Noah Gillard sets course-record 61 at Commissionaires Ottawa Open for first-round lead

OTTAWA, Ontario – Noah Gillard holds the first-round lead of the Commissionaires Ottawa Open after setting a new course record at Eagle Creek Golf Club with an 11-under 61.

Gillard turned in a blemish-free scorecard and made nine birdies and an eagle, including three consecutive birdies on his final three holes to break the course record previously held by Jimmy Hervol (2024) and Jimmy Jones (2023). Gillard’s final birdie of the day was also the one he least expected.

“I was under a tree, and that was the first time I was in trouble all day,” Gillard said. “I had enough of a gap to hit it below the tree and I was just trying to hit enough to carry the front number and run it up which I did. When I was over the putt I couldn’t really see much … I was honestly just trying to two-putt. … I hit it and thought, 'There’s no way that’s going in’ and it hit the cup, I couldn’t be more lucky.."

Gillard earned exempt status for the North America Swing after finishing T3 at PGA TOUR Americas Q-School in San Jacinto, California, at Soboba Spring Golf Course. With two top-15 finishes and a course record, Gillard has relished the opportunity to compete.

“Being up here … I’m up in Canada, I’m living my dream,” Gillard said. “I could miss every cut here on out or I could make every cut, I couldn’t be more blessed to be here living out my dream no matter what happens.”

Gillard started his collegiate career at the University of Illinois where he competed from 2018-20. After a redshirt season in 2020-21, Gillard transferred to Indiana University where he finished his collegiate career. While in college, Gillard won the Indiana State Amateur in 2020 and 2021, becoming the first back-to-back champion since Jeff Overton in 2004-05.

Gillard made his PGA TOUR Americas debut at The Beachlands Victoria Open presented by Times Colonist where he finished T12. Gillard will begin his second round at 9:20 a.m. on Friday on the No. 1 tee.

Second-round tee times will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will run until 2:40 p.m. off the No. 1 and 10 tees.

About Noah Gillard (First/-11)

 

• Age: 25
• Birthplace: Greenwood, Indiana
• Residence: Greenwood, Indiana
• College: Indiana University
• Fortinet Cup (start of week): 76th
• Set the course record at Eagle Creek Golf Club with an 11-under 61 in the first round of the 2024 Commissionaires Ottawa Open
• Made his professional debut at the 2024 Beachlands Victoria Open presented by Times Colonist, where he finished T12
• Won the Indiana State Amateur in 2020 and 2021; became the first player since Jeff Overton in 2004-05 to claim back-to-back titles

Competition Notes

 

• Course Setup: Par 72 / 7,032 yards; R1 average: 69.94
• Weather: Cloudy with a high of 69. Wind from the northwest at 4-13 mph with gusts up to 27 mph.  Noah Gillard holds the first-round lead at 11-under. Gillard earned exempt status for the North America swing after finishing T3 at PGA TOUR Americas Q-School in San Jacinto, California
• Five countries are represented in the top five and ties: United States (2), South Africa (1), Canada (1), Mexico (1) and Chinese Taipei (1)
• Mexico’s Rodolfo Cazaubon (T5/-7) is the low Latin after the first round
• Joey Savoie is the low Canadian after the first round (T5/-7)
• Noah Gillard hit 100% (18/18) of Greens In Regulation, which leads the field through the first round
• Jimmy Hervol leads the field in birdies made with 10
• Hole No. 13 – the 426-yard par 4 – was the most challenging hole at Eagle Creek Golf Club; averaging a +.190