Despite being one of the best Canadian golfers on the PGA Tour, Taylor Pendrith didn’t really grow up dreaming of playing in the Masters.

Instead, his goal was to play in Major League Baseball or the NHL.

Pendrith, who was the MVP of his high school baseball team in Richmond Hill, Ont., and also played junior A hockey, will make his Augusta National Golf Club debut on Thursday. 

“Honestly, even the first few years in college playing college golf, I didn’t really know I was going to play professionally,” Pendrith told reporters on Tuesday. “So obviously I watched the Masters tournament and followed golf, but never really thought I would be here until probably the last year of college.

“Once I got my PGA Tour card it became more of a reality that, ‘hey, if I do play well I could get here.'”

Pendrith played at Kent State University before turning pro in 2014, working his way up from the PGA Tour Canada to the Korn Ferry Tour and finally the PGA Tour. The 33-year-old qualified for the Masters, the first major of the men’s golf season, when he won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on May 5.

“I had been a couple times as a spectator and it will be a really special week,” said Pendrith. “It’s already been such a cool week, and to have all my family and friends here, it’s awesome.”

Pendrith will be joined at Augusta by Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., and Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont.

Conners and Pendrith played together at Kent State and were the best men at each other’s weddings. They’ve gone on to play together on Golf Canada’s national team and were twice members of the International Team at the Presidents Cup.

“(Pendrith) looked great out there,” said Conners after the four Canadians practised together. “It was awesome to share that experience with him. 

“Tried to tell him a few of the things that I learned over the years. But I think this golf course is great for him.”

Conners is the highest ranked Canadian on the FedEx Cup standings, sitting sixth heading into the Masters. He’s played in the tournament seven times, finishing in the top 10 in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

“I think there is an added comfort level knowing you had some good rounds out here, knowing what it takes to play well,” said Conners, who is also 33. “I think that’s definitely huge here compared to some of the weeks.

“Obviously, it’s the biggest golf tournament in the world. Just fun to be here any time, but definitely having had some decent results, there is lots of positives I can draw from.”

Taylor is 16th on the FedEx Cup rankings and Pendrith is 39th. 

The 54-year-old Weir primarily plays on the Champions Tour and is therefore unranked on the PGA Tour, but automatically qualifies for the Masters as the 2003 champion. Weir is still the only Canadian man to win a major.

Taylor, 36, has won on the PGA Tour five times, including three playoffs. He thinks a major win could be close for him.

“I know I’m not far off, it’s just getting through that barrier of probably the belief standpoint and then I’ve played well enough at a vast majority of golf courses that there’s no reason I can’t compete out here,” said Taylor, who will be competing at the Masters for a third time. “So getting that belief is definitely probably the next step and then from there I can shoot some good scores.”

PGA TOUR

Brian Harman made a pair of key birdies on the back nine and then survived back-to-back bogeys in the closing stages to win the Valero Texas Open by three shots. It is his fourth career title and first since winning the Open Championship in 2023. Harman began the final round with a three-stroke lead and while he never lost the lead, he did give his challengers an opening they could not take advantage of. Andrew Novak was two back with two holes to play before a bogey on the penultimate hole and a bad drive on No. 18 relegated him to a share of third. Ryan Gerard played a bogey-free round until he made one on the final hole to finish runner-up. His closing round of 69 was one of only seven under par on Sunday. The windy conditions pushed the average score at TPC San Antonio up to 74.8, with four players shooting 80 or worse. …Corey Conners, a two-time winner of this event, posted his fourth straight top-20 finish. He was looking to join Arnold Palmer and Justin Leonard as the only three-time winners of the tournament.

NEXT EVENT: Masters Tournament (Apr 3)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Corey Conners, Taylor Pendrith, Nick Taylor, Mike Weir

LPGA TOUR

Madelene Sagstrom jumped out to a quick 4-up lead when Lauren Coughlin came roaring back to even the match and briefly take the lead before the Swede rallied for par at the par-5 16th hole and a 1-up victory in the final of the T-Mobile Match Play. It was the first tour win in five years for Sagstrom, who came into the event ranked 67th. It was the first time in the five years of the event that the final match needed 18 holes to decide the winner. …Brooke Henderson did not trail at any point in winning all three of her group play matches, losing only three holes. It was the first time in her career that she finished undefeated in the round robin and advanced to the Round of 16. She played just 36 holes in three group play matches, the fewest of any player in the round robin. Henderson was tied with Maja Stark through six holes before the Swede won four straight, clinching the match with a par on No. 14 after Henderson double-boyed.

