PGA Tour's Nick Taylor doesn't find fans' jokes about Canada funny

Article content

AUGUSTA, Ga. — To say it’s an interesting time to be a Canadian living or working in the U.S. is an understatement.

That’s the situation Canada’s top golfers find themselves in as they live their dreams on the PGA Tour.

It can be a touchy topic, but Donald Trump’s disrespect and overt economic attacks on Canada have changed the relationship between two formerly very friendly neighbours.

Online and in person, there are many Americans apologizing for the actions of their president, but that’s not the side Nick Taylor, a five-time tour winner, has seen the most of in recent months.

“Probably more jokes about being the 51st state than anything,” Taylor said when asked about it by the Toronto Sun at Augusta National. “Fans maybe on it. Nothing crazy.”

He has had a few apologies along the way as well.

“Uber driver here or there, that if somehow it comes up I’m Canadian, may apologize, may not,” he said. “Yeah, it’s definitely an interesting situation for us, but I’ve been down here a long time, it is what it is. I try to ignore it, to be honest.”

Canada’s top-ranked golfer Corey Conners has been trying to avoid the entire mess.

“You know, just kind of staying in my bubble,” Conners said. “You know, I love that a bunch of Canadians are out here supporting us. Yeah, it’s not really my thing. I just stay away from anything political.”

When asked whether fans were using the topic to heckle him, Taylor said not exactly.

“I wouldn’t say heckling, but just trying to be frat-boy funny,” he said.

If they are meant as jokes, they aren’t working with the man immortalized on the RBC Canadian Open logo.

“I particularly don’t find it that funny,” Taylor said.