PGA TOUR

Ryan Fox chipped in from 54 feet away on the first playoff hole to defeat Harry Higgs and Mackenzie Hughes to win the Myrtle Beach Classic. It is his first PGA Tour title but the New Zealander is a three time winner on the European Tour. The victory also earned him an invitation to this week’s PGA Championship, the fourth straight year he will play in the major. Both Higgs and Hughes had a chance to win in regulation. Hughes, in search of his third career PGA title, had a one shot lead but missed a 10-foot par putt on the final hole. Higgs had a 25-footer for birdie on the final hole which would have given him the victory. In the playoff, both Hughes and Higgs found the fairway off the tee while Fox drove it into the rough. His approach ended up on the collar of the green while Hughes put his second shot to within 15 feet of the cup while Higgs faced a 26 footer. Fox made his birdie attempt while both Hughes and Higgs missed their attempts. It was the first loss in three career playoffs for Hughes. It is the fifth runner-up finish of his career and third top-10 result of the season. …Ben Silverman, making his 100th career PGA Tour start, snapped a streak of eight missed cuts with his second top-20 result of the year.

NEXT EVENT: PGA Championship (May 15)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Corey Conners, Adam Hadwin, Mackenzie Hughes, Taylor Pendrith, Nick Taylor

Sepp Straka overcame a pair of bogeys to start the back nine, grabbed the lead with a par on the 16th hole and outduelled Shane Lowry to win the Truist Championship. It is Straka’s four career win and second of the year, joining Rory McIlroy was the only other multi-winner this season. The victory will vault Straka into the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time in his career. Tied with Straka after making birdie on No. 15, Lowry failed to convert a 6-footer for par to fall one back. After missing a 22-footer for birdie on the penultimate hole, he couldn’t convert a 27 footer for birdie on the final hole, settling for bogey and a tie for second with Justin Thomas. Defending champion Rory McIlroy, who was playing in his first individual event since winning the Masters, finished in a tie for seventh. …Corey Conners has finished inside the top-20 in six of his last seven starts. He has eight top-20 finishes this year. …Nick Taylor posted his fifth top-20 finish of the year and second in back-to-back starts since January.

LPGA TOUR

Jeeno Thitikul made only three birdies on Sunday but played bogey-free golf over her final 27 holes on the way to a four-shot win at the Mizuho Americas Open. It was her fifth LPGA title and first win of the year. The Thai player has 13 top-10 finishes in her last 15 starts. Celine Boutier earned her fifth career runner-up finish and third top-10 result of the season. Defending champion Nelly Korda, who is still looking for her first win of the year, finished in a tie for fifth. She was within a shot of Thitikul until a bogey on No. 9. She played the back nine in 2-over and was never a factor in the final outcome. …Brooke Henderson missed her third cut of the year, one more than she had in the entire 2024 season and the most she’s had since 2023.

NEXT EVENT: Mexico Riviera Maya Open (May 22)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Savannah Grewal, Alena Sharp, Maude-Aimee Leblanc, Maddie Szeryk (Reserve #8)

PGA TOUR AMERICAS

John Marshall Butler birdied three of his final five holes to win the Bupa Championship by a single stroke. It’s his first tour victory in just his 14th career start and comes almost a year after leading Auburn to its first-ever NCAA national golf title. Butler is also just the fifth player to earn status from the mid-season Q-School to win on Tour. The victory also moves him up to No. 1 in the Fortinet Cup standings. Vicente Marzilio finished runner-up, with Michael Brennan and Mats Ege tied for third. Brennan notched his fourth top-10 result of the season. …A.J. Ewart notched his third top-20 finish of the season. …Brendan Macdougall recorded his best result in five starts this year and his fifth top-25 finish over the last two seasons.

