First Tee PGA TOUR

Nick Taylor announced as official ambassador of First Tee – Canada

Nick

TORONTO, Ont. — Canadian golf star Nick Taylor is no stranger to thrilling golf fans and inspiring the next generation of players. All it took was draining a historic 72-foot putt on a fourth playoff hole to become the first Canadian in 69 years to win Canada’s National Open Golf Championship.

Now the five-time PGA TOUR winner and 2023 RBC Canadian Open champion is giving back to youth golf, becoming an official ambassador for First Tee – Canada and taking on a leading role alongside his wife Andie and their family in inspiring children from all backgrounds to experience the sport and its core values.

As the program’s newest ambassador, the 2024 Olympian will carry the First Tee – Canada logo on his TOUR bag in support of the national youth development program delivered by Golf Canada which has introduced nearly 200,000 youth to the sport since launching in 2021.

“Being part of First Tee – Canada is an incredible opportunity to give back to the game that has given me so much,” said Taylor, the only Canadian male golfer to have won the Canadian Junior, Amateur and National Open trifecta. “Golf has shaped my life in many ways, and I want kids across our country to experience the values of discipline, friendship, integrity and the joy of competing which they can carry into everything they do. Andie and I are humbled to be able to support First Tee – Canada through our annual charity event.”

First Tee – Canada, a program designed to make golf more accessible by providing equipment, coaching and inclusive spaces, has quickly expanded into schools, community centres and golf facilities nationwide. Many of the program’s nearly 200,000 youth participants have joined from communities that would not otherwise have the opportunity to play the sport. Along with golf instruction, participants learn about perseverance, integrity, teamwork and respect — skills that reach beyond the fairway.

With First Tee – British Columbia as one of the charitable beneficiaries of the Nick Taylor Charity Classic since 2024, Taylor strives to make the sport he loves more accessible and inclusive for youth. His support for the program has helped the BC chapter expand no-cost programming to Cultus Lake Golf Club, reaching hundreds of participants near his hometown of Abbotsford, B.C.

Fundraising for First Tee – Canada is led by the Golf Canada Foundation, and the program is proudly supported by RBC and other contributing partners.

As a member of Team RBC, Taylor’s ambassador role also builds on his involvement with the RBC Community Junior Golf initiative, launched by RBC in partnership with Golf Canada in 2022, which brings affordable and community-based golf opportunities to children across Canada.

“Golf Canada has been fortunate to know Nick and the Taylor family since he was a young teenager,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “He has excelled at every level of golf, from junior through his amateur young pro career and now being one of the top professionals on the PGA TOUR. What has been equally amazing to witness is Nick’s commitment to making an impact when he’s off the golf course. In becoming a First Tee – Canada ambassador, it further demonstrates Nick’s incredible contribution to golf, to Canada and to the youth and families whose lives he will shape and inspire.”

With the shared commitment of Taylor as a proud ambassador, Golf Canada will continue to expand the First Tee – Canada program across the country, encouraging more equity-deserving youth to discover the game, embrace its values and develop skills for life.

For more information about First Tee – Canada, visit firstteecanada.ca.

PGA TOUR RBC Canadian Open

RBC extends title sponsorship of RBC Heritage and RBC Canadian Open

RBC
Kevin Sousa/ Golf Canada

RBC to continue sponsorship of PGA TOUR Signature Event and golf’s third-oldest national championship in multi-year agreement

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida and TORONTO, Canada – The PGA TOUR and RBC, in partnership with the Heritage Classic Foundation and Golf Canada, today announced a multi-year extension of the bank’s title sponsorship of the RBC Heritage and RBC Canadian Open. RBC is a long-standing supporter of golf at the professional and amateur levels and has been the title sponsor of the RBC Heritage and RBC Canadian Open since 2012 and 2008, respectively.

The 2026 RBC Heritage, a PGA TOUR Signature Event, begins Thursday, April 16 at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and the 2026 RBC Canadian Open, Canada’s National Open, will return to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ontario, on Thursday, June 11.

As the title sponsor of two events on the PGA TOUR schedule, RBC plays an essential role in golf, providing both critical development at the amateur level and life-changing moments for the world’s greatest players,” said PGA TOUR CEO Brian Rolapp. “We are grateful to extend our relationship with RBC, Canada’s national championship at the RBC Canadian Open, as well as the RBC Heritage, the Signature Event culminating across the marina from Harbour Town’s iconic lighthouse.”

