Different Open, different Blair Hamilton
OAKVILLE — Expect a different Blair Hamilton at this year’s Canadian Open, a smarter, more seasoned model.
The 22-year-old from Burlington who exceeded expectations his first time around is back for a second straight national championship — his last, he says, as an amateur. And this year, he’s no “lost puppy.”
“I’ve played a lot of professional events since then and I’m ready to just get down to business and play golf instead of soaking it all in,” he said. “I feel really good about my game and I really like my chances.”
A lot has changed since Hamilton’s last appearance at Glen Abbey Golf Club — one that saw him make the cut in his first ever PGA event. He’s a college graduate now, and a veteran on Canada’s national squad. He’s also decided to take a big step in his career by turning professional after the World Amateur Team Championship in September.
And while he may be different, he said it’s important to him to maintain his outlook through the transition — his belief that golf is just a game, and it’s meant to be fun.
“Money’s never a bad thing, but it can’t be all about the money. You have to be doing this because you love it,” he added.
“If I’m not enjoying it and I’m not improving, then there’s no point. So that’s my whole focus, to get better each week and to enjoy it and make the most of my experiences,” he said.
Hamilton’s perspective on the sport took a sharp turn early last year when his longtime girlfriend had a heart attack so severe it required surgery. She’s still got a long way to go with her recovery, he said, but she’s doing better, “which is really good.”
Interestingly, the M.M. Robinson graduate recorded some of his best results in the months immediately after her illness. He won an NCAA regional title, earned a spot in the U.S. Amateur Championship, and, like this year, was given an exemption into the Open. At Glen Abbey, he tied with Austin Connelly for the tournament’s low amateur score. Then, when he went back to finish his senior year at the University of Houston, there was, as he described it, “a bit of slow period.”
He slipped in the world amateur rankings and had a softer college season than he probably would have liked. He’s not worried about the numbers, though — not with school, and all the hours of studying that come with it, out of the way. Neither is his national team coach. Golf Canada’s Derek Ingram said he thinks Hamilton’s game — his drive, in particular — is better today than it was 12 months ago. And this weekend, he expects his protege will do well.
“It’s been a good year,” he said, “and sometimes the results take a little time to happen.”
One big difference this time around is Hamilton knows he can do it, said Ingram.
He knows if he plays his game, he’s capable of competing with some of the biggest names in golf.
But that doesn’t mean he’ll approach his second Open the same way as his first.
“Making the cut was special, and I think in my mind, somewhere, I thought I’d made it,” said Hamilton, who was ousted after the third round and finished in a six-way tie for 79th place. “Then you realize you’ve only played half the golf tournament and you’ve got another half to play.”
The lesson, he added, is that you’ve got to show up the next day ready to go.
“You never know when you’re going to get hot, you never know when you’re going to play well, so you have to look it as a marathon.”
Hamilton is paired with teammate Hugo Bernard and American Sam Saunders for Thursday’s first round.
He tees off at 9 a.m., while Brantford native David Hearn hits the course at 8:20 a.m. with a couple of Americans, Scott Brown and Mark Hubbard.