NEXT EVENT: JM Eagle LA Championship (Apr. 17)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Brooke Henderson, Savannah Grewal, Nayde-Aimee Leblanc, Alena Sharp

KORN FERRY TOUR

Jeremy Gandon made a three-foot birdie on the first playoff hole to defeat Rick Lamb for the win at the Club Car Championship. It is his first win on the Korn Ferry Tour and is the first rookie winner this season, and the fifth first-time winner. He joins fellow Frenchman Paul Barjon as a winner on tour and is the second international player to win this season, joining Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju. Lamb notched his first career runner-up finish and first top-three result since 2019. Cole Sherwood, former PGA Tour winner Garrick Higgo and two-time PGA winner Russell Knox,who started the day tied for the lead, all finished in a tie for third. Rookie Johnny Keefer, who finished atop the PGA Tour Americas standings last year, picked up his third top-10 result of the season.

NEXT EVENT: LECOM Suncoast Classic (Apr 16)

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS

Angel Cabrera made a late birdie for a two-stroke victory at the inaugural James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational. It is the first Champions Tour win and first victory of any kind in more than 10 years for the 55-year-old Argentine, who only 20 months ago was in prison serving concurrent sentences for gender violence. The former Masters and U.S. Open champion had only made two tour starts this year and began the week as the second alternate, and only got into the tournament after Mark Hensby withdrew. It’s the second straight week an alternate has gone on to win a tournament. Cabrera held at least a share of the lead after each of the first two rounds and was tied with K.J. Choi as the pair headed to the final hole. Cabrera two-putted for par while Choi made a double-bogey to finish runner-up. …Gordon Burns, one of three open qualifiers to get into the event, recorded his best result in his third career Champions Tour start.

NEXT EVENT: Mitsubishi Electric Classic (Apr 25)

PGA TOUR AMERICAS

Maxwell Moldovan erased a two-shot deficit and sank a 50-foot eagle putt for a one-stroke win at the 70th ECP Brazil Open. It is his first career win, securing exempt status on the PGA Tour Americas while moving him up to No. 2 in the Fortinet Cup standings. He is the third PGA Tour University player from the class of 2024 to win a PGA Tour-sanctioned event. …Drew Nesbitt recorded his best career result on PGA Tour Americas and his fourth career top-5 finish in all PGA Tour-sanctioned events. …Joey Savoie notched his first top-10 finish in his second start of the season and his fourth in the last eight PGA Tour Americas events.

NEXT EVENT:  70th ECP Brazil Open (Apr. 3)

CANADIANS ENTERED:  Chris Crisologo, A.J. Ewart, Thomas Giroux, Brandon Lacasse, Brendan MacDougall, Drew Nesbitt, Lawren Rowe, Joey Savoie, Noah Steele, Sebastian Szirmak

Canada well represented at Masters Tournament, Augusta National Women’s Amateur and
Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals

As the calendar turns to April, golf fans worldwide focus their attention on Augusta, Ga. to celebrate a tradition unlike any other and watch in anticipation as to who will be next to don the iconic green jacket.

Canada will be well represented at the 89th Masters Tournament with four Canadians currently set to compete including past Masters champion, Mike Weir (Bright’s Grove, Ont.), Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.), Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.) and 2023 RBC Canadian Open winner, Nick Taylor (Abbotsford, B.C.).

Weir will be competing in his 26th Masters Tournament. His iconic win in 2003 was secured on the first playoff hole at Augusta National Golf Club to beat Len Mattiace and become the first Canadian Masters champion and the first Canadian male golfer to win a major.

Conners, who will be competing in his eighth Masters Tournament including 2015 as an amateur, had three consecutive top 10 finishes between 2020 and 2022, with his best finish, T6 coming in 2022. Taylor will be making his third appearance at the Masters, his best finish was T29 in 2020, while Pendrith will be making his Masters debut.

Also returning to Augusta National Golf Club (Augusta National) is Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club’s superintendent, Eric Ruhs, who has been volunteering with the Augusta National Agronomy department since 2014. Ruhs has been the superintendent at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club since 1987 and was honoured as the 2023 Superintendent of the Year by the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association.

