Cao reigns in Canada for 'huge' breakthrough

China's Cao Yi hailed a "huge" moment in his career after winning the Mackenzie Tour's Canada Life Series Points List by the finest of margins last week.

Cao and South Africa's Albert Pistorius began the final round of the Canada Life Series Championship at TPC Toronto ranked first and second respectively on the points list and were just a stroke apart on the 36-hole scoreboard－Pistorius tied for 12th and Cao tied for 16th.

In the final round, both players made eagles and both had two birdies. However, Pistorius bogeyed the 14th hole, while Cao was bogey-free on Friday to sign for a 67; Pistorius carded a 68.

The duo concluded the tournament tied for eighth, seven shots behind winner Laurent Desmarchais. The battle within the battle, though, went to Cao, who walked away with an 18.333-point victory over Pistorius and two big prizes that came with being the points list champion: Conditional status and six guaranteed starts on the 2021 Mackenzie Tour, which is a development circuit for the PGA Tour, and a playing spot in the 2021 RBC Canadian Open.

"It's huge for my career. These are the only four events I played all season, and these players are really good," said 30-year-old Beijing-born Cao. "I would say whether it's me or Albert, it's a great opportunity."