TORONTO – Nick Taylor became the first Canadian in 69 years to win his national open, holing a 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth playoff hole to beat Tommy Fleetwood in the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday.

Taylor tossed his putter into the air and jumped into the arms of his caddie after the longest made putt of his PGA Tour career, and fellow Canadian players Mike Weir, Corey Conners and Adam Hadwin were among those who ran onto the green to congratulate him. Hadwin, Taylor’s close friend, was tackled by a security guard while spraying champagne from a bottle.

“I’m speechless. This is for all the guys that are here. This is for my family at home,” Taylor said with tears in his eyes. “This is the most incredible feeling.”

The last player from Canada to win the Canadian Open was Pat Fletcher in 1954 at Point Grey in Vancouver. Fletcher was born in England; Carl Keffer had been the only Canadian-born champion, winning in 1909 and 1914. Weir lost a playoff to Vijay Singh in 2004.

With galleries cheering his every move and even serenading him with “O Canada” on one tee box, Taylor curled in an 11-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to finish at 17-under 271 at Oakdale, walking backwards with his fist raised as the ball dropped into the cup. He shot a 6-under 66 on Sunday.

Fleetwood needed a birdie on the reachable par 5 to win in regulation, but he missed his tee shot right, laid up into an awkward lie in the right rough and two-putted for par to force the playoff in rainy conditions.

The players traded birdies on their first time playing No. 18 in the playoff. They both parred 18 and the par-3 ninth before heading back to 18.

Taylor’s tee shot found a divot in the fairway, but he hit his second shot 221 yards to the front of the green, while Fleetwood laid up after his drive found a fairway bunker. Fleetwood hit his third shot to 12 feet, but didn’t need to putt after Taylor’s uphill eagle putt hit the flagstick and dropped.

Fans swarmed toward the green, and Hadwin who like Taylor grew up in Abbotsford, British Columbia got leveled amid the chaos. He said had so much adrenaline that the tackle didn’t faze him.

“It’s incredible. I mean, what do you say to one of the greatest moments of Canadian golf history?” Hadwin said. “I think we all predicted that this was going to happen.

“I’m not sure that any one of us predicted a 72-foot (eagle) putt … to get it done, but what a way to go.”

The 35-year-old Taylor, who was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, won for the third time on the PGA Tour. He shot 75 in Thursday’s opening round but rallied with a 67 on Friday to make the cut, then shot 63 on Saturday to begin the final round three shots behind leader C.T. Pan.

Two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy, two shots back of Pan entering the final round, closed with a 72 and finished in a tie for ninth, five shots back.

Fleetwood, a two-time Ryder Cup player from England and a six-time winner on the European tour, remains winless on the PGA Tour.

“I played great today, even though I missed some chances, if you like, on those playoff holes,” Fleetwood said. “Yeah, it was close. I just have to take the positives from it and start practicing tomorrow. I got a major next week. So can’t dwell on it too much.”

Tyrrell Hatton (64), Aaron Rai (69) and Pan (70) finished one shot out of the playoff.

Back-to-back birdies to close out the third round put C.T. Pan two strokes up on the field at the RBC Canadian Open, but that lead is far from safe with a pack of big names and two Canadians in the hunt.

Pan, from Taiwan, shot a 6-under 66 to sit at 14-under overall on Saturday at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in the northwest corner of Toronto. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was in a six-way tie for second as he looks for a third consecutive title at the men’s national golf championship.

“You still have to play aggressive, because this course is a lot of rough, but if you hit it in the fairway you will have a lot of short irons in and you’re going to create a lot of birdie opportunities,” said Pan, adding that he won’t change too much as he tries to fend off the group tied for second that includes McIlroy, Americans Mark Hubbard, Harry Higgs, and Andrew Novak, as well as England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if someone shoots 8-, 9-under, because the PGA Tour guys are really good.”

Nick Taylor, from Abbotsford, B.C., did just that earlier Saturday, firing a 9-under 63 to set a new course record at Oakdale Golf and Country Club. That round rocketed Taylor up the leaderboard to sit in a tie with England’s Aaron Rai at 11-under, good for eighth.

Taylor surpassed the record of 8-under that England’s Tyrrell Hatton matched in Friday’s second round. Oakdale actually has 27 holes on its property and is using a composite course for the PGA Tour event.

Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George Knudson, who won on the PGA Tour eight times in the 1960s and ’70s, was a regular at Oakdale and has nine of the holes at the 98-year-old course named after him.

“To have a course record is really cool,” said Taylor. “I don’t think I have one out here on Tour.

“To do it at the RBC Canadian Open is even more special and to be mentioned in the same breath as George Knudson is phenomenal.”

Corey Conners (70) of Listowel, Ont., rounded out the top 10 at 10-under overall. He and Taylor agreed that they’d be happy with either one of them winning the Canadian Open and end a nearly 70-year drought for Canadians at the event.

“I think we’re rooting for each other, but we still want to win,” said Taylor, who regularly practices with Conners ahead of PGA Tour events. “If we don’t win, I think we want another Canadian to win.