Since joining as title sponsor of the RBC Heritage and RBC Canadian Open, RBC has helped contribute to communities in the U.S. and Canada by increasing access to the game and supporting charities in areas such as youth, education, the arts and more. RBC also supports a roster of Team RBC ambassadors on the PGA and LPGA TOUR.

“We are pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with the PGA TOUR, and to continue working with our partners to elevate the RBC Heritage and RBC Canadian Open for players and fans,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “The unforgettable moments these events create bring our communities together and inspire golfers at every level, from grassroots to our Team RBC professionals. These world-class tournaments are also becoming powerful drivers of economic and social impact, with more than $56 million raised for local charities across North America, and nearly $250 million of economic impact generated in 2024 alone. We look forward to building on that momentum and continuing to support the lasting impact these events create both on and off the course.”

The RBC Heritage, which made its debut in 1969, ranks annually among the most-attended professional sporting events in the Carolinas. The Heritage Classic Foundation is the host organization of the RBC Heritage and donates tournament proceeds to charitable organizations in the Lowcountry. Recent champions include Justin Thomas, Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Jordan Spieth.

“We are thrilled that RBC has extended our partnership, as their continued commitment strengthens our world-class PGA TOUR event on Hilton Head Island and fuels its profound impact across South Carolina,” said Steve Wilmot, Heritage Classic Foundation President and RBC Heritage Tournament Director. “The RBC Heritage is a major economic driver for our state and a powerful force for good. Having a steadfast partner like RBC allows us to grow our mission and deepen our reach, and we look forward to this exciting next chapter together.”

Dating to 1904, the RBC Canadian Open is the third-oldest national championship. Previous champions include Team RBC ambassador Nick Taylor and Rory McIlroy. In partnership with Golf Canada, RBC is committed to growing the game through RBC Community Junior Golf, which has introduced over 55,000 young people across Canada to the sport through First Tee – Canada and Youth on Course programming. RBC is also a proud supporter of Golf Canada’s National Team program, the Golf Canada Foundation, the CPKC Women’s Open and the She Plays Golf Festival.

“Golf Canada is extremely proud to celebrate the extension of a tremendous partnership with our friends at RBC as well as the PGA TOUR,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “From investing in access for the next generation of young golfers to supporting pros, RBC is the most committed, invested and engaged partner in Canadian golf, and the driving force behind the incredible growth of Canada’s historic National Open Championship.”

The 2026 RBC Heritage and 2026 RBC Canadian Open will be broadcast on CBS/Paramount+, GOLF Channel, PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+, Sirius XM and distributed internationally via the TOUR’s World Feed.

PGA TOUR

Canada’s Adam Svensson sets tournament record with opening-round 60, leads by 1 shot at 3M Open

Adam_Svensson

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Adam Svensson made a 48-foot eagle putt on the closing hole to complete an 11-under 60 on Thursday that gave him a two-shot lead over Sam Stevens and Thorbjørn Olesen after one round of the 3M Open.

Svensson also made nine birdies and did not drop a shot in the lowest round in the tournament’s seven-year history. He tied the TPC Twin Cities course record set by Paul Goydos at the 2017 3M Championship on the PGA TOUR Champions.

Chris Gotterup, who finished third at last week’s Open Championship and won the Genesis Scottish Open two weeks ago, was three shots back along with Chad Ramey and Matti Schmid. Zac Blair, Chris Kirk, Jake Knapp and Brendan Valdes were another shot back, and Rickie Fowler and Emiliano Grillo were among those at 6 under.

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Svensson’s lone TOUR win is The RSM Classic in 2022. The 31-year-old Canadian has one top-25 finish in 21 starts this season and has missed 11 cuts.

“I had a great range session today. Just really putted amazing, I made a bunch of breakers. It was probably my best putting round I ever had,” said Svensson, who needed just 25 putts, including a nearly 40-foot birdie on the 11th hole and a 34-footer on the fourth.

His career-best 60 is the second-lowest score on the PGA TOUR this season. Jake Knapp shot 59 at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches in February.

Stevens could have shot 59 with an eagle on the par-5 18th, but instead he put his second shot from 246 yards into the water in front of the green, leading to his lone bogey and a 62 that was still his lowest round on TOUR.

