McIlroy vying for third victory amid MacIntyre's bid to defend title at Canadian Open
Article Reboot
Golf Pals Rory McIlroy and Robert MacIntyre seek RBC Canadian Open Trophy Three-Peat to Block Canadian Victory
Rory McIlroy, hailing from Northern Ireland, and Robert MacIntyre, a Scot, are more than just golf enthusiasts – they're historians of the game. Their passion and prowess have led them to target the RBC Canadian Open once more, aiming to keep a Canadian at bay from claiming victory on home soil.
The duo has been a formidable force in recent Canadian Open tussles, jointly bagging three out of the last four titles. McIlroy snagged the trophy in 2019 and 2022, while MacIntyre notched his win last year. Achieving a third Canadian Open victory would see McIlroy joining golf greats like Lee Trevino, Sam Snead, and Tommy Armour in the exclusive three-time champion club.
"Bagging multiple wins at a tournament, especially the Canadian Open with such legendary names on that trophy, is a pretty unique accomplishment," McIlroy shared during the pre-tourney interviews. "If I manage to win again, it would be pretty neat."
American Leo Diegel holds the record for the most Canadian Open victories with four titles under his belt (1924, 1925, 1928, and 1929). Diegel, Trevino, Snead, and Armour are allmembers of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Last year, MacIntyre scored his first-ever PGA Tour championship at the Canadian Open in Hamilton Golf and Country Club. Just six weeks later, he nabbed another win at theGenesis Scottish Open – a testament to his love for national opens.
On Tuesday, MacIntyre expressed his views on national opens, saying, "National opens are a massive part of golf. We European boys have our fair share of them – the Scottish Open, French Open, Spanish Open, one event in Belgium, one event in Austria. I believe national opens bring out the best in players, and it's a fantastic spectacle for golf fans."
MacIntyre isn't shy about playing the role of the spoiler for the home crowd. "There are numerous Canadian players here this week eager to grab the Canadian Open title," he said. "Everyone wants to win this week, but it gives an added pressure for the Canadian players as it's the Canadian Open. The crowd tends to cheer more for home players, which is the same in Scotland and other countries."
A total of 24 Canadian players are participating in the tournament at TPC Toronto, with Nick Taylor, a British Columbian, being the frontrunner. Despite not leading in the Canadian points list, Taylor boasts a notable achievement: he won the Canadian Open in 2023, ending a whopping 69-year drought for Canadian winners at the men's national championship.
"My game is in good shape," Taylor stated confidently. "It's been a fairly consistent year. My goal has been to be more consistent off the tee, which has helped. The iron play and short game have been strong this year, and it has started to come together in some significant tournaments."
Temperatures reached 30°C during Wednesday's pro-am at TPC Toronto, with the humidex making it feel like 34°C. Despite the heat, rain was expected overnight and into the morning for the opening round. The weather forecast predicts a mixture of sun and clouds for the remaining rounds, along with gusts of up to 31 km/h.
"I wouldn't call any course a typical TPC setup, but it does have a bit of the characteristics," McIlroy shared. "There's plenty of room off the tee, the fairways are generous, but if you miss them, the rough can be quite punishing. The greens are tricky, with undulations, and you really need to hit it into the right sections."
This report was first published on June 4, 2025.
Rory McIlroy and Robert MacIntyre are aiming to extend their dominance in the RBC Canadian Open, targeting the trophy to maintain a Canadian victory blockade. Their previous victories in the tournament have earned them a place among golf greats.
Tennis and golf, two popular sports, were discussed during media interviews with McIlroy and MacIntyre, showing their versatility as athletes. MacIntyre had especially noted the significance of national opens and his love for these events.
Amidst the competition, there is a particular focus on the Canadian players, representing the home crowd. One such player, Nick Taylor, won the Canadian Open in 2023, breaking a 69-year drought for Canadian winners at the men's national championship.