“If I look up and I’m second and Corey Conners is first then that’s almost as good as winning.”

Pat Fletcher won at Vancouver’s Point Grey Golf and Country Club in 1954. Although there have been some close calls in the past 20 years, this year’s edition of the tournament holds a great deal of promise as eight Canadians, the most since 2002, made the cut.

“It’s been far too long,” said Conners. “I’m going to be letting it fly, giving it my all tomorrow and I’m sure (Taylor’s) going to be doing the same thing.

“I’ve got some ground to make up, but you never know. We have a chance.”

McIlroy won in 2019 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club and again last year at St. George’s Golf and Country Club. The event was canceled in the intervening years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It feels eerily similar to the last two tournaments,” said McIlroy. “I was tied for the lead with (Webb Simpson) at Hamilton in 2019. Then last year with (Tony Finau and Justin Thomas).

“Looks like there could be a lot of guys up around the lead tomorrow. So it’s going to be a really interesting day.”

COURTENAY, British Columbia—It was a popular win as Jimmy Jones held it together just enough to walk away with medalist honors at Crown Isle Resort, shooting an even-par round of 72 Friday to capture the top spot at the sixth and final 2023 PGA TOUR Canada Qualifying Tournament.

Jones—who lists Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, as home and is the son of the late LPGA Canadian great Dawn Coe-Jones—had a strong following all week, just two hours from his mom’s hometown.

It was just as an attractive runner-up finish for Max Sear, who hails from the provincial capital of Victoria, where the opening tournament—the Royal Beach Victoria Open—begins play this coming week as PGA TOUR Canada’s ninth and final season gets underway.

Sear, a member of Royal Colwood in Victoria, had family and friends on hand to witness his play as he tied for second with U.S. player Carr Vernon, a stroke behind Jones’ leading pace.

Jones and Sear started the day in the top two spots, respectively—with Jones holding a two-stroke lead—and managed to hang on for the gallery that followed. The winner had rounds of 72-63-68-72, finishing at 13-under, while Sear suffered a double bogey on his final hole for a 1-under 71 to fall one shot short of forcing a playoff.

Vernon birdied his last two holes to catch Sear with his round of 69.

With the win, Jones earns full playing privileges for the year, eligible for every open tournament. It was an emotion triumph, he admitted.

“The nerves were real. Exciting nerves, too. This win is going to bring me to tears,” he said, his eyes starting to mist up. “This one is for Mom. She was up there, cheering me on, and it means a lot to me, especially with all the support here.

“It feels, like we said [Thursday], like a home game. You want to perform for everybody in the crowd. But there were a lot of emotions and thoughts out there. Everyone knows golf, though, you have to keep it simple, and that was the goal.”

It was a cautious start as Jones had to hit a provisional drive on the first tee, but he luckily found the errant first tee shot. He had three birdies and three bogeys on the day and gutted things out, which the fans appreciated at tournament’s end.

“I signed a bunch of autographs today, more than I ever have, which is pretty cool and makes you feel good. It’s so special to have my boy Mark (Valliere, his caddie) with me and my godmother, Kelly, was here watching,” said Jones.

“It was Family Part Two up here, and it’s something I will always wear on my sleeve, and I hope to come back here as many times as I can,” said the Tampa-born Jones, who won with the tattoo DCJ (his mom’s initials) and a Maple Leaf freshly stamped on his right wrist.

Jones was also glad he pulled off the win and had Sear there right behind to make it a Vancouver Island affair.

“We had a fun day. We were chatting a lot, and I’ve known Carr, too, from playing college, so it was a good grouping,” Jones said.

As for Sear, it was a bit of a struggle all day, but his putter saved him just enough, until the final hole when he missed an eight-footer for bogey that would have forced a playoff with Jones.

“I didn’t have my best stuff. I struggled all day, hitting wipey cuts again. I just managed it with a good couple of up and downs before I completely puked on myself on the last hole,” he said. “I slipped on the drive (on 18); chipped it out; hit another bad shot; bad chip and missed the putt and missed by one.

“It is what it is. I’d rather do it now than when there’s a purse on the line, I guess,” Sear said, still glad to have played in the final grouping. “I had never played with Jimmy before, so it was nice to connect. Any time you can feel like it’s a home game and play well makes it that much sweeter.” 

Several others made their charges to earn exemptions through the first half of the season, including Canadian amateur Matthew Anderson, who just turned pro, finishing fourth after his final-round 66 propelled him 11 spots.

Tyson Dinsmore’s 67 left him fifth, while Kyle Vance made the biggest leap, with his 8-under 64 that left him tied for sixth with fellow U.S. player Daniel Wetterich and Canadian Raoul Ménard, who both shot 69s.

A four-player playoff featuring Canadians A.J. Ewart and Jake Lane and U.S. players Hagen Fell and Dylan Healey produced the last two exemption spots for the first half of the season with Lane making a par on the third extra hole to advance and Healey making birdie on the fifth playoff hole to secure the final spot.

Ewart and Fell, along with 18 others, picked up conditional playing status.

