Tommy Fleetwood’s hopes of a first PGA Tour win were denied by a monstrous 72-foot putt on the fourth extra play-off hole by Nick Taylor in front of his home crowd at the Canadian Open on Monday.
Taylor hit a final-round 66 to his English rival’s 67 to force the play-off before both players birdied the opening hole of their shoot-out.
Matching pars at the next two holes then took them to the par-five 18th where Taylor sunk the longest and most important putt of his career, leading to mass celebrations in the stands.
Fellow Canadian Adam Hadwin, who had earlier finished in 12th place, was then tackled by a security guard, who mistakenly thought he was a fan as he sprayed champagne on a celebrating Taylor and his caddie.
Following just missing out, Fleetwood, who has finished runner-up in five PGA Tour events now, said: “Nice moment for Nick and the fans there. So, it’s great to be a part of that Sunday and that play-off. I had my chances really, it wasn’t to be this time. Congratulations to him.”
There was a strong showing from Luke Donald’s potential Ryder Cup line-up for later this year, with five British players in the top 10.
Aaron Rai and Tyrrell Hatton shared third behind Fleetwood and Taylor, Justin Rose was eighth and Rory McIlroy, who had been leading felling back to ninth at the close after a final-round 72.
It proved an historic result for Taylor as the first Canadian since Pat Fletcher in 1954 to win his home event.
After his blockbuster finish, he said: “I don’t think it’s going to sink in for quite some time. For that to drop, it was a huge surprise but an amazing one. It was a bit of a surprise honestly.”
