VICTORIAVILLE, Quebec—Former Utah Valley University men's golfer Blair Bursey won the biggest professional tournament of his career this past weekend, winning the Sani Marc-Desjardins Canada Cup in Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada.
Bursey won the Cup and the $25,000 prize as the event with a four-round score of 20-under-par 268 (67-63-70-68), finishing two strokes ahead of runner-up Brendan Leonard. Bursey, who played at Utah Valley from 2014-18, entered Sunday's final round in a three-way tie for the top spot. He got off to a strong start with three birdies and an eagle over the first five holes, giving him a lead that he would never let go.
"Thrilled to win the 2021 San Marc – Desjardins Canada Cup," said Bursey in a statement on his Facebook page. "Great crowds all week and a well-run event. Thanks to those who made it happen. Thank you to everyone that has reached out over the last couple of weeks and especially to my support system of family, friends, coach, mentors, and sponsors. Team effort. Look forward to getting back on the PGA Tour Canada – Mackenzie Tour over the next several weeks across the country."
Bursey had a stellar career at UVU as he recorded 27 top-20 finishes, including 14 top-10 finishes during his four seasons as a Wolverine. The three-time first team All-WAC honoree owns the fourth-best career scoring average in UVU history at 72.82. He also holds the fourth-best single season scoring average in UVU history at 72.06 set during the 2017-18 season.
Bursey is one of only six UVU golfers that have won an individual tournament title, winning the Bandon Dunes Championship in 2016. Bursey is responsible for four of UVU's all-time eight team tournament titles. He led the Wolverines to three-straight team titles (2015-17) at the Pat Hicks Invitational in St. George, Utah and the team championship at the Loyola Invitational (2015) at Palm Valley Golf Club in Arizona. He was also a four-time Academic All-WAC honoree and earned a pair of GCAA All-America Scholar awards.
Bursey turned pro in 2019, competing in 29 pro events with stops on PGA Tour Canada, PGA Tour Canada Q School, Outlaw Tour, Great Lakes Tour, European Tour, and West Florida Pro Tour. He had 16 top-10 finishes, including 12 top-five finishes. He finished the 2019 season with a 71.3 scoring average through 53 competitive rounds. The Zeke Agency took notice and signed him to a contract.
The Canada Life Series held a series of four tournaments for players residing in Canada in July of 2020. Bursey took full advantage of the opportunity, putting together a pair of top-10 finishes in PGA Tour Canada events at TPC Toronto. He finished tied for fourth in the 114-player field at the Canada Life Series Championship after carding a 13-under-par 200 (65-68-67). He tied for ninth with a score of 3-under-par 210 (66-73-71) at the Heathlands Course event. Bursey also finished tied for 40th and tied for 26th in the other two Canada Life Series events at Bear Mountain in Langford, British Columbia. During his front 9 at the Bear Mountain tournament, Bursey carded a 6-under-par 29 on the Valley course. Bursey also added another tournament win to his resume as he took medalist honors at the Toronto Players Tour event held at Oliver's Nest, shooting a two-round score of 9-under-par 132 (64-69).
This season, he has had strong finishes in the three tournaments that he has competed in the 2021 Canadian professional golf season. In July, Bursey tied for sixth at the Southern Ontario Open, a Great Lakes Tour event held at Port Dover, Ontario. His performance there earned him a spot in last week's Canada Cup. He recently held the lead through three rounds at the Mackenzie Investments Open and ended up finishing fourth with a score 6-under-par 282 (66-68-72-76).
Bursey now continues play in the Mackenzie Tour on Friday with the TPC Toronto-Osprey Valley, which starts. He will then play four more Mackenzie Tour events before competing in the first stage of the Korn Ferry Tour, which will be held September 21-24 at SunRiver Golf Club in St. George, Utah. The Korn Ferry is the PGA's qualifying tour.