Did you know that 2022 PGA TOUR Canada Fortinet Cup winner Wil Bateman earned the right to start in the field at the PGA TOUR’s Canadian Open in Ontario this week and turned in a scintillating, 6-under 66 Friday to move into a tie for 23rd after two rounds at Oakdale Golf and Country Club? The 66 moved him up 84 spots on the leaderboard after an opening 74.

Key Information 

How the Tournament Worked 

PGA TOUR Canada, along with PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, are international PGA TOUR-sanctioned tours that provide access to the Korn Ferry Tour and are part of the pathway to the PGA TOUR. Since its inception in 2013, PGA TOUR Canada has held 34 Qualifying Tournaments across the U.S. and Canada. This event was the final of six 2023 PGA TOUR Canada Qualifiers scheduled in advance of the 2023 season. Each qualifier was a 72-hole, no-cut event, with playoffs, if necessary, for the medalist position and for the 10th and final position available.

One-hundred-seventeen players started the tournament Tuesday, with 114 completing all 72 holes. Below is a breakdown of the various PGA TOUR Canada memberships earned this week.   

• There were 15 amateurs playing at Crown Isle Resort. The top finisher was Matthew Anderson of Mississauga, Ontario, who was fourth after rounds of 70-69-72-66 – 277. He, of course, turns pro with the result. Here are the three players who earned status this week:

Etienne Brault of Mercier, Quebec, ran into a nice stretch of holes midway through his final round. A birdie on No. 8 was followed by par on 9 before he birdied the 10th hole and eagled the par-4 11th with a rare deuce on the hole that plays 401 yards. It was the third eagle on the hole for the week and second on the day as Hagen Fell also turned the trick Friday after Ty Campbell completed the feat in the second round.

Callum McNeill, who shot a course record 60 on day two and was in position for a finish that would lead to exempt status, struggled to a 75 and fell 11 places into a tie for 14th. The Scotsman started the day four shots back of winner Jimmy Jones. McNeill will have conditional status this season. 

Crown Isle had been good to Jimmy Jones and Max Sear. Sear finished fourth here last year and Jones tied for seventh.

Matthew Anderson, of Mississauga, Ontario, got on a heater in the much-cooler temperatures Friday, weather that also featured some light rain throughout the day. Anderson finished with seven birdies and a bogey for an impeccable round of 6-under 66. “It feels good. I definitely expected to be sitting in this position, with status, but it’s actually nice to have done it. Having to go out and shoot a good round when I needed it was cool as well,” he said.

Kyle Vance made a big leap of his own via a spectacular 8-under 64 that moved him up 27 places into the tie for sixth and status through the first half of the season. “I had to make it happen. It was definitely there. I had a great practice round. The second round killed me,” Vance said of his 77. “I felt like I was stumbling. The next round I figured it out and shot minus-5 and then minus-8 to finish. We were checking the leaderboard. I knew I needed two more (birdies) and went birdie-birdie to finish. I really needed it.”

It’s amazing what can transpire when your give-a-darn factor drops. Take Aidan Goodfellow for example. The Parksville, British Columbia, resident got over the disappointment of shooting his way out of a top-10 spot Thursday. With the stress gone, he turned in an 8-under 64 in the final round, adding to his 71-78-77 start. The 64 moved him up 27 positions on the leaderboard, but still left him at 55th overall.

Will Stewart from the United States kept a nice, clean scoresheet on his final round, with three birdies on each side and no bogeys to be seen for a 7-under 65. It was a nice bounce-back from his 77 Thursday. The 65 pushed him up 32 spots on the leaderboard to a tie for 40th, but he ultimately fell short of getting his card.

Quotable

“It was a rough winter. I needed surgery on my hip and couldn’t play for about three months, but the people behind me stuck with me and this is for them. A little fight back to show what I have in me.” – Kyle Vance

“A lot less than you think. It was a lot of trust in my game that was the main reasoning. That putter got going. I gave myself some chances and took advantage of them.” – Noah Steele speaking about the difference in his play the last two days (rounds of 70 and 65) following opening scores of 74-75. His tie for 24th left him with conditional status.

“I’m thrilled. There was a lot of behind-the-scenes work to get me to this stage.” – Noah Steele

Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).

Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.

Alex Heuton, Scarlett Woods Golf Club, Hole #9

I was playing with my friend Kyle the day before his wedding, along with my friends Mike and Andrew. The hole was playing just over 170 yards and I hit a soft 7 iron.

Brian Jamieson, Bridges Golf Course, Hole #7

On May 29th I made a hole-in-one at the Bridges Golf Course in Manitoba. It was the 7th hole, a par 3 measuring 142 yards that day and I used an 8 iron. My foursome consisted of Bob Fitchener, Dave Rowe and Steven Milligan. It was a great swing that landed probably 20 feet short and rolled straight into the cup.

My partner Bob got to the green first and didn’t see anything so walked straight to the cup and yelled “it’s in the hole”. It was only then that we had a little celebration and high fives all around. It took about five or six more holes for it to sink in, it was my first ace and nobody else in my group had ever made one, so it was pretty exciting.I’m 63 and have been golfing for 52 years and I’m glad I made one now because it was a bucket list item for me.

