Canadian Nick Taylor wins Canadian Open playoff with longest putt of PGA career
Nick Taylor, second from left, of Canada, reacts after winning the Canadian Open golf tournament on the fourth playoff hole against Tommy Fleetwood, of the United Kingdom, in Toronto, Sunday, June 11, 2023. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP).
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.”
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.”
Canadian professional golfer Adam Hadwin, left, is stopped by a security guard while he tries to celebrates with Nick Taylor (Andrew Lahodynskyj/The Canadian Press via AP).
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.
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