Craig Stefureak shoots 66 at Pinegrove Country Club, takes two-stroke lead into final round of PGA Championship of Canada
By: Brendan Stasiewich, PGA of Canada
(Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC) – Jumping out of the gate with five birdies in his first seven holes on Wednesday morning, Craig Stefureak, a teaching professional at The Bunker in Ottawa, ON, backed up a first-round 67 with a 66 to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the PGA Championship of Canada.
“I really had it going on the front nine. I mean, I shot 31 but it felt like it could have been 28,” said Stefureak, originally from Caledonia, ON. “The putts were rolling, and I was hitting it close. I was just comfortable out there.”
Unstoppable through the first 15 holes, making eight birdies, his first blemish on the card came on 16. Then, on 17 tee, Stefureak hit it right on the par-4 and couldn’t find his ball.
“I didn't think I hit that bad a drive (on 17), but it just clipped a tree and we couldn't find it,” said Stefureak, who has 10 professional wins. “Going (back to the tee) was just a reset. You’ve got to tell yourself at that point ‘you're seven under par for a reason. You're playing good golf.’
“So, to birdie that second ball and make a bogey on 17, that felt like a birdie and I was able to make par on 18 and clean up a good round,” the Drury University alum continued.
Earlier this year, Craig Stefureak repeated as champion of the Ottawa Zone Spring Open. In 2024, he won both the Ottawa Assistants’ Championship and Zone Championship.
“I think tomorrow the thought will be the same as today. I hadn't seen the golf course before yesterday, and I really just came in with the mindset that I'm here to enjoy myself,” said Stefureak. “Take in the weather, take in the fact that we're playing such a beautiful golf course and the weather's perfect, so I’m just going to try to enjoy it,
“You see the names that are on this trophy that have won this championship. It's awesome to be here. I'd love to put my name beside those guys tomorrow. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and having a good time,” said Stefureak.
Meanwhile, last year’s championship and PGA of Quebec pro Yohann Benson shot a second-round 66 in the afternoon to sit two back of the lead. Benson looks to become the first player to repeat as PGA Championship of Canada champion since George Knudson (1976-1977).
Joining Benson and Stefureak in the final pairing is Tuesday’s leader Chris Vandette, who managed a second-round 70 to sit in a tie for second.
The penultimate group includes 2023 champion Kevin Stinson, Dillon Batsel, who made his sixth career hole-in-one (and third in the past month and a half, including one on a par 4) on Wednesday, and Dennis Hendershott, who fired a second-round 65.
The 13th hole was selected as the E-Z-GO ‘It’s Good to Go’ hole of the week. All players who make eagle on the hole this week will be put into a draw for a $250 cash prize. Sylvie Schetagne made eagle on Tuesday, while two players made eagle today: Philippe Couillard and Reggie Harmer.
63 players made the cut. Final round tee times begin at 7 AM ET on Thursday with the final group starting their round at 10:30 AM ET.