Lauren Kim set to compete in second consecutive Augusta National Women’s Amateur

Before the Masters Tournament kicks off, Augusta National will host the sixth annual Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA), from April 2-5.

Team Canada member, Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. will be competing at her second consecutive ANWA, looking to build on last year’s T14 finish. Kim is currently a sophomore at the University of Texas where she has enjoyed a great deal of success throughout her season. She claimed her second collegiate title at the Betsy Rawls Invitational in March and has three additional third place finishes along with a top-five and a top-six.

The ANWA features a field of 72 amateurs competing over 54 holes of stroke play with a cut following 36 holes. The opening rounds will be contested at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. on Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3. The top 30 players and ties will advance to the final round at Augusta National on Saturday, April 5. The entire field will play a practice round there one day prior on Friday.

The first two rounds of the ANWA will be broadcast live on the Golf Channel from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET. NBC will air the final round on April 5 from Noon – 3:00 p.m. ET.

For more information on the ANWA including the full field, click here.

Three Canadians set to compete in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals in Augusta

Following the ANWA, the 11th annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals will be contested on Sunday, April 6 at Augusta National.

Three Canadians will be among the 80 qualified junior golfers that have earned invitations to compete in Augusta. They are:

Allen Kong from Vancouver, B.C. who will be competing in the Boys 7-9 division. Kong earned his spot through a regional qualifying event at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wa., where he gained 133 points, fourth highest in his division among other national final competitors.

Jenny Guo of Langley, B.C. will be competing in the Girls 12-13 division. Guo recorded 143 points at her regional qualifying event at Chambers Bay, where her total was the second highest among other national finalists in the division. Guo also finished second at the inaugural Canadian U15 Championship last August at the Elmira Golf Club in Elmira, Ont.

Riviera Lindholm of Toronto, Ont. will also be competing in the Girls 12-13 Division. Lindholm earned her qualification at a regional event at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa. where she totaled 150 points, the highest total among national finalists in her division. Last season, Lindholm earned a T4 finish at the Canadian U15 Championship and placed second at the 2024 Junior Skills Challenge National Event in the Girls 12-13 division.

Canadians have enjoyed past success at the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, with three current Team Canada members having previously won their respective divisions. LPGA Tour member Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont. won the Girls 14-15 division in 2017. Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. won the Girls 10-11 division in 2018 and Nicole Gal of Oakville, Ont. won the Girls 14-15 division in 2019. Fellow Canadian Alexis Card of Cambridge, Ont. won the Girls 7-9 division in 2021.

Drive, Chip and Putt is conducted in partnership with the USGA, the Masters Tournament and the PGA of America and is a free youth golf development program. The competition tests the skills of the game, measuring accuracy in driving, chipping and putting. Each competitor is scored on a 30-point system – the player with the best drive is awarded 10 points, the closest cumulative chips, 10 points and the player with nearest cumulative putts, another 10 points. The player with the highest total combined score will be named the winner from each age and gender division.

For more information on the 2025 national finalists and regional qualifying results, please click here. For more information on Drive, Chip and Putt, please click here

TPC Sawgrass is considered one of the toughest courses in the world, with its No. 17 one of the most recognizable and difficult holes in pro golf. 

But Canadians Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith feel they’re up for the challenge at THE PLAYERS Championship this week. 

“It’s a course where the way it’s set up, you need to hit fairways,” said Pendrith, a native of Richmond Hill, Ont. “If you can drive it well, then there’s lots of scoring opportunities. If you’re not driving it well, it can be a long week.

“But it’s a really cool course. You can be creative on some holes and around the greens. It’s just one of my favourite golf courses to play, and the final stretch is an awesome finish.”

Conners, from Listowel, Ont., finished third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday to ascend the FedEx Cup standings. Like his best friend Pendrith, he was eager to take on TPC Sawgrass shortly after finishing his round at Bay Hill Club and Lodge.

“I think my ball striking was really strong, I think I putted quite well,” said Conners shortly after the Arnold Palmer Invitational wrapped up. “Most of the days I was hitting my lines. 

“Got a lot of freedom with my iron play, hit a lot of great shots this week, and I think that will be important to continue next week.”

