Quebec’s Etienne Papineau claims Osprey Valley Open in playoff
CALEDON, ON — Étienne Papineau of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., secured the biggest win of his professional career on Sunday, defeating American Jack Lundin in a two-hole playoff to win the Osprey Valley Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.
Papineau closed with a brilliant 6-under 64 to erase a three-shot deficit entering the final round and finish at 19-under-par for the tournament. Lundin also finished at 19-under after matching Papineau’s Sunday charge with a 63, setting up a playoff between the two players.
The victory marks the 28-year-old Quebecer’s first PGA TOUR Americas title and makes him the sixth Canadian to win on the circuit and the second this season.
“It’s just such a relief,” Papineau said afterward. “The last year, to be honest, has been a struggle. I was basically one tournament away from losing my card, but I just kept telling myself to keep believing even if it’s hard sometimes. I was able to find my confidence back and play well this week and ended up on top.”
Starting the day at 13-under, three shots behind 54-hole leader Connor Howe, Papineau wasted little time making his move. He birdied two of his first three holes, then added birdies at Nos. 6 and 9. Back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes put him in a share of the lead as Howe slipped back with a bogey on No. 14 and a double bogey on No. 15.
After making par at the 72nd hole to secure a tie with Lundin, Papineau faced an early test in the playoff when his tee shot on the first extra hole found a fairway bunker on the par-4 18th. He recovered with a strong approach and holed an eight-foot par putt to extend the playoff. On the second extra hole, Lundin failed to save par after finding trouble off the tee, while Papineau calmly converted his par attempt to seal the victory.
The emotional win sparked a memorable celebration with family and friends gathered greenside.
“Seeing my friends here and my family celebrating with me on 18 was just like a dream come true,” Papineau said. “You always dream of having a putt to win and then celebrating with your family and it ended up happening.”
The victory moves Papineau to fifth on the PGA TOUR Americas Points List with five events remaining in the season. The top 10 players at the season’s end earn Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2027.
Papineau turned professional in 2022 and has competed on the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA TOUR Americas. In 2023, he became the first Quebec professional to win the Canadian Tour Players Cup in Victoriaville. He also competed in the Osprey Valley Open in 2023, finishing tied for 21st when the tournament was held under the PGA TOUR Canada banner.
Lundin finished alone in second place after recording his third top-five result of the season. Howe and points leader Thomas Ponder shared third at 18-under, while fellow Canadian Piercen Hunt finished tied for fifth at 17-under.
The PGA TOUR Americas season resumes Aug. 20-23 with the Manitoba Open in Springfield, Man.
