At the end of a hugely dramatic four-hole playoff with Tommy Fleetwood, home hero Nick Taylor holed the longest putt of his career to win the RBC Canadian Open and his first PGA Tour event.
Not since 1954 had a Canadian lifted the country's national title and Taylor ended that drought in thrilling style. He recovered from an opening-round 75 to finish tied on 17-under with Fleetwood after 72 holes before sealing the deal courtesy of a mammoth 72-foot eagle putt in front of an adoring home crowd.
"I'm speechless, this is for all the guys that are here," Taylor said. "This is for my family at home, I'm very speechless, this is the most incredible feeling ever."
As for the putt to win, he added: "I knew it was going to be slow with all the rain we had so I wanted to get it as close as I could because I thought Tommy was going to make it. It's unbelievable, I don't quite know what to say."
Taylor began the day three behind C.T. Pan but took the solo lead after three birdies in his opening six, carrying on where he left off after a Saturday 63.
It was a lead he held at least a share of until a bogey at the 16th dropped him one behind a charging Tyrrell Hatton, who recovered from a double-bogey on the 8th to fire a 64 and set the clubhouse target at -16.
Taylor, who putted brilliantly all day, holed from 18 feet on 17 and then 11 feet on 18 to put paid to Hatton and Aaron Rai's chances, before Fleetwood put himself in pole position to win with some stunning ball-striking in the closing stretch.
Birdies at 16 and 17 got the Englishman to 17-under with just the par-5 18th to play, but he couldn't capitalise after finding the rough off the tee and with his lay-up. In the end, he did well to make par and send the tournament to a playoff.
It was advantage Taylor as the pair returned to the 18th until Fleetwood silenced the crowd by holing from 20 feet with his opponent in close. Taylor had appeared set to have a five-footer to win but kept his cool to follow Fleetwood in and stay alive.
Fleetwood then had chances to win his maiden PGA Tour title from 11 and 13 feet on the second and third playoff holes respectively that he will be left to rue leaving Toronto, but there can be no denying the fitting finale fans were treated to at the end of a landmark week in men's professional golf.
For all the off-course drama that has transcended the sport for all the wrong reasons, the finish in Canada was anything but, as Taylor produced a moment of magic to end the 69-year wait for a home winner and spark wild celebrations.
"It feels, I can't even describe it," Taylor said. "This is the most incredible feeling. The fans were unbelievable all day. Every green, every tee box I was getting ovations and to make those last two putts to give myself a chance to do that, I'm speechless."
RBC Canadian Open Leaderboard 2023
* won in a playoff
- -17 Taylor*, Fleetwood
- -16 Hatton, Rai, Pan
- -14 Cole, Hubbard
- -13 Rose
Useful Links
- Ludvig Aberg Finishes Seven Under In Pro Debut
- RBC Canadian Open Purse, Prize Money And Field 2023
- McIlroy In Contention For Third Consecutive RBC Canadian Open Win
- Michael Block Misses RBC Canadian Open Cut
- RBC Canadian Open 2023 Live Stream
HELLO AND WELCOME
The final round of the RBC Canadian Open is set to be a cracker, with a host of big names chasing overnight leader C.T. Pan. Rory McIlroy is one of six that starts the day two back as he looks to win Canada's national event for the third time in succession.
Alongside McIlroy are Englishmen Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, while Aaron Rai sits a further shot behind. The action is already underway, with the final group set to get going at 2.15pm EDT (7.15pm BST).
Fitzy off to a flyer
Some big early moves are being made, with reigning US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick among them. The Englishman has birdied his first two holes to get to -8.
Chez Reavie holds the round of the day so far with a seven-under 65, while Ryan Moore at -5 through 14 is the lowest of those on the course just now.
Tee time reminder
As we wait for full coverage to start, a brief reminder of when the leaders are out.
- 1.45pm EDT (6.45pm BST): Andrew Novak, Nick Taylor
- 1.55pm EDT (6.55pm BST): Justin Rose, Harry Higgs
- 2.05pm EDT (7.05pm BST): Rory McIlroy, Mark Hubbard
- 2.15pm EDT (7.15pm BST): C.T. Pan, Tommy Fleetwood
Same story for Rory - can he convert this time?
Just a week after the disappointment of Sunday at the Memorial, McIlroy is back in with a shout of capturing his 24th PGA Tour title. For someone who hasn't been at his best all year, he's notched up some cracking results.
