McIntosh captures second Early Bird

   Fires a four-under 68 on day two, to beat first round leader Fitzsimmons

Sunday May 20, 2018

By Rob J. Ross 

UNION, ON. - Brett McIntosh joins elite company.

The 26-year old finished with a three-under 141 over two rounds, to win the 69th Early Bird Bird Invitational, at the St. Thomas Golf and Country Club, becoming the 14^th player to win multiple titles. Four years ago, McIntosh won the event in a playoff.

McIntosh shot a four-under 68 on day two, winning by three shots over round one leader Charles Fitzsimmons, and five shots lower than his day one score.

Fitzsimmons, the defending champion, carded a 71 for the first round, for a two shot advantage over McIntosh, Eric Ross and Drew Symons.

"I felt I played (round one) really well. I just didn't score. I didn't finish the way I wanted too. I felt I left some out there. When I saw I was only two back and I knew how well I was hitting, I felt if I could just get one putt to go in and start flowing from there, I could be in a good position," said McIntosh. "I had a little bit of a slow start (round two), but on the sixth hole, I made a birdie and went on a bit of a nice run for seven to eight holes. I got in to a groove and as things started rolling, the confidence went up."

McIntosh took command of the leader board on the eighth hole.

"I hit a really good drive on the par five and then hit a pretty good second shot on to the green. My caddie (Kaitlyn Mills) said I would hit a perfect putt and I had a 60-footer," laughed McIntosh.  "I ended up rolling it in for three. It was a two shot swing against the guys (Fitzsimmons, Symons), both who were ahead of me I think at the time. It really built some momentum. Then I hit a really good one on the nine. That was the turning point in the round."

The London native won his first Early Bird in 2014, beating Stephane Dubois in a playoff, after tying him on the 18th hole. But for the University of Michigan graduate winning this weekend feels more special.

"Back then, I was playing in college every day. I wasn't working. I was 100 per cent golf all of the time. Now, I work (with TaylorMade Golf company) and golf. I'm not playing quite as much. It was a little bit more challenging not being in the rhythm of things," said McIntosh, who calls Union his home club. "It's definitely nice to be a part of (multiple winners) and to be known as the Early Bird champion for a year."

Ross placed third (73, 74), six shots back of McIntosh. Symons, the 1998 champion, who fired a 76 in round two, finished in a tie for fourth spot, with Thomas DeMarco (75, 74) and Brandon Mihall (74, 75). 

Joseph Burgess (77, 73), Thomas Code (74, 76), Jake Adams (78, 73) and Jordan Klein (74, 77), rounded out the championship flight top 10.

Henry Mulder won the B flight and Mike Hutchinson, the C flight.

Early Bird champions

McIntosh joins a decorate group of men, who have won two or more times at Union.

Bill Seagris has the most victories with five (2001, '02, '04, '07, '09), followed by Warren Sye (1982, '85, '87, '88) and Gary Cowan (1960, '61, '64, '65), both with four.

Jace Walker, from St. Thomas, has three titles (2006, '08, '10), same for Nick Weslock (1972, '75, '77),  Moe Norman (1949, '50, '54) and Garrett Rank (2011-13).

Tom Draper (1953, '55), C Koc (1957, '63), Jim Waite (1966, '71), Kelly Roberts (1973-74), Dan Mikovic (1981, '83), Len Foran (1984, '94), are all two-time winners.