OverDrive - Taylor on the course conditions for the opening round, adjusting to a new course, and the energy of an all Canadian grouping

Episode Date: June 5, 2025

PGA Tour Golfer Nick Taylor joined OverDrive to discuss his experience at TPC Toronto, the outline of the course and the performance around the greens, the play of his shot in the first round, playing in a group with Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith, the outlook of the tournament on the course and more.

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a security guard basically put Dougie in a camel clutch and said these guys have to leave right now and we left. We did. But we're back. It was like a monsoon. It was actually crazy the weather that poured through here the amount of rain the wind And oh was standing out there saying I'm not going. Oh, yeah, I'm not leaving fight his way out of here I'm staying on the air. I had to drag this guy to his car and said Unfortunately, see how happy The term happy is appropriate Stretch but I I stepped outside the door and you were already on the 407.

Dude, I swear to God, before that guy said you have to get out of here, I might have been one kilometer north of Brampton. You were. Like you had the handout already. He was so happy that like, okay, show's done. Come on. We put a lot into this and I was broken hearted that we had to get out of here. I think you handed him a hundred on the way out too. He just stuck it right in his chest pocket.

I should have told him you see one gray cloud or you get us the hell out of here. You swing by here this time tomorrow. There's another brown belt waiting for you. Anyway it's good to be back and everyone's accounted for. And day one of the RBC Canadian Open, we got the logo coming up in a moment, Nick Taylor, the logo himself. And he shot the lights out this morning. Close. He was close to shooting the lights out. Let's not get carried away with that. There was a bunch of 65s today. Right. Not a 64. We did not see a 64, but there's the odds courtesy of the RBC Canadian Open and FanDuel. Shane Lowry is still on the course. He's plus 450.

He's lightening up. Bob McIntyre is back and playing well. Taylor Penderuth was five under. My boy Pro-M yesterday. I know you're trying to claim him, but I play in the Pro-M with someone and basically they compete for this tournament any holes in ones Yeah, nothing yet here at 14 and it is a front pin. You can juice it back I thought there would have been at least a deuce today There were a couple of darts thrown at it and yet it's so close to the front of the green They're not putting spin on it because they're worried. It's gonna blow it off the green So, you know you base you almost have to dunk it but it's close and there's a lot of energy

out here like because it is a shorter hole as we've been talking about. Every shot the crowd is kind of holding their breath right and thinking it's possible that that could go in. So it's going to happen maybe while we're on the air. By the way if Pendrith wins you want to talk about an asterisk? I will float out that text you sent me because I picked him for one of my guys and you said, no, I played with him, we're friends, I get to pick Pendrith like a grade 8 student. You guys were fighting on the text, I was viewing it.

Okay, so yesterday, because Oh called in security for us to leave at 520 we had a lot of things that we wanted to get to including Jerry's which I think are still relevant and we'll get them a lot of them about the cup final what we saw last night but also the overdrive PJ picks brought to you by tailor-made when you need more performance distance and speed from your golf ball it's time to switch learn more about the all-new TP 5 TP 5 exit tailor-made golf dot CA we had to go with the group chat and instead of snaking this guy just sends a five pack with pender at the top but I'm always respectful I you see that how I just laid like I gave

you some gifts I took Rory because he's my guy just like you always get Scotty yeah and I said I'm just gonna take a couple Canadians I'm gonna be very respectful as I always am towards you and left you a bunch of options And that's exactly what I and I took advantage of them one of them being my guy Taylor Pendreth another guy Nick Taylor my boy I took him right. I also took Sammy Burns who's out there shooting the lights out I got Shane Lowry So, you know every time we come to the RBC Canadian Open if I've played the Pro-Am with somebody he's on my team That's the way it works.

And it's fair, and usually they play pretty well. It wasn't your boy Tommy Fleetwood. Tommy Fleetwood was in the hunt. There's been a lot of guys, and Nick Taylor's my first guy when it comes to the Pro-Am. Yeah, exactly. He's your guy. And I happened to play with Taylor Penderth yesterday, and he shot 500. So here he is, the logo himself.

