EVAN NACHTIGALL REMAINS IN THE LEAD AT THE 2026 CANADIAN MEN’S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Derek Meinhart and Alex Large are tied for the lead in the Men’s Mid-Master division

BRANTFORD, Ont. – Nachtigall holds the solo lead at 17-under through three rounds at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO at the Brantford Golf & Country Club in Brantford, Ont. following play on Thursday.

Nachtigall of Brandon, Man. fired a 4-under 68 with one eagle and four birdies to remain in the lead heading into the final round of the national championship. Nachtigall got off to a hot start by opening his round with an eagle on the first hole.

“Hit a good tee shot down the left side, hit a seven iron to maybe 15 feet and rolled it in for eagle, so obviously a great start,” said Nachtigall. “I really just wanted to keep doing that, but I was not able too, I struggled off the tee most of the day, but I was still able to put together a solid score.

“I feel like I was able to stay patient even though I was not at my best out there, I made some good pars when I had to, it was pretty scrappy, I feel like I just stayed mentally strong out there and just tried to make pars if I wasn’t driving it into the fairway.”

Nachtigall holds a two-shot lead heading into the final round on Friday.

“I have to hit the ball better tomorrow, so I will figure that out tomorrow on the range and I need to make some more putts, so I will hit the putting green right away and roll it for a bit,” added Nachtigall on what he is going to do to prepare ahead of tomorrow’s round.

Heading into the final 18 holes of the national championship on Friday, Nachtigall is excited for what is ahead but knows there is still a long way to go.

“It would obviously be super cool, this is my first year playing in it, I just turned 25 this year, so it would be incredible, but there is a lot of golf left to go so I won’t be thinking too much about that until hopefully the final putt drops,” he added on what it would mean to win the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

Trailing Nachtigall by two strokes is Garrett Rank of Waterloo, Ont. Rank shot a 3-under 69 with five birdies to sit in solo second at 15-under through three rounds.

“I settled in nice on the back nine and played solid, took care of the par fives and just kind of kept the ball in front of me,” said Rank. “Holes six and seven were not the greatest holes for me, I three putted number seven and kind of got out of position on number six, but overall, it was steady and I was not in too much trouble.

“I mean obviously going to have to be aggressive, there are birdies out there, it’s important to get off to a great start tomorrow and try and make as many birdies as possible,” added Rank on what he has to do to catch up to the leader.

If Rank wins the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship tomorrow, he has an opportunity to become a four-time champion. Rank previously won three years in a row from 2014-2016. Rank would become the third player to win the Men’s Mid Amateur Championship four times, the other two to win four or more include Stu Hamilton (1990, 1991. 1993, 1994) and Graham Cooke (1987, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002).

“It would be a huge honour, anytime you can win a national championship it’s a huge honour, it’s why you play the game,” added Rank. I’m not sure how many guys have won it four times, but I have the chance to get up there with some esteemed company with four.”

Derek Meinhart of Mattoon, Ill. and Alex Large of Dead Mans Flats, Alta. are tied for the lead at 9-under in the Mid-Master division. Meinhart shot 3-under 69 with four birdies and Large shot an even par 72 with five birdies.

Along with winning the Canadian Men’s Mid Amateur Championship trophy, the winner will also receive an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa, Wis. from September 26 – October 1, as well as a spot in the field for the 2027 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, and the 2027 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, both presented by BDO.

The field of 156 players feature golfers (aged 25-and-over as of August 18, 2026), with a handicap index of 5.0 or less. Those aged 40-and-over as of August 18, 2026, also compete in the Mid-Master division. Following Wednesday’s second round the field has now been cut to the low 70 players and ties

To view the leaderboards following the third round of the Canadian Men’s Mid-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 nine 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/.

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