Lock in 2026 pricing and secure your spot at TPC Toronto

CALEDON, Ont. – Golf Canada, in partnership with RBC announced today that select tickets are now available for the 2027 RBC Canadian Open, taking place June 9 – 13 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont.

The 116th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship returns to TPC Toronto for the third consecutive year following Bud Cauley’s first career win on the PGA Tour this past June. Cauley fired a 5-under 65 for a two-stroke victory over Matt Fitzpatrick of England. Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont. finished T8 to earn the Rivermead Cup, awarded annually to the low Canadian.

As one of Canada’s premier annual sporting events, the 2027 RBC Canadian Open is offering four select ticket options for golf fans to experience the thrill of live professional golf at Canada’s National Open Championship. The advanced ticket options with 2026 pricing include:

• Any Day Grounds Ticket: Access to the RBC Canadian Open on any one day, Wednesday through Sunday (on sale for a limited time, while supplies last.)

• Weekly Grounds Ticket: Access to the full week of the tournament, Wednesday through Sunday.

• Weekly Sleeman Clubhouse Ticket: Access all four days of Championship play from Thursday through Sunday.

• Any Day Sleeman Clubhouse Ticket: Access on any one day, Thursday through Sunday

TPC Toronto is one of the premier Canadian golf destinations, with all three courses ranked inside the Top 100 by SCOREGolf Magazine. In 2023, the Doug Carrick-designed North Course underwent a major golf course renovation under the guidance of renowned architect Ian Andrew with consultation from the PGA Tour for the venue to host large-scale, global championship level competition.

Along with world class golf, fans can belt out their best rendition of “O’ Canada” and experience the thrills of the iconic “Rink Hole” as well as enjoying premium food and beverage options in The Fare Way featuring The Keg, an elevated and expanded merchandise experience at the Golf Canada Fan Shop and family friend activities all at TPC Toronto.

To purchase tickets or for more information on the 2027 RBC Canadian Open, please visit rbccanadianopen.com.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — The 2027 RBC Canadian Open will once again offer three qualifying spots for The Open Championship, the R&A announced Tuesday.

The three leading players who make the cut and are not already exempt will earn places in the 155th Open Championship at St. Andrews.

The RBC Canadian Open is scheduled for June 9-13 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. The venue’s North Course will host the tournament for the third consecutive year.

The Canadian stop is one of 19 events in 15 countries included in The Open Qualifying Series. The series features tournaments on the PGA TOUR, Korn Ferry Tour, DP World Tour, Asian Tour, KPGA Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Sunshine Tour and Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.

Other PGA TOUR events offering qualifying spots include the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Memorial Tournament and the John Deere Classic.

The qualifying series begins this week at the FedEx Open de France at Le Golf National near Paris. Events in Spain, Japan and Hong Kong will follow in October.

Three places will be available at the Australian Open in December and the South African Open Championship in March. Additional qualifying events will be held in New Zealand, Argentina, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Ireland and Scotland.

Regional and final qualifying events, open to professional and amateur golfers who meet the entry requirements, will be held at venues across Britain and Ireland in June.

The 155th Open Championship is scheduled for July 11-18 on the Old Course at St. Andrews. It will be the first Open played at the historic venue since Cameron Smith won the 150th edition in 2022.

Bud Cauley, Jesper Svensson and Jackson Suber earned spots in the 2026 Open Championship through the RBC Canadian Open.

CHILLIWACK, B.C. — Nick and Andie Taylor are celebrating a significant milestone in their ongoing support of First Tee – Canada.

Since making First Tee – British Columbia a charitable beneficiary of the Nick Taylor Charity Classic in 2024, the Taylors have raised $104,589 for the chapter, helping grow First Tee programming in British Columbia and communities near Nick’s hometown of Abbotsford.

“First Tee – Canada is incredibly grateful to Nick, Andie and the entire Taylor family for their commitment to creating more opportunities for youth to experience the game of golf,” said Sean Reczulski, Senior Director of Development, First Tee – Canada at Golf Canada. “Their generosity through the Nick Taylor Charity Classic is making a meaningful difference in British Columbia, helping us bring accessible and welcoming programming to more youth in the communities Nick knows and loves. Reaching more than $100,000 in giving is an incredible milestone, and we are proud to celebrate it alongside the Taylor family.”

