WATCH: Defending champion Nick Taylor starts off RBC Canadian Open with a 73-foot chip-in birdie

Nick Taylor couldn't have dreamt up a better shot at the beginning of his RBC Canadian Open defense. The reigning champion returned to Hamilton Golf & Country Club and began his first round with an improbable chip-in from an astounding 73-foot distance. It gave him a birdie on the hole.

Taylor chipped the ball out of some pretty thick grass and it just kept rolling. He had been one over par for the day at that point, but the golf ball intended to get him back to even. It somehow kept rolling perfectly in line and dropped into the cup. It couldn't have been a better shot.

Watch the impressive shot below.

The announcers and crowd celebrated after what is certain to be one of the better shots of round one fell in. Taylor acknowledged the cheering fans and was congratulated by his caddie.

That was just the second hole of the tournament but hitting that kind of shot can swing up momentum. It could get Nick Taylor playing very well soon.

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How Nick Taylor won 2023 RBC Canadian Open in a playoff

Whoever wins the RBC Canadian Open this year, whether it's Nick Taylor or not, will hope for an easier time than Taylor had in 2023. The golfer shot extremely well, posting a -17 score through four rounds of golf.

Nick Taylor is the defending champion at the RBC Canadian Open

Unfortunately for Taylor, so did Tommy Fleetwood. He was excellent as well, and Taylor had to outscore him by one stroke in the final round to force that playoff. Not only did it go to a playoff, but it was a four-hole playoff.

Both golfers birdied the opening and then parred the next two holes. Taylor then birdied the next one and when Fleetwood couldn't match, the victory was given to Taylor.

There's a long way to go in the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, but Taylor is currently trailing leaders Beau Hossler and Sean O'Hair by two strokes. If not for that birdie, he might be in worse shape.