Nick Taylor will never have to buy a Molson at a 19th hole in Canada for the rest of his life. The 35-year-old from Winnipeg claimed his third PGA Tour win on Sunday at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open after a four-hole playoff with Tommy Fleetwood and made a little history on the side as the first Canadian to win his national open since Pat Fletcher in 1954. Taylor ended the tournament in style with a 72-foot prayer of a putt that was answered by the golf gods and produced a miraculous moment in golf history.
After making the cut by just one shot, Taylor fired a course-record 9-under 63 on Saturday to move within three shots of the lead entering the final round. Five birdies over his first ten holes propelled Taylor to a three-shot lead at 16 under with eight holes to play, but by the time he tapped in for his first bogey of the day on the 11th hole, his lead was just one.
In a matter of minutes Eric Cole signed for a 63 of his own and was in the clubhouse at 14 under, and he was shortly joined in second by Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai after the pair made birdies on Nos. 8 and 12, respectively. Tyrrell Hatton joined the party and tied Taylor at 16 under after he birdied his final four holes to sign for his second 8-under 64 of the week. Aaron Rai threw his name in the mix with a birdie on the last, leaving a three-way tie for the lead with Taylor on the par-5 18th tee.
His approach to the green went long into the rough, and his chip shot left a six footer for birdie.—Agencies
