Rank, McInnis fire 62, win J.R. Williams in playoff

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Sept. 15, 2018) – It took a heroic final-round score, but Toronto’s Simon McInnis and Garrett Rank managed to fight their way back to the top of the leaderboard Saturday in the final round of the John R. Williams Four-Ball. The duo claimed what is their second title in the event.

McInnis and Rank teamed up to win the Williams back in 2015. This week, they put themselves in the mix at Oak Hill Country Club after a first-round 67, but dropped shots in the second round when they fired 2-over 72. A final-round 9-under 62 was just enough to get them into a tie with the Bakersfield, Calif.-based team of Stephen Hale and D.J. Fernando.

The two teams went back to the 18th hole for sudden death, where Rank made a crucial par for his side. Hale missed his par putt that would have forced more holes.

Rank is a well-known name in northern golf circles. Already this summer, he won the Ontario Amateur and Mid-Amateur, and played the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills as an amateur. Rank spends the golf offseason working as an NHL referee. His partner, McInnis, is a former player for the University of Waterloo.

Another Toronto team, Craig Hosie and Harris Bundy, finished third at 6 under. That side had the first-round lead after opening with 64, but then fired back-to-back rounds of even-par 70 to fall off the pace.

Yet another perfect morning for Round 3 of @JRWilliams4Ball with @RGreer20 Leaders in the Mid-Am Division are -9 thru 2 rounds. We are -1 and T13. This pic is looking back down #18 on the East from behind the green. Sunday pins today! pic.twitter.com/Wi8w5cbBe1

— Bill Roach, Jr. (@billroach_jr) September 15, 2018

Second-round leaders Andrew Kay of Pittsford, N.Y., and David Fries of Penfield, N.Y., also tied for third at 6 under.

In the senior division, Bob Royak and Doug Hanzel, a Georgia-based team, increased their lead on Saturday and turned it into a nine-shot victory over Keith Holmes and Gay McMichael, also of Georgia. Royak and Hanzel combined for rounds of 63-67-64 to reach 19 under.