Victoria, British Columbia – Team Canada member A.J. Ewart followed a course-record breaking 59 with a bogey-free 5-under 65 in Saturday’s third round, extending his lead from three to four shots with 18 holes left to play at the Times Colonist Victoria Open presented by Andrew Sheret Limited. The 26-year-old from Coquitlam, British Columbia, sits at 19-under through 54 holes.
Fellow Canadian Drew Nesbitt posted a 64 to move into a share of second alongside Brett Roberts of Coral Springs, Florida, who fired the day’s low round with an 8-under 62, and Paul Chaplet of San José, Costa Rica, who turned in a 63.
“I told myself as soon as we finished dinner last night that it was over with. I got to enjoy it for a little bit, and then just wiped the slate clean,” said Ewart of his mindset after Friday’s sub-60 round at Uplands Golf Club. “I came out today, and it was a fresh day. Obviously, there were guys congratulating me, but I was able to stay in the present and continue to do that throughout the whole day. That’s kind of why it worked out the way it did.”
Ewart stood his ground Saturday while paired with Fortinet Cup No. 1 Michael Brennan, an imposing playing partner who has won three of the last four PGA TOUR Americas events. Brennan began the day in solo second but slipped down the leaderboard with an even-par 70, dropping into a tie for 14th at 11-under.
A victory Sunday would give Ewart a chance to break into the Fortinet Cup Top 10 at a pivotal moment in the season. The 500 Fortinet Cup points awarded to the winner would project him to No. 6 in the season-long race for 10 Korn Ferry Tour cards for the 2026 season. Those cards will be handed out one week from tomorrow at the conclusion of the Fortinet Cup Championship at Morgan Creek Golf Course in Surrey, British Columbia.
“That’s our goal, to play on the Korn Ferry Tour,” Ewart said. “I’m excited to go out and try to get a win, but I don’t necessarily think it’s added pressure just because of what can come with it.”
Final-round tee times begin Sunday at 7:50 a.m. PDT, with twosomes off No. 1 through 1:20 p.m. Ewart and Roberts will make up the final pairing.