The milestone comes as the Nick Taylor Charity Classic celebrates its 10th anniversary. Founded in 2017, the annual event brings together community leaders, businesses and sport enthusiasts in support of youth sport and education in the Fraser Valley and beyond.

The 10th annual tournament takes place Thursday, September 3 at Cultus Lake Golf Club. First Tee – British Columbia is one of five charitable beneficiaries, alongside Archway Community Services, the University of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack Community Services and Canadian Tire Jumpstart.

The Taylors’ support of First Tee extends beyond the Charity Classic.

Nick became a First Tee – Canada ambassador in 2025, adding the program’s logo on his golf bag and helping raise awareness for its mission to make golf more accessible to youth across the country.

As an adidas ambassador, Taylor also supported First Tee programming during the 2026 RBC Canadian Open, participating in an adidas-branded First Tee clinic and connecting with youth through the game. Additionally, adidas further supported First Tee – Canada through its Birdies for Game Changers initiative, pledging $300 for every birdie or better Taylor made during the 2026 PGA TOUR season.

As a member of Team RBC, Taylor has also helped raise awareness and funds for First Tee – Canada through the RBC Community Junior Golf 72’ Putt activation at the RBC Canadian Open. Inspired by his historic 72-foot putt to win the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, the activation has given Taylor an opportunity to connect with youth and teach them how to attempt the same challenging putt.

Together, the Taylor family’s support has helped create more opportunities for youth to discover golf and develop skills that extend beyond the course.

“I’m very proud to be an ambassador for the First Tee – Canada in supporting the continued growth of grassroots golf in our country,” said Nick. “Andie and I are incredibly humbled by the generous support from so many in our community these past ten years, and we’re excited to share and celebrate this fundraising milestone with all of those supporters.”

For First Tee – British Columbia, the Taylors’ $104,589 in giving represents more than a fundraising milestone. It is an investment in the continued growth of programming in the communities where Nick grew up and where his connection to the sport began.

The 2026 Nick Taylor Charity Classic is sold out. Donations can be made through the event website, with proceeds supporting its five charitable beneficiaries.

The future of Canadian men’s golf stepped into the spotlight this week at the RBC Canadian Open.

Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., had a 2-under 68 in Sunday’s final round to tie for eighth and win the Rivermead Cup as the lowest scoring Canadian at the national men’s championship. Matthew Anderson, also from Mississauga, was briefly atop the leaderboard but ultimately tied for 11th and amateur Justin Matthews of Little Britain, Ont., tied for 19th.

All three are under the age of 26.

“We’re just trying to push ourselves, each other, when we’re playing, when we’re on the team, we’re playing back at home,” said Yellamaraju, who was on Golf Canada’s young pro squad with Anderson in 2025. “We keep cheering each other on, even when we’re not there in person or watching from afar. 

“I saw on the leaderboard that Matthew and Justin were really playing some good golf, almost having a chance to win, that was pretty cool to see. I was just trying my best to actually almost keep up with them.”

The 24-year-old Yellamaraju is in his rookie PGA Tour season and has now earned three top-10 finishes. He was pleased that he performed well under the added scrutiny of playing in Canada, a short drive from his hometown.

“Obviously, going into the week it was like you have that little bit of added pressure being at the Canadian Open and for me being pretty close to home and stuff like that,” said Yellamaraju. “I just kind of tried to keep trying to tell myself to play the best that I could and just fight until the very end, which was pretty much what I did.”

Golf Canada has set the ambitious goal of having 30 players on the LPGA and PGA Tours by 2032. Yellamaraju, the 26-year-old Anderson, and the 23-year-old Matthews will all be in their golfing primes by then.

“I think we’ll be able to do that,” said Matthews of the 30 by ’32 goal. “I’m on the (amateur) team, but the young pro team, it all seems like a family and it’s just a tremendous support system.

“I think we’ll be able to do it.”

Anderson has full-time status on the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour but has only made the cut at five of his 13 events this year. He took a gamble accepting a sponsor’s exemption to play in the Canadian Open instead of playing a Korn Ferry Tour event and earning valuable points to maintain his card.

