EAST LANSING– The PGA Tour heads north of the border this week to compete in the RBC Canadian Open. Here’s a preview of everything you need to know about the event.
The Course
The RBC Canadian Open is back at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ontario. The tournament has been held at four different courses in its last four interations. This is the first time the event has been held at Hamilton since 2019.
During the five-year break, there was a major re-design led by golf course architect Martin Ebert. In 2023, Golf Digest called it the best renovation of the year.
Hamilton Golf and Country Club is a second-shot golf course, meaning high-quality iron play will be a key part of the winning formula this week. Although the redesign lengthened the course, Hamilton G&CC will only play at around 7,000 yards this week, which is on the shorter side for a tour event.
The par 70 course will be an interesting test for the players and should set up for a great week of golf.
“The Rink,” a staple of the Canadian Open, is back. This year, making an appearance on the par 3, 14th hole. The 14th tee will be lined by hockey boards to pay homage to Canada’s most popular sport. This is the sixth year the tournament has done this and it has quickly become one of the most unique additions in golf.
The Field
The Canadian Open falls right before a stretch of three straight signature events on the PGA Tour calendar. For this reason, there are fewer top-tier players in the field this week because this event doesn’t have the stature or purse of the next few events. However, the money is nothing to sneeze at, with a total purse of $9.4 million and first place taking home over $1.6 million.
Over the past few years, Canada has produced a very deep crop of pro talent. Players like Correy Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Taylor Penderith, Adam Hadwin and 2023 Canadian Open Champion, Nick Taylor have all won on tour and are all candidates for the International team in the 2024 Presidents Cup. Canada-born players haven’t gone back-to-back in the Canadian Open since 1913-1914.
Taylor drilled a miraculous 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth playoff hole to clinch the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Taylor, a Winnipeg native, was the first Canadian to win the event in 69 years. The 36-year-old hasn’t been sharp as of late, most recently missing the cut at the PGA championship. However, if there was ever a time for him to turn it around, it would be this week.
Tommy Fleetwood is looking to continue his success in the Canadian Open. Last year, Fleetwood lost in the playoff. The 33-year-old is still searching for his first PGA Tour victory, with great tournament history and a relatively weak field, this could be the week for Fleetwood to finally break through.
Ryder Cup and Zurich Classic teammates Rory McIlory and Shane Lowry have been in incredible form as of late.
After winning the Zurich in April, McIlroy came in first place in a loaded field at the Wells Fargo earlier this month. Lowry is coming off a great week at Valhalla, finishing tied for sixth. Both Europeans have an incredible history in this tournament.
McIlroy has won the event twice, in 2019, the last time the event was held at Hamilton Golf and Country Club and in 2022 at St. George’s with a statement victory to surpass Greg Norman in total wins at the height of the PGA Tour LIV drama.
These two tour veterans are slated as favorites for this week’s tournament.
Hadwin v. Security
Hopefully, Adam Hadwin will have to be on his best behavior this week so he doesn’t get tackled by a security guard.
“I’ve learned my lesson, I’ll be wearing my credential for now on,” Hadwin said.
