Golf: Robert Garrigus feels good as he defends lead

ROBERT Garrigus grabbed a one-shot lead as American players took a stranglehold of the Canadian Open going into last night’s final round.

Garrigus fired a six-under-par 64 to move to 16-under 194, one clear of William McGirt (66) and two in front of Scott Piercy (67).

McGirt and Piercy had shared the lead overnight. American players made up the top ten on the leaderboard with former major winners Retief Goosen of South Africa (63) and Fijian Vijay Singh (69) the best of the international challengers, seven shots behind.

Garrigus carded four birdies and an eagle on a bogey-free day and promised to continue to attack in the final round as he searches for his second PGA Tour victory.

“It’s foot to the floor as much as possible,” he said. “I know I can’t let anybody in the golf tournament and if I go out and make birdies they’re not going to catch me so I’m just going to go hammering at flags and hit fairways and hopefully everything works out.

“I just like the way the course sets up. It’s a hilly golf course. Fitness is a big issue and I’m in really good shape right now.”