It hasn’t been hard for Canada’s Nick Taylor to remember what went down at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.
Taylor became the first Canadian since 1954 to win the event when he sank a 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth playoff hole to down Englishman Tommy Fleetwood last year. Following that stunning make, Taylor tossed his putter to the side in celebration before hugging caddie Dave Markle.
Little did Taylor know, that flip of the putter would end up being a symbol of the RBC Canadian Open for years to come.
Back in December, the tournament logo was updated, and it now features a silhouette of Taylor throwing his putter aside serving as the letter “I” — something Taylor has seen plenty of as he’s made his way around Hamilton Golf & Country Club this week.
“To be on-site, seeing it on flags and posters and stuff, it’s one of those things I don’t know if I’ll ever fully grasp probably the magnitude of that,” Taylor said. “It’s so neat to have the idea, but to come to fruition is very cool. It’s been really fun to see that, to see the big mural of Dave and I and our celebration.”
But the reminders of his unforgettable victory don’t stop there.
Fans of Taylor and Canadians in general vividly remember where they were and what they were doing when Taylor made history, and they haven’t been shy when it comes to sharing their stories with the 36-year-old.
“I’ve said it recently, that’s probably one of the coolest things probably in the past year of people just coming up and telling their story and the emotions that have been tied to it. They came out with a story (Tuesday) that we had been working, but his name’s Brian, he’s a farmer from Saskatoon, and kind of told his story, and took two, three months to track him down,” Taylor said. “Just stuff like that where people really remember and remember that moment.
“I think, like I said, the logo stuff, that as well as stuff where I don’t think I’ve probably fully grasped yet. … I appreciate all the people that come up and tell those stories because it is a lot of fun to hear.”
While Taylor has enjoyed reminiscing about the past, he’s been more focused on successfully defending his title.
“Trying to manage time, which there’s obviously more obligations this week being in Canada on top of that, but being defending,” Taylor said. “So really trying to manage that, trying to manage rest. … The game feels pretty good, had a week off last week to kind of recharge.”
Regardless of the outcome, Taylor is excited for another chance to entertain the home crowd as goes for his second victory of the season. He won the WM Phoenix Open back on Feb. 11.
“I wish I could be defending probably a little bit longer, but this tournament always means a lot to me and every Canadian in the field,” Taylor said. “The fans are so passionate. It’s been a lot of fun.
“Just walking around obviously practicing, but playing, there’s a lot of people out already and it’s been fun to engage with ’em. Hopefully we can put on a show again.”
–Field Level Media
