Golf: Waite's nerve holds but not his luck

By GEOFF CUMMING

Grant Waite's final round of 66 in the Canadian Open gave him a total of 21 under par, surely enough for victory in any big tournament in the world.

The only obstacle was a very difficult one - Tiger Woods.

Undaunted by the magnitude of his task, Waite matched the world's number one golfer stroke for stroke in the 18 epic holes of that final round.

When it was over his total for the tournament was a brilliant 267, a total that only a record could beat.

Even so, it wasn't good enough.

Woods, who began the last day tied with Waite at 15-under, pulled out another record-breaking performance just when he needed it. His 72-hole total of 266 was the lowest in the 22 years the Canadian Open has been played at Glen Abbey.

In pushing Woods to the wire, the 36-year-old from Palmerston North upstaged most of the world's big-name golfers.

Just a fortnight ago he was hovering in 121st place on the money list with a handful of tournaments left to play.

"My goal was not to get too caught up in the hype," Waite said afterwards. "I gave him a run for the money.

"I could have done a little better on a couple of shots but shooting 66 in the last round at Glen Abbey and get beaten ... [sighs] ... the other guy."

A relieved Woods, who secured his ninth tour win of the year, said: "Grant forced my hand."

By finishing second in consecutive weekend tournaments in Canada, Waite has won $US680,000 ($1.6 million) and jumped to 35th on the US money list. His earnings for the year are just shy of $US1 million ($2.3 million) and he is well clear of the cutoff point of 125th to retain his tour card, which guarantees entry to 30 events on the lucrative PGA Tour.

Waite's nerveless performance came as no surprise to his Mum, Rae Calvert, nor others who have followed his career since he left Palmerston North for a golfing scholarship at Oklahoma University in 1983.

Mrs Calvert, who sat glued to her television for the second weekend in a row, said the turnaround in fortunes was the culmination of years of effort.

"It's just superb to see how his game has matured and how focused he is on what he is doing.

"He has been trying so hard to get further up the ladder ... He just needed an ounce of luck today."

She said the two golfers knew each other well from practising together at Waite's home course in Orlando, Florida. "He would not have been intimidated by Tiger."

Waite's effort capped a great weekend for the New Zealand contingent in Ontario. Close friend Craig Perks, who grew up swinging clubs with Waite in Palmerston North, finished fourth for his biggest payday of the year while Frank Nobilo walked off with a $US47,000 ($112,000) Lincoln car after a third-round hole in one.