“I’m never going to turn down an opportunity to play in my national open. That’s something that I grew up watching,” said Anderson, who had a 3-under round to finish 11 under overall.

“Missing a week on Korn Ferry Tour, yes, there’s points, but ultimately if I believe in my game and I believe in my direction of where I’m going, I’m going to get to where I want anyway, regardless of whether I choose to play an event one week or not basically.”

Matthews (69) was 8 under overall, tied with Taylor Pendrith (69) of Richmond Hill, Ont., and A.J. Ewart (66) of Coquitlam, B.C., for 29th.

Adam Hadwin (71) of Abbotsford, B.C., tied for 40th, Ben Silverman (71) of Thornhill, Ont., tied for 60th, Nick Taylor (64) of Abbotsford tied for 65th and Joey Savoie (71) of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., tied for 67th.

The 10 Canadians to make the cut at this year’s national championship were the most since 1969.

Bud Cauley just had to sink a 10-inch putt to win the RBC Canadian Open but when he looked up and saw his wife and two children by the 18th green he had to take a step back and wipe tears out of his eyes to make sure he made the shot.

After the brief reset, Cauley rolled the putt in to end a 15-year wait for his first PGA Tour championship.

The American shot a 5-under 65 for a two-stroke victory over England’s Matt Fitzpatrick at the Canadian Open on Sunday. Cauley’s drought on the top circuit in men’s golf lasted 239 tournaments.

“That’s a moment I’ve thought a lot about. Even last year a couple times when I was in contention my family wasn’t with me and it would always crossed my mind that hopefully for my first win everyone would be here,” said Cauley at his post-win news conference. “I had to try to not think about it a lot today.

“Obviously with them being here and I was playing well, I really had to think almost on every hole about staying focused and not thinking about that celebration if I were to win.”

A car accident in June 2018 in Dublin, Ohio, derailed his promising career. He broke five ribs, his left leg and collapsed a lung in the crash.

Cauley resumed playing in October 2018 but developed medical complications in September 2020, pausing his career. He returned to competitive play in January 2024 on the Korn Ferry Tour, the second-tier feeder circuit for the PGA Tour.

“There were times when I was hurt that we really weren’t sure if I was going to be able to play again,” said Cauley. “There were moments and conversations that (wife Kristi Cauley) and I had where we didn’t know if it was going to work out.

“Once I was able to start playing again and I felt more comfortable with my body and it holding up — I’ve always believed in my ability to play golf and play the game and be competitive.”

Although Fitzpatrick came up short on the leaderboard, the result moved him into first in the FedEx Cup standings. Scottie Scheffler of the United States slipped from the top spot after skipping the Canadian Open.

“I would have taken it at the start of the week,” said Fitzpatrick, who shot a 6-under 64. “I felt like there was a lot of good stuff in there, just needed to have it come out.

“My putting was a little bit of a struggle last week and I feel like I got a bit of a better process for what I’m working on this week, and that showed today, I putted really solid.”

The Canadian Open is the fourth oldest golf tournament in the world and has a storied history with several World Golf Hall of Famers engraved on its trophy. Cauley said he was honoured to be the next to have his name engraved on it.

“It feels amazing. I haven’t had a chance to look at it, but I’ve watched, probably since the mid ’90s, almost every one of these events, so I’m well aware of all the past champions and all the names on this trophy,” he said, scanning the trophy. “To add my name alongside those is pretty incredible.”

Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., was the low Canadian, tying for eighth. He will move from 48th to 44th in the FedEx Cup standings, making him the highest ranked Canadian on tour.

A heavy downpour throughout the day effected how the usually windswept North Course at TPC Toronto played on Sunday.

“Very, very, very wet,” said Fitzpatrick. “I think it kind of changed the golf course a little bit. It was getting a little firm yesterday, and maybe not firm, but there was a lot of big bounce.

“Today it’s obviously about controlling your spin with that rain.”

TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley is scheduled to host the Canadian Open for a third consecutive year in 2027.

Visit PGATOUR.com for the full leaderboard.

After every shot Sudarshan Yellamaraju heard the same things. “‘Sauga City!” “We’re behind you!” and more than anything else “One of us!”