“I have a pretty big gap between my 3-iron and my 3-wood, and I hit a terrible shot. I thought if I hit a 3-wood, it was just going to fly to the back of the green, and I kind of had to hit a 3-iron perfect to even cover the water. But I figured that was my best chance to shoot 59, so I gave it a go,” he said.

Fowler and Grillo are among a group of 18 players who rank between 60th and 80th in the FedExCup standings, needing a strong performance to help secure spots in the 70-man field for the first Playoffs event in two weeks. Fowler entered the week at No. 63 and Grillo is No. 71.

“At the end of the day, good golf solves a lot of things,” Fowler said.

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Rickie Fowler flights it close for back-to-back birdies at 3M Open

Patrick Rodgers and Gary Woodland (66th and 78th, respectively) each shot 67. No. 70 Keith Mitchell had a 68, and 65th-ranked Cam Davis shot 71.

Defending champion Jhonattan Vegas shot 68. Haotong Li, who was in the final pairing with Scottie Scheffler at last week’s Open Championship and finished tied for fourth, shot a 1-under 70.

PGA TOUR

Conners battles to top-10 finish at The Open, carries Canadian hopes at Portrush

Corey Conners
Corey Conners (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)


PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Corey Conners delivered a composed, confident performance at the 153rd Open Championship, finishing tied for 10th at Royal Portrush and once again asserting himself as Canada’s most reliable presence in major championship golf.

The 32-year-old from Listowel, Ontario, closed with back-to-back rounds of 66, finishing at 9-under-par (275) — just seven shots off the winning mark set by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

A Weekend Surge at Royal Portrush

After a steady start with rounds of 71 and 72, Conners vaulted up the leaderboard with a clinical 66 on Saturday — then matched it Sunday with another six-birdie performance, capped by a confident up-and-down on the final hole.

“It feels great to play well on this stage,” said Conners after his round. “Portrush is a tough test. I stuck to my game plan, stayed patient, and made the most of my chances over the weekend.”

Conners’ score tied for the lowest combined weekend total among the top 15 finishers.

Lone Canadian to Make the Cut

Conners was the only Canadian to reach the weekend, as Mackenzie Hughes, Nick Taylor, and Taylor Pendrith missed the cut.

This marks Conners’ third top-10 at a major and his best finish at The Open. Known for his steady ball-striking and calm under pressure, he continues to lead the charge for Canada in golf’s biggest events.

What’s Next for Conners?

With the FedEx Cup Playoffs fast approaching and an eye toward potential Presidents Cup selection, Conners’ showing at Portrush may prove to be a momentum builder. The performance will also provide a boost in the Official World Golf Ranking, where he remains the top-ranked Canadian on the men’s side.

His summer schedule will continue with PGA TOUR stops at the 3M Open and Wyndham Championship before heading into playoff season.

Canadian Golf on the Rise

While this year’s Open didn’t feature multiple Canadians in contention, Conners’ steady play reaffirmed his place as one of the most dependable performers in Canadian golf — a player whose best may still be ahead.

As the country celebrates recent successes across both the PGA and LPGA Tours, Conners’ latest showing reminds fans that Canada continues to earn its place among the world’s elite golf nations.

PGA TOUR

Corey Conners leads Canadian foursome into The Open at Royal Portrush

Nick Taylor of Canada, Mackenzie Hughes of Canada, Corey Conners
Nick Taylor of Canada, Mackenzie Hughes of Canada, Corey Conners of Canada, and Taylor Pendrith of Canada, all hold The Canadian flag together, near the 18th green, prior to The Open Championship at Royal Portruch Golf Club on July 15, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

Four Canadians are in the field for The Open, which begins Thursday at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

World No. 24 Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., leads the Canadian contingent, joined by No. 29 Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., No. 35 Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., and No. 58 Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont.

Conners is grouped with 2023 U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark and fellow American Tom Hoge for Thursday’s opening round.

Pendrith will play alongside 2015 PGA Championship winner Jason Day of Australia and Jacob Skov Olesen of Denmark.

Hughes is paired with Americans Patrick Cantlay and Cameron Young, while Taylor tees off with Harris English and Tony Finau, both of the United States.

Royal Portrush last hosted The Open in 2019, when Ireland’s Shane Lowry claimed the Claret Jug.