Conners, Pendrith and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., are currently the top-tanked Canadians on the PGA Tour. 

Taylor is ninth, Conners is 11th, and Pendrith is 35th.

Conners hopes to carry his momentum from Bay Hill into TPC Sawgrass.

“I did a lot of things really well (at the Arnold Palmer Invitational),” said Conners. “This week I hit the ball really well and, yeah, it’s another demanding golf course next week, a course I really like.

“So lots of good stuff, good feelings heading into the Players.”

Pendrith took a small step back when he missed the cut at the Cognizant Classic on March 2, but otherwise he’s had an excellent start to the season with two top-10 finishes already. He started the year with a tie for 13th at the Sentry on Jan. 5, a tie for seventh at the Farmers Insurance Open on Jan. 25, and a tie for ninth at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Feb. 2. 

“I’ve played some really good golf and put myself in a decent position on the weekends,” said Pendrith. “I had a really good finish at the Farmers and a really good finish at Pebble so the game feels good. Lots of confidence.

“The putter hasn’t been co-operating, I would say, as it did last year, yet, so been hitting it really nice. So hopefully keep doing that and see some putts go in.”

Taylor, Conners and Pendrith will be joined in Ponte Verde, Fla., by four other Canadians at the Players: Adam Hadwin (83rd) of Abbotsford, Mackenzie Hughes (110th) of Dundas, Ont., Ben Silverman (139th) of Thornhill, Ont., and Adam Svensson (149th) of Surrey, B.C.

EPSON TOUR — Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., tied for sixth at the Atlantic Beach Classic last week to move up to 18th in the Race for the Card points list on the second-tier Epson Tour. She’ll lead the Canadian contingent into this week’s IOA Golf Classic on Friday. Yeji Kwon (83rd) of Port Coquitlam, B.C., and Monet Chun (94th) of Richmond Hill, Ont., are also in the field at Alaqua Country Club in Longwood, Fla., as are Vancouver’s Leah John and Josee Doyon of Saint-Georges, Que.

The 2025 THE PLAYERS Championship is set to tee off from March 13 to 16 at the iconic TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and Canadian golf fans have plenty to be excited about. A record-tying seven Canadians will be in the field, competing for one of the most prestigious titles in golf.

Dubbed the “fifth major,” THE PLAYERS features a $25 million purse, with $4.5 million awarded to the winner. The field includes 48 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, making it one of the most competitive tournaments on the PGA Tour schedule.

The Canadians in the Field:

Nick Taylor (World No. 27)

Abbotsford, B.C.’s Nick Taylor is the only Canadian to have won on the PGA Tour this season, claiming victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii back in January. The four-time PGA Tour winner has been a model of consistency, making the cut in all six of his starts in 2025.

Taylor also recorded a T-9 at The Genesis Invitational and a T-12 at The American Express, proving he can compete in elite fields. His aggressive putting style could serve him well on the challenging greens of TPC Sawgrass.

Corey Conners (World No. 30)

Conners, from Listowel, Ontario, is arguably the most in-form Canadian heading into THE PLAYERS. The 32-year-old has had a strong start to 2025, highlighted by a solo third-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and a T5 at The Sentry in January. His precision ball-striking makes him an excellent fit for TPC Sawgrass, where accuracy is crucial.

This will be Conners’ sixth career appearance at THE PLAYERS, with his best finish being T-7 in 2022.

Taylor Pendrith (World No. 41)

Pendrith, from Richmond Hill, Ontario, has continued to build on his breakthrough 2023 season. The long-hitting Canadian has already posted a top-10 finish this year, and his power off the tee could help him attack some of the longer holes at TPC Sawgrass.

Pendrith will need to dial in his approach shots and putting to contend, but if everything clicks, he has the talent to make noise in this elite field.

Mackenzie Hughes (World No. 69)

The pride of Dundas, Ontario, Hughes is known for his strong short game and clutch putting. While he hasn’t posted a top-10 finish yet in 2025, he’s been playing solid golf and will be looking to peak at the right time.

His best career finish at THE PLAYERS came in 2021, when he tied for 16th. If his putter gets hot, he could be a dark horse to contend.

Adam Hadwin (World No. 75)

Hadwin, also from Abbotsford, B.C., has been playing steady golf in 2025, with one top-10 finish so far. The 36-year-old is one of the most experienced Canadians on Tour, with a PGA Tour victory at the 2017 Valspar Championship.

