Ahead of the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, The Golfing Gazette has taken a look at what happened during the 2023 play-off between Tommy Fleetwood and Nick Taylor.
After both players tied for the lead on 17 under, a dramatic sudden-death play-off ensued, starting on the par-five 18th at Oakdale Golf and Country Club.
What followed was a back-and-forth tussle that will go down in PGA Tour history.
18th – 1st play-off hole
Taylor was first up on the tee on the par-five 18th and stroked a wood down the middle of the fairway before Fleetwood followed suit with an iron to the short grass.
However, both players ran into trouble with their long approaches to the green, with Taylor finding the thick rough above the greenside bunker and the Englishman in a similar position closer to the hole.
After Taylor played a smart chip into the green, Fleetwood ballooned his effort well beyond the pin, leaving the Canadian with the advantage. Yet, in another twist, Fleetwood would hole his birdie putt before Taylor followed suit.
18th – 2nd play-off hole
After the duo headed back to the 18th tee box, Taylor was first to tee off, pushing his metal into the right-hand rough.
Fleetwood looked to have the advantage after placing his ball in the middle of the short grass once more; however, a wayward approach to the green left his ball in the grandstand.
Taylor managed to chop his fairway wood to the front of the green. After Fleetwood received relief, both players chipped onto the green before two-putting for par.
9th – 3rd play-off hole
Taylor was first on the tee on the par-three 9th after surviving a putt for the win on the second playoff hole.
The Canadian placed his effort on the fringe with a short attempt required for birdie. Fleetwood followed up with a similar effort inside the hometown favourite.
However, Fleetwood passed up another chance for the win after pulling his putt.
18th – 4th play-off hole
With Taylor once again in the rough on the right side of the 18th fairway, Fleetwood compounded his missed putt on the 9th with a pull into the left-hand bunker.
The 33-year-old managed to recover his with a lay-up just in front of the green. But, after Taylor’s effort left him a 60ft putt, there was every chance of the Englishman salvaging his first PGA Tour victory.
After leaving himself 10ft for birdie, Fleetwood watched on helplessly as Taylor holed a monstrous eagle putt to seal a memorable home victory in his national open, sparking jubilant scenes on the 18th green.
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