Chris Wilson's Summer Tour Recap: A Season of Growth and Success
This summer has been an exciting and challenging journey for Chris Wilson, a touring golf professional representing The Thornhill Club. Competing across various tournaments, Chris showed resilience and progress, culminating in a thrilling victory at the Toronto Open.
Here’s a recap of his tournament play:
March-May: PGA Tour Americas – Latin American Swing
Chris spent the early part of his summer playing on the PGA Tour Americas, competing in five tournaments across Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. A highlight was his performance in Brazil, where he finished T34 at the Rio Olympic Golf Course, posting rounds of 66-67-74 for a total score of -6. The event was shortened to 54 holes due to weather. Despite his efforts, Chris did not secure enough points to continue to the Canadian swing, leading him to refocus on his game in local events.
June Tournaments
- June 2-3: Toronto Players Tour, Cobble Beach– 2nd place, Even par (75-69)
Chris secured a runner-up finish, fighting through tough conditions to card an even-par performance over two rounds. - June 19: East Coast Pro Tour, Black Bear Ridge– 2nd place, -1 (71)
Chris lost in a playoff but managed a strong second-place finish with a score of 71 in this one-round event.
July-August Tournaments
- July 11-12: Toronto Players Tour, Brooklea Country Club– T5, -4 (67-73)
Chris continued his solid play with a top-5 finish, showcasing his ability to go low with a first-round 67. - August 5-6: East Coast Pro Tour Players Championship, Club du Golf Blainvillier– T6, -3 (74-67)
A strong recovery in the second round helped Chris earn a top-10 finish at this two-day championship. - August 15-18: Canada Cup Presented by Fenergic, Club du Golf Victoriaville– 18th place, -10 (67-67-75-69)
Chris had an impressive performance in a highly competitive field of 125 players, finishing 18th with a solid score of -10 overall. - August 28-29: East Coast Pro Tour Toronto Open, Bond Head– 1st place, -7 (69-68)
Chris’s standout moment of the summer came at the Toronto Open, where he claimed victory after a dramatic playoff.
Toronto Open Victory Breakdown
Chris entered the second round of the Toronto Open just one shot behind the leader. Despite a shaky start, where he made a double bogey on the first hole, he quickly recovered by sticking to his game plan—playing safe off the tee and making aggressive but calculated approach shots. Over the next 17 holes, Chris gave himself birdie chances on all but one, eventually finishing with a bogey-free -6 after his rough start.
In the final standings, Chris finished with a two-round total of 137 (-7) after posting rounds of 69 and 68. This performance earned him $6,000 and 250 points in the East Coast Pro Tour standings. Entering a three-man playoff, Chris showcased his short-game mastery. With 78 yards to the hole on the playoff hole, he hit a near-perfect wedge shot to within two feet of the pin. He confidently sank the short putt to secure his first win of the season—a much-needed boost after a year of ups and downs.
Final Results Summary:
- Position: 1st
- Total Score: 137 (-7)
- Round 1: 69
- Round 2: 68
- Purse: $6,000
- Points: 250
- Victory: Won on the first playoff hole
Looking Ahead
Chris is now in Florida preparing for the first stage of PGA Tour Q-School at Ocala Country Club, which takes place from October 8-11. Competing against roughly 100 other professionals, Chris will be aiming to finish in the top 20 to advance to the next stage of Q-School. We wish him the best of luck as he continues his journey.
By: Don Schram, The Thornhill Club