Cover Story – Nelson Defending Champ Taylor Pendrith

AVIDGOLFER: There is a saying on the PGA TOUR of “horses for courses,” meaning some players always play well on the same course. Did you always have success at TPC Craig Ranch?

Taylor Pendrith: I had never played there for a Byron Nelson tournament, but I played for two Korn Ferry Q-schools and missed the cut both times. Never came close. I always thought I liked the course, but never played well there until last year.

AG: Last year’s final round at the Nelson was pretty wild. You were ahead, then behind, then ahead again to get the win. How did you handle the range of emotions?

TP: Well, I birdied the first hole at Craig Ranch (Sunday), and I felt I was in control most of the day. But then Ben (Knowles) made some birdies and took the lead, so I felt I needed an eagle on 18 to have a chance.

AG: What happened on 18? That was pretty crazy, as well.

TP: You’re right. I missed my putt for eagle, but then Ben had some trouble in the bunker and I had a four-foot putt for birdie. I stood there trying to figure it out. Was this putt to win, was it to set up a playoff, I wasn’t sure. I made it and it all happened pretty quick. I looked up and my family was running on the green to celebrate a win with me. It was all so fast.

AG: After all the years of professional golf, what did it finally feel like to be a PGA TOUR champion?

TP: It was an incredible feeling. Mike Weir is a huge hero to me, to all Canadian golfers, and to have him here during the week for an International Team dinner in advance of the President’s Cup was very inspirational.

AG: PGA TOUR players are always on to the next tournament, but how did you celebrate your first win?

TP: We hung out with the Salesmanship Club and tournament volunteers for a few hours, which was pretty cool. Then we discovered we hadn’t fed the kids dinner. So we went back to the house and ordered a DoorDash dinner for them. After we got them down, my wife and I had a nice bottle of wine, also on DoorDash. Pretty cool, huh, to toast each other.

AG: The Salesmanship Club has the iconic red pants during the tournament. The Canadians have plenty of red with the maple leaf.. Could there be some combo for your title defense?

TP: That’s not a bad idea; I could go for that. It’s a lot of red.

AG: When you’re not playing or practicing golf, I know you’re spending lots of time watching the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team.  How would you rate a Maple Leafs Stanley Cup win, winning a Masters title and a Byron Nelson win?

TP: Yeah, I think we have a pretty good chance this year. I’d say Leafs Stanley Cup, Masters win. That would be a great combo, with the Byron Nelson win just below. I can’t imagine anything better.

AG: Speaking of Augusta, you qualified to play in your first Masters with your win at TPC-Craig Ranch. What was that like?

TP: It was a dream come true. I had attended a few times as a spectator, but to play it was incredible. I skipped the Texas Open to get in some practice rounds there and then got to play some more practice rounds before the tournament started. A magical experience.

AG: There are still a lot of players in this year’s field still looking for their first win. Any advice for them?

TP: Well, I’m looking forward to defending my title. We’re staying in the same place, so hopefully that will bring  back good memories. But you have to be ready because it can happen fast … really, really fast.