Matthew Anderson's journey comes full circle, with his inner circle

Matthew Anderson’s run to the No. 3 spot in the PGA TOUR Americas season-long points race technically started in Mexico at the Bupa Championship, but it really began in Arizona.

From November to May, members of the Golf Canada National Team, including Anderson, spent time in Phoenix where the next wave of Canadian professionals trained for their upcoming seasons. Anderson and four of his teammates lived under the same roof, partaking in practices, workouts and daily activities together.

While Anderson was applauded by his teammates for his hard work and dedication, he wasn’t perfect, according to Golf Canada Team Canada member Brendan MacDougall.

“He was always late, so we started a late jar for him,” said MacDougall, who was 37th on the PGA TOUR Americas points list this season. “It was always the boys waiting in the car like, ‘Hey we’re ready to go,’ whether it was to the gym or to the course, it was, ‘Alright there’s AJ (Ewart), there’s me, where’s Matt?’”

Despite having to throw a few dollars in the late jar and being the second youngest of his team members in Phoenix, Anderson played like a seasoned pro in 2024. AJ Ewart finished 23rd on the PGA TOUR Americas points list and was Anderson's roommate in Phoenix, and he said Anderson set the tone for the house with his work ethic.

“He’s definitely the hardest-working guy out here,” Ewart said. “He really doesn’t ever take a break. It’s always pedal to the metal. He kind of sets the way for us and sets the bar, so it’s nice to see all his hard work pay off.”

While the accomplishment of earning his Korn Ferry Tour card was celebrated, MacDougall wasn’t surprised to see his teammate take the next step in his career.

“You see everything he does on and off the golf course that makes him who he is and that’s what makes him really, really good at his job,” MacDougall said. “We’re not really surprised to see the success he’s had. There’s nobody that’s earned it more than he has.”

Anderson is on a path that’s been paved by Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith, who also developed through Golf Canada and are now representing their country as members of the International Team at the Presidents Cup this week at The Royal Montreal Golf Club. With Golf Canada’s help, Canadian golf has momentum it hasn’t had before.

“It's really exciting to be a Canadian golfer right now,” Conners said Tuesday at the 2024 Presidents Cup. “Golf is so popular in Canada. The Canadians have been doing so well on the PGA TOUR. It seems like every time there's an event, there's a record number of Canadians in the field … I think we all just kind of push each other. Canadian golf is in a good place.”

If Conners, Hughes and Pendrith helped clear the path, Anderson was quick to find it. Anderson finished 2024 as the top Canadian in the PGA TOUR Americas points list after a season that included six top-10s and a win at the 69th ECP Brazil Open. With his finish in the season-long points list, Anderson earned exemptions into the Final Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry and the 2025 RBC Canadian Open. After his final round at TPC Toronto, just an hour away from where he grew up, Anderson reflected on how he developed throughout the season and how he relished the opportunity to finish the year close to home.

“It’s been a ride for sure, it’s been a journey,” Anderson said. “Learning how to win is a big part of pro golf. You know you can take that when you move up in the ranks, you know hopefully all the way to the PGA TOUR. It’s the building blocks of years like this on this tour where you’re successful and that’s the base. That’s where you learn, and you build off that every year.”

As Canadian National Team members, Anderson and his countrymen share a bond that’s deeper than golf. By representing Canada, Anderson and his peers weathered the ups and downs of professional life together. Once Anderson secured his Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2025, his fellow Canucks stuck around to celebrate, and the gesture didn’t go unnoticed.

“It’s awesome. Doing it is one thing, then seeing people who you’ve done it with who helped you along the way is something totally different,” Anderson said. “Like AJ (Ewart) and Brendan (MacDougall) being there, AJ missing the cut, sticking around and coming back, it just means a lot. When you have success, for them to support me, and I would support them to whenever they have success which I know is coming soon.”

The three Canadians on the International Team this week aren't that dissimilar to Anderson and the Canadians who trained together in Phoenix, competed together on PGA TOUR Americas, and celebrated together at TPC Toronto.

As Conners said: There's been no better time to be a Canadian golfer, and the bond that Anderson and his teammates share is proof of that.