NEXT EVENT: Inter Rapidisimo Golf Championship (May 22)

ASIAN TOUR

Lucas Herbert eagled the final hole for the second straight day to punctuate his five-shot victory at the International Series Japan. It was the first win on the Asian Tour for the Aussie, who also has victories on the PGA Tour, European Tour and PGA Tour of Australia. Herbert was five shots behind the leader late in the third round when he eagled two of the final three holes, turning that into a 10-shot swing with his final round 64. The win moves him atop the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series rankings. Younghan Song and Yuta Sugiura finished tied for second. Sugiura carded a bogey-free round for the third time in four days. Cameron Tringale eagled the final hole to finish solo fourth.

NEXT EVENT: Kolon Korea Open (May 22)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Richard T. Lee, Sukwoan Ko, Yonggu Shin, Jared du Toit (Reserve #68), Blair Busey (Reserve #101), Richard Dou (Reserve #103), Sukhraj Gill (Reserve #125)

EUROPEAN TOUR

Martin Couvra made four birdies over his first six holes and rallied from a four shot deficit to win the Turkish Airlines Open by two strokes. It is the 22-year-old’s first European Tour title in just his 15th career start. The Frenchman has five top-10 finishes in his rookie campaign on the tour. Jorge Campillo of Spain and Haotong Li of China finished runner-up. Li also got off to a blistering start, going out in 30 but could only manage par on the back nine for his third runner-up result at this event.

NEXT EVENT:  Soudal Open (May 22)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Aaron Cockerill

EPSON TOUR

Sophia Popov had four birdies and outlasted the 100-degree heat to win the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic by two strokes. It was the fifth career win for the 32-year-old and first since the 2020 AIG Women’s Open. Michelle Zhang of China finished runner-up, followed by Valery Plata of Colombia in third. …Brooke Rivers posted her best career result on the development tour. She started the final round with birdies on six of her first eight holes, including five in a row.

NEXT EVENT: Copper Rock Championship (May 15)
CANADIANS ENTERED:  Ellie Szeryk, Leah John, Maddie Szeryk, Monet Chun, Yeji Kwon, Josee Doyon, Brooke Rivers, Mary Parsons, Brigitte Thibault (Reserve #13), Ashley Chow (Reserve #19)

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.— Mackenzie Hughes of Canada birdied his last four holes Friday for an 8-under 63, giving him a one-shot lead after the first round of the Myrtle Beach Classic.

The winner of the PGA Tour event — held opposite a signature event at the Truist Championship this week — gets a spot in the PGA Championship if not already eligible.

That’s not the case for Hughes or two of the players one shot behind him — Seamus Power and Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark — both already in the field next week at Quail Hollow.

Will Chandler also shot 64. He has yet to qualify for the PGA Championship.

Hughes, from Dundas, Ont., finished with a flurry, making five birdies over the last six holes. He is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, though it has been more than two years since his last title.

He felt like his putting has let him down in recent week, so he changed up his routine by being quicker and more instinctive on the greens.

“Putted nicely today,” he said. “Then at the end there I kind of caught fire. I can’t remember the last time I birdied the last four holes. But it’s definitely a nice finish.”

The group at 66 included 44-year-old Nick Watney, who hasn’t won in 13 years, and 17-year-old Blades Brown in his first year as a pro.

Ryan Paul grew up just down the street from Glen Abbey Golf Club and his father, Bill Paul, was an instrumental part of the RBC Canadian Open for more than three decades. He started working at the tournament as a summer job while in college and has moved up the ladder at both Golf Canada and Wasserman before returning full time to Golf Canada in 2016.

Now Paul is in the leadership chair at Canada’s National Men’s Open as tournament director and this year is set to be bigger than ever – as the RBC Canadian Open makes its debut at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley – but Paul is more than up to the task.

Paul had spent the last six years at the helm of the CPKC Women’s Open and was the tournament director when Brooke Henderson made history in Regina in 2018. He also oversaw the event as it won back-to-back Tournament of the Year awards at the LPGA Tour’s year-end award ceremony in both 2022 and 2023.

