Taylor leading four Canadians near top of the leaderboard
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Four of the six Canadians who made the cut at the RBC Canadian Open are inside the top-10
HAMILTON, Ontario – Nick Taylor spent two days at the RBC Canadian Open playing with countrymen David Hearn and Mike Weir, and said he got chills walking up the 18th hole on Friday.
“Friday isn't typically like that,” he said. “It's an experience I won't forget, but for a Friday especially, it's pretty cool.”
The crowds gave Weir, who has played in the Canadian Open 28 times, a rousing ovation. And Taylor, who is T3 heading into the weekend, gave them something even more to cheer about - he birdied three of the last four holes, including No. 18, which played as the most difficult on Friday.
Taylor, who is looking to become the first Canadian since 1954 to win the RBC Canadian Open, saw the low scores emerge early on Friday – Brandt Snedeker shot a course-record 60 – and knew a good round was in the cards.
He was happy with 5-under, and he’s squarely in the mix for the weekend. He said 2019 has the potential to be a “bit of a redemption” after last year at Glen Abbey Golf Club. Taylor shot 68-67 in the first two rounds but faded fast on the weekend.
“I felt like I was in a decent spot and let it slip away,” he said. “I feel more prepared, so hopefully I can play well.”
Taylor is one of just six Canadians to make the cut this week, but four of the six are inside the top-10 after 36 holes, including Adam Hadwin, Mackenzie Hughes and Ben Silverman, who shot a 9-under 61 on Friday.
That round of 61 was the lowest shot by a Canadian in tournament history, but it was only the second-lowest of the day.
“We could just ignore Sneds’ (round) and say it was the greatest Canadian Open round ever,” said Silverman with a laugh.
Silverman, who is from Thornhill, Ont. (about 55 miles from Hamilton) and looking for his first PGA TOUR victory, is T7 with Hughes. He said he made a change with his driver after Thursday – his feet and club were misaligned, causing him to hit hooks instead of small draws – and then hit every fairway on Friday.
“I hit five fairways yesterday, and it's almost impossible to score around here if you're missing fairways. The rough is so deep,” said Silverman. “Fairways equal good scores around here. That's what I did today.”
Hadwin, meanwhile, was 4-under for his round through 12 holes on Friday, but on No. 13, he was booed.
The Toronto-centric crowd was less-than-impressed that Hadwin, of Abbotsford, B.C. (just outside Vancouver) decided to pull out a Vancouver Canucks jersey to give away at The Rink.
It was the only time, however, the Canadian faithful weren’t supporting Hadwin all day, as he sits sixth going into the weekend.
He made an eagle on 17 – after chipping in for eagle on the par-4 5th – but gave one back with a bogey on 18.
Still, he feels confident for the next two days.
“I'm just playing really good golf right now. That's what it comes down to. I feel confident and comfortable out there,” he said. “We're still in the mix going into the weekend. That's the main goal.”
Hadwin isn’t alone in terms of the Canadians looking to capture their national open.
Taylor is just one-shot back. Hughes grew up just 10 minutes from Hamilton Golf and Country Club and has embraced being the hometown favorite. Silverman shot the lowest round ever recorded at the tournament on Friday.
It has the makings of a historic weekend in Hamilton.