• Slug: Sports–WM Phoenix Open Taylor, 440 words.
• Photo available.

By Natalie Guzman
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Could the soundtrack to this year’s WM Phoenix Open be another rendition of “O Canada”?

With defending champion Nick Taylor returning to TPC Scottsdale, it could happen.

Taylor, who was born in Winnipeg, is no newcomer to the Valley or the Phoenix Open, which begins competition Thursday. In 2023, he came in second to current No. 1 player Scottie Scheffler. Last year, he won the tournament after a playoff against Charley Hoffman.

The Phoenix Open is well-known for its high-energy crowds and large attendance. Last year, it saw a number of Canadian fans during Taylor’s win. People waved Canadian flags, and sang “O Canada,” the Canadian national anthem.

“it’s great this week,” Taylor said. “Canadian fans are vocal and it’s awesome seeing them out here. I think the West Coast is definitely the best, at least for me growing up on the West Coast, you get a lot of fans coming down.

“The Canadian Open for us is second to none, but the West Coast tournaments definitely get a good turnout.“

Canadians make up more than 95% of all international residents in the Greater Phoenix area, according to a study commissioned by the Government of Canada, and spend nearly $2.4 billion each year.

In 2023, Taylor won the RBC Canadian Open, making him the first Canadian champion since 1954. He is familiar with the golf passion in his country.

“I think I even look back to the Canadian Open, I feel like the Canadian crowd is definitely by my side,” Taylor said. “It was more so that energy pushing me toward making those putts.”

Glen Ward, a golf fan who is also from Winnipeg and drove down to watch the Open, said he watched Taylor win last year and said he believes this could be another “O Canada” moment.

“I think he’s got the disposition for it,” Ward said. “He’s a very calm guy, doesn’t get rattled.”

Ward said he enjoys watching any of the golfers but is “always pulling for the Canadian group.”

Elaine Marchese, who is from Toronto, said she is friends with PGA Tour pro Joel Dahmen through the Mesa Country Club. But her heart with with the Canadian players and “will always root for them.”

Taylor said crowds at TPC Scottsdale are always high energy and are fueled by his past success at the event.

The Scottsdale resident is familiar with the course.

“I do practice here a lot a bit, so I’ve been here since, you know, when I won last year,” Taylor said.

It’s almost time to see if practice makes another perfect ending to the Phoenix Open.

For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.