TORONTO (CP)- Moe Norman, the clown prince of Canadian golf, turned up with a redbot putter Saturday and won his first Canadian professional match play golf championship after seven attempts in his eight years as a pro.

The 34-year-old native Kitchener defeated Jerry Magee of Toronto 3 and 2 in the finals to win the Millar Trophy and the $1,000 first place prize money, then promptly credited his hot streak to Alvie Thompson, last year’s winner.

“I took a lesson from Alvie Friday night and it sure helped. He claimed I was moving my head and shoulders too much when I was putting and this was no good..”

BIG NAMES FALL

Thompson, another Toronto golfer, had been eliminated Friday as the big names fell in a rush of upsets over the 6,540 yard Pine Valley course.

The victory was sweet consolation for Norman. He had been defeated in the Ontario Amateur nine years ago by Magee in the final match.

Norman turned professional the following year and was thus prevented from ever getting his name on the Ontario amateur trophy. One other major trophy has thus far eluded Norman, the Canadian Open.

It took six rounds of golf for Norman, the non-conformist of golf who shoots without considering the shot and frequently carries on a discussion with the gallery, to win the Millar.

FIRST WINNER

Magee, whose putter turned cold Saturday, won $550 and the Harold Kalles Memorial Trophy. He is the first winner of the trophy since it was donated after the death of Kalles in a freak golfing accident last year when a club shaft broke and slashed his throat.

“I think I should have taken a few lessons from Alvie myself,” Magee said after he missed three short putts, including a four-foot shot on the 16th hole.

Bob Rose of Toronto lost to Norman 6 and 5 in the semi-finals. Norman had taken the lead from the first hole and scored for birdies on route to the win.

Magee defeated 1962 champion Frank Whibley of Kitchener in his semi-final match. Both golfers were even after 13 holes but Whibley faded on the 14th, 15th and 16th holes Magee wound up 3 and 2.