eighth at 12 under. Mike Weir (69-71) tied for 24th at 10 under.

“It’s a relief to get it over with. Finally,” Ames said.

Green won for the second time in Canada, following a 2000 victory in a Canadian Tour event in Sudbury. He also won the Queensland PGA in Australia in 2000 and took the European tour’s 2006 New Zealand Open.

The playoff also was the second of his PGA Tour career. In the 2006 Buick Invitational, he was eliminated on the first extra hole, and Tiger Woods went on to beat Jose Maria Olazabal on the second hole.

“I was definitely a bit calmer today than I was then,” Green said.

Green earned $918,000 to jump from 132nd to 43rd on the money list with $1,282,017, and also received a tour exemption through 2011.

“That’s huge for me,” Green said. “It’s just such a buzz for me to be able to turn the year around so dramatically. That’s more than I thought I could have done.”