Nick Taylor – Remember That Name

Because of all the news Canadian Mike Weir made over the weekend at the U.S. Open, a fellow countryman’s story was overshadowed. Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, BC, is the number one ranked amateur golfer in the world, and he played in his first Major tournament this week.

At just 21 years old, very young and inexperienced for a golfer, most first timers are happy to just be playing in their first Major championship tournament, let alone attempting to make the cut. Taylor was able to do just that after two rounds based on an incredible second round score of 65. Put in perspective, Mike Weir tied a U.S. Open single round score record with his first round 64, and the best round Tiger Woods turned in was a 68.

In the end, Taylor finished at +8 for the championship, placing him in a tie for 36th – first out of the amateurs. Near him on the leaderboard were pre-tournament favourites, Jim Furyk and Camilo Villegas, at +7 and Vijay Singh at +6. Playing so well under the pressure of golf’s largest stage is an affirmation of Taylor’s number one ranking, and this young man will soon be making Canadians very proud.