Chuck Meyers, Whistle Bear Golf Club, Hole #17

My hole-in-one at Whistle Bear Golf Club occurred on June 7, 2023. My playing partner, Sean Wilson, and I actually saw the ball disappear into the hole from the tee. It is the first of my three-career hole-in-ones that I saw go in. It occurred on the 17th hole, which was 164 yards that day from the blue tees. I hit a 5 iron and it took the slope of the green and disappeared into the cup.

Craig McMorris, Nicklaus North Golf Club, Hole #12

It was hole #12 at Nicklaus North and it was pretty much entirely over water. To the front edge was 150 yards and the pin was about 158 just slightly to the left. I hit a soft 8 iron which rolled straight in. 

Darcy Smith, Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club, Hole #12

I was with most of my regular crew including Cliff Riemer, Randy Murdoch and my 80-year-old dad Syd Smith but we were missing Marcel Ducharme. On May 2nd at Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club we were on hole #12, 157 yards to a front red pin. The wind was in our face, and I decided to hit a smooth 7 iron. Well, I must say I hit it pretty well, the ball went straight at the stick and hit the ground a few paces in front of the green, it appeared to hop a couple times and rolled straight into the cup! My playing partners Cliff and Randy all got excited and high fived me! Dad was sitting in his cart doing what he does best, eating. I’m happy my dad got to be there for it.

David Rossall, Dear Creek Golf Club, Hole #5

I was playing with my brother Wayne Rossall, my nephew John Alcott and Jeff Eadie. We play closest to pin on par 3’s and I had the last shot. Nobody was on the green, so it was wide open. I originally had a pitching wedge in my hand but watching all the other shots I thought let’s change it to a 9 iron. The hole was 135 yards that day. As soon as I hit it all I heard was, “that’s got a chance.” I hit the ball as perfectly as I ever could, and it bounced twice and in the hole. I let out a yell and so did everyone I was playing with, the best feeling ever to have in the game of golf. I’m 61 years old and have been playing for 41 years.

Doug Williams, Bearspaw Golf Club, Hole #5

I was golfing at my home course of Bearspaw Golf and Country Club in Calgary, Alberta. The club is in fantastic shape! We were playing in a men’s night tournament, and I was with three of my good friends (Trevor Davies, Jarvis Nichol and Ryan Stewart). We golf religiously together on Thursday nights. It was hole #5 which was playing 131 yards into a bit of a breeze. I used a TaylorMade 9 iron. Needless to say, hitting one of these early in the golf season at men’s night on my home course was an unbelievable experience! It was the first of my life (hopefully not the last).

Eric Normore, Fort McMurray Golf Course, Hole #4

I got a hole-in-one at Fort McMurray Golf Course. The club used was a RBZ 5 wood by TaylorMade. I was playing with Cathy Normore, Carly Davis and Grayden Northey.

Eric Stinson, Blue Ocean Golf Club, Hole #6

Hole #6 at Blue Ocean is a par 3 which measured 198 yards. I hit an 8 iron to a middle pin, and it hopped in!

Finley Steube, The Links at Penn Hills, Hole #15

I was playing with my two friends, Findlay Conacher and Sam Tanenbaum. I hit a 46-degree wedge on the par 3 which is 135 yards. It landed softly on the green and rolled down into the hole.

Gareth Seys, Talking Rock Golf Course, Hole #1

I got a hole-in-one at Talking Rock Golf Course in Chase, B.C. yesterday! It was on hole #6, 174 yards off the yellow tees.

Greg Morris, Taboo Golf Course, Hole #15

I recently made my first ever hole-in-one at Taboo Golf Course in Gravenhurst! I was playing with my buddy Mitchell and Tyler Seguin who plays for the Dallas Stars. I made the ace on the 140-yard 15th hole using an 8 iron with a Pro V1 golf ball.

Ian Robbie, Lively Golf Club, Hole #14

It was 168 yards with an 8 iron from the tips. Also, I was golfing with two brothers that I was randomly paired up with.

Jill Kubica, Noth Shuswap Golf Club, Hole #7

It was during our Anglemont Estates Ladies’ Golf Club Thursday tee time. I was playing with Doris Hunter, Marie Newton and Brenda Buffel (we are all members of the Anglemont Estates Ladies’ Golf Club). I used my 7 iron and I am not certain of the yardage. The score card says 142 yards from the white tees, but there is no yardage on the score card for the red tees. I’m guessing the yardage was somewhere around 125 yards from the red tees.

Manuela Newell, Riverbend Golf Community, Hole #5

It was a surprise and we all got to see it go in the hole! It was Tuesday while playing in the ladies’ league with three ladies who graciously congratulated me, Bev Padfield, Louise Morin and Daryle Pryde. I used my 9 iron for a 90-yard shot. My only thought was to get closest to the pin, as every Tuesday we have closest to the pin contests. Putting the ball in the hole wasn’t even on my mind. So needless to say, I was a happy golfer. This was my third hole-in-one, and it was as exciting as the others. These unexpected happenings on the golf course keep me coming back.

