Senators’ Pinto accepts invite to play PGA Tour Americas event in Ottawa

OTTAWA — One Ottawa Senator is going from the rink to the links.

Shane Pinto has accepted a sponsor exemption into the Commissionaires Ottawa Open presented by Lepine Apartments on PGA Tour Americas, taking place July 16-19 at The Marshes Golf Club. The course is about 10 minutes from the Canadian Tire Centre.

“I think it’s going to be fun. Going to have to work on my game a lot leading up to it,” Pinto told Sportsnet.ca. “I don’t think I’ll finish anywhere near half of the top but hopefully I get a somewhat of a good showing.”

Claude Giroux also played the event on a sponsor invite in 2024, shooting 81-78 to miss the cut. Pinto said Giroux told him about the event and thought it would be something cool for the 25-year-old to try.

Pinto, who signed a four-year, $30 million contract with the Senators in November, said he’s only ever played golf in front of his friends, but added that the unique experience will be exciting.

“I’m sure I’m going to snap hook one somewhere,” he said with a smile. “I’ll start with a double bogey and go from there.”

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American Brett White won the Ottawa Open in 2025 in a playoff after an incredible final-round 59. He was seven shots back of the lead to begin the day, but his 8-under 28 on the back nine was capped by an epic 63-foot eagle putt on the 72nd hole to give him the clubhouse lead.

White’s comeback was the largest in PGA Tour Americas history.

The Senators are in Utah to face the Mammoth Wednesday night in the first of a back-to-back before heading to Colorado to face the league-best Avalanche on Thursday.

Pinto has 12 goals and nine assists this season. He suffered an upper-body injury on Dec. 4 and returned Dec. 29.