Yellamaraju, from nearby Mississauga, Ont., shot a 5-under 65 on Saturday to finish the third round of the RBC Canadian Open tied for seventh at 10 under, three shots back of leader Jackson Suber. It also made him the low Canadian heading into the national men’s golf championship’s final round.

The 24-year-old said he heard the cheers but didn’t want to react to them too much as he focused on gaining ground on a packed leaderboard.

“I’ve been just trying to do the best that I can,” said Yellamaraju, who is in his first season on the PGA Tour. “I think this year I’ve learned that when I’m doing well, I am inspiring others, so it is kind of cool to see.

“But like I said, I’m just trying to play the best I can, if I’m able to inspire others, then that’s awesome.”

Yellamaraju has had a rock solid start to his PGA Tour career, making the cut in 14 of 17 starts. That includes two top 10 finishes: a tie for fifth at the Players Championship on March 12 and a tie for sixth at the Texas Children’s Houston Open on March 26.

That’s put him 48th in the FedEx Cup standings, with his current position at the Canadian Open projecting him to move four spots up when the rankings are updated Monday.

“I’ve always thought I could be in contention in tournaments, for sure,” said Yellamaraju. “That’s what I’ve been working for, that’s what I’ve been dreaming of doing, but it’s just a matter of doing it, of course.

“I’ve been in this position before, maybe not on the PGA Tour, but in this position before, so it wasn’t unusual.”

Matthew Anderson (69) of Mississauga, Ont., was tied for 19th at 8 under.

Local favourite Taylor Pendrith (70) of Richmond Hill, Ont., Adam Hadwin (66) of Abbotsford, B.C., and amateur Justin Matthews (66) of Little Britain, Ont., were in a group tied for 23rd at 7 under.

Pendrith delayed his post-round media appearances by a few minutes to sign autographs for children along the 18th green. He said it’s a “huge part” of his job as a pro golfer.

“Those kids look up to all of us out here and it doesn’t take much, took five minutes out of my day to make their day,” said Pendrith. “Especially here in Canada, a lot of them know my name, so it’s always nice to stop.”

A.J. Ewart (69) of Coquitlam, B.C., and Ben Silverman (69) of Thornhill, Ont., had identical rounds to sit in a tie for 49th at 4 under.

Adam Svensson (71) of Surrey, B.C., was tied for 59th at 2 under, Joey Savoie (72) of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., was grouped at 66th and Nick Taylor (78) of Abbotsford, B.C., was 75th at 6 over.

The 10 Canadians to make the cut at this year’s national championship are the most since 1969.

Visit PGATOUR.com for the full leaderboard.

CALEDON, Ontario (AP) — Jackson Suber got up-and-down for birdie on the par-5 18th hole Saturday for a 4-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Bud Cauley going into the final round of a wide-open RBC Canadian Open.

It was the first 54-hole lead for Suber, whose best PGA Tour finish came three weeks ago at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson when he tied for fourth, seven shots out of the lead.

Bud Cauley hit his tee shot to inches on the rowdy par-3 14th hole, the start of three straight birdies that carried him to a 66, leaving him in position for his first PGA Tour title.

Missing from the mix was 36-hole leader Ben James, who plunged out of contention with a 78, and Brooks Koepka, who had to deal with a mysterious feeling in his left arm that made it difficult for him to grip the club most of the day.

“I’m struggling to grip the club with my ring finger and pinkie finger, so can’t grip it,” Koepka said after salvaging a 72, leaving him seven shots behind. “My fingers would come loose, it was kind of numb. I don’t know what the deal was but hopefully we’ll figure it out.”

He had treatment on the course and said he had never experienced anything like that.

James, meanwhile, watched a dream pro debut turn sour when he had five straight bogeys on the front nine, didn’t make a birdie until the 15th hole and went from first to a tie for 59th.

Wyndham Clark, who won The CJ Cup Byron Nelson, shot a 63 as the leaders were just getting started. He wound up in a four-way tie for third with Tommy Fleetwood (67), Brice Garnett (67) and Jesper Svensson, who had the lead until a three-putt double bogey on the 17th dropped him to a 68.

