More twists and turns following no.14 as Rank birded to get to 13-under to pull level with Mawhinney and joining them was Declan O’Donovan from New South Wales, Australia following his birdie on 14. The co-lead was short lived as both Rank and O’Donovan bogeyed no. 15, giving the lead back to Mawhinney with three to play.

Rank birdied no. 16 as Mawhinney approached the tee, where a crucial decision was made.

“Decided to hit 3-wood off 16 which was the first time we did that this week and that kept us back and didn’t have to turn it around the corner and you could still make birdie that way. I think I had 205 into the green and hit it middle of the green and two-putt,” said Mawhinney on his birdie to retake the lead by one.

Rank closed with two pars to take the clubhouse lead at 13-under. Mawhinney responded with what he described as “the greatest shot I’ve ever hit in my life” on no. 17 as he stuck it to within one foot from 178 yards out and tapped in for birdie to move to 15-under and a two-shot lead.

“The winds we think switched and it was 178 downhill. I have to change for elevation because I am sea level, and it was about a 72 shot with the wind and a perfect 8-iron and hit it right at the flag and it was the right number,” said Mawhinney.

McCulloch was making the finish even more interesting as he continued to battle and moved to 13-under following another eagle on no. 16, his third consecutive day doing so. McCulloch went on to birdie the 18th to finish at 14-under.

Mawhinney played no. 18 as he had all week with a 3-iron off the tee followed by a pitching wedge into the green and two-putted for the win. Mawhinney shot rounds of 65-69-70-69-273 to claim the national championship.

As he finished speaking with the media, the 16-year-old asked what was next?

“A couple people said I’ll see you at Hazeltine, so I guess that’s what’s next, but we’ll figure it out when we get there,” he responded.

With the win, Mawhinney receives an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. and the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. from August 12-18. He will also receive an exemption from local qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur Championship and $1,200 CAD.

McCulloch finished solo second at 14-under and Shim and Braxton Kuntz of Winnipeg, Man. finished tied for third at 12-under. Rank finished the tournament at 13-under which was solo third place but was unfortunately disqualified following his round for signing an incorrect score card.

On Tuesday, Team British Columbia claimed the Willingdon Cup as Inter-Provincial Team champions. Team British Columbia shot a collective 9-under and was represented by Wyatt Brook of Heffley Creek, B.C., James Fahy of Vancouver, B.C. and Team Canada NextGen member Cooper Humphreys of Vernon, B.C. Team Ontario finished second with a collective 5-under, with Team Manitoba rounding out the top three at even par.