Rory McIlroy Claims Enthralling RBC Canadian Open

The 33-year-old produced an eight-under-par final round of 62, as he secured his 21st PGA Tour title

Rory McIlroy claps his hands
(Image credit: Getty Images)

On the final day of the RBC Canadian Open, fans were treated to an epic spectacle as players shot incredible rounds on the St. George's Golf Course layout. However, thanks to an eight-under-par round of 62, it was Rory McIlroy who rose to the top, with the 33-year-old picking up his 21st PGA Tour title.

It was a pretty special one for Rory, with the Northern Irishman taking a slight dig at Greg Norman, as he stated "one more than someone else" following his win. But what couldn't be taken away was the utter class and maturity that the four-time Major winner showed as he defended his title for the first time in his career.

Birdieing eight of his opening 12 holes, you could have been mistaken that Rory was going to cruise to the title with six holes remaining. However, the 33-year-old then made two bogies at the 13th and 16th as playing partners Justin Thomas and Tony Finau chased him down.

Scoring was extremely low on Sunday, and that was certainly proven by Justin Rose who, following two eagles, seven birdies, five pars and two bogies, needed a par at the last to shoot the 13th 59 on the PGA Tour. 

Placing his drive just off the fairway at the 18th, the Englishman encountered a monumental flyer that carried the green and nearly finished in the grandstands. Unfortunately for Rose, he couldn't get up-and-down, with the the 41-year-old just missing his par putt as he tapped-in for a stunning 60.

Justin Rose hits a drive

Rose came within inches of 59 at the RBC Canadian Open

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Out on the course it was really hotting up, with McIlroy, Thomas and Finau putting on an incredible display for those in attendance and watching worldwide. As the trio battled it out, the pivotal moment would come at the par 4 17th. 

Securing a birdie, Rory moved himself into a two shot lead and, although Finau birdied the last, the Northern Irishman followed, with a birdie at the par 4 18th giving him a two-shot win over Finau and a four-shot win over Thomas.

Such was the quality of the final group, that none of them carded worse than a 64, with McIlroy's 62 proving the pivotal factor as he secured his 21st PGA Tour title.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x