Kodak Challenge results at the RBC Canadian Open

text size

Jul. 27, 2009

The Kodak Challenge is a first-of-its-kind competition for PGA TOUR players, who must play at least 18 of the 30 Kodak Challenge holes to be eligible to win. A player's lowest score relative to par on his best 18 Kodak Challenge holes will be counted. The player with the lowest cumulative score relative to par wins $1 million and the Kodak Challenge trophy.

THIS WEEK'S HOLE: The par-4, 452-yard 11th at Glen Abbey GC
DESCRIPTION: This green was rebuilt recently by Jack Nicklaus and tends to be a little firm and very fast (especially putting towards the creek). No. 11 is the first of the spectacular "Valley Holes" and is recognized as one of the most beautiful holes in all of golf. Check the tree tops for wind direction and try to split the fairway. On your approach, be sure to remember the distance to the flag is all carry. An extra club is recommended, and, if the pin is at the back, add another. For more on the 11th, click here.

Third and fourth rounds

Nathan Green, currently tied for second in the Kodak Challenge, beat Retief Goosen in a thrilling playoff to win the RBC Canadian Open. Green, who birdied Kodak Challenge hole No. 11 twice during his triumphant run at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, advanced to 10 under and one stroke off the Kodak Challenge lead. Kevin Streelman maintained his lead in the Kodak Challenge by playing the tricky 11th hole at even par throughout the tournament. While the Kodak Challenge hole was the sixth most difficult hole at Glen Abbey, several Kodak Challenge contenders bested the difficult par 4 to move up the leaderboard. Tourney winner Green, Michael Letzig and Nicholas Thompson all birdied to move to a second place. Thompson even managed to move up a stroke despite missing the cut. The only eagles carded on No. 11 during the soggy weekend were delivered by Kodak Challengers John Merrick, who moved to 9-under par, and Jeff Klauk, whose deuce moved him into contention at 8-under par. The Kodak Challenge continues on July 30 at the Buick Open at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, Mich.

Second round

Several Kodak Challenge contenders made good use of limited play today as the RBC Canadian Open dealt with a second day of rain. Nicholas Thompson, Nathan Green and Michael Letzig all moved to 10 under and one stroke off the Challenge lead with birdies on Kodak Challenge hole No. 11 at Glen Abbey Golf Club. Tim Herron also birdied while finishing his first round in the morning to move to 9 under -- in sole possession of third place. Kevin Streelman played the 11th at par to maintain his lead position.

First round

Kodak Challenge leader, Kevin Streelman, second-place golfers Nicholas Thompson, Nathan Green and Michael Letzig and many other Kodak Challenge contenders did not play the Kodak Challenge hole today due to an extended rain delay. Chris DiMarco and Jason Gore, who were among the Kodak Challengers to complete full rounds, stumbled on the tricky par-4 11th. DiMarco carded a double bogey to drop to 7 under, while Gore's bogey dropped him into 8 under in the Kodak Challenge standings. Since the Kodak Challenge captures a golfer's best score of a tournament, DiMarco and Gore have plenty of chances ahead to redeem themselves -- a better performance on No. 11 this weekend will wipe out a lesser score.

2009 round-by-round statistics on the par-4 11th at Glen Abbey GC