He says one of the biggest things he’s excited about for 2025 as the championship makes its debut at TPC Toronto is watching the spectator journey unfold from plan to practice.

Paul has been used to getting to a course for the first time (each of the CPKC Women’s Open events in 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2024 took place at first-time venues although Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in 2023 had hosted the RBC Canadian Open in the past) so he and the team are no strangers to this effort.

“It’s fun to put together a plan that we think will work great for spectators and players and volunteers and just to really see that come to life when we open the gates on June 2 will be unbelievable,” Paul says.

Paul knows how cool an opportunity it is for the golfing public in Canada to have the RBC Canadian Open once again on a public course.

“We’ve seen it at Glen Abbey and my hope is that you have those ‘where-were-you moments like a Nick Taylor putt to win, or a Tiger Woods bunker shot. Those things become the ‘moment’ at TPC Toronto and we get people who throw a ball in a bunker or try to drain a long putt. It just makes (the Canadian Open) that much more special,” Paul says. “When you have that opportunity and you can see the fans where they’re like, ‘I hit my drive here!’ And all the players are just so far ahead, it’s really cool.

“TPC Toronto is such a special property where it’s got teeth to host a PGA TOUR event but it’s such a great golf course to just play as a public golfer. We’re really looking forward to it.”

Paul spent a good amount of time at THE PLAYERS Championship in March introducing himself to plenty of golfers who will make up the RBC Canadian Open field. He says speaking to the Canadian contingent has been super helpful as he gets a better understanding of what they’re excited about for TPC Toronto and all the venues they’ve been to – what’s been good and what can be improved on.

On the PGA TOUR, the Canadians (and, thankfully, this country has never had a bigger or more successful group all playing week-in and week-out) are the tournament’s biggest ambassadors.

“Having (the Canadians) also do my job a little bit, walking the range and telling players how great it’s going to be in Canada this year is certainly important. We’re always striving to have the best field we can and having Rory McIlroy back again, as well, is incredible and really shows what the player experience means and if we’re putting on a good show, taking care of these players, they’re always going to come back,” Paul says. “Rory, outside the Canadians, has been our biggest ambassador celebrating this as a National Open and how important that is and what it’s like to play in Canada and with our fans. It’s been remarkable and those things go a long way.”

The RBC Canadian Open has undergone an impressive evolution over the last half-decade or so with even more fun on-site activities than ever before. Paul remembers when The Rink hole, for example, was just an idea – and all we had were hockey boards and a Zamboni. Now it’s a “must-visit” destination at any RBC Canadian Open, and despite the fact that the tournament travels each year, The Rink gives the tournament a signature hole, even though it’s at a different course every time.

With the new date in 2019 the RBC Canadian Open really launched into this new era, Paul says, of being more than a golf tournament. It was all about food and music and was more of an outdoor festival than just a golf tournament.

As the snow melts, Paul says, he’s just excited to get up to TPC Toronto and see all the building unfold. The tournament is around the corner.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how it all plays out,” Paul says, “and I know it’s going to be a great week.”

Even casual golf fans in Listowel, Ont., were invested in Corey Conners’s run at the Masters.

Brian Hare and Brian Paulmert were sharing a beer at Crabby Joe’s on Main Street in Listowel as Conners teed off in the final round of the Masters on Sunday, four shots back of Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy for the lead. Although neither bar patron know Conners personally or follow golf closely, they were rooting for their hometown’s star.

“It’s always good to see someone from a small town doing well or prospering, doing what they love to do,” said Hare.

“Listowel’s a bump, eh?” added Paulmert. “When I’m in the States people ask where I’m from and I say ‘an hour and a half from Toronto’ because no one knows Listowel.”

“You talk about Corey, he’s a small-town boy doing good.”

Conners shot a 3-over 75 on Sunday to finish the tournament tied for eighth at 5 under. 