His stats for the first three rounds tell a similar story to last week. The Northern Irishman ranks first for strokes gained off the tee and third on the greens. As for the bits in between, he is 34th with his approach play and 37th around the greens.
However, little of that matters when under pressure to win on the PGA Tour. That pressure seemed to get the better of him at Muirfield Village so he'll be desperate to put that right today, especially with the US Open fast approaching.
Home hero gets going
Corey Conners is off and running to one of the loudest cheers of the day. He starts four behind and well in it.
Hatton on the move
Another player making solid progress is Tyrrell Hatton. Two birdies in his first three holes take him to -10 and within four.
Rai in the red
Aaron Rai makes the best possible start, hitting his second to the 1st from 125 yards into about 10 feet, dispatching it for an opening birdie to join the group at -12.
Alongside Rai, Conners can't convert from closer and has to settle for par.
Still no full coverage
This crossover period of broadcasters really is just quite rubbish. We're still waiting on full coverage to commence in Canada, with around 20 minutes until the final pairing tee off.
In the interim, we're stuck listening to some questionable punditry.
Hatton birdie
It's more good news for Hatton, who makes his third birdie of the day on the 4th. His second shot from 170 yards was a beauty and he converted from six feet with the putter. Simple!
Can Novak follow in namesake's footsteps?
It was a good day for one Novak as Serbian Novak Djokovic captured his third French Open and 23rd Grand Slam title earlier today. Andrew Novak is out to win his first PGA Tour event and got off to a great start, birdieing the first to get to -13 and within one of C.T. Pan.
McIlroy underway
It wasn't convincing but McIlroy is off and running. He pushes his tee shot into the semi rough and will have 115 yards for his second. An early test of the wedge game.
Par to start for McIlroy
After a good second to about 12 feet, McIlroy can't convert for an opening birdie. No damage done, though, and he heads to the 2nd in the big group at -12.
Final group get going
The final group is off. C.T. Pan and Tommy Fleetwood both find the rough with their opening tee shots, but hit the green in two. Pan will have a lengthy birdie putt while Fleetwood is within 10ft.
Tommy Lad!
Is it finally Fleetwood's time to get over the line in a PGA Tour event? He makes a great start with a birdie at the 1st to immediately reduce his arrears to one to his playing partner. Could be huge!
Rai to -13, Hatton on fire
There are four English players within two of Pan. Leading the charge so far is Aaron Rai, who makes his second birdie of the day at the 4th to get to -13 and just one behind.
He could be joined soon by Hatton, who hits another laser-like iron shot into the 7th. He'll have 10 feet for his fifth birdie of the day.
Fleetwood joins Pan at the top
What a start for Fleetwood. A superb tee shot on the 2nd is followed by an average wedge shot from 78 yards, but he makes up for it by slotting the 15-footer to get to -14 and into a share of the lead.
The birdies are flowing so far today.
Huge save for Rory, Hatton in trouble
Another errant wedge shot lands McIlroy in trouble on the 3rd but he hits a great recovery chip and holes the resultant putt. That could prove to be a huge par save.
Ahead, Hatton finds the hazard off the 8th tee and will have a job holding station at -12.
Home favourite within one
Taylor is flying the flag for Canada so far and gets within one with a birdie at the 4th. And he could soon find himself in a tie for the lead, with the final group in trouble on the 3rd.
To get within one 👀@NTaylorGolf59 is seeking a win in his home country @RBCCanadianOpen 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/Uf9TjvsZ6RJune 11, 2023
Seven-way tie at the top
Both Fleetwood and Pan are unable to save par on the 3rd, meaning we now have a seven-way tie at the top at -13. This RBC Canadian Open is amazingly well poised for a thrilling finale.
How Rose got to -13
That'll do it!
Longest putt of the week for @JustinRose99 💪He is currently T1 @RBCCanadianOpen. pic.twitter.com/3QhK5KVcKzJune 11, 2023
Hatton makes double
Hatton compounds errors on the 8th after hitting his tee shot into the water and he eventually racks up a double-bogey that drops him to -10. That'll be mega disappointing after such a hot start.
Ludvig Aberg caps off brilliant debut
The highly fancied Ludvig Aberg finishes off his PGA Tour debut with three straight birdies for a round of 70 and a seven-under total. What a superb performance by the Swede. Remember the name, folks.