Billy Horschel, who has been in a slump all year, shot 64 and was another shot back.

Suber has birdied the two par 5s each of the three rounds.

“I’ve just hit good drives there and I feel like I’ve been in a good spot and iron play seems to be my strength,” Suber said.

Now the big test awaits in various ways. The forecast is for rain and wind. The leaderboard features 17 players within four shots of a leader who has never won on the PGA Tour.

“The conditions are going to be really rough and no matter my start, if I start with an eagle or a bogey, it’s going to be a tough day and it’s not going to be won on the first probably nine to 15 holes,” Suber said. “So just staying patient.”

Suber is coming off a Monday in which he qualified for the U.S. Open for only the second time. Cauley narrowly missed out on his qualifier, but at No. 68 in the world, he now has a chance to move into the top 60 after the Canadian Open and earn a spot at Shinnecock Hills next week.

Visit PGATOUR.com for the full leaderboard.

Fourteen hours made all the difference in the world for Matthew Anderson.

When the 26-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., teed off at 9:12 a.m. on Friday in the second round of the RBC Canadian Open there was an expectant gallery waiting for him. When he reached No. 14 at TPC Toronto, the signature hole of the PGA TOUR event dubbed “The Rink,” fans stood and sang “O Canada.” They then roared their approval when he pulled on a Toronto Blue Jays jersey before teeing off on the par-3 hole.

It was a stark contrast from the previous evening when, as the last golfer on the course, he surged up the leaderboard into a six-way tie for first at the men’s national championship in front of only a handful of fans.

“I definitely had some more followers from the beginning, which was awesome,” said Anderson. “I threw on the Jays jersey at The Rink, which definitely did pretty well. Unfortunately, that putt just missed low, but you can’t make ’em all.

“That was fun, for sure. Definitely a fun atmosphere.”

Anderson (69) and Taylor Pendrith (67) of Richmond Hill, Ont., were the low Canadians after two rounds, shooting a 1-under 69 to move to 7 under total and into a tie for 13th. It’s only Anderson’s third PGA TOUR event, having played in the Canadian Open twice before and making the cut last year.

Although Anderson has played most of the season on the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour — making the cut in five of his 13 starts, including five consecutive missed weekends leading up to the Canadian Open — he was confident that he would excel at TPC Toronto.

“I play this course a ton. I practice here a lot. I played, I don’t know how many rounds I’ve played on the North Course, but I’ve hit those tee shots and approaches a lot, the greens I know pretty well,” said Anderson. “So I’m comfortable out here, and I knew that my game coming in was trending and I could kind of play well at any point.”

Pendrith has now made the cut at six events in a row and is currently projected to move up to 90th in the FedEx Cup standings if he can maintain his position through the weekend.

He would rather win the whole thing, however.

“Obviously we were all inspired by (2023 champion Nick Taylor) a couple years ago, and it feels nice to be in the mix,” said Pendrith, who birdied the 17th and 18th holes to catch up to Anderson. “There will be a lot of Canadian support out there this weekend and hopefully I can have a good couple days.”

Ten of the 21 Canadians in the field made the 2-under cut, which is the most since 1969.

Sudarshan Yellamaraju (66) of Mississauga, Ont., was tied for 28th at 5 under.

Adam Hadwin (68) of Abbotsford, B.C., amateur Justin Matthews (70) of Little Britain, Ont., Ben Silverman (69) of Thornhill, Ont., Adam Svensson (72) of Surrey, B.C., and A.J. Ewart (68) of Coquitlam, B.C., were part of a large group tied for 46th at 3 under.

Hadwin said he was exhausted by the day.

“I’m going to go get some rest. I’ve got a couple sponsor obligations, and then I am mentally fried at this point,” said Hadwin, who was doing a towel drill before driving on his final hole of the round. “This golf course, with the wind and dealing with some of those indecisions and tentativeness and all that has kind of worn me down.

“I’m going to rest up for this weekend because I think my swing’s in a really good spot, I just have to trust it.”

Nick Taylor (71) of Abbotsford, B.C., and Joey Savoie (69) of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., snuck into the weekend at 2 under.

Roger Sloan (69) of Merritt, B.C., just missed the cut at 1 under overall.

