Canadian Tour's Mexican PGA Title Won By Argentine

A two shot swing on the final hole---Molina birdied while Andrew Matthews of the U.S. three-putted for bogey---forced a playoff which Molina won with a par to capture his second consecutive Canadian Tour championship and vault into first place on the Tour's money list and Order of Merit.

Matthews, who captured the Costa Rica Classic back at the beginning of December, 2008 when the Canadian Tour officially began the 2009 international season, has earned $40,570 in three of the four events he's entered.

"My strategy today was to hit my drives well," said the new champion, who took home $20,000 for the victory. "I have a strong short game so I wasn't as worried about that.

"The only mistake I made today was, funnily enough, with my short game when I bogeyed the eighth hole.

Australian Stephen Dartnall closed with a 71 to finish solo third, one shot out of the playoff. Finishing in a share of fourth at nine under par 279 are Mike Mezei (67), Manuel Inman (69), Stuart Anderson (68), J.J. Rodriguez (70), and third round co-leaders John Ellis and Eugene Smith who both shot 73.

Standing on the 18th tee and two back, Molina's goal was to finish second.

"I didn't think I could catch him so I just wanted to make a birdie," he said. "I knew where he stood and he was playing very well. I didn't think he would three-putt his last hole."

The pair went back to the tee and Matthews hit his drive into the trees where the ball stayed hung up. Waiting in vain for a gust of wind to release his ball, he was forced to return to the tee and with Molina in the middle of the fairway, the result was a forgone conclusion.

Still, Matthews is holding his head high. "While I'm not happy with the finish, I am happy with how I've been playing in recent weeks," he said. "I've been working hard on focus and relaxation and it's paying off. Being in contention like this and having the butterflies swirling is what we play for.

"This is a big confidence booster and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season."

For a time, it looked to be anybody's tournament.

Players from Argentina have won all four events during the Canadian Tour's 2009 season.

The Tour travels north of Mexico City next week for the San Luis Potosi Open. Russell Surber is the defending champion. San Luis Potosi is 6,000 feet above sea level. The La Loma course is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design where the wind is often a factor.

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