A year ago, Declan O’Donovan was an amateur golfer draining a 30-foot birdie putt in a playoff in Ottawa. This week, he’s teeing it up on the PGA Tour.
The Avondale Golf Club product has earned his place among the world’s best at the RBC Canadian Open, the reward for winning the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and becoming the first Australian to claim the title since Gary Simpson in 1993. For O’Donovan, the reality of the moment isn’t lost on him.
“It feels bloody incredible,” he said.
“I am so proud of myself, my team and the effort I’ve put into getting to this position. This is exactly where I want to be competing.”
The Sydney golfer arrives at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley having represented Australia at the Asia Pacific Amateur, the Nomura Cup and the Eisenhower Trophy during a decorated amateur career — but this week is different. This week, he plays for himself.
“I love representing Australia. All of the amateur opportunities I’ve had. The Asia Pacific Amateur, Nomura Cup and Eisenhower Trophy have been the best,” O’Donovan said.
“Now I get to represent myself with the rest of Australia behind me. I love the support I get from home.”
Standing across the first tee from the likes of Collin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose would unsettle most first-timers. Not O’Donovan. He sees the star-studded field not as a barrier, but as the whole point.
“These are the guys I want to beat,” he said.
“Regardless of how I perform, these guys will push me to be my best. I’ll come away from this week excited and striving to be better. I’ll love pushing myself to get back to the PGA Tour.”
A practice round alongside defending champion Ryan Fox helped O’Donovan find his feet, and his mindset, ahead of the tournament. The New Zealander won last year’s edition in a dramatic four-hole playoff and left a clear impression on the young Australian.
“Ryan Fox was so fun to play with. Kept everything light and easy, gave me a few tips and reminded me how relaxed you can be, regardless of your environment,” O’Donovan said.
“It let me breathe and allowed me to focus on what’s important for my golf. Small targets, good focus and just go for it. That’s my game plan.”
It’s a game plan built on years of hard work through the NSW golf pathway, and O’Donovan is keeping that same grounded perspective as he looks ahead. Golf, he says, has taught him not to get too far ahead of himself.
“It brings a lot of confidence to my game, but I don’t look at what it means for the rest of my career,” he said.
“Golf constantly changes. I can’t calculate where I’ll be a year from now, so all I’ll focus on is what I can control now.”
For any young NSW golfer watching on this week and dreaming of the same path, O’Donovan’s advice is straightforward.
“Surround yourself with players that are better than you, ask everyone questions and give it your all.”
The RBC Canadian Open is being played at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ontario, from June 11–14. O’Donovan tees off in the first round at 1:43 PM local time on Thursday, June 11, that’s 3:43 AM AEST on Friday June 12 for fans tuning in from home.
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