On Tuesday, Tim Petrovic was surfing with his kids in Michigan. Mike Evans Jersey . By late Thursday afternoon, he was leading the RBC Canadian Open.You can be forgiven if both those statements seem a little strange. After all, who goes surfing in Michigan? And who leads the Canadian Open without the benefit of a practice round? Petrovic did just that, putting together a silky round of 64 that tied him for top spot along with Michael Putnam. His round marked the first time hed played Royal Montreals Blue Course and not a bad maiden run. The 47-year-old was sitting on the beach in South Haven, Michigan on Tuesday when his phone rang to tell him he was in the field at the Open, having risen up the alternate list from eighth. Benjamin Alvarado had withdrawn and he was in. So he jumped on a plane Wednesday morning, walked around the back nine on Wednesday afternoon, and teed it up Thursday. “I kind of think it freed me up because I wasnt sure, especially on the front nine,” Petrovic said. “We started on one and I hadnt seen the front nine yet. So you dont look ahead, obviously, and I wasnt really looking ahead on the back. I was playing well, but I just [told myself] keep going through your routine, I was trying to stay in my routine: Hit golf shots, hit driver and get it on the green.” Petrovic opened with a par and then rattled off three birdies and added one more for 31 going out. His back nine was eight pars and an eagle on the par-5 12th hole after two great shots left him a relatively short putt. After playing many years with exempt status, Petrovics schedule has been somewhat unpredictable of late. Hes split his time between the PGA Tour and the Web.com Tour. Three weeks ago, he was in Halifax for the Nova Scotia Open where he tied for 38th. On the PGA Tour, he hasnt made a cut since March, missing the mark in his last five starts. “Its a little tough. Its a little tough,” Petrovic admitted of trying to plan out an itinerary. “I think I was spoiled for my first 10 years. You make your own schedule, you know where youre going. I think this year I pretty much split between the Web and the PGA Tour.” While he has no doubt given his luggage and passport a good workout, hes also managed to put together a solid career with earnings of about $12 million. Thats much better than his one-time job as a pizza delivery man. Petrovic also spent some time playing on the old Canadian Tour, now PGA Tour Canada, back when there was a bit of barnstorming happening. “The last time I was up here was probably in 1990, maybe,” he tried to remember. “We played the Canadian Tour, and I think Todd Hamilton was playing up here, Guy Boros. In fact, we were in Halifax two weeks ago, and the last time I was up there was before they built the bridge to get out to PEI, because I think we were playing a golf tournament at PEI. I think it was called Brudenell? Does that sound right?” It does indeed. And it also sounds, well, almost ancient. Of course Petrovic isnt exactly a kid. He isnt too far off being able to join the Champions Tour. While most of the young players on the PGA Tour will mention Tiger Woods and Jay Z among their favourites, he lists Seve Ballesteros and Jim Morrison of the Doors as his heroes. As for surfing in Michigan, Petrovic admitted that the waves are pretty small and it isnt exactly the Gold Coast of Australia. But you make do with what you have, which is exactly what hes doing right now at Royal Montreal. Austin Seferian-Jenkins Womens Jersey . With his team trailing the Cleveland Indians by 13 runs in the ninth inning, the Blue Jays utility infielder came off the bench to make his big league pitching debut and secure the final out. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Austin Seferian-Jenkins Jersey . Hamilton turned down taking part in the past two derbys, but said Sunday that he would consider being part of the new team derby if asked by American League captain David Ortiz. "Its a really cool concept, the whole team situation. Well see," Hamilton said. CALGARY -- Faced with losing a big asset and getting little in return, Calgary Flames general manager Jay Feaster dealt defenceman Tim Erixon to the New York Rangers. Erixon, Calgarys first-round draft pick in 2009, had to be signed by Wednesday afternoon or he went back in the draft later this month in Minneapolis. Erixon wouldnt sign the standard three-year rookie contract and, according to Feaster, was willing to take his chances in the draft again. So the Flames GM sent the 20-year-old Swede and a fifth-round pick to the Rangers and got Czech left-winger Roman Horak and a pair of second-round draft picks in return. The Rangers announced Wednesday theyd signed Erixon to an entry-level deal. The maximum annual salary at 2009 draft pick can make under the collective bargaining agreement is US$900,000, plus bonuses. Calgarys second-round picks are projected to be 43rd and 57th overall, which will give the Flames three selections in the first 60 and five in total June-24-25 at the Xcel Energy Center. Calgary took Erixon 23rd overall two years ago. Had Erixon re-entered the draft, the Flames would have received one second-round pick (54th) in compensation. "You never want to lose a first-round pick you feel is going to play," Feaster said Wednesday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. "What would have hurt more would have been losing him for only the compensatory pick. If I were standing here in front of you today saying we lost this player and dont worry because we got the 54th overall pick in the draft this year, thats a much tougher thing than to have two second-round picks and a player we believe is going to play." Horak, from Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, has played for the Western Hockey Leagues Chilliwack Bruins the last two years. The six-foot-one, 160-pound forward had 26 goals and 52 assists in 64 games last season and played with another Flames prospect Ryan House. Horak, 20, was drafted in the fifth round (127th overall) by the Rangers in 2009. "We like his worth ethic, we like his compete, we think he will play in the National Hockey League," Feaster said. Erixons father Jan played for the Rangers and Tim was born in New York State, although he competes for Sweden internationally. Erixon had five goals and 19 assists for Skelleftea in the Swedishh Elite League this past season. Kadeem Edwards Red Jersey. According to Feaster, Erixon was concerned he wouldnt get to play for the Flames this season because theyve been a team at the salary camp limit and, with four defenceman having no-trade or no-movement clauses, the Swede thought he would get sent to the minors where he doesnt want to go. Feaster says he offered to include a European assignment clause in the deal. "I felt it was a moot point. I felt he was going to be on our hockey team and he was ready to play in the NHL," Feaster said. "As discussions advanced, it became clear there were other concerns. "He expressed concern, at least the agent did, that with our recent track record in Calgary, there arent a lot of young players making the hockey club. "My point to that is to whether young players are ready to play or not. Were committed to bringing young players onto the team if theyre ready to play." Rangers GM Glen Sather had been aggressively pursuing the acquisition of Erixon, Feaster continued, and when it became clear Tuesday there was no chance in signing the defenceman, it was time to salvage something from the situation. "We tried. We made multiple offers. We made offers of salary-cap levels," Feaster said. "All of which were met with we appreciate it very much, but we still have concerns about whether Tim will be given a legitimate opportunity." Feaster and Craig Conroy, who is a special assistant to Feaster, flew to New York last Friday and negotiated with Erixons agent Rick Komarow to no avail. "As I said to Connie afterward, thats a long way to go for lunch, albeit a tasty lunch, but still a long way to go for lunch," Feaster joked. Meanwhile, the Flames GM said hes still negotiating to re-sign winger Alex Tanguay, who become an unrestricted free agent July 1. Tanguay had 22 goals and 47 assists in 79 games for Calgary this past season. "Its actually my turn to get back to them," Feaster said. "The lines of communication are open. Were still optimistic to get him signed." He also said the team did not make offers to wingers Spencer Bennett and Henrik Bjorkland, both drafted in 2009, and 2008 draftee Alexander Deilert. The three players are eligible for the draft again. ' ' '