It’s the fourth time he has finished in the top 10 at Augusta National. He tied for 10th in 2020, tied for eighth in 2021 and tied for sixth in 2022.

McIlroy beat England’s Justin Rose in a one-hole playoff for his first-ever Masters title.

Conners was the top ranked Canadian on the PGA Tour heading into the Masters, the first major of the men’s golf season, sitting sixth in the FedEx Cup standings. His eighth-place finish will drop him down to No. 7 in the rankings.

The 33-year-old has built his professional reputation on consistent play with remarkable ball-striking ability.

He shot a 68 in the first round, then back-to-back 70s to enter Sunday’s final round in sole possession of third. McIlroy was the third-round leader at 12 under, American Bryson DeChambeau was second at 10 under, and Conners was 8 under.

“Like I said, I’m not a big golfer, but I’ve heard he’s made a fight to win this tournament,” Hare said.

Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., is the only Canadian male to ever win a major. He claimed the green jacket as Masters champion in 2003, inspiring a generation of Canadian golfers including Conners.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., has won two majors on the women’s schedule: the Women’s PGA Championship in 2016 and the Evian Championship in 2022.

Winnipeg’s George Knudson, who is tied with Weir for most PGA Tour wins by a Canadian at eight, was the closest to winning a major before Weir’s triumph. He lost the 1969 Masters by a single putt.

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., was the other Canadian to make the cut at Augusta this year. He shot a 1-over 73 on Sunday to finish a 3-over overall, good for 40th.

Around the corner from Crabby Joe’s was the Back 9 Sports Bar, a golf-themed spot where a half-dozen people were watching the action from Augusta National but also keeping an eye on the Toronto Blue Jays game out of Baltimore, Canada’s national women’s hockey team at the world championships in Czechia, and anticipating that evening’s Toronto Maple Leafs game in Carolina.

Conners himself often stops by the Back 9 when he’s in Listowel and in one corner, near the twin golf simulators, is a wall filled with memorabilia from his career including signed golf flags from the Masters and the Valero Texas Open, which he won in 2019 and 2023 for his two PGA Tour victories.

——-

Catch Corey Conners at the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto Osprey Valley. For ticket info, visit www.rbccanadianopen.com/tickets.

Despite being one of the best Canadian golfers on the PGA Tour, Taylor Pendrith didn’t really grow up dreaming of playing in the Masters.

Instead, his goal was to play in Major League Baseball or the NHL.

Pendrith, who was the MVP of his high school baseball team in Richmond Hill, Ont., and also played junior A hockey, will make his Augusta National Golf Club debut on Thursday. 

“Honestly, even the first few years in college playing college golf, I didn’t really know I was going to play professionally,” Pendrith told reporters on Tuesday. “So obviously I watched the Masters tournament and followed golf, but never really thought I would be here until probably the last year of college.

“Once I got my PGA Tour card it became more of a reality that, ‘hey, if I do play well I could get here.'”

Pendrith played at Kent State University before turning pro in 2014, working his way up from the PGA Tour Canada to the Korn Ferry Tour and finally the PGA Tour. The 33-year-old qualified for the Masters, the first major of the men’s golf season, when he won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on May 5.

“I had been a couple times as a spectator and it will be a really special week,” said Pendrith. “It’s already been such a cool week, and to have all my family and friends here, it’s awesome.”

Pendrith will be joined at Augusta by Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., and Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont.

Conners and Pendrith played together at Kent State and were the best men at each other’s weddings. They’ve gone on to play together on Golf Canada’s national team and were twice members of the International Team at the Presidents Cup.

“(Pendrith) looked great out there,” said Conners after the four Canadians practised together. “It was awesome to share that experience with him. 

“Tried to tell him a few of the things that I learned over the years. But I think this golf course is great for him.”

Conners is the highest ranked Canadian on the FedEx Cup standings, sitting sixth heading into the Masters. He’s played in the tournament seven times, finishing in the top 10 in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

“I think there is an added comfort level knowing you had some good rounds out here, knowing what it takes to play well,” said Conners, who is also 33. “I think that’s definitely huge here compared to some of the weeks.

