Australian Adam Bland has taken out the San Jose International on the first playoff hole, breaking through for his first Canadian Tour victory on debut. Bland started the day eight shots behind overnight leader Bret Guetz, but fired a five-under 67 – the best round of the day – to finish at minus-nine alongside John Ellis, Scott Gibson and Spencer Levin and force a play-off. The 24-year-old Australian then drained an 18-footer for birdie on the first extra hole to claim victory and the $US16,000 winners&apos cheque. Guetz collapsed with 42 on the back nine – including two double bogeys and two bogeys – to finish with a final-round 78 and end the week tied for seventh. “What a great way to start my time on the Canadian Tour. I can&apost think of a better way to get started,” Bland told the tour&aposs official website, www.cantour.com. “When I saw his lead early on, I thought if I could make a few birdies I may finish in the top five. It was unfortunate that had to happen to him.” Bland won the 2005 Von Nida Tour and won his place on the Canadian Tour after a fourth placed finish at qualifying school last week. He is the first player from qualifying school to win a Canadian Tour event on debut since Anders Hultman in 2003. The last Aussie to win a Canadian Tour event was Scott Hend, who took out the 2002 Victoria Open. In another close finish, Australian Matthew Jones has finished one-shot behind John Kimbell at the South Georgia Classic on the US Nationwide Tour. Jones tied for the lead overnight but shot 71 compared to Kimbell&aposs 69 – the only round in the 60s on the final day – to finish second. Jones moves up 160 places on the Nationwide Tour&aposs order of merit to 11th. Finally, Australian Steve Conran has finished third, two shots behind winner Yui Ueda at the season opening Token Homemate Cup on the Japan Golf Tour.
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