Defending champion Xander Schauffele returns after a final-round 65 clinched a two-shot win at Royal Troon in 2024.

Hughes was the top Canadian last year, finishing 2 over for the tournament and tied for 16th.

The tournament offers a purse of US$17 million.

Corey Conners PGA TOUR

Corey Conners withdraws from 2025 U.S. Open due to wrist injury

Corey Conners
Corey Conners (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

OAKMONT, Pa. – Canadian golfer Corey Conners has withdrawn from the final round of the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club due to a right wrist injury.

The 33-year-old from Listowel, Ont., sustained the injury during the first round on Thursday when his club struck a television cable while playing from a bunker. Despite the setback, Conners completed rounds of 72, 74 and 72, positioning himself within the top 15 heading into Sunday’s final round. 

On Saturday, the injury worsened, prompting Conners to seek medical treatment and undergo imaging. He attempted to warm up on Sunday morning but was unable to continue, leading to his withdrawal just hours before his scheduled tee time alongside Ryan Fox, who recently won the RBC Canadian Open.

Conners has had a consistent season on the PGA TOUR, making 14 cuts in 15 events and securing five top-10 finishes. He was ranked ninth in the FedEx Cup standings entering the U.S. Open. His best major result this year was a tie for eighth at the Masters. 

The extent of Conners’ injury and its impact on his participation in upcoming tournaments, including the $20 million Travelers Championship, remains uncertain. 

PGA TOUR

Mike Weir honoured with induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame

Mike Weir inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame

Canadian golf legend Mike Weir has been officially inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, joining an esteemed group of national icons recognized for their exceptional contributions to Canadian culture and achievement. The induction ceremony took place on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Weir, born in Sarnia and raised in Brights Grove, Ontario, is celebrated for his historic victory at the 2003 Masters Tournament, where he became the first Canadian and the first left-handed golfer to win the prestigious event. Over his professional career, Weir has secured eight PGA Tour victories and has been a prominent figure in international golf competitions, including multiple appearances in the Presidents Cup as a player, assistant captain, and most recently as the captain of the International Team in 2024.

Beyond his achievements on the course, Weir has been a dedicated advocate for youth mental health. Through the Mike Weir Foundation, he played a pivotal role in establishing a youth wellness hub in downtown Sarnia, contributing approximately $1 million towards the $3 million project, which opened its doors in 2023.

Weir’s induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame places him among a distinguished group of 2025 honourees, including rock band Our Lady Peace, actress Tonya Williams, classical guitarist Liona Boyd, cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Tirone David, humanitarian Dr. Samantha Nutt, filmmaker Shawn Levy, hotelier Isadore Sharp, and the Toronto International Film Festival.

The ceremony celebrated the diverse accomplishments of these Canadians, with Walk of Fame CEO Jeffrey Latimer highlighting the unique voices and contributions of each inductee. A televised version of the induction ceremony is scheduled to air on July 1 at 7 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem.

Weir’s induction is a testament to his enduring impact on Canadian sports and his commitment to community service, solidifying his legacy as one of Canada’s most influential athletes.

PGA TOUR RBC Canadian Open

Canadians ready for challenge of U.S. Open at Oakmont after demanding RBC Canadian Open

Canadians at the US Open
Nick Taylor of Canada, Taylor Pendrith of Canada, Mackenzie Hughes of Canada, and Corey Conners of Canada walk together along the 18th hole during the 125th U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club on June 10, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

This is arguably the toughest stretch for Canada’s best male golfers, with two of their biggest events of year on back-to-back weeks.

Nick Taylor, Corey Conners, Taylor Pendrith and Mackenzie Hughes were all in the mix in the final round of the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday, the only PGA Tour event north of the border and a tournament that they consider “the fifth major” of their year. 

On Thursday they will tee it up at an official major, the third of the men’s season, when the U.S. Open starts at the infamously challenging Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh.

Taylor, from Abbotsford, B.C., said that the transition between the two tournaments can be difficult.

“Managing your rest, your energy levels, is huge,” said Taylor after finishing his final round of the Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. “The hard part going into next week, I’ve never been there. I’m going to see the golf course. I’m going to put some time in on the greens, around the greens, and just try to get as much rest as possible.

