Jason Day birdied the final three holes for a four-under 68 to capture the Canadian Open, holding off David Hearn and Bubba Watson in a final-round shoot-out on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Day, who was coming off a tie for fourth at the British Open, finished at 17-under 271 to beat two-time Masters champion Watson (69) by one stroke in the USPGA Tour event.

Crowd favourite Hearn shot an even-par 72 and finished alone in third place, two strokes back of Day as he just missed out becoming the first Canadian to win the national title in 61 years.

Watson also closed with a string of back-nine birdies at the Glen Abbey Golf Club, draining four straight as both he and Day vaulted past third-round leader Hearn, who also led for most of Sunday's round.  

Day becomes the third Australian to win the event, joining Greg Norman (1984 and 1992) and Nathan Green (2009).

Day rolled in a 12-foot putt for birdie on the par-four 17th to take the lead from Hearn at 16-under and then sealed the win in emphatic style by draining a 21-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole.

Watson had a chance to force a playoff on 18 but his eagle effort from just off the green on 18 missed left.

Hearn was hoping to become the first Canuck to win the Canadian Open since Pat Fletcher in 1954.
Source: AFP