This year, Mike Weir will have played in his 25th Masters. It is a remarkable accomplishment for Weir, who became the only Canadian to win the tournament when he bettered Len Mattiace in a playoff. Now, more than two decades ago, no Canadian has managed to match Weir’s achievement.
This year sees three Canadians active on the PGA Tour in the field, including Nick Taylor, the winner of the RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale last year, as well as Weir, who is leading the International Team in the Presidents Cup in Montreal in September. Can any of them pull it off at Augusta this year?
Nick Taylor
I likely won’t surprise anyone to find that at 25th in the world, Taylor is the highest-ranked Canadian at The Masters. That said, he doesn’t have a significant track record at the tournament, with his best finish being 29th. Still, Taylor will have a birthday on Sunday of the tournament—he’s turning 36—and he does have two Top 10 finishes, including a win at the WM Phoenix Open, this year. His putting, under the watchful eye of coach Gareth Raflewski, is among the best on the PGA Tour and Taylor sports an impressive short game.
His Chances
Likely the best of any Canadian this year. When Taylor is hot, his putter is a true weapon on the golf course. He has played a handful of tournaments at Augusta, and perhaps this is the year when he makes a run.
Corey Conners
With three Top 10 finishes in his last four starts, Listowel, Ont.’s Conners should be a regular contender at Augusta. But last year he missed the cut, and though he hasn’t missed a cut this year, he also hasn’t performed to the level many expect of him, with no Top 10 finishes.
His Chances
It is a mixed bag—great ball striking and struggling on the greens. He’s ranked 40th in strokes gained total but 138 and 153 on chipping and putting, respectively. If he has a good week on the greens, look out. But if he can’t figure out his putting, he could well struggle at Augusta.
Adam Hadwin
The Abbotsford, BC native has had a balanced year and equally balanced stats. With three Top 10 finishes, and middle-of-the-road stats in almost all categories, Hadwin looks poised for a breakout. But will it come at Augusta, a course he hasn’t played since 2020? Ranked No. 46 in the world, Hadwin only has one win on the PGA Tour, which is surprising.
His Chances
What is the likelihood Hadwin’s second win comes at Augusta? Everyone knows the answer is it isn’t likely. However, he’s now a veteran player, unflustered by the pomp and ceremony of The Masters. There’s a chance—but it isn’t a big one.
Mike Weir
Canada’s only winner of the green jacket, Weir is almost a part-time player on PGA Tour Champions this year, given his commitment to the Presidents Cup. He’s only played five tournaments this year, and the last time he made the cut at Augusta was in 2020 (he’s made 12 cuts overall). Weir can still be competitive—he made the cut at Oakdale at last year’s RBC Canadian Open—and he still feels he can play on the weekend at The Masters.
His Chances
Weir is in the field as a former champion, and his appearance is more about former glories than an opportunity to win it again. The course is much longer and harder than 21 years ago when Weir won—but his pride and talent means playing on the weekend is the goal, and it is one the Canadian lefty could well pull off.