He was on fire out here at TBC Toronto. Here's our main man Nick Taylor. How you doing Nick? I'm doing great guys. How we doing? We're doing well. Are you comfortable with that name? The logo. Have you come around on that or what? I've heard it. I don't know if Comfort is the right one, but it's uh, you know, if it sticks I guess I can't say anything about it in a bad way. It's pretty cool. It's pretty cool to see that silhouette all around the course. It's thick. I guess I can't I can't say about it in a bad way, but it's pretty cool It's pretty cool to see that silhouette all around the course. It's been fun It should be man I mean you hit a 72 footer to win the Canadian Open the least they can do is have that picture

Humming around this place go ahead. Oh Nick. How was it out there today? Just talk about the course the conditions and basically your thoughts on it how to go You know the the challenge today, it was a bit of rain on and off, but the greens were quite receptive and soft. And when you had wedges in, they're backing up 15, 20 feet. And so some of the back pins, it made it quite tricky

because you don't really want to try to flirt with, you know, landing it in the back friend and spinning it back. So either you're taking a little something off, you know, an extra club, you know, or trying to control the spin somehow. So that was probably the the most difficult part of the approach game. And then, you know, with a bit of the rain, the rough was thick. If you got into that. So overall, you know, obviously the scores are pretty good.

It looks like since the rain went away, there's some more ones this afternoon. But there's probably four or five you know pretty good par fours that You're happy to walk away with par and then there's you know other holes you're trying to attack So there's a good mix but definitely the very other with Nick Taylor He was for under on his opening round today RBC Canadian Open. We're out here at TPC, Toronto And this is a new course for the open. it's a new course for the PGA Tour. How much of a change is that for pro players?

Where a lot of times you guys are going to courses that you're familiar with. How does it adjust or possibly force you to adjust your preparation and maybe the way you kind of ease into a tournament when you're playing a new course? Yeah, that's a good question. There's definitely a little more prep work when you come to a new spot. I hadn't stepped on the ground until Monday, so I went out Monday morning, got to see the front nine, and did as much homework as I could. Wednesday was the second nine that I saw. And Dave Mikeaddy know takes a lot of that responsibility of studying the course he'd been out here actually a couple times before this week, but

You know, I was trying to get a feel the greens What are the best places to miss the greens for coming in there? You know best places to putt from and then the biggest thing coming to new golf course is usually just sight lines off the tee What's the best aiming point? You know it changed a bit today because the ball wasn't running as much in the fairways compared to the practice days, but as the hopefully the rain stays away the next few days, but as that comes it's going to be you know more important to have a good kind of center line on some of those blind tee shots to make sure you don't kind of run through into the rough. That's kind of what you're trying to learn when you come to a new spot. Are you embracing the Canadian fans, all of that type of stuff? You feel a little extra juice from them?

Yeah, it was great. I felt like as the day went on when the rain kind of subsided, more people were showing up. It probably helped that Roy was behind us too, so they could watch a couple of back-to-back groups, but I felt like by that back nine, we had a good following, and that's when we kinda all started making the birdies and feeding off each other. So the vibe was a lot of fun today. And I'm hoping tomorrow, obviously, with a little better weather in the afternoon,

could be buzzing with us making a few birdies. It'll be fun. With Nick Taylor, again, he was 400 today, and you were out there with Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Penderth, and Penderth was 500. And you mentioned that, like, kinda of the rallying it's obviously an individual sport but you're all close. We had Mac on FaceTime you were driving them around wherever you guys were a couple of

days ago you're with each other all the time. Pender is a great guy and we were meeting with him and talking with him yesterday. Does it feel different when you're with all the Canadians when you're in a group of three and it's Canadians and you're you know each other and you know that the crowd is supporting you even though you're out there golfing your own ball you're you're putting down your own score. Is there something about the energy that feels different when you're playing with two other Canadians? Yeah, I think it's just a little more relaxed. It's a lot of fun. You know, we play practice around together constantly. So the comfort level couldn a lot of fun. You know, we play practice rounds together constantly, so the comfort level couldn't

be any higher. You know, all three players, all three caddies are Canadian, so we just have that vibe and you know, we've known each other for a long time, so it's just, it's comfortable. It doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to play well, but I think it certainly helps. And then today when we kind of got on the run, all of us were kind of feeding off each other. So it was it was fun. But again, we do it so often, it was just very comfortable. So, Nick, what's the approach after round one?

