Monday, July 30, 2018

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Simon Fraser graduate and three-time GNAC Men’s Golf Player of the Year Chris Crisologo received his first taste of play on the PGA Tour over the weekend and made the most of it.

Earning a spot into the RBC Canadian Open at the Glen Abbey Golf Club near Toronto, Crisologo finished the four-day PGA Tour event in a tie for 45th place. One of four amateurs invited into the field, and the only one to make the cut, Crisologo carded three under-par rounds to finish at 9-under-par 279. He finished tied with four others, including longtime PGA Tour fixture Jim Furyk.

Crisologo finished ahead of a number of well-known golfers as he looks to make his own mark in the months following the end of his collegiate career. He finished ahead of 33 tour professionals and made the cut over some big names, including 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia, Americans Ben Crane and Bubba Watson; and South African Retief Goosen.

“It was quite the experience,” Crisologo said in a video posted to the RBC Canadian Open’s Twitter feed (@RBCCanadianOpen). “Coming into the event I felt pretty good about my game and I felt really good about making the cut, having a little bit of impact on the weekend. Honestly, all around, I thought I could have played a little better, which is a little surprising. I think I was a little mediocre out there, but just to be out here and take it all in as an amazing feeling.”

Things could not have started better for Crisologo, who shot 4-under-par 68 in Thursday’s opening round. That placed him in a tie with American Dustin Johnson, who went on to win the tournament. Crisologo secured his place above the cut-line on Friday with a 3-under-par 69.

A double bogey on the first hole hurt Crisologo to open the third round, but he recovered to birdie five holes and finished at 1-over-par 73. His game came back under par in the final round on Sunday, repeating a 3-under-par 69 to secure his final score of 279.

Among the tournament field, Crisologo was ranked No. 1 in driving distance with an average of 327.5 feet and was tied for 13th with 13 birdies in the four rounds.

Crisologo was one of seven Canadians to make the cut out of 21 Canadian nationals entered in the tournament. His score was good enough to rank him fourth among the Canadian field.

A three-time GNAC Men’s Golf Player of the Year and a four-time First Team All-GNAC selection, Crisologo was named a Third Team Division II All-American by the Golf Coaches Association of America this year and was a first-team selection in 2017. He finished his college career as the GNAC all-time leader with a 71.24 stroke average. Crisologo in one of four golfers with GNAC connections that have qualified for August’s U.S. Amateur Championship.