Nick Taylor

Two years ago Nick Taylor became the first home winner of the Canadian Open since 1954 – and the first actually to be born in the country since 1914.

What a dramatic victory it was too, a 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth extra hole ending the hopes of Tommy Fleetwood. The title earned Taylor his Open debut off the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup points standings at the end of June.

It was his third title on the circuit and two more have followed, most recently January’s Sony Open in Hawaii .

He was No.1 on the world amateur rankings for 20 weeks in 2009 and the same season not only qualified for the US Open for a second straight time, but finished as low amateur in joint 36th place and produced a second round 65 that was the lowest round by an amateur in major history.

The winner of the Canadian Amateur as well – that was in 2007 – he turned professional in 2010, but had to wait a further five years for his next major appearance.

He qualified for Royal Portrush as a member of the world’s top 50 at the end of May.