Brazilian Continues Runner-Up Act

The law of averages suggests one day, probably soon, Brazilian Lucas Lee is going to win a Canadian Tour event. Rob Grube just made sure it wasn’t Sunday during the final round of the Riviera Nayarit Classic in Nayarit, Mexico.

Grube capped off a week in which he held at least a share of the lead from the opening day on to get to 22-under 198 over the four days, one shot better than Lee, a tour sophomore who registered a final round 69.

For the second consecutive week, Mexico’s Jose de Jesus Rodriguez made a final-day challenge, posting a 66 to grab third spot at 19-under with American Randall Hutchison (69).

Fresh from a seventh-place finish at last week’s Mexican PGA Championship, James Allenby added another top 10, closing with 72 to place ninth, with five others including fellow Canadians Brad Fritsch (68) and Adam Hadwin (67). Hadwin was making his debut as full-fledged tour member.

“This feels great,” said Grube. “They say the first one is always special, so I am sure I’ll remember this one for a long time.”

For Lee, it was another heartbreaking close call. Sunday’s result was his third runner-up finish in just over nine months.

“I had a lot of chances for birdie, but just didn’t make anything,” he said. “I felt a little more pressure than usual, but I’ll learn from it. I played very well all week and I know my time will come.”

The Canadian Tour will now get set for the launch of its summer-long Canadian swing, beginning with Spring Qualifying School in late May in Parksville, BC, right before the Times Colonist Open in Victoria.

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