Adam Hadwin worked overtime to defend his title at the Vancouver Open on the weekend.
The 23-year-old golfer from Abbotsford began the Vancouver Golf Tour’s showcase event with matching rounds of 65 at McCleery and Langara, opening up a seven-stroke lead over Kamloops pro Brad Clapp.
But Clapp came roaring back during Sunday’s third and final round at Fraserview, shooting a 66 to finish at 11 under par. Hadwin shot 73, and needed a birdie on 18 to force a playoff.
But Hadwin took care of business on the first playoff hole, making birdie on the par-five 18th to edge Clapp and earn $10,000 from the event’s $75,000 purse.
The victory means even more momentum for Hadwin, who has staged a coming-out party in 2011. He’s won just over $300,000 in three PGA Tour starts, including a made cut at the U.S. Open and a fourth-place finish at the RBC Canadian Open at Shaughnessy. He also has a Canadian Tour victory under his belt, and is eighth on that circuit’s order of merit.
Abbotsford was well-represented at the Vancouver Open, beyond Hadwin. Andrew Smeeth was tied for ninth at four under par, while siblings Nick and Josh Taylor finished at three-under and two-under, respectively.
