ROCKY VIEW COUNTY, ALBERTA – Manhattan Men's Golf incoming junior Aidan Talent competed in the 121st Canadian Men's Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, from Monday, July 27 through Thursday, July 30, at Mickelson National Golf Club.
"Being able to compete against some of the best amateurs in the world on home soil is an incredible privilege," described Talent.
Through four rounds and making the cut in the Amateur Championship, Talent finished the tournament three under par, with a personal best round of 67 on the Par 72 to open the Championship.
Opening the tournament on a positive note was the Brooklin, Ontario native, who netted a pair of birdies after sinking par on the first hole. Throughout the front nine on the first day of competition, Talent finished the front side with three consecutive birdies, and performed superbly where the Canadian was one stroke shy of the top of the leaderboard.
On the back side, Talent proved to be human with his first bogey, but bounced back quickly with two additional birdies, alongside four pars, and concluded the round five strokes under.
"It means the world to prove that I can hang with the best. I played some great golf over those four days, keeping myself in contention for a long time, which is a great sign as the school season is right around the corner."
The second round proved to be a bit harder for Talent, but he held his own with a pair of birdies on the front side before sinking par on more than 75% of the holes, which included a trio of par fives.
"It's amazing to see the transition in Aidan's game," commented Head Coach Keith Prokop.
After making the cut and advancing to the final two days of competition, Talent used the momentum to propel himself back to the top of the leaderboard with a whopping round score of 69 to finish the third day, just three strokes under.
Throughout the third round, Talent posted an additional three birdies on the front nine, including two birdies on the backside with a marquee putt to close out the day.
"His mindset and course management have improved exponentially in one year. The sky is truly the limit for him."
On the final day of competition, Talent continued to prove why he successfully participated during the last two days of play, with a pair of birdies through the first four holes.
As the day went on, the Ontario native continued to shine with five additional pars in the next seven holes, with a 16th hole birdie to close out the tournament one over and conclude just outside the top 30.
"I can't wait to get back to competing as a team and hopefully being able to be a part of some victories this fall!"
Talent was tied with UCF's Lucas Dutartre, incoming freshman at the University of Virginia Jager Pain, Arizona Christian's (NAIA) Connor Scissons, and Nicholls State's Jack Moro.
"I would venture to say he is happy with where his game is at but truly knows he can win an event of this magnitude."
"So proud to watch him grow at such a rapid pace. It takes true vulnerability and reflection to be able to make such large strides so quickly," concluded Prokop.
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