Hadwin has made five cuts in seven starts at THE PLAYERS, with his best finish being T-8 in 2021. If his iron play is sharp, he could make a deep run this week.

Adam Svensson (World No. 151)

The Surrey, B.C. native is still searching for his first top-10 of 2025, but he’s shown flashes of brilliance. Svensson won his first PGA Tour event at the 2022 RSM Classic, proving he has the ability to close out tournaments.

In his second career start at THE PLAYERS, Svensson will be aiming to improve on his T-13 finish from 2023. His all-around game and confidence on Bermuda greens could be key factors in his performance.

Ben Silverman (World No. 174)

Silverman rounds out the Canadian contingent, making his debut at THE PLAYERS Championship. The Thornhill, Ont., native has been a grinder on the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, and earning a spot in this field is a huge milestone for his career.

While he’s an underdog, Silverman has shown he can compete against top-tier competition, and contending this week would be a big step forward.

Course Breakdown: TPC Sawgrass

The Pete Dye-designed Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is one of the most recognizable and challenging courses in golf.

Key features include:

• Island Green (Hole 17): The par-3 17th hole is one of the most famous in the world, testing players’ nerves with a tiny, island-shaped green.
• Narrow Fairways & Water Hazards: Precision is crucial, as errant shots can easily find water or deep rough.
• Risk-Reward Par 5s: The 16th hole offers a birdie or eagle chance but can punish aggressive play.

What’s at Stake for the Canadians?

A strong performance at THE PLAYERS could have a huge impact on the Canadian golfers’ seasons. Here’s what’s on the line:

• FedExCup Points: The winner earns 750 points, which could be critical for playoff positioning.
• World Ranking Boost: A top finish could propel a Canadian into the top 25 or better in the Official World Golf Ranking.
• Major Championship Momentum: With The Masters just a month away, a strong showing at THE PLAYERS could set the tone for the first major of the year.

How to Watch

Canadian fans can follow THE PLAYERS Championship on TSN and Golf Channel, with full coverage beginning:

• Thursday, March 13 at 7:30 AM ET (Round 1)
• Friday, March 14 at 7:30 AM ET (Round 2)
• Saturday, March 15 at 9:00 AM ET (Round 3)
• Sunday, March 16 at 9:00 AM ET (Final Round)

Live streaming will also be available on TSN+ and PGA Tour Live.

Final Thoughts

With seven Canadians in the field, 2025 THE PLAYERS Championship promises to be a thrilling event for golf fans across the country. Corey Conners and Nick Taylor lead the charge, but each player in the group has a chance to make an impact.

Can a Canadian contend for the title? Tune in to find out as they take on the world’s best at TPC Sawgrass.

Don’t forget, you can catch the PGA TOUR’s best in-person at Canada’s lone TOUR stop, the RBC Canadian Open, taking place June 4-8 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. Visit www.rbccanadianopen.com for tickets and info.

Corey Conners secured a sixth successive appearance at The Open by claiming the sole qualifying place on offer in the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard.

A final-round 71 that featured 17 pars and a crucial birdie on the 16th was enough for Canada’s Conners to finish third in the PGA TOUR event at Bay Hill, part of The Open Qualifying Series.

That was ultimately enough to book a return to The Open – and the scene of his Championship debut in 2019 – as tournament winner Russell Henley and runner-up Collin Morikawa were already exempt.

Conners will now aim to improve on his best Open finish to date, a T15 finish at Royal St George’s in 2021.

Netflix’s hit docuseries Full Swing returns for its third season, and this time, Canadian golf fans have even more reason to tune in. The show follows the journeys of some of the biggest names in the sport, and among them are two of Canada’s own—Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin.

The pair, both hailing from Abbotsford, B.C., have been linked throughout their careers, from their early junior golf days to their rise on the PGA Tour. The new season delves into their long-standing friendship, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their bond both on and off the course.

Their episode captures a mix of competitive spirit and camaraderie, with moments ranging from high-stakes tournament play to lighthearted scenes—like an attempt to track down a Vancouver Canucks game while on the road. The series showcases Taylor’s incredible success, including his unforgettable RBC Canadian Open victory, while also highlighting Hadwin’s pursuit of his own breakthrough moments.