I mean, you guys were all solid today. Are you just like you're not thinking of a number tomorrow? You just like full pedal on the gas and let's just see what happens and get as low as we can and we're gonna be in a good spot on the weekend like when you have a solid round what's the approach to the next one yeah it's like you said keep the pedal down I think like I said I think the score looked like they're gonna be pretty low this afternoon with with a warm up a little bit and no rain so you know, you gotta assume that tomorrow morning if If that continues, you know, we're gonna have to put a good round together to stay

They near in the lead. So yeah, I think pedal down keep keep chasing those birdies, you know, what's obviously the right strategy, but You know if you try to sit back on your heels after a good start usually not very good things happen so keep chasing and you know get ready for Saturday. Does it help to go early late from that standpoint that you guys will be going out in the afternoon tomorrow and you'll have an idea of what that number might be and kind of where you stand going into the weekend? Does that affect your mentality at all when you tee off? A little bit, I think. I think, again, my guess is the leader after tomorrow morning

is probably going to be at least 10 under. So you kind of always have a number in your mind just after maybe playing one round. We'll get a good idea, but once you see it, you kind of put it in the back and forget about it and just try to play golf. There's no need trying to go through the holes trying to figure out we're gonna make your birdies just let things happen this is of course definitely that there's birdies out there but you got to be

patient with some of the longer holes so it'll be good to know what's going on but also forget about and just just go play golf he is Nick Taylor 400 today opening round he's out there with Taylor Pender with Mac Hughes tomorrow in the afternoon he is the logo and we love having you on as always man especially considering the tournament started and we know you're busy so thanks for doing this and good luck tomorrow and into the weekend. Thanks guys enjoyed it. There he is Nick Taylor again 400 Pender under. You got Shane Lowry out there.

He's still five under. He's on the course. Olson, Willett, Champ, they're six under. They're still out. So we'll track that throughout the afternoon. Bob Weeks coming up a little bit later on. Haven't seen any Euler jerseys yet today, but what a game, man. What a game to start the Stanley Cup playoffs last night.

That was something else. And you know know both teams kind of had their their game going like Florida was aggressive, Edmonton. No rust at all. No like they were they were they were moving and aggressive the hits I think 51 to 51 so kind of give and take but Dry Settle, you know brings the building right off the bat right to right to life a minute in. Yep. I don't know like I Would have goal like the goalie challenge. I would have challenged it guys. I'm sorry That was so bonkers to how they let that goal count. You're talking Sam Bennett accidentally falling

Well, I mean the the game had so many storylines within it I'm you know, Florida's up 3-1. The other one was the crazy part. Florida's never lost a game after leading with two in the Maurice era. 31 games in a row. Yeah, I think 30 in a row. They're up after the second period. When they have a lead through two periods, they were literally undefeated. And yet, you look at the way the Orthers played, I thought by the third period, it was all Edmonton all the time.

And I agree that they both had their game early and Florida was on the four check and they were aggressive and they got on the board and they counted even though Dry Settle scored so early in the game. Through 40, I'm like, okay, the champs are here and they're gonna make a statement and they're ready. And then I thought Edmonton in the third

and certainly into overtime. They had four I thought Edmonton in the third and certainly into overtime They had they had four or five chances to honor an overtime on that They like happen in Bouchard breakaway. That was a brilliant you guys want to get on board with my prediction remember I told you guys I think the oil might spank them are you getting on board with it? I'm not I'm not because I think you're thinking about I'm coming around to it I was i was i i don't know i saw some late night game and i saw that ninety seven in twenty nine in particular to say we're not about ninety sevens look on his

face after the game high-fiving guys yelling and screaming at people like he is so intense he sets up back home at the past sets up who she sets up dry subtle and it was almost like it was it was destiny for those two. I told you man it's like Zach Hyman out of the lineup it's like Corey Perry go on the power play and overtime make that great little behind the back play. It was a great play. That's an unbelievable play. But you know what like regardless of what do you think of the ref the refs got out of the way for the most part you had to make the call. It Puck over glass. Puck over glass. Yeah.

