By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo: Sarah Stier | Getty Images
Nick Taylor becomes the 11th international player to win the Sony Open in Hawaii.
The Canadian golfer surprised everyone with his performance in Round Four on Sunday. He defeated the Colombian Nicolas Echavarria in the Sudden Death Playoffs.
Taylor emerged from a two-hole playoff over Echavarria. His heroics on the golf course were sensational after missing back-to-back 4-foot birdie putts on Nos. 15 and 16.
What it seemed like it was going to come down between J.J Spaun, Stephen Jager, Nick Cole, and Patrick Fishburn entering on Sunday, Taylor and Echavarria had other thoughts.
Taylor finished with a 65. He thrives in the playoffs, so let’s say that Taylor and the playoffs have a great marriage.
Taylor’s last three wins have all come down to playoffs. He defeated Tommy Fleetwood in the 2023 RBC Canadian Open with an eagle on the 4th hole.
He defeated Charley Hoffman in the 2024 WM Phoenix Open with a birdie on the 2nd hole.
“I think I enjoy being in those moments,” Taylor said. “I think, for whatever reason, my mind gets clear in that situation of the shot I’m just trying to hit, and it’s kind of like a match play situation. I feel like I’ve always enjoyed match play when I was growing up and had success in that as well.”
Taylor is 3-0 in the playoffs. Taylor now has five career wins on the PGA Tour.
He’s off to a terrific start to the year. Could this be a Cinderella season for Taylor? Well, one thing is sure: Taylor will ride with much momentum and confidence to The Masters this Spring.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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