“Obviously, it’s the biggest golf tournament in the world. Just fun to be here any time, but definitely having had some decent results, there is lots of positives I can draw from.”

Taylor is 16th on the FedEx Cup rankings and Pendrith is 39th. 

The 54-year-old Weir primarily plays on the Champions Tour and is therefore unranked on the PGA Tour, but automatically qualifies for the Masters as the 2003 champion. Weir is still the only Canadian man to win a major.

Taylor, 36, has won on the PGA Tour five times, including three playoffs. He thinks a major win could be close for him.

“I know I’m not far off, it’s just getting through that barrier of probably the belief standpoint and then I’ve played well enough at a vast majority of golf courses that there’s no reason I can’t compete out here,” said Taylor, who will be competing at the Masters for a third time. “So getting that belief is definitely probably the next step and then from there I can shoot some good scores.”

Canada well represented at Masters Tournament, Augusta National Women’s Amateur and
Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals

As the calendar turns to April, golf fans worldwide focus their attention on Augusta, Ga. to celebrate a tradition unlike any other and watch in anticipation as to who will be next to don the iconic green jacket.

Canada will be well represented at the 89th Masters Tournament with four Canadians currently set to compete including past Masters champion, Mike Weir (Bright’s Grove, Ont.), Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.), Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.) and 2023 RBC Canadian Open winner, Nick Taylor (Abbotsford, B.C.).

Weir will be competing in his 26th Masters Tournament. His iconic win in 2003 was secured on the first playoff hole at Augusta National Golf Club to beat Len Mattiace and become the first Canadian Masters champion and the first Canadian male golfer to win a major.

Conners, who will be competing in his eighth Masters Tournament including 2015 as an amateur, had three consecutive top 10 finishes between 2020 and 2022, with his best finish, T6 coming in 2022. Taylor will be making his third appearance at the Masters, his best finish was T29 in 2020, while Pendrith will be making his Masters debut.

Also returning to Augusta National Golf Club (Augusta National) is Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club’s superintendent, Eric Ruhs, who has been volunteering with the Augusta National Agronomy department since 2014. Ruhs has been the superintendent at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club since 1987 and was honoured as the 2023 Superintendent of the Year by the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association.

Lauren Kim set to compete in second consecutive Augusta National Women’s Amateur

Before the Masters Tournament kicks off, Augusta National will host the sixth annual Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA), from April 2-5.

Team Canada member, Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. will be competing at her second consecutive ANWA, looking to build on last year’s T14 finish. Kim is currently a sophomore at the University of Texas where she has enjoyed a great deal of success throughout her season. She claimed her second collegiate title at the Betsy Rawls Invitational in March and has three additional third place finishes along with a top-five and a top-six.

The ANWA features a field of 72 amateurs competing over 54 holes of stroke play with a cut following 36 holes. The opening rounds will be contested at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. on Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3. The top 30 players and ties will advance to the final round at Augusta National on Saturday, April 5. The entire field will play a practice round there one day prior on Friday.

The first two rounds of the ANWA will be broadcast live on the Golf Channel from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET. NBC will air the final round on April 5 from Noon – 3:00 p.m. ET.

For more information on the ANWA including the full field, click here.

Three Canadians set to compete in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals in Augusta

Following the ANWA, the 11th annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals will be contested on Sunday, April 6 at Augusta National.

Three Canadians will be among the 80 qualified junior golfers that have earned invitations to compete in Augusta. They are:

Allen Kong from Vancouver, B.C. who will be competing in the Boys 7-9 division. Kong earned his spot through a regional qualifying event at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wa., where he gained 133 points, fourth highest in his division among other national final competitors.

