RBC Canadian Open final scoreboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/rbc-canadian-open/leaderboard.html
Nothing is worse for the title sponsor than when their prize product, the one who gets all the buzz, sells all the tickets, brings all the credit... fizzles out like a damp firecracker. John Daly was a prime example on too many occasions.
Not so this week for the folks at the RBC. Many of their expensive stable of stars like Hadwin, McDowell and Stenson finished well up the leaderboard getting their logo loads of TV time while the one with the most props shot an astonishing 67 66 64 61 -22 the lowest in the events history, fulfilling all his immense expectations in spectacular fashion and winning the Canadian Open, clad afterwards in a Raptors singlet no less, by 7 shots.
Rory McIlroy was indeed "the story" on a sun soaked weekend at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club finishing with a near, tap in eagle at the difficult par 5 17th, lapping the field, marking his ball with a lucky loonie, flirting with 59, and giving the bankers a sweet return on their expensive investment.
The brilliant little Northern Irishman won their $7.6US million event in memorable style before flying off on the flight to the US Open at Pebble Beach as the pre tournament favourite to add another major to his Hall of Fame resume.
He birdied 4 of his first 5 holes to break out of a three way tie for the lead and never looked back for his 16th career win and became the 4th player to win the Triple Crown since 1935, Canadian, US and British Opens joining Lee Trevino, Arnie and Tiger in the process.
"The reception from the Canadian crowds have been incredible this week,” added McIlroy. “They couldn’t have been any better. They’ve been so welcoming all week. I can’t wait to come back next year.”
For those who have asked me about the low scoring at Hamilton GCC and for that matter next year's event at St Georges GCC which also hosted in 2010 where Carl Pettersson won it at -14, having just missed a putt at the 18th for 59, the problem, if you have one, with a national championship being won at -22 was the enormous amount of rain which softened those courses, leaving them vulnerable. Any courses with the same rain will yield low scoring. Also McIlroy had a great week. Second place was at -15 for Shane Lowry and Web Simpson, respectable enough.
Rory's been in the top 10 nine times this year, with a win at the Players to show for it, and in my opinion some unwarranted criticism for being a poor closer. That will die down after this weekend, watched by millions around the world.
Adam Hadwin shot 65 66 67 70 T6 -12 to finish as top Canadian winning the Rivermead Cup and a place in the Open this year at Royal Portrush home of Graeme McDowell who also won a spot with his top 10 finish.
Other Canadians: Mac Hughes 66 66 69 71 T14, -8, Ben Silverman 71 61 72 69 -7 T20, Nick Taylor 64 65 73 72 -6 T27, Roger Sloan 68 70 68 73 -1 T56, Richard Jung 67 69 75 74 +5 69th.
Bryan Angus
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