Pat Varley, Seaview Golf and Country Club, Hole #14

I was golfing with my husband, Colin. It was a windy but sunny day at Seaview Golf and Country Club in North Sydney Cape Breton. Colin and I decided to leave our previous golf course after 12 years and join Seaview.

We were on an elevated tee with my golf watch indicating 137 yards. The course had just recently opened for the year so, before I let my bad habits get established, I was just concentrating on the very basics of golf, mostly just keeping my head down. I carefully brought my 5 wood around and fortunately, the ball came off my club just the way I wanted. The bright red Callaway ball soared through the air, landed at the front of the green and rolled toward the hole located in the center of the green and just disappeared. It felt like I was watching the whole scene in slow motion.

I don’t remember too much about the following holes because I was in such a mental state. After the game, when I was returning the golf cart key to the pro shop, I couldn’t hide my excitement about the 14th hole and told the staff about the hole-in-one. I must say the staff was so happy and excited for me, it just pleasantly took me by surprise and enhanced the feeling of the accomplishment. The flag that was given to me by Seaview Golf Club will be signed by their golf pro, Lorne Jennex, who was the very first person who gave me a golf lesson approximately 40 years ago. I hope every golfer gets to experience the feeling of a hole-in-one.

Peter Cocciolo, Fernie Golf and Country Club, Hole #16

I was playing hole #16 at the Fernie Golf Course, where I am a member. The distance was 158 yards to a middle pin. I hit a 7 iron straight at it and the ball bounced on the front part of the green then rolled up the rest of the way and disappeared into the hole. I was playing with my wife, Jane, and friends, Jamey and Karen Farr.

Raymond Barkwill, Cowichan Golf and Country Club, Hole #13

It was in our inter-club match (Harry Young) against Highland Pacific. It was on hole #13 from 121 yards and I hit a gap wedge.

Ron Boychuk, Royal Regina Golf Club, Hole #7

I was playing golf with three co-workers after work. The hole was uphill, 132 yards to a two-tiered green. The pin was on the upper tier. There was a left to right wind as per usual in Saskatchewan. I used an easy 8 iron, hit it short, left of the pin about eight feet. It took a kick and we all saw it roll toward the flag and then disappear. None of us believed our eyes until I pulled the ball from the hole.

Shota Ishizawa, Aberdeen Glen Golf Club, Hole #8

I was playing with Rick Cooper and Ralph Posteraro at Aberdeen Glen Golf Club. I used a 9 iron from 164 yards out. It was a front pin and the ball hit the fringe then disappeared into the hole. A day I will never forget!

Tim Stewart, Lookout Point, Hole #8

I made a hole-in-one at Lookout Point on hole #8 with a 7 wood into the wind. It was my eighth hole-in-one and sixth at Lookout. When I hit the shot, I thought I was a bit right of the hole, but the playing partners thought it was good. Getting to the elevated green, a playing partner investigated the hole and saw the ball.

Trevor Warke, Ardmore Golf Course, Hole #10

My hole-in-one was at my home club Ardmore Golf Club on June 9, 2023. At the time, I was golfing with Ken, Dan and Si. It was on the back nine 102 yards, and I used a pitching wedge. This is my second hole-in-one, my first was in Alberta 32 years ago at Wolf Creek Golf Resort. Now I’m trying for my third!

Victor Bijendra, Langara Golf Course, Hole #8

I was playing with George Mak, Barry Guarino and Niall Boag. I played with a 7 iron, and it was 122 yards.

Xavier Després, South Cove Golf, Hole #7

Great moment!

Chants of “Corrr-ayyyy! Cor-ay! Cor-ay! Cor-ay!” to the tune of the famous “Ole!” soccer song followed Corey Conners up to the 18th green during the second round of the RBC Canadian Open.

The product of Listowel, Ont., responded well to the chants from hundreds of fans. He two-putted on the challenging green at Oakdale Golf and Country Club to pull within a shot of the lead at the men’s national golf championship.

“Lots of chants out there, but definitely that one was new,” said Conners with a chuckle. “I’m really embracing the Canadian support.”

Conners shot a 3-under 69 on Friday to sit in a tie for second with Taiwan’s C.T. Pan, England’s Aaron Rai and Tyrrell Hatton at 8-under overall.

China’s Carl Yuan turned in a 5-under round to sit atop the leaderboard one shot ahead of that group.

“Really happy with the start,” said Conners who was tied for the lead after the first round. “It’s been a lot of fun out here this week.

“Fun playing in front of the Canadian fans. Just enjoying the walk out there.”

Yuan said after his round in the morning wave that his goal is always to have fun out on the course.

“That’s my goal coming into the week. That’s my No. 1 goal,” said Yuan of keeping it light. “Not a result goal, just being in the present, hitting shot by shot and, yeah, being out here trying to have the most fun. All of it.”

Conners was in the mix at the PGA Championship in late May and tied for 12th. He said his cool demeanour paid off there and is also keeping him focused at the Canadian Open, which most Canadian players consider a fifth major.

