Adam Hadwin one shot back, set to chase history at RBC Canadian Open

HAMILTON, Ontario - Adam Hadwin was booed Friday on the 13th hole at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

He received the loudest cheer of the day on Saturday, however.

Related: Leaderboard | McIlroy tied for lead with bogey-free 64

The native of British Columbia pulled out a Vancouver Canucks jersey on Friday - much to the distain of the Toronto Maple Leaf supporting crowd - but chipped in for birdie Saturday to a rousing ovation.

His 3-under 67 moved him to 12-under for the tournament, and he is just one shot back going into Sunday at the RBC Canadian Open.

He’s tied for second with Shane Lowry and 2013 winner Brandt Snedeker.

Still, Sunday he’s chasing a FedExCup champion in Rory McIlroy, a two-time TOUR winner already this season in Matt Kuchar, plus Webb Simpson, a past PLAYERS Champion.

He's also chasing history.

A Canadian hasn’t won the Canadian Open in 65 years. The magnitude of the potential for a big Sunday is not lost on Hadwin, who won the Valspar Championship in 2017.

“It's a big time leaderboard for a big time championship, and I know Golf Canada, RBC, couldn't be happier with that outcome,” he said. “There’s a bunch of Canadians playing well, so I'm excited about tomorrow. I've got an opportunity to win a golf tournament first and foremost, and see what happens tomorrow.”

Hadwin was last in this position in 2011, when the Canadian Open was played at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver - about 45 miles from where he grew up. He played in the final group that year and finished T-4.

But eight years ago, he had yet to crack the Web.com Tour. Now he’s a PGA TOUR winner.

Hadwin admitted at the PGA Championship his putting prowess – once the best part of his game – had been in decline the last 18 months ago or so, so he said this week it’s been nice to see things come together. He was 10th in the field in Strokes Gained: Tee To Green on Saturday and 15th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

“It's been great. I've done a lot of really good things. Today my short game held me in there nicely,” he said. “Still feel like I'm missing a couple putts out there… but just proud of the way I battled today.”

Hadwin’s coach Ralph Bauer said Hadwin really likes the golf course and is thrilled with the support he’s got so far.

“His game is in great shape and he is looking forward to tomorrow,” Bauer said by text message. “This course really makes you think and he has a good game plan for each hole.”

A Canadian, including Hadwin, was featured in four of the final five groups on Saturday. He described the setting as “awesome” and thought the experience – with the crowd firmly behind everyone – was “pretty incredible” to be a part of.

Golf Canada confirmed that there had not been four Canadians playing in consecutive pairings on the weekend at the Canadian in the last 40-plus years, when the pairing sheets were first tracked.

“I think it goes to show how much progress we're making as a country in the game and as players individually,” he said. “It's exciting. It's exciting to be a part of it. Certainly the crowd is helping us along the way for sure.”

Fellow Canadians Mackenzie Hughes (-9) and Nick Taylor (-8) are also in the top-10.

Ben Silverman is T-17 while Roger Sloan (T-38) and Richard Jung (T-63) round out the Canadian contingent that made the cut.