Sam Cyr looks over a putt in competition. Cyr led each of the last two GCRO tournaments but came up short in both. (Photo courtesy Pointloma Edu)
They keep coming back. But that’s OK. They’re both good guys and pretty good golfers, too.
Defending champion Seth Fair (Pittsboro, IN) and Hawaii native Samuel Cyr are both in the field this week for the 23rd edition of the TrueNorth Greater Cedar Rapids Open, presented by UFG Insurance.
Fair trailed Cyr by five shots entering the third and final round last year at Hunters Ridge. But it’s not like that was something different for Fair.
In 2016, he came back from three down to win his first GCRO title against some pretty lofty competition. Last year, Fair, who also has two runner-up finishes in the GCRO, rallied again and overtook Cyr for his second title. This year Fair tries to become the first three-time winner of the GCRO.
“It’s been some average golf the last month, but I’m hoping a trip to Iowa is just what I need!” said Fair in a recent email. Well, he did say that before he won his second Indiana PGA Open championship July 13 at Chatham Hills in Westfield, IN. He finished with a 6-under par 66 in the third and final round of the 54-hole tournament. It was enough for him to win by four shots.
He wasn’t quite himself at the Waterloo Open last weekend, but he did tie for 35th and made some cash. In February, he won the Ocala Open in Florida for the second straight year and cashed a $15,000 winner’s check.
“It was a special week to win back to back and not make a bogey for 54 holes,” said Fair, who opted to focus on Korn Ferry Tour qualifiers this year instead of heading back down to the PGA LatinoAmerican Tour.
“After Ocala, I did a number of KFT MQs without any success. I played fine, shooting a few under, but that’s not close to good enough on Mondays.
“I think the reason I keep going is I love to play competitive golf. Everyone has highs and lows during their career. The great thing about golf is one or two great weeks can change your life.
“I always enjoy playing in Iowa these two weeks and looking to try and win again.”
Cyr has led the GCRO heading into the third and final round in each of the last two tournaments. In 2019, Cyr had a one-shot lead but shot a 1-over 73 on Saturday and finished in a four-way tie for third. After the tournament was cancelled in 2020, Cyr came back and led by five last year before faltering and settling for second.
And this year could be his swan song for the GCRO.
“So I haven’t played much this year in tournaments,” explained Cyr in an email. “I started teaching golf last year, so I have been working on growing my teaching business. I teach on the Skillest app, which has been fun working with people all across the country and world really.
“I currently work with Joohyung Kim who is currently ranked (40th) in the World and just keeps improving and moving up. That has been a fun experience and very motivating in many ways.
I have also had the privilege to work with Andrew Putnam, also on the PGA Tour, and some great juniors as well.”
But he’s back at Hunters Ridge this week for another try.
“I really enjoy spending time with my host family (the Benders, John and Cindy) and have enjoyed the times I have had here in Cedar Rapids,” said Cyr. “It could be my last time playing the event. Not sure, but it would be fun to finally get a win here.”
There are several others who figure to be in contention.
Former University of Iowa golfer Carson Schaake (Omaha, NE), who has finished third here before, just tied for second at Waterloo and should have his game in order. Other golfers making trek from Waterloo include Keenan Huskey (Greenville, SC), who earned almost $3,000 up north by tying for 10th, and Zack Wax (Downers, Grove, IL) and Ben Geyer (Arbuckle, CA), who were among a six-way tie for 15th. Wax tied for sixth place here last year.
Kyle Wilshire has cashed in two PGA events and one Korn Ferry event this season and has three runners-up worth almost $30,000 on the All Pro Tour. Wilshire has steadily climbed the ladder at Hunters, with a T42 (2018), T11 (2019) and a T6 (2021).
Among others to watch include KK Limbhasut, a native of Thailand, and Daniel Ieremia, a native of New Zealand who played college golf at Iowa State.
Play in the 54-hole tournament begins Thursday and continues Friday. After Friday there will be a cut and final-day play begins at 8 a.m. Saturday. The trophy presentation will be held Saturday afternoon.
The public is welcome and there is no admission.