Executive producer Chad Mumm describes this season as deeply character-driven, aiming to appeal not just to golf enthusiasts but to a broader audience as well. The inclusion of Taylor and Hadwin adds a unique Canadian angle to the show, emphasizing their journey, challenges, and the mutual support that has defined their careers.

While the season builds towards the drama of the Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal, the journey itself is what makes their story compelling. Whether it’s the thrill of competition or the shared moments along the way, Full Swing provides an intimate look at what it takes to succeed at the highest level—while never forgetting where it all began.

How does the No. 1 Ball in Golf continue to get better year-after-year?

Well, 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the iconic Titleist Pro V1 (with its sibling product, the Pro V1x not far behind) and it’s a product that continues to out-perform itself with each passing season – in the most impressive of ways.

A quarter-century of breakthrough ball innovation came with the new Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x (which was introduced in 2003) golf ball launch in October. The balls have, over the last 25 years, been played in competition on the PGA Tour more than six times the nearest competitor. The challenge for the Titleist R&D department over the last two-plus decades, however, has remained constant: How do you make the best performing, most consistent golf balls in the game even better?

The team works through a collaborative process that has no beginning or end – it’s rooted in continuous feedback, rigorous testing, world-class manufacturing, and then performance validation.

“The Pro V1 responded to the changing nature of the game,” says Mary Lou Bohn, President, Titleist Golf Balls, of the initial launch in 2000.

“If you look at the early success of players who achieved record-setting performances, the results spoke for themselves.” 

The new Pro V1 and Pro V1x is the big equipment story for Titleist, a long-time Golf Canada partner, in 2025 and the new golf balls are chalk full of little improvements to help golfers – no matter their skill level.

They’re both engineered to deliver more speed off the tee, more spin with the wedges, and more control with the irons. All the new models boast a faster high gradient core – re-worked to maintain low long-game spin, increase ball speed, and add spin on shots into and around the greens.

Both the Pro V1 and Pro V1x have similar durability (and are very similar off the tee) but the Pro V1x spins more on iron and wedge shots into the green and the Pro V1 has a softer overall compression (Pro V1x is firmer because of its dual core construction).

“The golf ball has to do everything,” says Frederick Waddell, Titleist’s Director of Golf Ball Product Management. “Each of our golf ball models is optimized for distance off the tee, and with 2025 Pro V1 and Pro V1x in particular, we’ve realized a speed gain while unlocking even better iron and wedge performance. All of which will help players shoot lower scores.”

Other new products from Titleist in the early part of 2025 include new Scotty Cameron Studio Style putters (12 models available and dubbed the, “most significant re-design” of the Scotty Cameron blade putter offering in recent history) and the launch of the all-new GT1 driver, fairway wood, and hybrid (an ultra-lightweight configuration designed to deliver fast ball speeds, high launch, and increased stability), while new Titleist irons are set to come out in August.

The mid-winter blahs are something Nick Taylor has only heard about.

Taylor has won four of his five career PGA Tour titles in the winter months, most recently winning the Sony Open in Hawaii on Jan. 12 in a playoff with Colombia’s Nico Echavarría. He’ll defend his WM Phoenix Open championship this week, which he also won in a playoff, besting Charley Hoffman of the United States last year.

“It’s a combination of recharging, getting some rest, getting a bunch of family time, but also being motivated and working on the things that I want to improve,” Taylor said in a recent video conference with Canadian reporters. “Communicating with my team if it’s either my golf swing or getting myself in the gym or the mental side, and coming out eager and ready to go.”

Geography is a factor, too.

The PGA Tour starts its schedule in Hawaii and on the west coast, staying in warmer climes during the winter. As a result, Taylor won the 2020 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am in California, the WM Phoenix Open in Arizona, and the Sony Open in Hawaii.

“I grew up on a lot of these grasses and had good results throughout the year,” the golfer from Abbotsford, B.C., said. “The comfort level is very high as well, so there’s a few factors there.

“The last few years, I’ve definitely motivated myself throughout the off-season and came out ready to go.”

Five other Canadians will join Taylor on TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course in Scottsdale, Ariz. 