Jenny Guo of Langley, B.C. will be competing in the Girls 12-13 division. Guo recorded 143 points at her regional qualifying event at Chambers Bay, where her total was the second highest among other national finalists in the division. Guo also finished second at the inaugural Canadian U15 Championship last August at the Elmira Golf Club in Elmira, Ont.

Riviera Lindholm of Toronto, Ont. will also be competing in the Girls 12-13 Division. Lindholm earned her qualification at a regional event at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa. where she totaled 150 points, the highest total among national finalists in her division. Last season, Lindholm earned a T4 finish at the Canadian U15 Championship and placed second at the 2024 Junior Skills Challenge National Event in the Girls 12-13 division.

Canadians have enjoyed past success at the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, with three current Team Canada members having previously won their respective divisions. LPGA Tour member Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont. won the Girls 14-15 division in 2017. Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. won the Girls 10-11 division in 2018 and Nicole Gal of Oakville, Ont. won the Girls 14-15 division in 2019. Fellow Canadian Alexis Card of Cambridge, Ont. won the Girls 7-9 division in 2021.

Drive, Chip and Putt is conducted in partnership with the USGA, the Masters Tournament and the PGA of America and is a free youth golf development program. The competition tests the skills of the game, measuring accuracy in driving, chipping and putting. Each competitor is scored on a 30-point system – the player with the best drive is awarded 10 points, the closest cumulative chips, 10 points and the player with nearest cumulative putts, another 10 points. The player with the highest total combined score will be named the winner from each age and gender division.

For more information on the 2025 national finalists and regional qualifying results, please click here. For more information on Drive, Chip and Putt, please click here

TPC Sawgrass is considered one of the toughest courses in the world, with its No. 17 one of the most recognizable and difficult holes in pro golf. 

But Canadians Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith feel they’re up for the challenge at THE PLAYERS Championship this week. 

“It’s a course where the way it’s set up, you need to hit fairways,” said Pendrith, a native of Richmond Hill, Ont. “If you can drive it well, then there’s lots of scoring opportunities. If you’re not driving it well, it can be a long week.

“But it’s a really cool course. You can be creative on some holes and around the greens. It’s just one of my favourite golf courses to play, and the final stretch is an awesome finish.”

Conners, from Listowel, Ont., finished third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday to ascend the FedEx Cup standings. Like his best friend Pendrith, he was eager to take on TPC Sawgrass shortly after finishing his round at Bay Hill Club and Lodge.

“I think my ball striking was really strong, I think I putted quite well,” said Conners shortly after the Arnold Palmer Invitational wrapped up. “Most of the days I was hitting my lines. 

“Got a lot of freedom with my iron play, hit a lot of great shots this week, and I think that will be important to continue next week.”

Conners, Pendrith and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., are currently the top-tanked Canadians on the PGA Tour. 

Taylor is ninth, Conners is 11th, and Pendrith is 35th.

Conners hopes to carry his momentum from Bay Hill into TPC Sawgrass.

“I did a lot of things really well (at the Arnold Palmer Invitational),” said Conners. “This week I hit the ball really well and, yeah, it’s another demanding golf course next week, a course I really like.

“So lots of good stuff, good feelings heading into the Players.”

Pendrith took a small step back when he missed the cut at the Cognizant Classic on March 2, but otherwise he’s had an excellent start to the season with two top-10 finishes already. He started the year with a tie for 13th at the Sentry on Jan. 5, a tie for seventh at the Farmers Insurance Open on Jan. 25, and a tie for ninth at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Feb. 2. 

“I’ve played some really good golf and put myself in a decent position on the weekends,” said Pendrith. “I had a really good finish at the Farmers and a really good finish at Pebble so the game feels good. Lots of confidence.

“The putter hasn’t been co-operating, I would say, as it did last year, yet, so been hitting it really nice. So hopefully keep doing that and see some putts go in.”

Taylor, Conners and Pendrith will be joined in Ponte Verde, Fla., by four other Canadians at the Players: Adam Hadwin (83rd) of Abbotsford, Mackenzie Hughes (110th) of Dundas, Ont., Ben Silverman (139th) of Thornhill, Ont., and Adam Svensson (149th) of Surrey, B.C.

