Peter Mathison of West Palm Beach posted the only two rounds to break 70 at the IJGT’s Bridgestone Tournament of Champions, running off to a seven-shot romp even without a third round at Grand Cypress Resort.
Mathison’s opening 3-under-par 69 on Grand Cypress’ East/North layout was three strokes better than anyone else on Saturday. He then fired a 4-under 68 over the resort’s New Course, including a back nine of 5-under 31.
“I just stuck to my game, minimized my mistakes, and stayed patient,” Mathison told a tour liaison. “I knew if I could make par I could stay in the lead.”
Monday’s scheduled third round was canceled when the outer bands of Tropical Storm Beryl created a dangerous weather situation.
The girls’ division was able to get nine holes in before storms hit Monday, as Susana Vik of Greenwich, Conn., managed to stay one shot ahead of Japan’s Moyu Sasaki and fast-closing Jackie Rogowicz of Yardley, Pa.
Vik took a two-shot lead into the final day on the strength of an opening-round 70.
Rij Patel of Hunt Valley, Md., claimed the boys’ 14-and-under division for his fourth IJGT win of the year, finishing three shots ahead of Gary McCabe of Collegeville, Pa. Orlando’s Zachary Hoskins was another stroke back in third.