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., will look to improve on his No. 22 ranking in the FedEx Cup standings, as will Adam Hadwin (100th) also from Abbotsford, Adam Svensson (T121st) of Surrey, B.C., Mackenzie Hughes (124th) of Dundas, Ont., and Ben Silverman (168th) of Thornhill, Ont.

Taylor said that the responsibilities of being the defending champion at the WM Phoenix Open aren’t too onerous compared to the RBC Canadian Open, which he won in 2023.

“Just a few more things that kind of take your time. You’ve got to manage your practice time,” said the 36-year-old. “That would be the biggest difference. 

“I think what’s nice this week, say, compared to the Canadian Open, last year, is it’s the same golf course, a place that I’m comfortable coming back to, to what I know.”

—————-

DP WORLD TOUR — Aaron Cockerill of Stony Mountain, Man., will tee it up at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club on Thursday. He’s 138th on the European-based tour’s rankings after five events.

KORN FERRY TOUR — Third-ranked Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., leads the Canadian contingent into this week’s Astara Golf Championship. He’s grouped with No. 70 Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., for the first two rounds of the event at Country Club de Bogota in Colombia. Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., Matthew Anderson of Mississauga, Etienne Papineau of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., and Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald are also in the field.

LPGA TOUR — Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., is ranked 14th on the Rolex Race to CME Globe standings heading into the Founders Cup in Bradenton, Fla. Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont., Hamilton’s Alena Sharp and Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., will also be in the first regular field event of the LPGA Tour season. 

There’s never been more momentum behind the Levelwear brand on the course and off.

A long-time partner of Golf Canada, the RBC Canadian Open, and the CPKC Women’s Open – along with plenty of male and female Canadian stars in the pro game – Levelwear has entered the new year with a new tagline that encapsulates its awesome brand.

Levelwear’s new tag, “Who’s With You?” speaks to the notion that the journey to do great things means having a supportive team around you that always has your best interests in mind.

The new message hits on its company promise of having premium, quality products that are priced right.

“We’ve earned a lot of business and grown our brand by doing a lot of little things right and having a longer-term viewpoint on things,” says Levelwear brand manager Brett Saunders.

For customers – you’ve likely seen Levelwear’s goodies in the merchandise tent at the RBC Canadian Open, CPKC Women’s Open, and other PGA Tour events and green-grass shops across the country – Levelwear’s new mission also speaks to them. If you want to be the best, you have to surround yourself with the best.

Product-wise in 2025, look for Levelwear to still boast a modern, athletic aesthetic designed to have a broad appeal for both off-course casual closets and on-course style.

New for spring, 50 percent of the products are made from recycled materials. Fabric innovations, Saunders says, have allowed recycled materials to perform as well as conventional fabrics! 

This year, there will be a heavier emphasis on the polo category, which means there is going to be more styles and more colours and richer fabrics that are designed to move with the golfer. All in? Sixteen new polo designs for men and 11 for women for spring 2025.

Finally, Levelwear has also launched a new Luxe Collection, which is a tight drop of elevated, oversized basics – like a hoodie, crewneck sweater, short, and a knit top – that are made from premium recycled fabrics.

On tours around the world, you’ll see 34 athletes wearing the brand in 2025 including 11 on the PGA Tour and 10 on the LPGA Tour. Canadians Adam Hadwin, Corey Conners, and Taylor Pendrith are back as ambassadors along with Aaron Cockerill, Stuart MacDonald, Matthew Anderson, and Etienne Papineau along with Alena Sharp and Maddie Szeryk.

Levelwear also has a new relationship with the PGA Tour, meaning they will be in retail at more than 26 PGA Tour events in 2025! If you’ve watched PGA Tour Live yet this season, you’ll have seen that Levelwear is outfitting all of the talent and crew. The iconic Caddie Lounge is also set to be at between eight and 10 PGA Tour events this year, too.

And, if you’ve happened to check out TGL, the Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy co-founded stadium golf league, you may have noticed that all the referees and grounds crew are wearing Levelwear, while it’s also keeping the fun tradition of the t-shirt toss going in the SoFi Center.

Levelwear has quickly become a brand in golf that cannot be ignored, as it is available for sale in 85 of the top 100 golf courses in the United States and a similar number, if not higher, in Canada.

So, in 2025, no matter if you’re watching the best in the world in person or on screen, or if you’re just hoping to dress like some of the best in the world, Levelwear has got you covered.