(Toronto) Rory McIlroy just needs to fill out the paperwork and he’ll be an honorary Canadian.
Updated yesterday at 8:36 p.m.
McIlroy turned in 62 (-8) to win the Canadian Open for the second straight time on Sunday.
The Northern Irishman got the better of American Tony Finau by two strokes and finished the tournament with a cumulative score of -19. McIlroy was cheered on by the Canadians all week as fans chanted his name throughout the event’s 72 holes.
“If I were granted honorary Canadian citizenship, I certainly wouldn’t turn it down,” McIlroy said with a laugh as the Canadian Open trophy sat beside him. It’s something I would be very proud of, but no, I’m happy to come here once in a while, play golf and take this trophy with me south of the border. »
McIlroy also won the Canadian Open in 2019 at the Hamilton Golf Club. It was his first professional event in Canada. The tournament had been canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because the weather forecast called for thunderstorms, the final round of the tournament was played in groups of three golfers, starting from the first and ninth tees.
Photo Nathan Denette, The Canadian Press
The leading trio at 16e hole
McIlroy was joined by Finau and American Justin Thomas, both of whom threatened his lead in the third round. Finau had a birdie at 18e pennant to finish two strokes behind the winner. Thomas concluded the tournament four shots from McIlroy.
“I’m very happy to successfully defend my title, even if it doesn’t feel like a defense because it’s been so long,” McIlroy said. And to play in a final group with this atmosphere all day long. The fans have been amazing this week. »
Fans raced down the fairway of St. George Golf Club as McIlroy, Finau and Thomas took to the 18e green. Security guards and police had to contain the crowd when McIlroy confirmed his victory with a birdie.
McIlroy said this group of spectators reminded him of Tiger Woods’ victory in Atlanta in 2018. The Northern Irishman was in the final group that day and he said the feeling was similar, although this times, he was the center of attention.
It was quite noisy, but it’s really pleasant. Whenever that happens and you can enjoy your ride because you know the tournament is over, you can really savor it all and enjoy it.
Rory McIlroy
Ontario’s Corey Conners won the Rivermead Cup, awarded to the Canadian with the highest ranking at the end of the tournament. He shot 62 to take sixth place at -12.
The English Justin Rose signed a card of 60, the best of the tournament. He said he was disappointed to have missed the PGA record (59) even though he was happy with his fourth position.
“I’ve never played 59 before so that would have ended the week on a high note,” said Rose, who bogeyed at 18e hole. I don’t know how much it was in my control or not. »
An arrow for Norman
This is McIlroy’s second victory this season. He triumphed at the CJ Cup in Las Vegas last October. He got his hands on a 21e career title on the PGA Tour.
“It’s a day I’m going to remember for a very, very long time,” McIlroy said. 21 victories on the circuit is one more than anyone else. »
It was an arrow in the direction of Greg Norman, leader of the Saudi circuit LIV. Norman called McIlroy “a victim of PGA brainwashing” to the Washington Post after McIlroy criticized the new tour.