AT&T Byron Nelson Championship Is a Special Tournament for Canadian Golf

The AT&T Byron Nelson Championship may take place in Texas this week, but it’s been an important tournament for Canadians.

And this year is no different.

It’s fitting that this tournament has been kind to Canadians. Byron Nelson has a great history in Canada, winning the 1945 Canadian Open at Thornhill Golf Club.

His victory at the Canadian Open was his last of 11 straight victories during the 1945 season. That stretch of golf is arguably the greatest in the game’s history.

Over the past two seasons, the AT&T Byron Nelson Championship has showed the golfing world that Canada isn't just a hockey country.

During last year’s edition of the tournament, Mike Weir came alive, finishing second after shooting 68-66-67-67. Fellow Canadian Graham DeLaet finished just two shots back of Weir, tying for seventh.

Both players’ strong showings started the beginning of an incredible stretch of Canadian golf.

A few months later, Nick Taylor became the first Canadian in five years to win on the PGA Tour when he won the 2014 Sanderson Farms Championship. During a similar time frame, Adam Hadwin captured the Web.com Tour overall money lead and guaranteed his 2014-15 PGA Tour card.

It’s no secret that Weir’s Masters’ victory 12 years ago helped spark the growth of Canadian golf. As the pioneer of today’s generation, his impressive showing last season helped remind everybody what he’s capable of.

Weir shared his thoughts on today’s young talent with CBC Sports' Colette Kennedy.

“I’m these guys biggest fan," he said. "I want them to do well—I want them to win. Great for Canadian golf we have so many players out here. It’s a lot of fun for me to keep an eye on them.”

Although he almost won last season, making the cut this time around would be a success story for the Sarnia, Ontario, native.

DeLaet, on the other hand, will be searching for his first career victory. Tying for 10th in 2012 and seventh last season, he is one of the best players in the world without a PGA Tour win. 

While he may be the best Canadian on Tour, ranking No. 82 in the Official World Golf Ranking, it’s another Canuck who may be getting his first PGA Tour victory this week.

All eyes should be on Hadwin after he tied for fifth at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial last week. Carding four rounds in the 60s, he looked primed for victory, falling just two shots back of the winner, Chris Kirk.

The fourth of five Canadians in this week's field is Roger Sloan. The Calgary, Alberta, native ranks 225th in the FedEx Cup standings. With missed cuts in four of his last five starts, he'll need to play well in order to get his game back on track. 

The last Canadian in the field exemplifies why this tournament is so special to golfers north of the boarder. Although he is a dual-citizen, Golf Canada National Team member Austin Connelly will be making his PGA Tour debut this week.

The 18-year-old is one of four golfers receiving the Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Award this year. Not only that, but he received a tournament sponsor’s exemption after Will Zalatoris withdrew.

Ranking 10th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Connelly’s amateur career has been stellar, highlighted by his 2015 Jones Cup victory. Although he'll most likely be nervous in his first professional event, having it take place in his hometown of Irving should help calm his nerves. 

This tournament is no stranger to teenagers, and Connelly should learn from Jordan Spieth, who tied for 16th as a 17-year-old in 2010. However, if that isn’t motivation enough, this picture with his buddy Byron Nelson should do the trick.

The AT&T Byron Nelson Championship has been a great spot for Canadians in the past two seasons, and that narrative has a strong chance to continue.

Texas is far from Canada, but it may feel like home for a few Canadians come Sunday evening.