EPSON TOUR — Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., tied for sixth at the Atlantic Beach Classic last week to move up to 18th in the Race for the Card points list on the second-tier Epson Tour. She’ll lead the Canadian contingent into this week’s IOA Golf Classic on Friday. Yeji Kwon (83rd) of Port Coquitlam, B.C., and Monet Chun (94th) of Richmond Hill, Ont., are also in the field at Alaqua Country Club in Longwood, Fla., as are Vancouver’s Leah John and Josee Doyon of Saint-Georges, Que.

The 2025 THE PLAYERS Championship is set to tee off from March 13 to 16 at the iconic TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and Canadian golf fans have plenty to be excited about. A record-tying seven Canadians will be in the field, competing for one of the most prestigious titles in golf.

Dubbed the “fifth major,” THE PLAYERS features a $25 million purse, with $4.5 million awarded to the winner. The field includes 48 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, making it one of the most competitive tournaments on the PGA Tour schedule.

The Canadians in the Field:

Nick Taylor (World No. 27)

Abbotsford, B.C.’s Nick Taylor is the only Canadian to have won on the PGA Tour this season, claiming victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii back in January. The four-time PGA Tour winner has been a model of consistency, making the cut in all six of his starts in 2025.

Taylor also recorded a T-9 at The Genesis Invitational and a T-12 at The American Express, proving he can compete in elite fields. His aggressive putting style could serve him well on the challenging greens of TPC Sawgrass.

Corey Conners (World No. 30)

Conners, from Listowel, Ontario, is arguably the most in-form Canadian heading into THE PLAYERS. The 32-year-old has had a strong start to 2025, highlighted by a solo third-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and a T5 at The Sentry in January. His precision ball-striking makes him an excellent fit for TPC Sawgrass, where accuracy is crucial.

This will be Conners’ sixth career appearance at THE PLAYERS, with his best finish being T-7 in 2022.

Taylor Pendrith (World No. 41)

Pendrith, from Richmond Hill, Ontario, has continued to build on his breakthrough 2023 season. The long-hitting Canadian has already posted a top-10 finish this year, and his power off the tee could help him attack some of the longer holes at TPC Sawgrass.

Pendrith will need to dial in his approach shots and putting to contend, but if everything clicks, he has the talent to make noise in this elite field.

Mackenzie Hughes (World No. 69)

The pride of Dundas, Ontario, Hughes is known for his strong short game and clutch putting. While he hasn’t posted a top-10 finish yet in 2025, he’s been playing solid golf and will be looking to peak at the right time.

His best career finish at THE PLAYERS came in 2021, when he tied for 16th. If his putter gets hot, he could be a dark horse to contend.

Adam Hadwin (World No. 75)

Hadwin, also from Abbotsford, B.C., has been playing steady golf in 2025, with one top-10 finish so far. The 36-year-old is one of the most experienced Canadians on Tour, with a PGA Tour victory at the 2017 Valspar Championship.

Hadwin has made five cuts in seven starts at THE PLAYERS, with his best finish being T-8 in 2021. If his iron play is sharp, he could make a deep run this week.

Adam Svensson (World No. 151)

The Surrey, B.C. native is still searching for his first top-10 of 2025, but he’s shown flashes of brilliance. Svensson won his first PGA Tour event at the 2022 RSM Classic, proving he has the ability to close out tournaments.

In his second career start at THE PLAYERS, Svensson will be aiming to improve on his T-13 finish from 2023. His all-around game and confidence on Bermuda greens could be key factors in his performance.

Ben Silverman (World No. 174)

Silverman rounds out the Canadian contingent, making his debut at THE PLAYERS Championship. The Thornhill, Ont., native has been a grinder on the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, and earning a spot in this field is a huge milestone for his career.

