Big day for Wilson

Today is the most important day in the golfing life of former BYU golfer Dean Wilson, who begins the final round of the Canadian Open with a four-shot lead. Wilson, who was a teammate at BYU of former Master’s champion Mike Weir, won the 2006 International for his only PGA Tour win, but lost his Tour exemption after finishing out of the Top 125 on last year’s money list. He’s been relying on past champion status and sponsor’s exemptions to get into a few events this year, but he’s 122 on the money list and has only made three cuts in eight events. The only reason he’s playing this week in Toronto is because of his friendship with Weir, who helped him get a sponsor’s exemption. Weir, who is struggling severely with his game right now, missed the cut. But if Weir, the most popular Canadian golfer ever, can’t win it, there’s no doubt who he is cheering for. A win for Wilson, 40, will set him up for several more years on the Tour. Even a high finish should get him high enough on the money list to get him back on Tour next season.
It’s also a big day for St. George’s Jay Don Blake, who begins the final round of the British Senior Open tied for third place. Blake is fighting to get inside the Top 30 money list on the Champions Tour so he can have regular playing privileges and avoid the weekly qualifiers or other exemptions. Provo’s Dan Forsman, who is having a great year on the Champions Tour, is also in position for another high finish.
On the Nationwide Tour, former Cougar Daniel Summerhays is looking to win the same tournament he won three years ago, the Children’s Hospital Charity. He begins today’s final round tied for fourth, and he sits 21st on the money list and must finish the year in the Top 25 to get PGA Tour privileges next season. Win today will pretty much secure him a spot on the Tour next year.