CALEDON — Nick Taylor was once again the low Canadian at the RBC Canadian Open, just not the way he would have liked.
Taylor, from Abbotsford, B.C., earned the Rivermead Cup, the trophy for the lowest scoring Canadian at the national men's golf championship, for the first time. Of course, he's been the low Canadian at the PGA Tour event before, when he won the tournament in 2023 to end a 69-year drought for Canadians at their own open.
"I'll take some pride in that," said Taylor on Sunday after he shot a 3-under 67 to tie for 13th at 13 under. "It stings with the finish today, but I'm happy I gave it a run.
"I thought 17 under would be a playoff potentially, but being given a chance with a few holes to go is kind of what you're looking for. It didn't pan out this time, but if that's a consolation prize, it's nice."
There actually was a playoff at 18 under as New Zealand's Ryan Fox beat American Sam Burns in four holes at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.
Corey Conners (68) of Listowel, Ont., Adam Hadwin (70) of Abbotsford, Taylor Pendrith (70) of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Mackenzie Hughes (72) of Dundas, Ont., all tied for 27th at 10 under.
Conners entered the tournament as the top ranked Canadian on the PGA Tour but will drop one spot, down to 10th, on the FedEx Cup standings. Hadwin has struggled this season and earned enough points to move six spots up the rankings to 114th.
"I've put myself in a hole these first five months of the year. I've got a lot of work to do," said Hadwin. "That being said, given the way this week went and how I played and some of the positive things I did, kind of lean into that.
"Just put the head down and keep moving forward."
Conners, Pendrith, Hughes and Taylor will all be back at it at next week's U.S. Open, the third major of the men's golf season. Conners said that the Canadian Open was a strong tune-up before Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh.
"Coming into the week, I knew there was some room for improvement with my iron play," said Conners. "I felt like I kind of got that sorted out, and I'm pretty happy with where things are at the moment.
"I think everything's going to be required next week to be successful. Despite not having really the result I wanted here, I am pretty optimistic about where things are at."
Ben Silverman (69) of Thornhill, Ont., and Vancouver's Richard T. Lee (70) were tied for 36th. Lee is the top Canadian on the Asian Tour, sitting third on its order of merit heading into the Canadian Open. It was his first time ever making the cut at a PGA Tour event.
"It was amazing. I've never seen this many galleries cheering me on," said Lee. "I would love to come back next year. It was a great feeling. I don't know how many times I got goosebumps from all the fans just cheering me on.
"I just want to thank all the Canadian fans out there."
Matthew Anderson (70) of Mississauga, Ont., tied for 47th at 7 under after making the cut at a PGA Tour event for the first time.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2025.
John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