“I’ll have three days to manage that. It’s not like I’m going to be searching for anything golf game-wise because I feel like I’m in a good spot, so that’s definitely a nice thing.”

There are more media demands placed on Canada’s golfers ahead of the Canadian Open as they help promote the national men’s championship. Coupled with the desire to win the title — Taylor is the only Canadian to manage the feat in over 70 years — and the pressure of larger galleries, it can be an exhausting week.

Pendrith, from Richmond Hill, Ont., said that he and the other 23 Canadians at the national championship look forward to the Canadian Open every year.

“It’s the one time of the year that we’ve got everybody cheering for us, and we want to put on a good show for the fans. They get it once a year,” he said. “They were awesome this week, really, tons of great crowds. 

“It’s a long week for us. We don’t get this every week, so it’s a little more mentally draining (…) There’s a lot of people around, saying hi to a lot of people, a lot of familiar faces, but it’s awesome.”

Conners, from Listowel, Ont., is the top-ranked Canadian on the PGA Tour so far this season, sitting ninth headed into the U.S. Open. Taylor is 14th on the FedEx Cup points list, Pendrith is 30th and Hughes is 47th.

Like Pendrith, Conners praised the fans at the Canadian Open, even going so far as to say it helped prepare him for the major at Oakmont.

“It’s cool to play in front of the home fans here, and a lot of people show up and support all the Canadian guys,” said Conners. “It’s a special feeling to be out there kind of living my dream.

“They kind of make me more relaxed. They give me some more energy. I’ve had a blast playing in front of them this week. Not feeling too worn out heading into what I know will be a demanding week (at the U.S. Open).”

Hughes, from Dundas, Ont., also took the back-to-back events in stride.

“I wouldn’t say it’s too difficult. We kind of do that sort of stuff all the time,” he said. “Week to week we make adjustments, and we get ready to go for the next one. 

“Obviously, (the Canadian Open) is more of a taxing week for us as Canadians, but I’ll get myself ready to go for Thursday and hopefully have a great week over there.”

Although there are some similarities between TPC Toronto and Oakmont — especially penal rough — there’s no doubt which one is harder to play.

“I’ve heard some scary thing the last few days,” said Taylor, who will be playing Oakmont for the first time this week. “It’s probably hack-out rough, as in just hit a wedge 50 yards down the fairway and play from there.

“So if you can, be up and around the greens as much as possible.”

Pendrith said that the although they both have deep rough, the fairways are relatively wide at TPC Toronto compared to Oakmont. 

“I went two weeks ago. It’s hard, yeah,” said Pendrith. “It was a day that was probably 10 degrees Celsius and blowing 20 and raining. It was very, very difficult. Hit driver on a par-3. 

“Probably never done that before or not in a long time. It’s tricky.”

LPGA TOUR — Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., is the top ranked Canadian heading into this week’s Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give. She’s 50th on the Road to CME Globe standings. Savannah Grewal (124th) of Mississauga, Ont., Hamilton’s Alena Sharp (135th) and Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., (164th) are also in the field at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Mich.

EPSON TOUR — Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., leads the Canadian contingent into the Great Lakes Championship at the Highlands presented by Johnnie Walker. She’s 37th in the Race for the Card standings. Josee Doyon (53rd) of Saint-Georges, Que., Monet Chun (64th) of Richmond Hill, Ont., Yeji Kwon (112th) of Port Coquitlam, B.C., Brigitte Thibault (135th) of Rosemere, Que., Vancouver’s Leah John (137th) and Mary Parsons (148th) of Delta, B.C., are also in the field at The Highlands in Harbor Springs, Mich.

PGA TOUR RBC Canadian Open

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox wins four-hole playoff vs. American Sam Burns at RBC Canadian Open

Ryan Fox

CALEDON, ONT. – Despite recent evidence to the contrary, Ryan Fox doesn’t consider himself a playoff specialist.

The New Zealander beat American Sam Burns in a four-hole playoff to win the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday, the second win of his PGA Tour career. The first also came in a playoff on May 11 when he birdied the first extra hole to beat Harry Higgs of the United States and Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., to win the Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic.

“If you’d have seen any of the ones I had in Europe, you wouldn’t say that,” said Fox, sitting beside the Canadian Open trophy at a news conference. “I didn’t have a great record in Europe in playoffs. 

“I feel like you’ve got to take it on a little bit. It becomes match play. You kind of want to put the pressure on your opponent a little bit.”