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont., Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Victoria’s Jeevan Sihota also did not reach the weekend.

Toronto-based amateurs Dawson Lew and Eric Zhao also missed the cut.

Yohann Benson of Pincourt, Que., Drew Nesbitt of Horseshoe Valley, Ont., Laurent Desmarchais of Cowansville, Que., and Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., were also above the line.

Visit PGATOUR.com for the full leaderboard.

PGA Tour debutant Ben James takes one-shot lead at RBC Canadian Open.

The 23-year-old American had an eagle on his first hole and didn’t slow down in a bogey-free 7-under round on Friday to put him a shot ahead of the field at 10 under overall at the RBC Canadian Open. James officially turned pro on Thursday when he teed off in the PGA Tour event’s first round.

“I wasn’t really thinking about results at all this week,” said James after signing his scorecard at TPC Toronto. “Just worried about getting comfortable, making new friends and having fun, and just seeing where everything kind of falls. Just seeing where my game stacks up.”

China’s Haotong Li (67) and Americans Sam Burns (67) and Jackson Suber (65) were in a three-way tie a shot behind James after the morning wave. Sweden’s Jesper Svensson (65) and Keith Mitchell (64) of the United States caught up to them in the afternoon for a five-way tie for second.

Li said that he had to keep clearing his mind as he fought to play on the weekend.

“Especially on the last few holes, I just keep telling myself (to clear my mind),” said Li, who has missed the cut at his last two events. “‘Bad thoughts don’t come to me,’ ‘don’t talk to me,’ ‘leave me alone,’ and it’s kind of worked so far.”

James and fellow American Bud Cauly are the only players to have 7-under rounds so far at this year’s Canadian men’s championship. 

“It all kind of came together today, it was just one of those days,” said the 23-year-old James, who just completed his senior season at Virginia University. “The putter was good, hitting fairways, had good numbers, and I was able to capitalize on a pretty tricky scoring day.”

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, the reigning Canadian Open champion, had his second consecutive day with a 66. He was in a five-way tie for seventh after two rounds.

“My goal for the week was to be patient, and you’ve definitely got to be that (at TPC Toronto),” said Fox. “You’ve just got to accept that you can hit a good shot that doesn’t end up where you think it’s going to and that that’s OK, move on to the next one. 

James and fellow American Bud Cauly are the only players to have 7-under rounds so far at this year’s Canadian men’s championship. 

“It all kind of came together today, it was just one of those days,” said the 23-year-old James, who just completed his senior season at Virginia University. “The putter was good, hitting fairways, had good numbers, and I was able to capitalize on a pretty tricky scoring day.”

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, the reigning Canadian Open champion, had his second consecutive day with a 66. He was in a five-way tie for seventh after two rounds.

“My goal for the week was to be patient, and you’ve definitely got to be that (at TPC Toronto),” said Fox. “You’ve just got to accept that you can hit a good shot that doesn’t end up where you think it’s going to and that that’s OK, move on to the next one. 

Visit PGATOUR.com for the full leaderboard.

CALEDON, Ontario (AP) — Fans were headed to the exits at TPC Toronto, vendors were counting their tills and packing up for the night, but Matthew Anderson was still putting in work.

Anderson, from nearby Mississauga, Ont., fired a 6-under 64 in the last group of the day at the RBC Canadian Open to finish Thursday’s first round in a six-way tie atop the leaderboard. Anderson said he wasn’t distracted by the dwindling gallery following him around the course, instead focusing on the shot in front of him.

“Obviously, I had a few supporters out there with me, which was really nice,” said Anderson. “With the quiet golf course it was cool to hear a loud cheer when you make a birdie.

“It was interesting, but I wasn’t really too focused on that, I guess.”

Sahith Theegala of the United States scored a 6-under 64 during the morning wave at TPC Toronto to take the clubhouse lead and then Anderson, Argentina’s Emilliano Grillo, and Americans Eric Cole, Brooks Koepka, and Sam Burns matched that performance in the afternoon.

Anderson has played in 13 events on the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour this season, only making the cut five times. He didn’t see the weekend in his last five tournaments leading into this week’s Canadian men’s championship.

