HAMILTON — When Ben Silverman was announced in the 13th tee box at the RBC Canadian Open, the fans at the Rink Hole knew exactly what to do: stand up and sing “O Canada” in its entirety.
The ovation was the highlight of Silverman’s day, as the golfer from Thornhill, Ont., one of eight remaining Canadians in the men’s national championship, shot an even-par 70 on Saturday to finish tied for 49th at 1 under overall.
“I didn’t expect that,” Silverman said of the patriotic serenade. “It kind of got me excited. It’s just a fun environment. It’s cool to be around.”
Silverman had five birdies in Saturday’s third round at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, but also had three bogeys and a double bogey on the par-4 No. 3 hole, ending his day no better or worse than the day before. However, he liked how he played the first three rounds of the Canadian Open.
“No major adjustments,” Silverman said of how he will prepare for Sunday’s final round. “Just keep doing what I’m doing and hope all the balls stay in the fairway and then I have a better chance to score.”
Silverman sits 112th in the FedEx Cup standings this season with 229 points, after dropping 10 points in 16 events with four top 25 finishes. The Canadian Open marks his third consecutive victory and given his position in the rankings, he is expected to maintain his position on the PGA Tour rankings.
“Making cuts just validates the fact that I’m playing well, which I know I am,” Silverman said after coming off the court. But honestly, the way the FedEx Cup points work, unless you finish in the top twenty in full field events like this, you’re not going to accumulate enough points to make the playoffs.
“So it’s bittersweet at the same time because T-40 doesn’t really mean much. You have to climb into the top 20 and top 10 and compete for wins.”
Taylor Pendrith (66) of Richmond Hill, Ont., fired a 4-under 66 Saturday afternoon, moving him 15 spots higher in the leaderboard and into a tie for 15th. He did it all with a new caddy, as Mitch Theoret, who usually carries his bag for him, was at a wedding party on Saturday.
Instead, “Dynamite” Dean Emerson, who usually caddies for Patton Kizzire, stepped up.
“Dynamite Dean! He was great,” Pendrith said. “We had a good time there. We kept it pretty light.
“He kept me hydrated, made sure I ate my bars and gave me good grades, so yeah, he was great.”
Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Strome was also in contention to carry Pendrith’s clubs for him.
“We joked about it,” Pendrith laughed. ‘I didn’t know how serious he was because he was going to be at the same wedding as Mitch.
“He said he’d do it if I needed him, but he realizes it’s my job and I’ll probably have to get a professional caddy, so it’s all good.”
Mackenzie Hughes (67) of nearby Dundas, Ont., was the lowly Canadian after three rounds and tied for second at 10 under, four shots behind leader Robert MacIntyre of Scotland.
Corey Conners (67) of Listowel, Ont., tied for 11th at 7 under and Wil Bareman of Edmonton (72) fell 23 places to a tie for 36th at 2 under.
Adam Svensson (69) of Surrey, BC, was tied with Silverman at 1 under.
Myles Creighton (71) of Digby, N.S., tied for 58th at even-par 70 and David Hearn (72) of Brantford, Ontario, tied for 64th at 2 over.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2024.
John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
