CHICAGO, Ill. – Nick Taylor has spent 16 years as a professional golfer, won five times on the PGA Tour and represented Canada at the Olympics.
Yet this week, at the 2026 Presidents Cup, Taylor is a rookie.
Even he admits it sounds strange.
“It’s interesting when the word ‘rookie’ is tossed around and I’m 38 (years old),” Taylor said with a laugh. “But it’s one of those things you always hope to be a part of and for it to be a reality, I’m trying to embrace all of it while trying to prepare and play my best.
“It’s going to go by fast, but I’m trying to soak it up as much as I can.”
Taylor is one of four International Team players making their Presidents Cup debut, taking in everything that comes with being a first-timer – team dinners, lavish gifts, boisterous bus rides and a rowdy team room.
For Taylor, though, the experience carries an added significance. He gets to share one of the biggest moments of his career with two of his closest friends.
Fellow Canadian Corey Conners is making his third Presidents Cup appearance, while Taylor Pendrith has returned to the team as a captain’s assistant after playing in the previous two editions.
Together, the Canadians will try to help the International side end a 10-match losing streak against the United States, this time with an American team playing in front of its home crowd at Medinah Country Club.
Taylor has some experience delivering under pressure, something he hopes to draw on when the matches begin.
The five-time PGA Tour winner famously drained a 72-foot putt in a playoff to win the 2023 RBC Canadian Open. In 2018, he fired a final-round 63 at the Wyndham Championship to keep his PGA Tour card. He also has some experience with alternate-shot play from his appearances at the Zurich Classic alongside Adam Hadwin.
Still, Taylor knows none of that will completely prepare him for his first Presidents Cup tee shot.
He expects the nerves to come.
“Oh, I certainly think there’ll be jitters,” Taylor said. “You know, it’s one of those things where I know my game can stack up, and accepting those jitters, the nervousness, it’s a good thing.
“It’ll be fun. So whenever that happens, I’ll be excited to go.”