“Listen, you’re always working on stuff. I obviously haven’t played my best recently like on Korn Ferry,” said Anderson. “You’re always working on stuff. 

“You’re always working on things you can get a little better at, and you never know when it’s going to click. It happened to kind of click today.”

Theegala said that he intended to watch the afternoon’s wave and see if anyone would mount a challenge to his early lead, even as the course firmed up after a downpour during play in the morning.

“I enjoy watching because I feel like as pro golfers we don’t watch a lot of golf,” said Theegala. “When we have a morning tee time I’ll just try to catch a little bit of coverage in dining or when I go home and recover. 

“But for the most part I’ll do my own thing, get on my iPad and play some video games or some chess and go get a nice dinner.”

A heavy rainfall around 10 a.m. local time softened the North Course, but as the temperature rose in the afternoon birdies remained gettable. Grillo said that most PGA Tour golfers are so used to faster greens a softer playing surface could actually throw them off.

“When we come to slow greens, it’s hard to see more break and more speed,” said Grillo. “You’ve got to get it there.

“Sometimes you hit a little too firm on four-footers coming back on the greens. It’s not the most ideal situation.”

Koepka, a former world No. 1, was part of an exodus of players that left the PGA Tour for the upstart LIV Golf circuit in June 2022. He returned to the PGA Tour in January of this year under two conditions: he was ineligible to qualify for equity bonuses until 2030 and he agreed to make a US$5 million charitable donation.

“It’s been nice to be back. I’ve enjoyed it,” sad Koepka, who made four birdies on his last five holes. “I think the players have been very receptive. 

“I haven’t heard — at least nobody has said it to my face — anything.”

Anderson was certainly happy to be tied with Koepka.

“It’s awesome,” said Anderson. “I definitely imagined being in contention this week. I had no doubts I could do it. 

“Obviously feels great out there to feel the juices flowing and be in there and doing it.”

Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., was in a 12-way tie for second, a shot back of the leaders.

Reigning champion Ryan Fox of New Zealand shot a 4-under 66 to sit in a tie for 19th.

Fox was in the day’s marquee group with Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., who won the national men’s golf championship in 2023. Taylor was 3 under tied for 32nd.

Koepka, whose second U.S. Open title was at Shinnecock Hills in 2018, holed a 20-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole to get his big run started. It ended with a 10-foot birdie putt on the 17th and a wedge to 5 feet for birdie on the 18th.

“I don’t think the ball striking was as good as it’s been as of late … but it was nice to see the putter finally heat up,” Koepka said. “It was just a culmination of kind of freeing the mind.”

It wasn’t just bunched at the top. Twelve players were at 65 at the TPC Toronto. Among those at 65 was Tony Finau, who missed out on U.S. Open qualifying at the start of the week, and Adam Svensson of Canada.

Svensson made news for the wrong reasons during U.S. Open qualifying. He was in a playoff that ended with three players going for one spot. Once Max McGreevy made birdie, Svensson picked up his ball marker, unaware there was still a playoff to determine first and second alternate.

He became the second alternate, which is likely to cost him a spot at Shinnecock because seven positions have yet to be filled.

“Nothing but my fault,” Svensson said. “They just 3-for-1. And once he made that, I just picked it up.”

The scoring average was 68.5, and 97 players from the 147-man field broke par.

Burn had a chance at the outright lead when he found the fairway on par-5 18th hole and had an iron into the green. His 18-foot eagle putt missed and he joined the group at 64.

Burns was in a playoff last year when he closed with a 62, but he ended up missing a short putt against Ryan Fox.

“I think it’s nice to have some good memories maybe before the tournament starts, but when you tee it up, you have to be able to execute and hit the shots that the golf course requires,” Burn said.

He took only positives from that round, particularly starting the final round so far back. And it carried over to the following week when Burns led the U.S. Open until having to play in wet conditions late on Sunday which affected some of his shots.

Burns also is coming off a close call at the Memorial last week, so his game is tidy.

Koepka started out his year hopeful of doing well enough to get into signature events. There is one left, and he still hasn’t played one.

“I’ve played great this year. Like I said, it’s just the putting that’s held me back, trying to be mechanical,” Koepka said. “But it was nice today to at least turn the brain off and go from there.”

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