Taylor hits the front, Fleetwood saves par
A Canadian leads the Canadian Open on his own. After shooting a nine-under 63 yesterday, Taylor now hits the front on his own at -14 after three birdies in his opening six holes today. The latest comes at the difficult 6th as he curls in a 15-footer.
Back at the 4th, Fleetwood avoids a second successive bogey with a monster par save from about 25 feet. Huge for momentum.
McIlroy struggling
The day is proving eerily similar to last Sunday so far for Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman has failed to get going and the first move he makes is backwards with a bogey at the 5th to drop to -11. He's now three behind and in need of some momentum.
Taylor to -15, McIlroy now five back
There is no stopping the Nick Taylor train. Another birdie at the par-5 7th briefly takes the Canadian two clear at -15, before his lead is trimmed to one by Aaron Rai, who birdies the 8th to get to -14.
Behind, it's more bad news for McIlroy, who comes up short with his second to the 6th and fails to get up-and-down for par. He's now five behind.
Rose finds the water on 8
The Englishman takes an iron for safety on the 8th but blocks it into the water - rookie mistake. He's forced to hit a provisional and launches a drive within 70 yards of the green. He'll do well to drop just one shot here.
Elsewhere, McIlroy shaves the edge with his birdie putt on the par-5 7th. He's sporting a frustrated Sunday figure for the second week in a row.
Birdies drying up
Amid the quite frankly awful chat in the Sky Sports studio, the action on the course is little better, with the players in contention all struggling momentarily.
Rose makes double-bogey on the 8th to drop back to -12, while the final group of Pan and Fleetwood have had little to cheer about for some time.
Taylor three clear
The home favourite continues to putt the lights out. He makes his fifth birdie of the day at the 10th to get to -16 and three clear after Rai bogeys the 11th. Amazingly, he has needed just 12 putts through 10 holes.
Unsurprisingly, he is leading the field in strokes gained putting so far, picking up more than three shots against the field average.
Eric Cole posts round of the day
Eric Cole reduces Taylor's lead to two after finishing up on 18 with his fourth consecutive birdie and a round of 63. The American made eight birdies in his final 12 holes to vault himself into solo second at -14. What a round!
All change at the top
And just like that Taylor's lead is down to one. The Canadian leaves himself a 60-footer for birdie on the par-3 11th but can't get down in two, leading to his first bogey of the day that drops him back to -15.
In the final group Fleetwood sinks a six-footer to get to -14 and within one of Taylor all of a sudden. Rai then joins his fellow Englishman with a two-putt birdie at the par-5 12th. It's heating up again all of a sudden.
Hatton's impressive recovery
After finding the water on the 8th, Hatton dropped from -12 to -10 and looked out of it. The Englishman has, however, done brilliantly to recover back to -13 with three holes to play. He'll likely need to birdie all of them to have a chance but you never know...
Taylor restores two-shot lead
A stunning second to the par-5 12th gives Taylor a look from 20 feet for eagle. He gives it a good run but settles for a birdie four that takes him back to -16 and two clear.
Oh Canada
The par-3 14th is set up as a kind of mini-stadium hole, with standing fans surrounding the tee and singing at every opportunity. I think it's the national anthem and it's a little bizarre if I'm honest.
Anyway, back to the important stuff. Hatton has made another birdie at the 16th to get to -14. Sadly, the cameras aren't picking up anything he's doing so I can't provide any more details than that.
What of McIlroy?
Still no good news to report about Rory McIlroy. He had a good chance at the 10th for his first birdie of the day but missed it left. That's about all that's been shown of the World No. 3, understandably so.
He's -10 through 11 and set for another disappointing Sunday when in contention. Is it a mental thing? If it isn't, it might soon be. Big finish required or that's another blow heading into next week's US Open.
Another birdie for Hatton
We've now had a quick recap of Hatton's last few holes as he moves within one of the lead with a third birdie in a row and a fifth in eight holes at 17. The Englishman is -15 with just the par-5 18th to play. He could set a proper clubhouse target if he can pick up one more shot.
Fleetwood and Rai join Hatton
There are now three Englishmen tied for second, one shot behind Taylor. Fleetwood joins Hatton at -15 after holing a 20-footer on the tricky par-3 11th, before Rai birdies the par-4 15th from a few feet closer.
💪 @TommyFleetwood1 to T2!He has six @DPWorldTour wins but is seeking his first TOUR win (119th start). pic.twitter.com/ZTFsoRnA8pJune 11, 2023
Hatton in the house at -16
From the semi rough, Hatton's second into 18 must have looked on the money until it pulled up a couple yards shot in the thick rough. He can't believe it but dusts himself off to get up-and-down for a fourth consecutive birdie and a round of 64.