“I would say this week I’ve been a lot more relaxed than even I was there and I felt like I was quite relaxed at the PGA Championship,” he said. “So I’m feeling good about my game and able to play with freedom and confidence. I’m just having a lot of fun.”

It has been almost 70 years since a Canadian last won the men’s national golf championship. Pat Fletcher won in 1954 at Vancouver’s Point Grey Golf and Country Club.

Although Conners is in the best position to end that drought, he’s far from the only Canadian in the hunt as eight of his countrymen made the cut.

Adam Hadwin (68) of Abbotsford, B.C., and Rogers Sloan (70) of Merritt, B.C., were tied for 17th at 5 under.

Edmonton’s Wil Bateman, playing in his first-ever Canadian Open and only his second PGA Tour event, rocketed up the leaderboard with a 6-under round. That put Bateman at 4-under overall and tied for 22nd.

“When they bring out the cameras and the little fuzzy little mic you know you’re doing something right,” joked Bateman. “But I just tried to just stay in the moment. I’m just really excited for the weekend.”

After two days of air quality advisories due to forest fires raging in Ontario and Quebec, steady rain cleared the air at Oakdale in Toronto’s northwest corner. Between the lack of sunlight and cold rain, the temperature didn’t go above 17 degrees Celsius.

“I think this is right up my alley,” said Yuan, who was born in Dalian, China. “I went to school in Seattle at the University of Washington.

“That’s exactly what we deal with in the wintertime.”

Conners said that the course’s conditions have been great, although with a 9-under overall score topping the leaderboard it’s clear that Oakdale is proving to be a challenge.

“I feel like the golf course and the greens have sped up and the rough has continued to grow and become thicker from when I saw it a few weeks ago,” said Conners. “Also just tournament conditions, it’s playing a little trickier but there’s definitely some opportunities.

“If the weather stays nice I think that you can shoot some good numbers this weekend.”

TORONTO – It’s been 20 years since Mike Weir won the Masters, and now Canada is seeing the influence that victory had – with more Canadians playing at a high level on the PGA TOUR than ever before.

But one thing that continues to elude the best from Canada – including Weir himself – is a victory at the RBC Canadian Open. The last Canadian to win the country’s national open was Pat Fletcher in 1954.

Through 18 holes, however, Corey Conners is trending towards breaking the long-standing drought.

Conners shot a 5-under 67 to open things at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, and through the first round he sits in a four-way tie for the lead with Aaron Rai, Justin Lower and Chesson Hadley.

The last Canadian to lead the RBC Canadian Open after the first round was Weir in 2008, and the last Canadian to lead the championship after any round was David Hearn, who had the 54-hole lead in 2015.

Conners, who finished sixth at last year’s RBC Canadian Open, was not able to speak to media after his round because he had to deal with an urgent personal matter.

His caddie, Danny Sahl, said that Conners’ success came from being strong all around and especially disciplined off the tee. Conners hasn’t made a bogey at the RBC Canadian Open in 51 holes, dating back to last year.

Conners was first in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green and fourth in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee after the first round. Sahl said there’s an easy comparison between Oakdale and Oak Hill Country Club, the host of this year’s PGA Championship where Conners played in Sunday’s penultimate pairing.

“It’s the same mentality that he brought over from (Oak Hill), and he knows that’s what it’s going to take to play well,” Sahl said. “Just get it in the fairway and we were aggressive on a couple of holes. He’s seeing his spots and keeping it really simple.”

Weir also had the first-round lead at the RBC Canadian Open in 2004 and came agonizingly close to winning the event – eventually losing in a playoff to Vijay Singh. He knows as much as anyone what it’s going to take to keep the pedal down over the next three days.

“I think (Conners is) experienced enough to know that we’re so early and that it doesn’t really mean much yet,” Weir said. “I know he just wants to, I’m sure, keep doing what he’s doing. I was watching a little on TV this morning and he looked like he was just playing Corey Conners golf. I saw solid play and nice ball striking, and that’s a good recipe around here.

“It’s pretty demanding off the tee. If you miss the fairways you’re in trouble, so if you can keep driving it good, he’ll be in good shape.”

Conners is one of three Canadians to have won on the PGA TOUR this season, with Mackenzie Hughes and Adam Svensson being the others.

Hughes made four birdies on his back nine Thursday to finish at 3 under. Taylor Pendrith and Roger Sloan also got it to 3 under after the first round.

Weir, in his 30th RBC Canadian Open start, shot an even-par 72.

Hughes, who went to Kent State University with both Pendrith and Conners, said with golf in Canada continuing to increase its momentum, having a Canadian with a chance to win on Sunday would be huge.

“We’ve got a few guys up there, kind of close, and hopefully one of us can keep it going all the way to Sunday,” Hughes said

Can you think of a better way to cap a day of watching some of the world’s top golf professionals at the RBC Canadian Open than listening to Grammy-winning artists perform?

Beyond the headliners: the Black Eyed Peas & seven-time Grammy winner — Canadian Alanis Morissette — arrive early to catch some rising homegrown artists that “you outta know.”

