Kent Eger
Kent Eger posted his second straight round of 69 to grab a one shot lead at the Desert Dunes Classic, the final event of the Canadian Tour season.
The Regina golfer, who had six birdies and three bogeys, is hoping to make up for what he calls a "devastating" year in golf with a victory in the California finale.
"You know you almost feel like part of your year is a waste," said Eger, who failied to advance through first stage of PGA Tour Q-School last week. "You have to put that behind you and look at this week as an opportunity to get a win and cap off the year on a high note."
"Tee to green I was very solid and if I can just get my putter going it's all going to come together for me."
Eger was fortunate to escape the Canadian-like weather conditions which plagued most of the afternoon wave of golfers.
First round leader Stuart Anderson posted a 75 and was one shot back but was happy with the result after battling the treacherous conditions. The Sooke, B.C. golfer was joined in second place by Palm Desert area native Byron Smith, who matched the round of the day with a 4-under-par 68, Vancouver's Matt Daniel and England's Matthew Richardson, who also makes his home in Woodbridge, Ont.
Defending champion Adam Hadwin posted a 68 to leave him two shots off the lead, tied with three other golfers.
"I hit some unbelievable shots coming in today," said Hadwin. "With this wind today I was really focused on keeping my ball out of the bush."
Jim Rutledge of Victoria is tied for 23rd after a round of 71 left him five strokes off the lead.
Among the notables missing the cut were 2011 Canadian Tour winner Roger Sloan, who missed by one stroke, Isabelle Beisiegel of St. Hilaire, Que., who missed the cut for the fifth straight time on the Canadian Tour, along with celebrity amateurs Grant Fuhr (85), Marshall Faulk (83), Vince Coleman (89) and Marty McSorley (97)