He's in the clubhouse at -16, which is an incredible effort after the 8th-hole double-bogey that took him back to -10. Will it be enough? It'll likely be one or two shy but stranger things have happened.
Hatton leads on his own
Taylor, who has held the lead since birdieing the 6th, loses it on 16. The Canadian finds the rough off the tee and with his second and can't get up-and-down from short of the green, meaning Hatton leads on his own at -16.
Rai with lengthy eagle putt for solo lead
Two great shots into 18 for Rai leaves him 51 feet for an eagle that would vault him into the lead on his own at -17. Realistically, though, he'll be looking to two-putt and join Hatton in the clubhouse at -16.
Behind, Taylor has 18 feet on the 17th for a comeback birdie to get to -16. It's anyone's to win at this stage.
Taylor makes it
Wow! A brilliant putt under the utmost pressure with all the fans pulling for him gets Taylor to -16 and back into a tie for the lead with Hatton. Just the par-5 18th remains for the home hero.
Back on top headed to the last!@NTaylorGolf59 responds to a bogey on 16 with a birdie on 17 @RBCCanadianOpen. pic.twitter.com/ySM9C0QAtgJune 11, 2023
Rai in the clubhouse at -16
His eagle putt pulls up short but Rai makes no mistake with the birdie effort, closing out an impressive 67 to join Hatton in the clubhouse at -16. As it stands, three are tied at the top, with Fleetwood lurking a shot further back.
Don't go anywhere.
Taylor through the back on 18
From the semi rough, Taylor launches his second through the back of the 18th green into the rough. He might be able to get relief from a sprinkler and get a drop onto the fringe, which would be a huge break. We'll find out soon.
Taylor makes birdie!
The Canadian opts not to ask for a rules official and nudges his chip down to 11 feet. This to take the solo lead in the clubhouse with everyone in the gallery rooting him on and he curls it in.
It's a birdie-birdie finish and a closing 66 for Taylor that takes him to -17 and means the best Hatton and Rai can do is a tie for second. Huge putt.
Fleetwood to -16
Can Fleetwood spoil the party? He's certainly doing everything he can. A piped drive on 16 puts him within wedge distance and he sticks it to 8 feet before burying the birdie putt.
The Englishman is now -16 and one behind Taylor with two to play.
How Taylor took the lead
What a moment!
"HE'S DONE IT!"Canadian @NTaylorGolf59 with a CLUTCH birdie on the 72nd hole gives him the solo lead @RBCCanadianOpen! pic.twitter.com/oHtgOYdg6MJune 11, 2023
Tommy Lad
What a display of ball-striking Fleetwood is putting on. Another incredible driver-wedge combo on 17 sets him up with a three-footer to tie Taylor for the lead.
Fleetwood ties the lead
Fleetwood makes no mistake from three feet and joins Taylor at -17 with the par-5 18th to play. He has been absolutely superb today, especially since turning for home.
Alongside Fleetwood, overnight leader Pan has enjoyed a resurgence with three birdies in his last four. He's now -15 but looks likely to come up at least a couple shots shy.
Drama
With the chance of a first PGA Tour win within his grasp, Fleetwood finds the rough with an iron off the tee and then compounds the error by finding the rough with his lay-up shot.
He's got 82 yards left for his third into the par-5 from what looks like a really tricky spot. Advantage Taylor.
McIlroy closes with 72
Another disappointing Sunday comes to an end for Rory McIlroy. He started two back and in the penultimate group but couldn't get anything going and cut a frustrated figure throughout a lacklustre display.
In the end, a level-par 72 sees him finish -12 and in a tie for ninth.
Fleetwood has lengthy putt to win
With the ball well below his feet, Fleetwood does well just to find the green. He'll have 46 feet to win and two putts to force a playoff with Taylor.
Pan's chip to get to -17 doesn't fall so the best he can do is a tie for second.
We're going to a playoff
Credit to Fleetwood. After probably two of his worst shots of the week, he coaxes his putt to win down to the hole and salvages a par five to take the Canadian Open to extra holes.
Back to 18 we go
Here we go then. Fleetwood and Taylor will play 18 twice if still no winner before heading to the 9th and back to the 18th.