Returning again, as part of the RBCxMusic Concert Series, is the SiriusXM Stage; it features local acts who have the chance to perform in the Fare Way, a hub for spectator activities that promote more than just golf. On Friday & Saturday night, following the golf, two local artists get the opportunity to shine. Friday sees Avry and Liyah Katana take the stage at 7 p.m. for 30-minute sets before the Black Eyed Peas while on Saturday Luna Elle and Skye Wallace perform on the SiriusXM Stage before fans turn their attention to headliner Alanis Morissette later that night.

“The RBC Canadian Open is the only Canadian stop on the PGA TOUR, so it is only fitting that our partnership with SiriusXM allows us to highlight and celebrate home-grown Canadian talent,” says Lisa Ferkul, Chief Commercial Officer at Golf Canada.    “We are excited that, for the second year in a row, the SiriusXM stage will create the perfect synergy between music and golf to elevate the festival experience for all fans.”

“Our partnership with Golf Canada allows us to bring music and sport together, something that elevates any entertainment experience,” explains Rob Keen, SVP, Sales & Marketing, SiriusXM Canada. “That intersection is what SiriusXM is all about. We offer the best of both of these worlds – from golf and every other major league sport, to music from every genre and decade – and much more.”

“It’s incredibly important to us to continue shining the spotlight on Canadian talent,” he adds. “We’re so excited to get the opportunity to help showcase some of those artists to new fans through the SiriusXM Stage and to welcome everyone into the SiriusXM Oasis onsite during the Canadian Open.”

Here’s a primer that highlights these four artists that are performing on the SiriusXM Stage at the RBC Canadian Open.

AVRY

By day, the Toronto-based artist wears a suit and works as a consultant with KPMG. By night, he does not change his clothes, but he transforms into a music maker. Born in Vancouver, the emerging artist listened to everything from Radiohead to Usher during his formative years. It was not until he was attending the University of Toronto when the idea that he could make music hit him.

“I knew I was not tone deaf, but randomly, one night, I was at a friend’s place, who is a house music producer, and I laid a topline down [the melody and words that goes on top of an instrumental track] on some random stuff he had,” Avry explains. “From then on I started to make a song a day and quickly realized that music is what I want to do.”

Avry invested in a home studio. And, along with his collective of producers (GoodKarma) he also works out of Kilometre House in downtown Toronto. Here is where his forthcoming project was created that is set for a September release.

The opening slot for the Black Eyed Peas is the biggest gig yet of Avry’s young career. “I’ve never played outdoors before,” he says. “It’s an incredible opportunity and it will be awesome to play a show that has so many eyes on it; hopefully, it is just one more step in the right direction.”

LIYAH KATANA

With a pair of acclaimed EPs already under her belt (Forevaliyah and 8), the Mississauga, Ont. artist is already a rising star. The 19-year-old grew up listening to the Black Eyed Peas so opening for the six-time Grammy winning band at such a young age is a dream come true. 

“I hold it so close to my heart and have a big responsibility to hype up the stage and get everybody started!” she says one week before the show. “It’s a big honor to show creativity, community and have fun. This is something I take seriously. I’m counting down the days and picking out my outfit.”

The timing of the 30-minute showcase for the R&B singer-songwriter is ideal since her new single — “Toxic” — drops that day. 

What can people expect when they hear the emerging artist later this week? “A good time,” Katana says. “There is going to be a variety of styles and songs. My new single is a doorway for me to be more involved with the community and connect with more people.”

LUNA ELLE

As if trying to find the right dress for your high school prom is not enough stress, one week after that final high school dance party, the Mississauga R&B singer shares her voice and songs before Alanis takes the stage. No pressure. Oh, and did we mention that retired NBA star Shaquille O’Neal told his Instagram followers recently that Luna Elle is “next up you heard it here first.”

Elle is thrilled to be a part of the FirstUp with RBCxMusic program. “It’s an incredible milestone in my journey as an emerging artist,” says the 17-year-old. “It’s more than just a platform—it’s a transformative experience that showcases and elevates musicians like myself from diverse backgrounds across Canada.”

SKYE WALLACE

Unlike her fellow FirstUp with RBCxMusic program participants, the Toronto-based indie-rocker is already a road warrior. She has shared stages and played with the likes of the Lowest of the Low, Matt Mays and Crown Lands over the past decade. Critics have hailed her as “a national treasure.” Her latest album (Terribly Good) was released in October 2022 and is her Six Shooter Records debut.

“To share a bill with Alanis is a huge deal for me,” says Wallace. “It feels like an immense career milestone right out of my dreams. Opportunities like these for emerging artists are a huge deal, so big thank you to SiriusXM for having us all. Let’s rock!”

Two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy is ready to make history in defence of the RBC Canadian Open title at Oakdale Golf & Country Club.

The world’s number three ranked player will lead a field of 156 of the world’s best players looking to become the first player in history to win three consecutive titles.

