Countdown to tee off at the Manitoba Open begins

It’s not quite at Stanley Cup drought territory — that sits at 33 years and counting — but it’s been a long wait for a Canadian golfer to capture the prestigious Manitoba Open.

Seventeen years, to be exact, since Graham DeLaet accomplished the feat.

Could that be about to end? We’ll find out when one of North America’s longest-running golf tournaments tees off at Elmhurst Golf and Country Club from Aug. 20-23.

The odds may be better than they’ve been in ages. Two Canadians have won on the PGA Tour Americas this season, and both will arrive in Winnipeg looking to add another title while strengthening their bid for a career-changing advancement to the Korn Ferry Tour.

The top 10 players at the conclusion of the season will all receive promotions to the next level for next year, putting them one step away from the biggest stage of all, the PGA Tour. With 10 events completed and five left on the calendar, the future is starting to come into focus.

Étienne Papineau sits fifth on the 2026 points list and is fresh off a dramatic playoff victory at the Osprey Valley Open in late July.

Just behind him is fellow Quebecer Joey Savoie, who is seventh thanks in large part to capturing the KIA Open de Ecuador in May. They were the first pro victories for both men.

“It’s nice to have two Canadians winning on tour already this year. And two Montreal Canadiens fans,” Savoie told the Free Press with a laugh during a telephone interview on Wednesday.

Savoie is quick to note it was his beloved Habs which last raised Lord Stanley’s mug north of the border way back in 1993.

Both players will be bringing plenty of confidence to the Manitoba Open, which is in year two of a five-year rotation through various courses. This marks the first time it’s been at Elmhurst since 1999.

The field of 156 will be competing for US$225,000 in total prize money in the province’s biggest golf tournament, which dates to 1919. The True North Youth Foundation is the charitable arm of the event.

“I’m happy where I’m standing here heading into the last five events, and hopefully I can continue to improve and get better for the rest of the season,” said Savoie, who turned pro in 2020 and has played in 69 events on this tour.

The 31-year-old also has three PGA Tour tournaments on his resumé as a sponsor’s exemption, including the RBC Canadian Open this summer where he made the cut for the first time.

“You know, winning out here was big, but I think making a cut at a PGA Tour event was even bigger. It’s like knowing you could play in the NHL, but then actually doing it,” said Savoie.

“Confidence-wise, it’s big. And it keeps me motivated. It can be difficult sometimes when the results are not showing up, but that was a good step in the right direction. I can’t wait to be able to do it again.”

Savoie said he’s being careful not to get too far ahead of himself and focus on the task at hand.

He plans to pick the brains of Winnipegger Derek Ingram, who heads up the national men’s golf program and has worked extensively with him over the years. Ingram just so happens to be an Elmhurst member.

Savoie nearly won the Manitoba Open in 2024 at Southwood, finishing tied for second behind Johnny Keefer.

“I’ve come close and it’s a place where I’ve had some good results. There was another year I finished fourth (2023). Really, I’m just going to try to go out there and play well, have a good week and have a chance to lift a trophy,” he said.

“And try not to focus on anything else. Keep it more short-term oriented.”

Thomas Ponder of Alabama leads the 2026 point list, followed by fellow Americans Corey Pereira, Patrick Flavin and Jack Lundin. All but Lundin have won tournaments this year. Another American winner, Drew Doyle, sits in between Papineau and Savoie in seventh, while Patrick Sheehan, Dawson Armstrong and Riley Lewis of the U.S. round out the top 10.

Other Canadians on the list include Brady McKinlay (46th), Piercen Hunt (55th), Peyton Callens (70th), Hunter Thomson (110th), Brendan MacDougall (118th), Thomas Giroux (124th), Laurent Desmarchais (132nd), Max Sekulic (140th), Johnny Travale (142nd), Noah Steele (148th) and Ashton McCulloch (154th).

“There’s a lot of good (Canadian) players, and you’d be shocked at how many more are still on their way up,” said Savoie, who would love to one day join the likes of Corey Conners, Nick Taylor, Taylor Pendrith, Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Svensson, Sudarshan Yellamaraju and A.J. Ewart on the big tour.

All of those players, it should be noted, have previously played in the Manitoba Open.

“There’s a lot of depth out there. On the Korn Ferry and on PGA Tour of Americas,” said Savoie.

“We’ve had two Canadian wins out of 10 so far, which is 20 per cent. We’re not even close to 20 per cent on these tours, so it just shows you we’re doing pretty well with the opportunities we get.”

Savoie pointed to good health as the biggest factor in this year’s success. He’s battled several issues in recent years, including a chronic back ailment which is now in the rearview mirror.

“Probably for the first time in my career I feel like I have my full capacity,” he said. “The rest takes care of itself. Mind, body and soul, but it starts with the body for me.”

Recent winners of the Manitoba Open include several golfers who are now PGA Tour regulars, including Keefer and Hayden Springer (2023). Theo Humphrey won a rain-shortened event last year at Breezy Bend and is now full-time on the Korn Ferry Tour, as is 2022 champion Parker Coody.

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