News Canadian Open

WINNIPEG — Glenn Howard captured his first career BDO Classic Canadian Open title denying Kevin Martin’s bid for a three-peat with an 8-4 victory in Sunday’s final.

Howard, of Coldwater, Ont., joins Martin and Wayne Middaugh as the only skips to complete a career Grand Slam.

“I’m pretty proud of (winning all four Grand Slam titles),” Howard said. “To win any Slam when you’ve got 16 of the best teams in the world is special. To win every one of them now is kind of like the Tiger Slam.”

Third Richard Hart and second Brent Laing have now also won all four Grand Slam titles while lead Craig Savill is a National title away.

Team Howard finished with an overall 6-2 record en route to their fourth Grand Slam of Curling title through the past five events dating back to last season. They earned $24,000 and 36.000 Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS) points.

Martin, from Edmonton, sustained his lone loss of the tournament in the final (7-1) and took home $17,500 and 27.000 CTRS points. Team Martin includes third John Morris, second Marc Kennedy and lead Ben Hebert.

Howard took control in the fourth end with his second deuce of the game and stole a point in five to lead 5-3. Martin, the reigning world champion, had a chance to make a double and regain the lead with a deuce. However, his shot went wide, removing only Howard’s top stone and rolled out.

“That was the big one,” said Martin, who entered the Canadian Open as the double defending champion. “We make that and we’re one up and back in control. We miss it and now we’re two down. That was the real turning point.”

Martin settled for one in the sixth and shook hands after the seventh when Howard, who was just looking to avoid giving up more than a steal of one, pulled off a thin double takeout for a three-count.

“I tried to just miss the top one and get the back one,” Howard said. “It was fortunate obviously. I did not try to make that double.”

Howard also won the Masters to start the Grand Slam season and now leads the bonus points cup race with 25 points heading into the season finale Players’ Championship taking place in Grande Prairie, Alta. in April. Martin and Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., are tied for second with 21 points.

Howard and Martin have dominated the series of late combining to win 10 of the past 11 Grand Slam events. Middaugh, of Midland, Ont., captured the National earlier this month in Quebec City.