Golf News for Friday, June 26, 2009 | Media

The Big Break Prince Edward Island finale prepares to unfold

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Big Break Prince Edward Island finale will feature male honor vs. female pride, Canada vs. USA and the University of Arizona vs. Arizona State all wrapped up in one match.

A scorecard may be needed to keep track of the storylines when Canadian Derek Gillespie, an All-American while at the University of Arizona, takes on Scottsdale, Ariz. resident and former Arizona State golfer Blair O'Neal in a winner take all match. Each earned their way into the finale by beating Brenda McLarnon in a nine-hole stroke-play match that eliminated the player with the highest score. Gillespie's 1-under-par 35 and O'Neal's 1-over allowed them to advance when McLarnon posted 3-over.

Elimination by Episode:
Show 1: Robert Read
Show 2: William Thompson
Show 3: Kim Kouwabunpat
Show 4: Caroline Larsson
Show 5: Nicole Sikora
Show 6: Brian Skatell
Show 7: Eugene Smith
Show 8: Aaron Wright
Show 9: Gerina Mendoza
Show 10: Brenda McLarnon

Gillespie has all the credentials to win the series and jump-start his career. A heralded junior, Gillespie played on the 1995 and 1996 Canadian Junior National Teams and was named the top golfer in Ontario the same two years. While playing for the Wildcats, he was the only freshman to play every tournament on a team that consisted of PGA TOUR winner Rory Sabbatini. Twice named to the Pac-10 Conference Team, he was later inducted into the University of Arizona Golf Hall of Fame. Since turning professional in 2000, he has won twice on the Canadian Tour.

The final two competitors have played each other before. In episode nine, O'Neal upset Gillespie in a two-hole stroke-play match. A surprise to some, she is confident in her abilities. A four-year starter at Arizona State University, O'Neal twice won the NCAA Long Drive Championship but has been out of professional golf since 2006 pursuing a modeling career.

"When all the competitors first met me, I don't think they would have bet I would have made it to the finals," said O'Neal, who competed on numerous tours around the world before her modeling career. "But, here I am."

No one, least of all Gillespie, is taking her for granted. He said that she is a feisty competitor and it will be "game on for $100,000."

In essence, though, that has been the main storyline in Big Break Prince Edward Island since the 12 competitors teed it up 10 episodes ago.

The finale of Big Break Prince Edward Island will air Monday at 9 p.m. ET.

Past Big Break champions won tournament exemptions to compete on some of the world's top professional circuits, such as the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Canadian Tour. Former Big Breakers Tommy Gainey and James Nitties compete on the 2009 while four previous female contestants currently play on the LPGA Tour, including Kristy McPherson, who finished tied for second at the Kraft Nabisco Championship earlier this year.

Adding insight to Big Break Prince Edward Island as co-hosts are former PGA TOUR professional Charlie Rymer and Golf Digest Senior Editor Stina Sternberg.

Shot at Mill River Golf Course in Prince Edward Island, it marks the first time a Canadian location has hosted Big Break. Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Canada's east coast, Prince Edward Island boasts more than 32 courses that span from one end of the Island to the other. One of Canada's top golf destinations, Prince Edward Island offers other recreational activities, including kayaking and cycling.

For more information, please contact Mark Mitchell (407-355-4063/ mmitchell@golfchannel.com ) or GolfChannel.com/bigbreak