xico - The law of averages suggests one day, probably soon, Brazilian Lucas Lee is going to win a Canadian Tour event. Rob Grube just made sure it wasn’t Sunday during the final round of the Riviera Nayarit Classic presented by Corona Lite.Wearing the bridesmaid’s tag is a feeling Lee is getting to know all too well. Grube, a former NCAA star from California, capped off a week in which he held at least a share of the lead from the opening day on with a 4-under 68 to get to 22-under 198 for four days work, one shot better than tour sophomore Lee (69). For the second consecutive week, Mexico’s Jose de Jesus Rodriguez mounted a final-day run, posting 66 to grab third spot at 19-under with American Randall Hutchison (69).
“This feels great,” said Grube. “They say the first one is always special so I am sure I’ll remember this one for a long time.”
For Lee, it was another heartbreaking close call. Sunday’s result was his third runner-up finish in just over nine months. “I had a lot of chances for birdie but just didn’t make anything,” said the 22-year-old. “I felt a little more pressure than usual, but I’ll learn from it. I played very well all week, and I know my time will come.”
Although Sunday marked his first win as a pro, Grube will still have to make a little room in the trophy case. During a stellar college career at Stanford University, the alma mater of Tiger Woods, Grube became just the second four-time All-American in school history and helped lead the Cardinals to the 2007 NCAA national crown. That same year, he also placed third in the NCAA individual championship.