Like you have to make that call. It's a black and white call. And, and, you know, I thought in that overtime, Ementon got stronger and stronger. Like Florida looked tired and they were hanging on. Like that's really what it was. Brabovsky, I thought, was unbelievable. I thought he was really good. The high danger chances were 24 to 15. Now Skinner, Skinner played well too. He made some really good saves. The the the second goal for Bennett

I didn't love I know it's a partial breakway I thought Skinner was a bit deep but outside of that you're literally I'm nitpicking now But I thought they had good goaltending there was intensity there was hits there was a little bit of everything and You know to be it just what an entertaining game I can't ask for anything but I had friends in the building and they were texting me saying like this The you know, the roof was going to come off like they said it was so loud Well, and it was so close to a second overtime as well Which that that I think is so beneficial if you're a fan because yes, you're excited and it's amazing

But you're also like do we need to go back into an intermission here? And you know if you're on the power play once it gets there It's like it's done You know what I mean? Like if you if you're on the power play, once it gets there, it's like it's done. You know what I mean? Like if you miss out on that opportunity, you start the second overtime. But I just felt like that,

we said it yesterday before we got rained out here, I felt like that was a borderline must win for the Oilers last night. Because of the history in this Stanley Cup final, because of what happened last year. And you look at it, like Bennett scores twice, Marchand scores, it's like these are the guys who are showing up for Florida, it's 3-1, Because of what happened last year and you look at it like Bennett scores twice more Shan scores It's like these are the guys who are showing up for Florida. It's 3-1 Bob's making stops and I was

Night after the Panthers responded right away and took the lead. I was like Maybe these guys are just the orders kryptonite So I totally agree with you for them to come back and get that W last night It was massive fighting is huge think it's huge, man. And I agree 100% that, not that it was a must-win, but it was almost a, you needed to win if you were the Oilers. It's figurative, but it's very significant. But Florida, not so much. Like I think Florida, regardless, if they lose two, I still think that they go, okay, like they did it against Toronto, like they, they, they find ways, like they adapt as they go along, they're a confident group, they've won.

But they also might say, geez, this team is different this year. They might have an abuser after the game. That's what sticks out. I mean, listen, the Cup champs deserve the benefit of the doubt. It's one game. It is one game. They are winners. They have proven that they're winners, and they're going to show up and they're they're going to get after it but

Edmonton is a you know I think they're they feel like they're a better team they're better at home another thing healthy dry saddle health I thought Kane was unreal I had I thought he was a hit on that blad early on he's buried in the place went nuts and he got in there on Mikala like Mikala is trying to play tough until Kane got in his face and then all of a sudden no, thank you, and you notice all of them like There's something he's he's got a moxie to him where none of them scare him They're scared of him

Like there's something about came where he's standing in there and they'll get after him in their push But it's just like Ekblad was trying to yell at him It's like don't even start like you like I know you're gonna stand up for yourself And you got it don't pretend like you're taking him on because Kano if you do want to take him on he'll be happy To do that and he's gonna win it. Here's the one thing Florida was trying to take a piece of dry side Oh as they should and they have to buddy fought through it and the one where Mikala was getting into it Kane comes in pops him in the face. That was it like but it is like Florida's mantra is and you heard Paul Maurice

remember you know that mic'd up moment where he's like get out making plays by the time game seven comes around they won't have anything left they are you know that's how they play take a little piece of something every shift every and by the time game seven comes or came around you know Edmonton didn't have much that you know the Leafs didn't have much like you know they try to take a piece you but Edmonton showed something last night resolve like that's they're down 3-1 and it didn't look good because Florida was really pouring on in the second period yeah they were man like Edmonton looks disjointed they look a little bit Skinner made some big stops at 3-1 and 3-2 yeah like big big saves yeah and I was

impressed with his his postgame where you know, I remember early in the playoffs he was smiling when he was getting booed and cheered and he had given up a bunch. And I'm like, what's that? You know, I don't know if I love that. And afterwards, you know, he's there smiling and he spoke about experience. And he actually gave that example where guys, they say it in the summer, they say it after their careers. He said it right after the game where he felt like okay I've been here and I know it I'm in the moment. He skated out in the ice last year saw the Stanley Cup there he had

googly eyes and it was like oh my god what the hell we're playing for that and this year it was like I've seen it I think he needed to say that to hear it back to himself and I think a lot of his teammates might have enjoyed hearing that from him as well I think that's of his teammates might have enjoyed hearing that from him As well. I think that's a big part of it too. Is that okay they get to three Florida gets to to pop icons, and hits from 2SLGBTQ Plus Canadian artists. It's your soundtrack for Pride and beyond. Just ask your smart speaker to play iHeart Pride Canada. Stream us on your phone or listen now at iHeartRadio.ca.

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