RBC Canadian Open: The Roars Are For Rory In Canada

Rory McIlroy shares the lead going into Sunday at the RBC Canadian Open and the crowd is well and truly behind him.

The scenario that has unfolded this week in Canada is what the PGA Tour could have only dreamed of after a turbulent week that has threatened the future of the PGA moving forward.

The crowd at St. George’s has been electric this week and the 2022 RBC Canadian Open is set for a scintillating finish on Sunday, so get your popcorn ready!.

Rory McIlroy is not only looking for his first win this year, but he is also looking to repeat as the RBC Canadian Open champion after winning in 2019, the last time the PGA made the trip north of the border.

The Northern Irishman shares the lead at -11 alongside Tony Finau going into the Sunday finale.

Finau is looking to win for the first time since last year’s Northern Trust at Liberty National where he finally broke through for his long-anticipated second career win.

Meanwhile, PGA Champion Justin Thomas, and multiple winner this season already, Sam Burns, sit just two shots adrift going into the final round.

The elite final round grouping of McIlroy, Finau, and Thomas is the type of grouping you would see in a major championship and it is exactly what the doctor ordered for the PGA.

Rory McIlroy stepping up at the perfect time

McIlroy has come to the PGA’s defense in multiple ways this week, both on and off the course.

He was quick to defend PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan’s decision to hand out bans for those who had left for LIV on Thursday, and on Wednesday Rory again delivered a quote that speaks to the man he is, as he has so often done before.

"“And I think for me, speaking to a few people yesterday and one of the comments was, anything, any decision that you make in your life that’s purely for money usually doesn’t end up going the right way.Obviously money is a deciding factor in a lot of things in this world, but if it’s purely for money it’s not, never seems to, you know, it never seems to go the way you want it to.” – Rory McIlroy"

McIlroy is an easy player to cheer for and there has been no shortage of vocal support from the passionate crowd in Canada this week.

The four-time major champion was quick to praise the crowd following the completion of his third round on Saturday and he used the opportunity to take a quick-witted shot at LIV as well saying:

"“You look at it out there today. I mean it’s certainly the best atmosphere of any golf tournament going on this week.”"

Rory McIlroy can add to his legacy with a victory

The 33-year-old would pick up his second win this season with a win on Sunday and in the process accomplish a feat that hasn’t taken place since 1920 as Justin Ray highlighted.

2022 has been full of ‘nearly’ moments for Rory McIlroy after close calls in both majors this year and several top 5 finishes. A win this week, at this moment in time, would be reminiscent of a storybook ending.