Canadian golf fans have clambered for one of their own to win their National Open since Pat Fletcher last did it in 1954 at Vancouver, British Columbia’s Point Grey Golf Club some 69 years ago. For generations, Canadian professional golfers have had their opportunities to win the Canadian Open all just to face disappointment in riveting fashion or to simply fade away coming down the stretch. 

In 2015, David Hearn entered the final round only to see his lead evaporate as both Jason Day and Bubba Watson overtook the lead. In 2004, Vijay Singh outlasted Canadian golf icon Mike Weir in a playoff in what could only be described as heartbreaking fashion. 

In 2023, Canadian golf aficionados would not be disappointed as with one 72-foot putt nearly 70 years worth of Canadian golf demons would be exorcised. 

Nick Taylor has been in the PGA TOUR spotlight before having previously won on two occasions. But those two victories will always pale in comparison to his victory at the prestigious Oakdale Golf and Country Club in North York, ON. The site will also be welcoming back the world’s best in 2026. Taylor’s victory at the 2023 didn’t come easy as he had to outlast England’s Tommy Fleetwood in four playoff holes as the heavens opened up and of course after having an anemic start during round one on Thursday. A round where he saw himself in a tie for 120th as the sun set.

Taylor righted his ship on Friday posting -5 (67) to make the cut and then followed that effort with a Composite Course record -9 (63) to miraculously put himself perched near the top of the leaderboard. Finding himself in contention on Sunday amidst a packed leaderboard with the players like Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, defending champion Rory McIlroy, Aaron Rai, and others all well within striking distance of 54-hole leader TOUR rookie, Carl Yuan.

Coming down the stretch there was the sense of a nauseating, all too familiar feeling pain being felt collectively by the Canadian faithful. It was that uneasy feeling of what it feels like when being haunted or plagued by the ghosts of the past. A nation starving for what has been a long time coming. A Canadian winning on their home soil.

Taylor would fall out of the lead after a gut-wrenching bogey on the Par 4 403-yard 16th to trail the new leader Tommy Fleetwood. Tyrrell Hatton himself having been on a heater as well entered the conversation as well. But then back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18 moved the Abbottsford, British Columbia native back into the lead. Fleetwood had a chance to win on the 72nd-hole but a couple of untimely unforced errors made for a Par and allowed Taylor an opportunity to get into a playoff.

For the fourth time of the day Fleetwood and Taylor would play the 18th hole after carding respective birdies and pars on the previous three playoff holes. Both players dodged bullets in the extra holes but no bigger bullet was dodged than Fleetwood’s second from the fairway that found the grandstands.

Then, it was the putt that was heard around the world or at least across a nation. The longest putt made of Nick Taylor’s career. As Fleetwood was on the green looking at a 12’ putt for birdie (Fleetwood was #1 in putting for the week) Taylor struck a 72’ for Eagle. 

A nation once starved for a Canadian to claim victory on their “home and native land” celebrated and rejoiced. 

Loose Leafs…

  • In its rich 119 year history, the Canadian Open has only been uncontested on three occasions. Twice by World War’s and once by a global pandemic
  • See you in Hamilton, Ontario. The RBC Canadian Open returns to Hamilton Golf and Country Club in 2024. Rory McIlroy previously tasted victory there in 2019
  • Golf Canada has been plagued with bad dates for this event. Can we find a new date please? It’s been either before the U.S. Open or right after the Open Championship
  • Golf Canada has been successful investing in their various development programs all but assuring that it won’t be 69 years until we see another Canadian win this event
  • #PrayersForAdam As fellow Canadian players and media stormed the green after the winning putt Adam Hadwin found himself on the absorbing end of an impressive tackle by a security officer. If the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are looking for a good tackler on their defence, look no further. Of course Hadwin is playing in this week’s U.S. Open
  • The longest drought in between winning championships in Canadian sports is now owned by the Toronto Maple Leafs (1967)

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