'Nick Taylor, the 'Playoff Pro,' Gearing Up to Defend His Phoenix Open Championship'

Winning a golf tournament can be a stressful experience, but Nick Taylor has embraced his role as the PGA Tour's "Mr. Playoff."

Last month, Taylor won the Sony Open in Hawaii in a playoff and he is now returning to the site of another extra-holes victory as he defends his title at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Taylor has won five times on the tour and each of his past three titles have come in a playoff. At the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, he made a remarkable 72-foot eagle on the fourth playoff hole to defeat Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, making him the first Canadian to win his national open since 1954.

Eight months later, he held off Charley Hoffman at the Phoenix Open by making a birdie on the second playoff hole.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Taylor said, "I gain confidence from these situations, but I still feel just as nervous as anyone else."

He added, "I have more clarity in these playoffs and I know exactly what I need to do. Doubt and indecision can be detrimental in golf, but for some reason, I have a clear mind in these situations."

Taylor has a perfect 3-0 record in playoff situations on the tour. He acknowledged that if any of those three playoffs had gone the other way, his career would have taken a different path.

He said, "Being on the winning side every time has been a major boost for my career."

Last month, Taylor was in a tight battle with Colombia's Nico Echavarria through four rounds in Honolulu. However, he remained calm and ultimately won on the second playoff hole with a birdie.

Taylor, who is currently ranked No. 29 in the world, said, "That win definitely helped me. It opened up my schedule for the year, including the majors. It wasn't the best end to 2024, but to start the year with a win was great."

This week, Taylor will face a strong field at the WM Phoenix Open, including back-to-back champions Scottie Scheffler and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.

Looking ahead to the tournament, Taylor said, "To win again, I need to maintain a winning mindset from Thursday to Sunday."

He added, "In golf, it's important to take advantage of the opportunities you're given, whether it's trying to earn your PGA Tour card or keeping it. I've been able to do that in the past and I hope to continue that in the future."