Santiago, Chile (Sportsbooks) - Argentina's Rafael Gomez shot a three-under 68 in the final round Sunday to win the Canadian Tour's 2009 season opener. Gomez won the Sport Frances Open by one shot at seven-under-par 277, earning a Canadian Tour exemption for two years. He claimed $25,600 for the victory. "I have won five times this year and this one means a lot," said Gomez, whose other wins have come on the Tour of the Americas, a co-sponsor of the event. Daniel Im of the United States had an even-par 71 and took second place at six-under 278, with Clodomiro Carranza (68) of Argentina finishing third at five-under 279. Third-round leader Christoph Guenther stumbled to a 75 and fell into a tie for fourth place with Hugo Leon (71) at four-under 280. Gomez was working on a spotless round -- four birdies and 13 pars -- until the final hole at Sport Frances Golf Club, where he three-putted for a closing bogey. He rolled his birdie putt four feet past the hole, then missed the one coming back. Gomez paid for his overconfidence with a bogey, but it didn't cost him the win. "When it belongs to you, no one can take it away," said Gomez. The Canadian Tour remains in South America next week for the Argentine Masters, where 2007 U.S. Open winner Angel Cabrera will headline the field. |
