Josh Nagy holds clubhouse lead at -6 with 108 golfers still to complete opening round
Caledon, Ont. – Josh Nagy shot an opening round of 65 on Monday to sit as the clubhouse leader in the 118th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.
The opening round was delayed due to fog that pushed back tee times by two and a half hours or more on both courses of The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ont. Most of the players in the afternoon wave were not able to complete their rounds on either course with play being suspended for darkness at 8:15 p.m. As a result, round one will resume at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday with round two tee times to follow.
Justin Matthews of Little Britain, Ont. was one of those not able to finish his opening round and is also at 6-under through 13 holes at The Paintbrush.
Nagy of Saskatoon, Sask. played in the morning flight and recorded seven birdies on his way to 6-under to hold the clubhouse lead by one-shot over Brady McKinlay of Lacombe, Alta. and Nicholas Dentino of Carmel, Ind.
“Just kept the driver in play all day and then the putter started to heat up on the front nine,” said Nagy following his round. “Made a nice long birdie putt on one and then on three, had a good look at eagle and was able to get that down for birdie and played the par fives really well too so that really helps.”
Nagy did just that as he birdied all three of the par-5 holes on The Paintbrush on Monday. He has had a successful run of late having won the 2023 Saskatchewan Amateur men’s title last month and said he hopes to build off that tournament through this week.
McKinlay, was also playing The Paintbrush and briefly held the lead on Monday. He finished with six birdies, including four in a row from holes 14 through 17.
“I birdied 11, made a good birdie there and those four in a row I just had good numbers, good wedges and I think I had about three or four putts from seven feet, and I made them all,” said McKinlay.
In the Inter-Provincial Team Championship, Team Alberta sits at 6-under to lead Team Saskatchewan by one-stroke and defending champions, Team Quebec by two. Team Alberta consists of Brady McKinlay, Ethan Wilson (St. Albert, Alta.) and Kye Fisher (Leduc, Alta.). The team championship is being played over the first 36 holes of the tournament.
The first two rounds of the tournament see the field of 264 golfers split between playing both The Pulpit and The Paintbrush. Players who start on The Pulpit will then play the Paintbrush for round two and vice versa. The final two rounds of the national championship will be played on The Pulpit.
The 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion receives an exemption into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. and the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. from August 14-20.
For the leaderboard of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.
GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.