2024 RBC Canadian Open: Top 10 power rankings at Hamilton

Taylor Pendrith got the monkey off his back a few weeks ago by winning his first career PGA Tour title in his 74th career start at age 32.

Now, he can etch his name in the history books by following up Nick Taylor in 2023 to create the first back-to-back Canadian winners at the Canadian Open since 1913-14.

Pendrith’s victory came at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson where the former Kent State Golden Flash emerged from a crowded leaderboard to win by one over second place, two over third, and three over a tie for fourth.

It had to be a huge jolt of confidence as he’s failed to convert a 54-hole lead before. He held onto his one-shot lead he entered Sunday with this time.

Shoulder issues plagued him earlier in the year. He had top-10s at the Sony Open in Hawaii (T-10th) and Farmers Insurance Open (T-9th) amidst a rash of missed cuts. Pendrith also cited working with a mental coach as beneficial to his progress this spring.

He got on a roll with T-11th at the Corales Puntacana Championship, the win at the Nelson, and T-10th at a Signature Event, the Wells Fargo Championship.

A missed cut at the PGA Championship was a small step backward, but that was his third straight tournament and fourth week of competition out of five.

After taking last week off, I expect the Richmond Hill, Ontario, native to be ready to go competing in his home province.

Pendrith has the putter to tame Hamilton’s sloping greens. He’s 12th on the PGA Tour in SG: Putting (.56). He also has the firepower to bring this short course to its knees, checking in at fifth in average driving distance (310.9 yards).