“Any time you can come back and defend a title sort of wherever that is in the world, it’s nice to be able to do that, said McIlroy. “Obviously the Sunday last year was, to me, one of the probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had playing on TOUR. Battling it out with JT and Tony down the stretch. Rosie was on course trying to shoot 59. There was a ton of low scores. Battling with those two guys. JT and Tony being two of the best players in the world. Coming out on top. Yeah, it was really nice. Nice to be able to defend a title. I felt like the support I got out there was absolutely amazing and I’m looking forward to playing in that sort of atmosphere again this week.”

Rory is feeling the love in ?? pic.twitter.com/H1pp0amXyk

— RBC Canadian Open (@RBCCanadianOpen) June 7, 2023

112 of Canada’s top junior golfers to compete over 54 holes at a challenging Athabasca River layout, with exemptions into the Canadian Junior Boys and Girls Championships on the line.

Golf Canada’s 2023 championship season continues on Thursday, June 8, at Athabasca Golf and Country Club, in Athabasca, Alb. with the NextGen Western Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards.

The 54-hole stroke play competition gets underway with a practice round on Thursday, June 8 and championship rounds beginning on Friday, June 9.  After 36 holes, the field will be reduced to the low 49 Junior Boys and top 22 Junior Girls, including ties, for the final round which wraps up on Sunday, May 28.

The starting field will feature 112 male and female competitors – 78 Junior Boys and 34 Junior Girls – vying for a spot into their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer.

The top eight players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, August 14-17, at North Bay Golf and Country Club Ltd. in North Bay, Ont. The top eight players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 24-27, at Hampton Golf Course in Hampton, N.B.

The Athabasca Golf Course is a thrilling 18-hole layout set amidst the stunning Athabaskan river valley. It is surrounded by the Boreal Forest, making it one of the most scenic courses in Alberta. With its challenging terrain and visually captivating setting, it offers a seamless and enjoyable test of golf. Ranked as the 4th most difficult challenges in all of Canada, it is perfect for even the most experienced golfers who can put their skills to the test while enjoying the natural beauty of Northern Alberta.

“We are very excited and honored to be hosting the NextGen Western Championships at the Athabasca Golf Club. Our members are very excited to share our hidden gem with all the golfers competing this weekend,” said Scott Wilson, general manager of Athabasca Golf Club.

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Western Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards, click here.

About the NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards

The NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards is a high-performance junior golf series which totals eight competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2023 national championships. Two additional Fall Series events will be hosted to close the season. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. For more information on the NextGen Pacific Championship, click here.

ABOUT GOLF CANADA

Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada representing more than 319,000 golfers and 1,435 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to increase Canadian participation and excellence in golf. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

He worked in the shadow of a Canadian golf legend. He toiled building and designing hundreds of courses around the country, creating a vast cannon of work. But despite his prolific nature, few golfers know his name.

Now, 30 years after Clifford “Robbie” Robinson’s death, he may finally be getting his due. This year’s RBC Canadian Open is being held at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto that has 18 holes designed by Robinson’s one-time boss Stanley Thompson in 1926 and nine holes that were added in 1957 by Robinson. Robinson’s nine holes, and a composite nine from Thompson’s work will make up the RBC Canadian Open course this year.

“This is the first time a Canadian Open has been played on a Robbie Robinson course and I think that will be very interesting for those who are interested in golf course design and history. We think that’s pretty exciting,” said Mark Sadowski, Oakdale’s immediate past president.

Robinson apprenticed under Thompson for 10 years beginning in 1929 before leaving to take the superintendent’s position at Sunningdale in London, Ontario. He served as a pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War.

After the war he worked for a time with American golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, but eventually set up his own golf course design firm and is credited with designing or working on as many as 300 courses in Canada, the United States and in South America.

“I think Robbie would be very proud to have a Canadian Open on one of his golf courses,” says Doug Carrick, himself one of Canada’s top golf course architects, who work for Robinson on and off from 1980 until the designer’s death in 1989. “Robbie did the most significant changes at St. George’s for the Canadian Open there in 1989. He really improved that course, and he probably didn’t get as much credit as he deserved.”

Robinson isn’t the only figure in Canadian golf course architecture who has a link to this year’s RBC Canadian Open.

The building of the Robinson nine at Oakdale was the first job in the golf business that Dick Kirkpatrick worked on.

“My father owned a bulldozer and was looking for work when he saw two guys hammering stakes into the ground and he approached them,” Kirkpatrick explains. “They told him they were building the new nine at Oakdale. He told them he owned a bulldozer, and he ended up getting a job on the project.

It was Kirkpatrick’s introduction to golf course construction.

“I was 19 and just out of the army and I ended up working on the project as well,” he said. “I basically just worked on shaping the bunkers and helping put in the irrigation.”

Kirkpatrick went on to become probably Canada’s most prolific golf course shaper, working on as many as 200 golf courses. He worked quite a bit with Robinson on his designs and eventually crafting three courses of his own in Ontario, including Otter Creek in Otterville and Copetown Woods in Hamilton.

To learn more about Robbie Robinson and Stanley Thompson you can go to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame website at: https://heritage.golfcanada.ca.

This year’s RBC Canadian Open will be played from June 8-11. To find out more information on the tournament you can go to:  www.rbccanadianopen.com.