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Nick Taylor Triumphs Again with Unlikely Finish
In a thrilling turn at the WM Phoenix Open, Nick Taylor showcased his clutch gene by making birdies on the 18th hole three times — first to push the tournament into a playoff, and finally to secure his victory. However, following this spectacular performance, Taylor faced a significant slump, going 23 tournaments over the course of 11 months without breaking into the top 10.
His remarkable 70-foot eagle putt that clinched the Canadian Open remains a highlight amid a challenging stretch, as he could only manage one top 10 finish in the subsequent seven months across 12 tournaments. Despite these ups and downs, the 36-year-old Canadian has amassed five trophies over the last three years, including one for his latest win.
Unexpectedly, Taylor triumphed again on Sunday. He made a spectacular 60-foot chip-in for eagle on the final hole and followed it up with a 10-foot birdie putt to stay competitive. Ultimately, he defeated Nico Echavarria in a playoff with an expertly executed wedge shot that left him just inside of 3 feet for the winning birdie.
Taylor expressed his fondness for the trophies he has collected. “I really love the trophies,” he stated, “But I would also love to be more consistent.” He frequently practices with fellow Canadian Corey Conners, with whom he shares a unique bond. They have played together during significant tournaments, including when Taylor won in Canada and Hawaii, and Conners when he emerged victorious in Texas.
While Conners boasts only one win since 2020, he has managed to maintain a more consistent performance overall. Taylor admires Conners’ steadiness, saying, “He’s somebody I aspire to be with his consistency. He’s phenomenal.” He went on to express that while he enjoys the thrill of competition and closing out wins, reaching Conners’ level of consistency is a goal he intends to achieve.
The past year was particularly challenging for Taylor, with significant opportunities on the line such as qualifying for the Olympics and the Presidents Cup, which take place at Royal Montreal, captained by Canadian Mike Weir. Taylor initially looked set to be part of these events following his victory in Phoenix, but he struggled with consistency afterwards. He faced disappointment with missed cuts in all major tournaments and ultimately was not selected for the Presidents Cup team.
“Not making top 50 I knew would make the next year just not where I wanted to be,” Taylor reflected. “Not making the Presidents Cup definitely hurt.” He even had to adjust his schedule and play more during the fall, taking time away from his family, which compounded his frustration.
Determined to return to form, Taylor focused on his game during the brief offseason and looked forward to competing on the West Coast, a part of the season filled with some of his favorite courses. Fortunately, his strong performance thus far has secured him a return to the Masters and participation in all the signature events.
“To have this good of a start is awesome,” he remarked.
When things looked bleak during the final round, where he was two strokes behind and missed 4-foot birdie attempts on holes 15 and 16, Taylor did not give up hope. He struck back with an eagle chip-in, as both of his competitors, Stephan Jaeger and J.J. Spaun, faltered, failing to birdie on the final hole. This placed Taylor in a playoff with Echavarria, who has been impressive lately.
The playoff featured a dramatic exchange, as Echavarria appeared to hold an advantage until Taylor executed a delicate pitch shot on a steep slope, converting another clutch birdie. Echavarria found himself in a difficult spot on the second playoff hole. While he was 40 feet away from the pin, Taylor was positioned back in the fairway, 46 yards from his target. Taylor’s pitch was executed perfectly; Echavarria’s subsequent putt came up short at 7 feet, leading to a missed birdie attempt.
With his last three victories on the PGA Tour all determined in playoffs — four extra holes in Canada, two in Phoenix, and another two in Hawaii — Taylor mused about his comfort in high-pressure moments. “I think I enjoy being in those moments. For whatever reason, my mind gets clear in those situations of the shot I’m just trying to hit,” he observed. “I’ve worked on that the last couple of years, figuring out what makes me perform well in those clutch scenarios versus when I might struggle.” With a strong start to the year, Taylor is optimistic about his path forward.
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