Keaton Gudz erased a bogey start with a pair of birdies and cruised to an even-par 72 to win the Canadian Junior Golf Association's Mizuno national junior boys (age 15-19) championship Friday in St. Catharine's, Ont.
Gudz, who plays out of Royal Colwood and Highland Pacific courses and is going into Grade 11 at Spectrum Community School, finished at even par 288 for the four-round tournament. He edged Josh Montgomery of Ancaster, Ont. by two strokes for the victory.
Having posted earlier scores of 71, 75 and 70 on the Rockaway Vineyards course, Gudz sat tied for the lead with Mitchell McLeod of Shanty Bay, Ont. at 216 after three rounds. McLeod shot six-over 78 on Friday to finish six strokes back in fourth.
Last month in Pitt Meadows, Gudz warmed up for nationals by winning the B.C. junior boys championship at the Meadow Gardens course.
In that event, he held off a hard-charging Curtis Chan of Richmond Golf Club by birdieing the final hole to win by a stroke at 283. Chan, who was 7-under by the 11th hole, shot 65 to better Gudz' previous tournament low of 67 from the third round.