The PGA Tour can only dream of a repeat in excitement — but maybe without the unhinged security measures. It can get a bit rowdy up there.
The winner of the non-Signature event will earn $1.7 million of the $9.4 million purse and 500 FedEx Cup points. More importantly, they’ll get a confidence boost heading into a Signature event (the Memorial) followed by the U.S. Open at Pinehurst (June 13).
Davis Riley, winner of this past week’s Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial, is in the field. McIlroy (+360 on FanDuel) is the heavy favorite.
Here are three storylines heading into PGA Tour’s excursion to the north.
RBC Canadian Open preview
3. Canadian representation
Taylor became the first Canadian to win the event 69 years. Can the Canucks go back-to-back?
Taylor, the highest ranked Canadian in the field (No. 30), has just one top 10 since winning the WM Phoenix Open.
Corey Conners hasn’t contended in 2024, but his ball-striking should behoove him in Ancaster.
Mackenzie Hughes, a Hamilton native, is fighting for a spot on Team Canada for the Paris Olympics.
Adam Svensson, Taylor Pendrith, and Adam Hadwin are regular top-25s.
2. Course reno
Like the Colonial, Hamilton has undergone a full-scale renovation since it last hosted a PGA Tour tournament.
The emphasis of Hamilton’s celebrated 2023 update was ball-striking and optionality at the short par-70. Contenders will need to be sharp with their irons on approach. There are par-3s and par-4s of all distances.
The course still features “The Rink” — a hockey-themed party hole at the par-3 14th.
1. Rory McIlroy is back
McIlroy didn’t just win the last time this event was at Hamilton — he rolled by seven strokes, thanks to a final-round 61 — that included two bogeys!
He also took the 2022 RBC at St. George’s.
McIlroy, one of four top-20 players in the field, hasn’t teed it up since an underwhelming result (T12) at the PGA Championship encircled by off-course drama.
Coming into Valhalla, though, Rory had won consecutive PGA Tour events — the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and Wells Fargo Championship — on the back of strong iron play and tee-to-green work.
After a whirlwind few weeks, where will McIlroy’s game be as the next major approaches?
