5 aspects that make the RBC Canadian Open unmissable in 2024

The PGA Tour ventures across the border north this week for the 2024 RBC Canadian Open. This year’s event returns to Hamilton Golf & Country Club for the first time since 2019 when Rory McIlroy made his Canadian Open debut in style with a 7-shot victory over Shane Lowry and Webb Simpson.

Sandwiched between the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open, the RBC Canadian Open offers players not only a chance to win a country’s national open, but also the opportunity to find some form heading into the meaty part of the season.

Here are 5 things to look for at this week’s RBC Canadian Open.

1. CAN CANADA GO BACK-TO-BACK?

For Canadians, the drought must have felt like an eternity. In fact, many weren’t even alive the last time a Canadian citizen won the Canadian Open in 1954. As Winnipeg-born Nick Taylor lined up a 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth hole of a sudden death playoff last year, the weight of a nation was on his shoulders.

The 35-year-old veteran stroked the putt, and as it made its way up the hill from right to left, fans held their collective breath. As it found the bottom of the cup, Taylor heaved his putter and hugged his caddie in celebration, as Canada could finally claim one of her sons as champion once again.

McIlroy’s 2019 win coupled with Taylor’s triumph in 2023 has led to a 93% growth in the tournament since 2018 according to RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bryan Crawford. Tournament officials would like nothing more than to see that growth continue, and what better way to do that than to crown another Canadian winner in 2024? A host of determined Canadian PGA Tour players are eager to follow Taylor’s success, including Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, and 2024 THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson winner, Taylor Pendrith.

2. CAN RORY MCILROY JOIN ELITE COMPANY?

After McIlroy’s victory in 2019, the Canadian Open was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon its return in 2022, McIlroy once again hoisted the trophy at St. George’s Golf & Country Club, making him an unconventional repeat champion. After a detour in 2023 to Oakdale, a return to Hamilton (sight of McIlroy’s victory in 2019) and recent wins at the Zurich Classic and Wells Fargo Championship should have the Ulsterman feeling more confident than ever. Although the course underwent massive renovations beginning in the fall of 2019, it sets up perfectly for McIlroy’s enviable combination of power and precision.

3. BEWARE OF 'THE RINK'

Nick Taylor winning the RBC Canadian Open was a shining moment in Canadian sports history, but we all know that when it comes to Canadian sports, hockey is king. That is what is behind the brilliant idea of some creative individual several years ago to create a replica hockey rink on one of the par-3 holes. It comes complete with a replica Zamboni, rink boards, and volunteers dressed as hockey referees. As players hit their tee shots, rowdy fans bang on the boards in encouragement, hoping to witness a hole-in-one, or at least a tap-in birdie. The question is, how will the leaders manage the pressure of the “Rink Hole” as they come down the stretch on Sunday?

4. A RICH AND VIBRANT HISTORY

Golf trivia buffs may be hard-pressed to name the three oldest continuously running tournaments on the PGA Tour, but those with a penchant for history will know that the Canadian Open is third only behind the British Open and the U.S. Open. With the exceptions of WWI and WWII, as well as COVID-19, the CO has been contested every year since 1904. And how is this for a piece of history – the only two players to have won all three in the same year – British Open, U.S. Open, and Canadian Open – are Lee Trevino (1971) and Tiger Woods (2000).

Past winners of this prestigious open include Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, and Walter Hagen. A prominent name you may have noticed missing from that list – Jack Nicklaus. The Golden Bear finished as a runner-up seven – yes, seven – times.

5. COURSE RENOVATION RETURNS HAMILTON TO ITS ROOTS

Hamilton Golf and Country Club opened in 1894. Legendary golf course architect Harry Colt designed many of the club’s current 27 holes which will be used to create the 18-hole course the pros play this week. As mentioned earlier, the course began a massive renovation in 2019 to the tune of nearly $12 million, including rebuilding all 27 greens on the property and returning many of Colt’s original design elements that had been lost over the years. Players will be tested by this parkland layout that measures just over 7,000 yards (short for a PGA Tour course) and plays to a par of 70, with just one par-5 on each nine.

Can the Canadians go back-to-back? Can McIlroy join elite company by hoisting his third trophy, joining the likes of Tommy Armour, Sam Snead, and Lee Trevino as the only men to win three Canadian Opens (Leo Diegel is the only player with four)? Who can survive the pressure of the Rink and the back nine on Sunday?

Watch the drama unfold on Golf Channel and CBS starting on Thursday, May 30 – Sunday, June 2, 2024.