Craig Stefureak Makes History with Final-Round 61 to Defend PGA Championship of Canada Presented by Tapinn
History was made Thursday afternoon at St. Eugene Golf Resort in Cranbrook, B.C., as Craig Stefureak produced one of the finest rounds ever recorded at the PGA Championship of Canada presented by Tapinn.
The defending champion fired a breathtaking course-record-breaking bogey-free 11-under 61 to successfully defend the P.D. Ross Trophy, becoming the first player to win back-to-back PGA Championship of Canada titles since Canadian golf legend George Knudson accomplished the feat in 1976 and 1977.
Stefureak, from Caledonia, Ontario, began the day one shot off the lead but wasted little time taking control of the championship. He opened birdie-eagle-birdie, and, after tapping in for birdie at the 9th thanks to an incredible approach shot, rattled off three more birdies in a row which turned a tightly contested championship into a runaway.
He added another birdie at the 14th before pouring in a mid-range putt on the 15th to reach 10-under par for his round. Suddenly, thoughts shifted from simply winning the championship to chasing one of golf's greatest accomplishments.
With the reachable par-5 16th and closing par-5 18th still ahead, a 59 was very much in play.
Stefureak narrowly missed eagle from roughly 20 feet at the 16th before another birdie attempt from a similar distance slid by on the 17th. Holding a commanding seven-shot lead heading to the final hole, he made the decision to lay up on the par-5 18th rather than attack the green in two from 265-yards out.
A routine par secured a remarkable 61, one of the lowest rounds ever recorded in championship history and capped a dominant title defence.
"Crazy. Unbelievable," Stefureak said moments after the victory. "There were a lot of feelings this week. A Canadian Open exemption on the line, being a past champion... I just kept my head down and played some really great golf."
The 61 was fueled by an opening stretch unlike anything seen all week. Stefureak eagled the second hole for the third consecutive day before confidently rolling in a 20-foot birdie putt on the third.
"There was just a feeling I had when I teed off that I knew I was going to get off to a good start," he said. "I stood over a 20-footer on three, and I knew it was going to go in. It was just one of those days where you're seeing the lines really well, and I was able to put a good stroke on it and get off to a really good start."
By day's end, Stefureak believed he had played the finest tournament round of his career.
"It's the best tournament round I've ever played," he said. "I think I missed one shot all day, and the rest of the day was pretty smooth sailing. It's about as stress-free a 61 as you're ever going to shoot."
With the victory, Stefureak not only successfully defended Canada's national professional championship but also earned an exemption into the 2027 RBC Canadian Open, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
"It means everything," Stefureak said. "I've wanted to play at the pinnacle of the sport since I was three years old, and to be given the opportunity by the PGA of Canada to represent them and represent my family at the highest level of golf... there are no words. I'm at a loss right now."
Following the emotional victory, one of Stefureak's first phone calls was to his father.
"My dad, my family, my mom, my grandfather, my caddie, the people back home, it takes a village," he said. "Without them it's not possible. I get up every day and try to make them proud, and I think I did a pretty good job today."
Luke Bogdan made 21 birdies this week to win the Birdie Juice Birdie Race and $250 bonus that went with it. He finished the event in a tie for second with Dillon Batsel.
The 2026 PGA Championship of Canada presented by Tapinn showcased another outstanding week of championship golf at St. Eugene Golf Resort. Throughout the tournament, players enjoyed support from several valued partners, including TEED UP, which kept competitors refreshed on course, while StrackaLine provided every player with professional yardage books to assist with course management and green reading.
PGA of Canada professionals were also able to track their performance throughout the championship using the Condor app, available free to all PGA of Canada members. Download Condor for iPhone here.
Golfers looking to improve their own games can continue to connect with PGA of Canada professionals from anywhere through the PGA of Canada On-Demand Lesson app powered by Tapinn. The platform provides golfers with personalized virtual instruction from PGA of Canada professionals at the click of a button. Download the app here.