Will Claude Giroux sign an extension with the Senators? In competitive sports, there's no substitute for experience. Over the past two seasons, Claude Giroux has brought that virtue to his hometown Ottawa Senators in abundance. While captain Brady Tkachuk may be the club's emotional leader, Giroux has been the wise older brother in the room, helping mould the young core as a leader and teacher. However, on the golf course, surrounded this week by some of the best players in the world, Giroux is the inexperienced one, though it does nothing to curb his competitive streak or his love of the game. The 36-year-old returns to Eagle Creek Golf Club again this week as a sponsor exemption at the PGA Tour Americas Commissionaires Ottawa Open. Giroux is, once again, the event's honorary chair. At least Giroux has a little experience now after playing last year. And he hasn't left himself a tough act to follow, missing the cut in 2023 by 16 strokes. Before anyone scoffs at that, Giroux had rounds of 79 and 80. Those are scores that most Ottawa golfers can only dream of, especially from the tips and in front of galleries when every shot is officially counted. That means no mulligans, gimmes or foot wedges – the core strategies of many a weekend hacker. The Commissionaires Ottawa Open is the fifth stop on the PGA Tour Americas and the race for the Fortinet Cup. Last year, there was a three-way tie at 19 under after 72 holes, which resulted in a four-hole playoff won by Canadian Stuart Macdonald, who birdied the 18th, which is one of the best finishing holes in the country. Tickets and more details are available at the tournament website: ottawaopen.golf/spectator-info [http://ottawaopen.golf/spectator-info/#].
