Golf

Home favourite Nick Taylor wins Canadian Open playoff with longest putt of PGA Tour career

Golfer became first Canadian to win since 1954 after beating Tommy Fleetwood in playoff

Nick Taylor of Canada holds the trophy after winning the RBC Canadian Open. Photograph: Vaughn Ridley/Getty
Nick Taylor of Canada holds the trophy after winning the RBC Canadian Open. Photograph: Vaughn Ridley/Getty
Mon Jun 12 2023 - 09:28

Nick Taylor has become the first Canadian to win the RBC Canadian Open since 1954 after beating Englishman Tommy Fleetwood in a thrilling playoff finish, landing a 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth playoff hole on Sunday.

The raucous crowd in Toronto willed the ball into the hole as Taylor hit the longest putt of his PGA Tour career, securing his third PGA Tour victory.

Taylor said after the tournament: “I’m speechless. This is for all the guys that are here. This is for my family at home.

“This is the most incredible feeling.”

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As Taylor celebrated, throwing his putter into the air, his close friend and professional golfer Adam Hadwin was tackled by security as he ran onto the green to congratulate Taylor.

A strong outing for Tommy Fleetwood looked like he might land his first PGA Tour victory, but it was not to be.

“I played great today, even though I missed some chances, if you like, on those playoff holes,” Fleetwood said.

“Yeah, it was close. I just have to take the positives from it and start practicing tomorrow. I got a major next week. So can’t dwell on it too much.”

Taylor finished strong on the last day with eight birdies and two bogeys, with a crucial birdie on the 18th to send it to a playoff finish.

Fleetwood had the chance to win in regulation play on the 18th, but failed to capitalise, missing the birdie for a par.

English duo Tyrell Hatton and Aaron Rai narrowly missed out on joining Taylor and Fleetwood in the playoff, finishing one stroke short of the pair.

Joining them on 16 under par was CT Pan, while Rory McIlroy finished five strokes behind.

McIlroy started the day in tied second, but his round never got going with a front nine of 38, two bogeys and no birdies.. He made two birdies on the back nine, but was never in contention as he finished tied ninth in his last start before the US Open.