GATINEAU, Que. – Thomas Grenier of Thetford Mines, Que. fired an 8-under 62 at Rivermead Golf Club to smash the previous course record and carry a one-shot lead into the second round of the 120th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, in Gatineau, Que.
Grenier made six birdies, an eagle, and didn’t drop a single shot to claim the lowest score in the course’s 116-year history. His 8-under 62 on Monday is also the lowest single-round score to ever be recorded at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, the previous record belonging to multiple players at 64.
Players from 13 different countries descended on Rivermead Golf Club and The Royal Ottawa Golf Club to kick off the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. The double-field format pinned half of the total field at each course, with warmer conditions in the Ottawa-Gatineau region prompting lower scores as the morning wave worked into the back end of their respective rounds.
Grenier, who began his round on Rivermead Golf Club’s 10th hole, was part of the morning wave to have aligned their game perfectly with the warm weather. Teeing off at 8:27 a.m. EDT, Grenier quickly reeled in birdies at the 10th and 12th to vault into a tie for second at 2-under par. The 18-year-old added birdies at the par-four 15th and par-five 17th to double his score and take his first outright lead of the tournament, playing his back nine without a blemish and dominating the course with his irons.
Following his round, Grenier credited his short game to help him grab the early lead, though his play with his driver – particularly on the fourth hole – was the club most responsible for etching his eight-under 62 in the course’s history books and leading the tournament after 18 holes.
His drive on the 307-yard par-four latched onto the green, setting him up for an eagle putt to advance his lead further. Unfazed by the quickening greens, Grenier converted, draining his putt from 15 feet to get to 6-under par before ending his round with two more birdies.
“I had the speed all day, so I was able to make some putts,” said Grenier. As for becoming the newest recipient of the course record at Rivermead Golf Club, Grenier casted a brief smile before adding a quick sentiment on his accomplishment. “It’s very nice, it’s my first course record,” he added.
Despite beating out the previous course record by three strokes, Grenier wasn’t the only one to have a historic opening round at Rivermead on Monday. Andre Zhu of Richmond Hill, Ont. rolled in seven birdies and an eagle of his own to card a 7-under 63 and pull within a single shot of Grenier.
The two helped lead the way for their respective provinces in the Inter-Provincial Team Championship as well, with Team Quebec leading Team Ontario by three strokes heading into Tuesday’s final round. Grenier’s round was buoyed by a 2-under 68 from Team Canada NextGen member Antoine Jasmin of Blainville, Que. and an even-par 70 from Émile Lebrun of Laval, Que. to lead at 10-under.
Their closest chasers were largely led by Zhu’s 7-under 63 to open play, with even-par rounds from Eric Zhao of North York, Ont. and Dawson Lew of Toronto, Ont. keeping Team Ontario in contention for the Willingdon Cup.
In the battle for the Earl Grey Cup, Team Canada NextGen Justin Matthews of Little Britain, Ont. sits three shots off the pace following a five-under 65, while his teammates Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. and Ethan Wilson of St. Albert, Alta. sit in a tie for fourth and eighth respectively.
Matthews is the lowest-ranked Canadian in the field on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) at no. 225. His chase for the top spot of the leaderboard on Tuesday will be rivaled by Alexis Leray of Boulogne-Billancourt, France (no. 135 WAGR), who boasts the third-highest rank in the field and shot a 3-under 67 to stay in contention.
Fifteen players are within five shots of the lead heading into Tuesday’s second round. Notably, each of the top five finishers on Monday played at Rivermead Golf Club despite the course playing harder in the opening round.
The winner of the Earl Grey Cup will receive a direct exemption into several marquee events, including a spot in the field at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open. Additionally, the Canadian Men’s Amateur champion will lock up a place in the 125th U.S. Amateur Championship, set for August 11-17 at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif. and will be fully exempt from local qualifying for the 2026 U.S. Amateur and 2026 U.S. Open. The winner will also be exempt into next year’s Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and will be able to defend their title, if eligible.
For the individual and inter-provincial team leaderboards following the opening round of the 120th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.
GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including 11 National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Coca-Cola, Sport Canada, and Levelwear. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions-calendar/.
ABOUT GOLF CANADA
Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada representing over 360,000 golfers and 1,522 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to increase Canadian participation and excellence in golf. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our vision is to be a world leader in golf. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca/.
Media Contact
Mario Russo
Intern, Communications
Golf Canada
647-546-4460
mrusso@golfcanada.ca