By: Hugh Burrill – Golf Town Ambassador

Brendan Leonard sounded tired on the phone.

He had a nervous, sleepless night before and after his Ontario Regional Qualifier playoff with David Sherman.

Leonard returned to TPC Toronto and when his three-footer for par on the second playoff hole of the day found the back of the cup, his ticket to the RBC Canadian Open at St. George’s was punched.

So, yet again he had another sleepless night … but this time it was #PartyTime!

When we talked to him recently, the reality of what he’d accomplished hadn’t quite hit him yet.

“I don’t think it will set in until I really get out there and start seeing it. For now, it’s about sticking to the process and getting better every day.”

The defending Golf Town Cup Champion is playing the best golf of his life right now and he’s eager to test his game this week  against some of the best players in the world.

“I want to see how my game compares. I’ve told myself that my game is at that level. I’ve had other people tell me it’s at that level so I’m excited and kind of intrigued to see how it compares with the big boys.”

The 30-year Leonard grew up playing another Stanley Thompson layout, Galt Country Club near Cambridge. But no amount of practice can prepare him for his opening tee shot at St. George’s.

“The first tee I’ll have a lot of friends and family there. I’m sure there’ll be some nerves but once I get that ball out on the fairway it’ll be like every other day.”

 But before that first shot, there are sure to be a few more sleepless nights.