The Presidents Cup, which pits a 12-man team from the United States against a line-up of global players from outside Europe, will be staged for the first time in South Korea, from October 8-11.
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On a personal level, withdrawing from a tournament in Canada was a blow for DeLaet, who acknowledged how important the Canadian Open is to him.
The second round is on Friday at the Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. “I certainly didn’t play my way out of it”. “I want to play four rounds here, so unless it’s really hurting me or I feel like I can do further damage, I’m going to try to play”.
The Brantford, Ont., native is tied for third place with only Campbell (14-under) and Brian Harman (12-under) ahead of him.
Hearn said he wasn’t trying to let his mind wander to the possibilities of what Sunday might hold. “Everyone wants the Canadians to do well here like I do”.
“I know how much this tournament means to every Canadian in this field and how much it means to Graham”.
The amateur, who last week represented Canada in the Pan Am Games, was bogey-free on his day. The 18-year-old noticed a drastic improvement from his first round. “But I didn’t have any kind of golf game out there today and then it was hurting”. “I had a couple of really nice pitches and bunker shots”.
Other Canadians also made the cut, including amateur Blair Hamilton, who stands at 5-under par, and Adam Hadwin, who was 6-under through 12 holes, but had to settle for a 5-under 65.
Frustrated by the injury, DeLaet was glad to shoot even-par 72 Thursday to sit eight strokes off the lead.
However, the world number 84 lasted just four holes on Friday before pulling out of the tournament.
“I gave myself a lot of chances today”, Hearn said, following his round. The pressure’s now on Hearn to carry the flag.
“That’s got to be tearing at his heart strings not being able to finish his round”. It has been more than 60 years since a Canadian won the country’s national open.
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“I feel like my game is in a good spot right now, and I have a chance to do something fun this weekend”.
