Canadian Open golf: McIlroy wins back-to-back tournaments
TORONTO –
Rory McIlroy simply has to fill out the paperwork after which he’ll be an honorary Canadian.
The Northern Irishman fired an 8-under 62 to win his second RBC Canadian Open with a two-stroke victory over Tony Finau of the USA to complete at 19-under general. McIlroy was beloved by Canadian followers all week, with followers chanting his identify in any respect 72 holes.
“If there was some honorary Canadian citizenship bestowed upon me I actually would not flip it down,” stated McIlroy with fun, the Canadian Open trophy sitting beside him.
“That might be a really proud factor for me. However, no, I am joyful to return up right here as soon as each every so often and play some golf and take this trophy south of the border with me.”
McIlroy additionally received the 2019 Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Nation Membership, his first ever skilled occasion in Canada. The nationwide males’s golf championship was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making McIlroy a back-to-back champion — albeit three years aside.
As a result of the forecast predicted thunderstorms the ultimate spherical of the Canadian Open had teams of three beginning on the first and ninth tees.
McIlroy was with Finau and American Justin Thomas, each of whom threatened his third-round lead. Finau drained a birdie putt at 18 to complete two photographs again of McIlroy and Thomas was 4 photographs again of the winner.
“Tremendous joyful to defend, despite the fact that it does not really feel like a defence as a result of it has been so lengthy,” stated McIlroy. “After which simply to play in a ultimate group like that with that ambiance all day. I imply the followers right here this week have simply been completely unbelievable.”
Followers rushed the golf green at St. George’s Golf and Nation Membership after McIlroy, Finau, and Thomas acquired on the 18th inexperienced. Safety guards and cops needed to restrain the gang as McIlroy sank a four-foot putt for birdie to seal the win.
He stated the surge of spectators reminded him of when Tiger Woods received at East Lake in Atlanta in 2018. McIlroy was within the ultimate group that day and stated the sensation was comparable, despite the fact that this time he was the centre of consideration.
“It was fairly raucous on the market, but it surely’s actually cool,” he stated. “Each time that occurs and you’ll take pleasure in your stroll and you understand you have acquired the match sewn up you’ll be able to take it in and actually relish it and revel in it.”
Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., received the Rivermead Cup because the lowest scoring Canadian professional on the occasion. He fired an 8-under 62 to complete at 12 beneath and take sixth.
England’s Justin Rose shot a 10-under 60 for one of the best spherical of the match. He stated he was disillusioned that he missed out on a 59 whilst he was happy together with his fourth-place efficiency general.
“You are actually simply taking part in the final gap — I by no means shot 59 earlier than — so it might have been a beautiful footnote on the week,” stated Rose, who urged he might have chosen the incorrect membership on the 18th gap. “I do not know the way a lot was in my management or not.”
The beginning of the match was overshadowed by a number of massive identify gamers defecting from the PGA Tour to the brand new rival LIV Golf Invitational.
The Saudi-backed league is being run by Greg Norman, who had 20 profession wins on the PGA Tour. It ran its inaugural occasion on the Centurion Membership exterior London, England, from Thursday to Saturday in direct opposition to the Canadian Open.
“I had additional motivation of what is going on on throughout the pond,” stated McIlroy. “The man that is spearheading that tour has 20 wins on the PGA Tour and I used to be tied with him and I wished to get one forward of him. And I did.
“In order that was actually cool for me, just a bit sense of delight on that one.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed June 12, 2022.
