LONDON, Ont. — Max Gilbert captured his first pro victory at the Tour Championship of Canada.
Gilbert, a 23-year-old rookie from St. Georges, Que., birdied on the penultimate hole to take the lead then two-putted for a one-shot win over Trevor Murphy on Sunday.
"When I arrived here this week I didn’t think I could win. It’s unbelievable," said Gilbert, who earned the $27,000 winner’s cheque after playing only one year for the Laval Rouge et Or before turning professional.
After a 9-iron approach from 150 yards on the 17th hole, Gilbert rolled in a 20-footer for birdie to regain the lead at 20-under par.
Murphy would give himself a 20-footer of his own at 18 to force a playoff, but his putt carried too much speed and bounced off the back of the cup, giving Gilbert a simple two-putt from 15 feet for the win.
"I knew I was going to need a birdie coming in, and thought I would need another one at 18," said Gilbert.
Murphy carded a final-round 68 to finish a season-best second place, while defending champion Eugene Wong of North Vancouver, B.C., shot a final-round 67 to place tied for third alongside Alex Kang.
Meanwhile, Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., won $10,000 as the Canadian player of the year on the PGA Tour Canada.
The 22-year old finished with $52,114 in earnings on the season, highlighted by a victory at the Cape Breton Celtic Classic. Hughes finished first overall on the Order of Merit and will have exempt status on the Web.com Tour in 2014.
Hughes will be joined on the Web.com Tour by Riley Wheeldon of Richmond, B.C., Mark Hubbard, Hugo Leon and Wil Collins.