It came down to a playoff hole to decide the Men's Simon Fraser Open champion Sunday at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club and it was only fitting that Trevor Metcalf and Mike Legg were the last two standing in the tiebreaker.
Three weeks ago, Legg won the Aberdeen Glen Open in a playoff to dethrone two-time champion Adam Veenstra of Smithers.
When Metcalf won his first Simon Fraser Open title two years ago he needed three playoff holes to get the edge on Kevin Pederson.
But this time, the 28-year-old from Vanderhoof took care of business right away in his overtime showdown with Legg, resulting in his third-straight Simon Fraser championship.
"I played good for the first seven holes and just didn't make any putts, so it was nice to see one go in (on the playoff hole)," said Metcalf, who shot an even-par 69-67-76-212. "It was cool. I really wanted it, I wanted the three."
Metcalf had a five-shot lead over Legg and Blair Scott heading into the final round. Metcalf's inflated score in the third round allowed Legg to catch up
"I was getting pretty frustrated – I honestly got super-nervous and I struggled with nerves," said Metcalf. "I just couldn't get it in the hole. On 10, 11 and 12, I hit one bad shot that put me in a bad spot and then I missed the putts for par that had been going in before that."
Metcalf made the decision to go into the clubhouse just before the playoff to gulp down a shot of courage and that had the desired calming effect. His drive went to the left side of the fairway, just as he'd hoped, and his approach left him in good position, 12 feet away from a birdie. Legg was left with a long 30-foot birdie putt and he put it just wide.
"Kyle Dickson caddied for me on the (playoff) hole and I said to him, 'I'm playing so bad today, I have to make this putt. The further on I go, the less confident I'll be.'
"That pin was super-tricky because it was right in the middle of the green and it was on a hill. I hit the putt too hard, but I hit the line I wanted. I didn't want to leave it short. I didn't want to play anymore."
Legg thought he'd lost the tournament when he finished up his round Sunday with a birdie, but he learned after coming into the clubhouse it wasn't quite time to put away his clubs.
"I played with Trevor today and I knew he was kind of leaking oil, not playing as good as he normally does," said Legg, 48, who shot 75-66-71 for an even-par-212 total. "I thought he beat me by one, I thought he was at 75, but I found out we were going to a playoff. I just missed with my putt and he hit his."
The greens were fast all weekend and Legg said the heavy-hitting Metcalf took full advantage.
"He's a great player and this course sets up perfect for him because he can hit it so far," said Legg. "He has great control and he's a good putter."
Legg, now a four-time Simon Fraser runner-up, wasn't putting well in the first round and switched putters. Metcalf also changed clubs after his new putter deserted him in the practice round on Thursday.
"I played good in the first round," said Legg. "I just made one mistake and took an eight on No. 17 and that kind of killed me, but I'm really happy with how I played."
Scott played the final round with Legg and Metcalf and missed the playoff by two strokes. Scott finished at two-over (72-69-73-214). Keenan Hopson (72-70-74-216) and Dion Siranni (68-75-75-218) were also in the hunt for the title in the final round. Ninety-six players entered the tournament.
