(Toronto) Canadian Nick Taylor set a course record on Saturday at the Canadian Golf Open, while Taiwanese C.T. Pan took command of the tournament.
Taylor, of Abbotsford, B.C., shot 63, nine under par at Oakdale Golf and Country Club.
He surpassed the mark of eight under par that England’s Tyrrell Hatton had equaled on Friday.
“It’s really special to break the course record,” Taylor said. I don’t think I have another on the circuit.
“And to do it at the Canadian Open is even more special. »
This spectacular performance, punctuated by five birdies on the first nine, allowed him to temporarily climb to the top of the standings with a record of minus 11.
Pan eventually edged him with a 66 to settle at 14 under. He birdied his last two holes.
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy is one of six golfers tied for second, two strokes behind Pan. McIlroy is looking for a third straight title at this tournament.
He finds himself tied with the Americans Mark Hubbard, Harry Higgs and Andrew Novak, as well as the English Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.
“You have to keep playing aggressive because there’s a lot of long grass on this course. If you stay in the lanes, you’ll get a lot of short shots with your irons, which will give you plenty of birdie opportunities, Pan pointed out.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if someone played under 8 or under 9 (in the final round) because the PGA guys are really good. »
Canadian Corey Conners finished the third round with a score of 70 and is now 10th at 10 under. His compatriot Adam Hadwin also finished the day with a score of 70. He is tied for 16th at 7 under.
Pat Fletcher was the last Canadian to win the national championship, in 1954 in Vancouver.
“I think we all encourage each other, but we all want to win,” said Taylor, who trains regularly with Conners. If it’s not me who wins, I hope it will be another Canadian.
“If I look at the board at the end and I’m second behind Corey Conners, it would almost be like winning. »
Among the other Canadians still in contention, Taylor Pendrith finds himself tied for 24th at 5 under after a round of 70. Roger Sloan is in the next group at 4 under, he who completed his round in 73 strokes . Will Bateman slipped to a tie for 54th at 1 under after a round of 75. Mike Weir (74) and Stuart Macdonald (75) are tied at par after 54 holes.