Fox had an 0-2 playoff record on the European Tour, losing to Scotland’s Russell Knox at the 2018 Irish Open and to France’s Victor Perez at the 2022 Dutch Open.

He had to work to force the extra holes on Sunday.

Burns fired an 8-under 62 round, the best of the day, to lay claim to the top of the leaderboard. However, he had teed off an hour 45 minutes earlier than Fox and Italy’s Matteo Manaserro, the third round co-leaders.

As a result, Fox still had most of the course to play as Burns was signing his scorecard. Fox birdied Nos. 14 and 15 to get to within a shot of Burns and then sank a clutch birdie putt on No. 18 for a 4-under 66 day that forced the playoff.

No. 18 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley is a 576-yard, par-5 hole with the sloping green tucked behind a small pond with bunkers on the far side. 

“I think 18’s a different hole compared to what it has been all week, not being able to get there in two,” said Burns on the possibility of a playoff and how he would prepare for it. “So I’ll probably (be at the range) trying to figure out what distance we want to have in for our third shot and maybe hit that shot a few times.”

After Fox and Burns made par on their first two playoff holes. The grounds crew actually cut a new hole closer to the tee — and the water — for the third and fourth runs down the hole.

Fox’s bolder approach on the second and fourth playoff rounds, designed to put pressure on Burns, finally paid off when he attacked the new pin.

“I had the exact shot I wanted to hit,” said Fox, who qualified for next week’s U.S. Open with the victory. “I wasn’t sure in the air if it was going to be a little short or perfect. I didn’t actually see it land. It was getting a bit hazy out there. Obviously by the crowd reaction I knew it was pretty good.

“Probably the best shot I ever hit in my life given the circumstances.”

Members of the All Whites, New Zealand’s national men’s soccer team, drove up to TPC Toronto on Sunday to cheer on Fox. They beat Ivory Coast 1-0 the night before at BMO Field in the Canadian Shield tournament and will face Ukraine on Tuesday.

“That was really cool, to have the Kiwi support out there, it was great,” said Fox. “They were there all day. We seem to have a lot of weeks where random Kiwis pop up, and to have the All Whites say, ‘hey, is there any chance we can come out and watch on Sunday?’ was really cool. 

“To be able to meet them all there at the end and get a photo with them was pretty special.”

Grant Fox, Ryan’s father, was a fly half with the All Blacks, New Zealand’s men’s rugby team, appearing in 46 matches and scoring 645 points in his career. The elder Fox won the Rugby World Cup in 1987 and is still considered one of the finest goal-kickers of all time, getting inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2014.

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., was the low Canadian, tying for 13th at 13 under. Taylor won the Canadian Open two years ago at Oakdale Golf and Country Club.

“The energy was phenomenal the first couple days and being near the lead the last two days,” said Taylor, who will play in the U.S. Open next week at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh. “I’m tired from it as well because it’s fun being up close to the lead and trying to get it done. 

“I’ll get some rest the next couple days and be prepared.”

TPC Toronto will host the Canadian Open again next year.

It was a tight leaderboard throughout the round, with eight players tied for first before Fox and Manaserro even teed off.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry, for example, began his day with an eagle and followed it up with three consecutive birdies to start his day 5 under through just four holes to take sole possession of the lead. He bogeyed Nos. 17 and 18 to fall back into a tie for 13th.

PGA TOUR RBC Canadian Open

Matteo Manassero and Ryan Fox share the 3rd-round lead in the RBC Canadian Open

Mackenzie Hughes

Italy’s Matteo Manassero and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox both had rounds of 6-under 64 to share the third-round lead at the RBC Canadian Open on Saturday.

They’re at 14-under overall, a shot ahead of a Taiwan’s Kevin Yu as well as Americans Lee Hodges and Matt McCarty.

Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., fired a 6-under 64 to move 13 spots up the leaderboard into a tie with Americans Jake Knapp and Andrew Putnam for sixth at 12 under.

Second-round leader Cameron Champ of the U.S. struggled, shooting a 1-over 71 to drop back into a seven-way tie for ninth at 11 under.

Hughes was one of eight Canadians who made the cut at the national men’s golf championship.

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., and Vancouver’s Richard T. Lee, the low Canadians after two rounds, also dropped down the leaderboard.