The 90th Alberta Open Championship wrapped up yesterday, and what a special week it was. From challenging weather and leaderboard movement to a playoff finish for the Men’s Championship, there was no shortage of excitement throughout the week. Let’s take a look at everything that happened.
Round 1
Round one started cold and gloomy, but that didn’t stop the morning wave from heating up on the course.
On the Women’s side, Jayla Kucy jumped out to an early lead with a 74 (+2), while familiar names such as Sydney Bisgrove, Tessa Ion, and Camilla Ruesga-Rojas remained only a few shots back.
On the Men’s side, Brendan MacDougall’s return to Alberta Golf events was highlighted by a stunning 65 (-7). Dillon Batsel, Brett Jones, and Hunter Thomson followed closely behind, all remaining within a few shots of the lead.
In the afternoon, the skies opened up and play was delayed due to lightning. Players were eventually able to return to the course, but despite everyone’s best efforts, two groups were required to return the following morning to complete their final two holes.
Round 2
The rain from the previous day continued for most of Day Two. The two groups that had not completed their opening rounds returned in the morning to finish before preparing to head back out onto the course.
Due to the rain and pooling water around the course, play was suspended for another hour. Play eventually resumed and was completed, and the day even turned into a beautiful evening, with the sun shining on the afternoon groups.
Kucy remained focused and continued to display impressive golf, firing a 71 (-1) to extend her lead to five shots.
The Men’s leaderboard received plenty of attention as MacDougall fired a 69 to reach 10-under par. Thomson posted the low round of the day with a 66 to join MacDougall at the top, while Batsel continued his steady play with another 67 to complete the three-way tie for the lead.
Final Day
The final day followed a similar story to the opening round, starting off cold before rain moved in during the afternoon.
In the Women’s Division, Kucy faltered slightly with a 75, her highest score of the week, but was able to right the ship and fend off a charging Bisgrove, who fired a 71 to finish second. She remarked that is was a great way to end her Alberta season as she heads back to school on Monday. “I felt like I was playing well all week throughout my bag, but my lag putting really helped including making some bombs” she added when discussing her play this week.
In the Professional Division, Shaye Leidenius and Sarah Armstrong battled throughout the week, but Leidenius was able to fend her off thanks to her impressive opening rounds of 76 and 74. Leidenius went home with the $3,000 first-place professional cheque.
The Men’s Division had no shortage of fireworks, and the back nine had everyone watching the leaderboard as several players remained in contention.
At the turn, it looked like it was going to be a two-person race, with MacDougall and Batsel pulling slightly away from Thomson. Everything changed on No. 15, when Thomson went on a run of three consecutive birdies to tie MacDougall for the lead.
On the 18th, MacDougall and Thomson both hit impressive third shots, leaving themselves with almost identical putts. MacDougall drilled his for birdie, leaving it up to Thomson to match him.
“I didn’t think I made it,” Thomson remarked with a chuckle after the round.
But he did.
After the cards were signed, a playoff was needed to determine the Alberta Open Champion.
The playoff hole, No. 18 on Raven, was a little wet but ready to go. The two players hit identical drives and second shots, but their third shots were a little different. Thomson came out of the bunker a little long, while MacDougall was hitting from the fairway and left himself with a 10-footer.
It seemed like the advantage was with MacDougall until a great up-and-down from Thomson and a narrowly missed putt from MacDougall meant it was back to the tee.
Once again, the players played the hole almost identically. Their approach shots impressed all the dedicated fans gathered around the green, but Thomson had the edge, leaving himself with a very short putt.
MacDougall hit his eight-footer and, once again, narrowly missed. This left Thomson with a tap-in to become the Alberta Open Champion.
After the round, Thomson mentioned how nice it was to be home following a busy stretch with the PGA TOUR Americas. He also reflected on the significance of the victory, saying, “how cool is it that my name is on something that Moe Norman also won.”
The Low Amateur competition on the Men’s side was a two-horse race throughout the entire week between the defending Men’s Amateur Champion and the previous Men’s Amateur Champion. The two had also just come off a battle at the top of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. Tobias Buffam was able to best Brett Jones with a birdie on his final hole.
With Tobias claiming the first Morse Cup Team spot and Brett claiming the second, Jesse Galvon will round out the 2027 Morse Cup Team.
The full leaderboard for all divisions can be found below.
Full Leaderboard – 90th Alberta Open
A Tremendous Host
With all the delays and inclement weather throughout the week, Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club was a tremendous host. The club showcased its amazing attention to detail, assisting with moving players and getting them onto the course when required.
They also did an incredible job supporting Alberta Golf’s newest addition to The Open, the exclusive Players’ Lounge. The lounge provided players with breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout all three days of the championship.
The support from Priddis Greens throughout the week cannot be understated, including the tremendous efforts of the many volunteers who were present throughout the championship.
Notable Highlights
- The 90th Alberta Open Men’s Championship was won with a birdie on the second playoff hole.
- This marks the first time, to Alberta Golf’s knowledge, that an amateur has technically claimed all three Morse Cup Team spots through winning the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship, winning Low Amateur at the Alberta Open, and being the best Alberta finisher at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
- Jayla Kucy’s win is her first Alberta Golf victory since 2020, when she won the U15 Girls’ Championship. She has had several close calls over the past few years, including two top 10 finishes in the Women’s Amateur, one of which saw her get an interprovincial team spot in 2025.
- This is the second time that the Alberta Open Women’s Division has been won by an amateur player.