The 28-year-old Macdonald is playing in the nationwide males’s golf champion for just the 2nd time of his profession, having actually missed out on the cut in 2015 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club, likewise in Toronto. Making the cut today highlighted that he can hang with the very best in males’s expert golf.
“I played in the Open last year and I missed the cut by one but I’ve been around a lot of these guys as I’ve been playing the Korn Ferry Tour the last three years,” said Macdonald. “So a lot of the guys that I’ve played with out there are out here now.
“I know that my good golf is good enough. It’s just getting out there and doing it.”
Macdonald will take a trip west to Victoria following the conclusion of the Canadian Open. He’ll remain in the field for the Royal Beach Victoria Open, the very first occasion on the PGA Tour Canada’s calendar, then he’ll head back south to end up out the Latinoamerica Tour season.
“Victoria is also a great spot and I think that’s probably one of the best tour stops out there,” said Macdonald. “Then going from there to Guadalajara for the Latinoamerica event and then their Tour Championship after that in Cancun.
“I think I’ll be playing seven in a row, so I’m on a bit of a stretch.”
Macdonald is among 8 Canadians left in the field at Oakdale Golf and Country Club. It’s the most Canadians to make it at the males’s championship game because 2002.
Nick Taylor set a course record with a 9-under 63 to rise into a tie for 8th at 11-under total. Corey Conners (70) of Listowel, Ont., was a shot back of Taylor, in sole ownership of 10th.
Adam Hadwin (70), likewise from Abbotsford, was connected for 16th at 7-under.
Taylor Pendrith (70) of Richmond Hill, Ont., was connected for 24th. Roger Sloan (73) of Merritt, B.C., dropped into a tie for 33rd, and Edmonton’s Wil Bateman (75) was connected for 54th.
Canadian playing golf legend Mike Weird (74) of Brights Grove, Ont., was connected with Macdonald at even par.
This report by The Canadian Press was very first released June 10, 2023.
John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
