Canada’s Nick Taylor sets course record, sits 3 shots off lead at RBC Canadian Open

Again-to-back birdies to shut out the third spherical put C.T. Pan two strokes up on the sphere on the RBC Canadian Open, however that lead is much from secure with a pack of massive names — and two Canadians — within the hunt.

Pan, from Taiwan, shot a 6-under 66 to sit down at 14-under total on Saturday at Oakdale Golf and Nation Membership within the northwest nook of Toronto. Northern Eire’s Rory McIlroy was in a six-way tie for second as he seems to be for a 3rd consecutive title on the males’s nationwide golf championship.

“You continue to must play aggressive, as a result of this course is lots of tough, however in the event you hit it within the fairway you’ll have lots of brief irons in and also you’re going to create lots of birdie alternatives,” stated Pan, including that he received’t change an excessive amount of as he tries to fend off the group tied for second that features McIlroy, Individuals Mark Hubbard, Harry Higgs and Andrew Novak, in addition to England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.

“I wouldn’t be shocked if somebody shoots 8-, 9-under, as a result of the PGA Tour guys are actually good.”

Nick Taylor, from Abbotsford, B.C., did simply that earlier Saturday, firing a 9-under 63 to set a brand new course report at Oakdale Golf and Nation Membership. That spherical rocketed Taylor up the leaderboard to sit down in a tie with England’s Aaron Rai at 11-under, good for eighth.

WATCH | Taylor units course report:

Taylor surpassed the report of 8-under that England’s Tyrrell Hatton matched in Friday’s second spherical. Oakdale really has 27 holes on its property and is utilizing a composite course for the PGA Tour occasion.

Canadian Golf Corridor of Famer George Knudson, who received on the PGA Tour eight instances within the Sixties and ’70s, was a daily at Oakdale and has 9 of the holes on the 98-year-old course named after him.

“To have a course report is admittedly cool,” stated Taylor. “I don’t assume I’ve one out right here on Tour.

“To do it on the RBC Canadian Open is much more particular and to be talked about in the identical breath as George Knudson is phenomenal.”

Corey Conners (70) of Listowel, Ont., rounded out the highest 10 at 10-under total. He and Taylor agreed that they’d be proud of both of them profitable the Canadian Open and finish a virtually 70-year drought for Canadians on the occasion.

“I believe we’re rooting for one another, however we nonetheless need to win,” stated Taylor, who recurrently practises with Conners forward of PGA Tour occasions. “If we don’t win, I believe we would like one other Canadian to win.

“If I search for and I’m second and Corey Conners is first then that’s virtually pretty much as good as profitable.”

WATCH | Conners nonetheless within the hunt after third spherical:

Pat Fletcher received at Vancouver’s Level Gray Golf and Nation Membership in 1954. Though there have been some shut calls previously 20 years, this yr’s version of the event holds a substantial amount of promise as eight Canadians, probably the most since 2002, made the lower.

“It’s been far too lengthy,” stated Conners. “I’m going to be letting it fly, giving it my all tomorrow and I’m certain [Taylor’s] going to be doing the identical factor.

“I’ve obtained some floor to make up, however you by no means know. We now have an opportunity.”

McIlroy received in 2019 at Hamilton Golf and Nation Membership and once more final yr at St. George’s Golf and Nation Membership. The occasion was cancelled within the intervening years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It feels eerily just like the final two tournaments,” stated McIlroy. “I used to be tied for the lead with [Webb Simpson] at Hamilton in 2019. Then final yr with [Tony Finau and Justin Thomas].

“Seems like there might be lots of guys up across the lead tomorrow. So it’s going to be a very attention-grabbing day.”