Playoff at the RBC Canadian Open: Nick Taylor vs. Tommy FleetwoodPlayoff holes: 18, 18, then 9, 18 repeatingThis is the first playoff of both players’ careers on the PGA TOUR.June 11, 2023
Both on fairway
Taylor is up first and finds the fairway before Fleetwood follows suit - what the Englishman would have given for that 20 minutes ago.
Nerves showing
From 277 yards, Fleetwood pipes a mini driver but it leaks a hair right and ends up in the rough. With a chance to take advantage from 30 yards closer, Taylor hits a horrible shot that squirts out really low and right. It also winds up in the right rough but he looks like he'll have a really tricky stance with his feet in the bunker.
Advantage Taylor
Taylor has his trail foot in the sand but hits a remarkable shot, lobbing it to around five feet to the delight of the fans.
Up next, Fleetwood gets it all wrong and his ball shoots out the rough to about 20 feet.
Advantage Taylor.
Wow - Fleetwood drains it to stay alive
Drama!! Fleetwood takes no time at all, steps up and slots his putt for birdie straight in the middle, letting out a wild celebration.
As the heavens open, Taylor pours his five-footer in to continue the playoff. Back to the 18th tee we go.
WATCH: Fleetwood's putt
Scenes.
CLUTCH!@TommyFleetwood1 secures a birdie on the first playoff hole @RBCCanadianOpen 💪 pic.twitter.com/8YX35hEHCtJune 11, 2023
Fleetwood finds fairway, Taylor in rough
Taylor is up first again but this time his tee shot tails right and bounds into the rough. The good news for the Canadian is that his ball looks to be sitting nicely.
Fleetwood is sticking to his guns with an iron and lasers a lovely draw down the middle.
Fleetwood in trouble
The Englishman carves his second well right into the grandstand. He'll get free relief but will be in a tricky spot for his third shot, meaning he'll likely need to hole another lengthy putt if he is to make birdie.
From the rough, Taylor's comes out a little left and pulls up just short of the green, 44 yards away from the hole.
Advantage Fleetwood
The swings in this playoff are hard to keep up with. Taylor comes up 20 feet short with his chip shot, opening the door for Fleetwood.
From a tough spot, the Englishman plays a great shot to 11 feet.
Both players miss
Taylor's putt slips past the right edge, meaning Fleetwood has a chance to win it. But he can't get it to drop, so the players will now go to the 9th hole.
Birdie chances upcoming
Taylor's tee shot into the 159-yard par-3 is leaking a little but gets a nice nudge off the collar of rough before it spins back onto the fringe, about 15 feet away.
Up next, Fleetwood hits a cracking nine-iron right down the flag, coming up about 10 feet short. It's a putting contest.
The playoff continues
Taylor's birdie putt is in the jaws but pulls up a foot short, leaving Fleetwood with another chance to win. Again, he can't get it to fall, so the pair will go back to the 18th.
It's pandemonium among the fans, who are charging between holes to make sure they don't miss any of the action.
Team Europe vs Team Canada
A few familiar faces out in support...
🇨🇦 vs. 🇬🇧Fellow countrymen watch on. pic.twitter.com/b4sIn4tpbpJune 11, 2023
Taylor in a divot, Fleetwood in the bunker
Taylor looks like he's hit a good tee shot but it trickles into the semi rough and seems to settle in a divot. You couldn't write it.
With another little opening, Fleetwood pulls his into the fairway bunker. A really poor error that could prove costly. We'll see.
Taylor finds the green
All Fleetwood can do is lay-up, which he does, finding the fairway. He'll have 85 yards left for his third.
Taylor knuckles a fairway wood out his tricky lie which chases up the left and finds the front portion of the green, leaving him more than 70 feet from the hole.
Taylor wins it from 70 feet!!
Fleetwood feathers a wedge to around 12 feet, which will be on pretty much the same line as the previous putt he had to win on 18.
From distance and roared on by the home crowd, Taylor amazingly sinks his 70-footer to win the Canadian Open. What a way to do it at the end of a crazy day of golf. Wow!
The winning moment
Just incredible - what a way to win it!
WALK-OFF WINNER FROM 72 FEET! 🏆@NTaylorGolf59 wins @RBCCanadianOpen with the longest putt of his career! 🦅 pic.twitter.com/lJtiIM43vNJune 11, 2023
Thanks for joining
Anyway, that's all from us for this week. Thanks a lot for following along with our live coverage. We'll be back for the US Open in four days!
