MacIntyre leads the way at the RBC Canadian Open; Canada’s Hughes finished in second place

HAMILTON — Mackenzie Hughes is having fun, really. He’s just trying to stay focused as he chases the RBC Canadian Open title.

Screams of “atta boy Mac!”, “Let’s go to Canada!” and “We got you, Mac!” rang out across Hamilton Golf and Country Club on Saturday as Hughes shot a 3-under 67 to finish tied for second with New Zealand’s Ryan Fox and American Ben Griffin. All three are trying to overtake Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, who shot a 4-under 66 to build a four-shot lead heading into the final round of the Canadian men’s golf championship.

“I don’t really get cheered that much because when I play in the US I’m pretty much nobody,” said Hughes, who hails from Dundas, Ontario, just five miles from the course. ‘When you are here at home, you have the feeling that they are really pushing you over the border.

“I made a putt on 10 and it was like chills. The putt went in, the crowd went crazy, and just some of those moments and things that I thought I’ll remember for a long time.”

If Hughes can catch MacIntyre in the final round, it will be the first time in 110 years that Canadians have won the men’s national golf championship in consecutive years.

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., ended a 69-year drought in 2023 at the home opener of Toronto’s Oakdale Golf and Country Club.

However long it took for a Canadian to win the national title – Pat Fletcher was the last to do so in 1954 – it has been even longer since Canadians won it in consecutive years. Albert Murray (1913) and Karl Keffer (1914) were the last back-to-back homegrown champions.

Hughes has said all week that he’s trying to put aside the pressure to retain the title in Canada and just stay present when he’s on the court, even if the crowd is loud in his corner.

“For me it’s about not trying too hard, not forcing things,” he said. “For the most part, I’d say I did a pretty good job.

“There were a few things I would like to do again, but yeah, when I was playing near the lead at your National Open, I felt like I handled everything pretty well and could hold myself at bay for tomorrow .”

On the hockey-themed 13th hole, dubbed The Rink because of the hockey boards surrounding the tee box, Hughes allowed himself to get personal. For the second time at the tournament, he donned the hockey jersey of family friend Bill Bath, who died on April 23.

“I just feel like he’s been a big part of my life and my journey so far,” said Hughes of Bath, who caddied for him in 2019 when the Canadian Open was last in Hamilton. “We walked these hills last time I was here and it’s just nice to keep him there with me, if you will.

“I know we’re in the middle of a lot of chaos and competition on that Rink hole and it’s actually a super hard shot with a 6 iron or a 5 iron, but there are bigger things than golf and he was a really good friend of mine And I think about him a lot.”

MacIntyre was 1 over through 13 holes that day, allowing Hughes to briefly take the lead, but he turned in three straight birdies and Eagled No. 17 to move well ahead of the field.

“I wasn’t having a great time at first, but I feel like every time I dropped a shot, I bounced back with maybe two good shots into the green, and I bounced a shot back,” MacIntyre said. ‘It has never escaped my attention.

“A little bit of luck, a little bit of myself staying in the moment, staying calm. In the end I got my reward with the putter.”

Two-time Canadian Open champion Rory McIlroy remained a clear fan favorite on Saturday. There was a roar every time he made a birdie putt as he fired a 5-under round to bounce back from a disappointing 2-over battle on Friday. That put him in a tie for fourth at 11th at 7 under overall.

“I feel like an honorary Canadian right now and the support I’m getting here is amazing,” said McIlroy, who won his first Canadian Open on the same course in 2019. “I keep saying it, but it’s just a pleasure to be in such an atmosphere.

“The crowd is so good, they’re so supportive, so enthusiastic, they’re looking forward to another day.”

Corey Conners, 67, of Listowel, Ont., was in that group with McIlroy. Taylor Pendrith (66) of Richmond Hill, Ont., was one shot back in a five-way tie for 15th.

Hughes, Conners and Pendrith were all on the Kent State University men’s golf team together.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2024.

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press