Ottawa pair vying for Bell spots
Brad Fritsch's game has taken a big step forward this year. Now the Manotick pro would like to take the next big step, a shot at the big time in the Bell Canadian Open.
Fritsch and Ottawa's Lee Curry are in a field of what is expected to be about 40 players today contending for four spots in the 100th Bell Canadian Open, Canada's only PGA Tour stop, which gets under way Thursday at Glen Abbey.
"As well as I've been playing lately, if I had another good week ... this could be such a springboard," said Fritsch last night after arriving at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club in Milton where today's qualifier will take place.
"You could make the cut and next year could be taken care of (financially). What are there going to be there? Nine Ryder Cuppers? It would be awesome just to be around them."
Fritsch is playing the best golf of his career these days. He's coming off a tie for second at the Canadian Tour's Bay Mills Open Players Championship, his best finish on the CanTour. He cashed his biggest cheque -- for $13,725 -- bringing his year's earnings on the Canadian Order of Merit to $30,774. That's good for 19th place and makes Fritsch the fourth-ranked Canadian.
He said his improved play has more to do with course management than technical changes.
"I decided about two months ago there are ways to take bogey out of play when you're in the middle of the fairway," said the 26-year-old. "You just have to make sure you don't take too much club. Sometimes it's just better to be 20 feet below the hole.
"My putting has been better, too. I've got a routine now that gets me lined up every time."
Curry, a CanTour rookie this year, finished up 55th on the Order of Merit with $11,256. His best finish was a T11. He made three straight cuts before missing out on weekend play at Bay Mills.
He had a 65 at a Montreal qualifier -- the low round of the day -- to earn his spot in today's event. Curry, who turned pro after an outstanding amateur career, has played twice before in the Canadian Open.
chris.stevenson@ott.sunpub.com
