Nick Taylor wins the Canadian Open on home soil after beating Fleetwood with stunning playoff putt

Whatever recent trends might suggest, there are occasions when golf allows some of its drama to occur on the course. At the Canadian Open, that meant a thrilling final day and a familiar sense of regret for Tommy Fleetwood.

For the fifth time, he emerged as the runner-up at a PGA Tour tournament, with a galling play-off defeat to the home favourite Nick Taylor.

This one might just a sting a little more than most, given a pair of unforced errors at the par-five 18th in regulation play prevented Fleetwood carding the birdie he needed to win outright, and then he twice missed putts from around 12th for the victory during the play-off, which extended all the way to a fourth extra hole.

From those reprieves, Taylor was able to hold his nerve best to triumph, and the manner of it was quite appropriate for a brilliant showdown – the final putt dropped from all of 72 feet. Fleetwood could only smile.

Nick Taylor became the first Canadian winner of the Canadian Open in 70 years on Sunday

Despite the pain of the outcome, it was a fine week for Fleetwood that will launch him at great speed into the US Open, which begins in Los Angeles on Thursday. With his play from tee to green, allied with the usual brutality of US Open rough, the 32-year-old will have a fine chance if he can correctly draw perspective from this near-miss.

Fleetwood, who had finished 17 under through 72 holes after a fourth-round 67, said: ‘I had my chances, but take nothing from Nick. He played unbelievable. I have to just keep playing – I am really pleased with how I played at the weekend.’

As a whole, the finale served as a heartening counter-balance to the depressing political soap opera that has rocked golf in the past week. The performances of the wider United Kingdom contingent were especially encouraging.

Tyrrell Hatton was one stroke back after finishing with four straight birdies in a superb 64. His tie for third meant a fifth top-five since February. His position was shared with fellow Englishman Aaron Rai, three clear of Justin Rose, who shot a 71.

Taylor made a stunning putt on the fourth playoff hole to claim a historic victory

One further back was McIlroy, who closed with a 72. As with last weekend, he had embarked on the last round in the final couple of pairings, but once again was unable to convert a good tournament into a victorious one. The damage was done with back-to-back bogeys from the fifth, which were nullified with strokes gained at the par-five 12th and a three at 16.

Ahead of the US Open at Los Angeles Country Club, which he will be playing blind having only viewed the course online, the encouragement comes from improvements with all the key clubs in his bag.

Over in Europe, England’s Dave Whitnell claimed the first DP World Title of his 14-year professional career with a three-shot victory at the Scandinavian Mixed.

The 34-year-old, who was once among Britain’s most promising young talents, and more recently had made ends meet with supplementary work as a delivery driver, said: ‘It’s been a long time coming. I’ve got so many people to thank – my fiancee Angie, my little dog, Craig my coach who I didn’t know flew out today, my mum and dad, Callaway, Travis Mathew, all my friends and family.’

‘It means everything to me. It’s what I get up every day for. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come. I’ve dreamt of this for a long time.’

Tommy Fleetwood of England finished second at a PGA event for a fifth time