While he’s an underdog, Silverman has shown he can compete against top-tier competition, and contending this week would be a big step forward.

Course Breakdown: TPC Sawgrass

The Pete Dye-designed Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is one of the most recognizable and challenging courses in golf.

Key features include:

• Island Green (Hole 17): The par-3 17th hole is one of the most famous in the world, testing players’ nerves with a tiny, island-shaped green.
• Narrow Fairways & Water Hazards: Precision is crucial, as errant shots can easily find water or deep rough.
• Risk-Reward Par 5s: The 16th hole offers a birdie or eagle chance but can punish aggressive play.

What’s at Stake for the Canadians?

A strong performance at THE PLAYERS could have a huge impact on the Canadian golfers’ seasons. Here’s what’s on the line:

• FedExCup Points: The winner earns 750 points, which could be critical for playoff positioning.
• World Ranking Boost: A top finish could propel a Canadian into the top 25 or better in the Official World Golf Ranking.
• Major Championship Momentum: With The Masters just a month away, a strong showing at THE PLAYERS could set the tone for the first major of the year.

How to Watch

Canadian fans can follow THE PLAYERS Championship on TSN and Golf Channel, with full coverage beginning:

• Thursday, March 13 at 7:30 AM ET (Round 1)
• Friday, March 14 at 7:30 AM ET (Round 2)
• Saturday, March 15 at 9:00 AM ET (Round 3)
• Sunday, March 16 at 9:00 AM ET (Final Round)

Live streaming will also be available on TSN+ and PGA Tour Live.

Final Thoughts

With seven Canadians in the field, 2025 THE PLAYERS Championship promises to be a thrilling event for golf fans across the country. Corey Conners and Nick Taylor lead the charge, but each player in the group has a chance to make an impact.

Can a Canadian contend for the title? Tune in to find out as they take on the world’s best at TPC Sawgrass.

Don’t forget, you can catch the PGA TOUR’s best in-person at Canada’s lone TOUR stop, the RBC Canadian Open, taking place June 4-8 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. Visit www.rbccanadianopen.com for tickets and info.

Corey Conners secured a sixth successive appearance at The Open by claiming the sole qualifying place on offer in the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard.

A final-round 71 that featured 17 pars and a crucial birdie on the 16th was enough for Canada’s Conners to finish third in the PGA TOUR event at Bay Hill, part of The Open Qualifying Series.

That was ultimately enough to book a return to The Open – and the scene of his Championship debut in 2019 – as tournament winner Russell Henley and runner-up Collin Morikawa were already exempt.

Conners will now aim to improve on his best Open finish to date, a T15 finish at Royal St George’s in 2021.

Netflix’s hit docuseries Full Swing returns for its third season, and this time, Canadian golf fans have even more reason to tune in. The show follows the journeys of some of the biggest names in the sport, and among them are two of Canada’s own—Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin.

The pair, both hailing from Abbotsford, B.C., have been linked throughout their careers, from their early junior golf days to their rise on the PGA Tour. The new season delves into their long-standing friendship, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their bond both on and off the course.

Their episode captures a mix of competitive spirit and camaraderie, with moments ranging from high-stakes tournament play to lighthearted scenes—like an attempt to track down a Vancouver Canucks game while on the road. The series showcases Taylor’s incredible success, including his unforgettable RBC Canadian Open victory, while also highlighting Hadwin’s pursuit of his own breakthrough moments.

Executive producer Chad Mumm describes this season as deeply character-driven, aiming to appeal not just to golf enthusiasts but to a broader audience as well. The inclusion of Taylor and Hadwin adds a unique Canadian angle to the show, emphasizing their journey, challenges, and the mutual support that has defined their careers.

While the season builds towards the drama of the Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal, the journey itself is what makes their story compelling. Whether it’s the thrill of competition or the shared moments along the way, Full Swing provides an intimate look at what it takes to succeed at the highest level—while never forgetting where it all began.