The Canadian Open could not have picked a better weekend for its 2019 tournament with a perfect forecast and a strong complement of star golfers making the trip to Hamilton Golf and Country Club.
After three rounds of action, Rory McIlroy sits in a three-way tie with Webb Simpson and Matt Kuchar for the lead heading into Sunday.
The 30-year-old is looking for his second PGA Tour win in 2019 after winning the Players Championship back in March. The Northern Irishman can win his sixth national open title on Sunday and also give himself a solid foundation heading into the U.S. Open.
When the No. 4 golfer announced that he would compete in the Canadian Open, he said he was looking forward to seeing the crowd first-hand, and he hasn’t been disappointed.
“It’s probably the best atmosphere I’ve played in in a long time,” McIlroy told reporters on Saturday. “I think what they’ve been able to do here is like right on the limit of fun but still in keeping with the traditions of the game, so I think it’s been awesome. I’ve really enjoyed my time here.”
McIlroy did get a preview of how Canadian sports fans can be on the big stage as he was in attendance for Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors. He was impressed with the passion Raptors fans throughout the game.
Excited to be in Toronto at NBA Finals. Can’t wait to tee it up this week @rbccanadianopen @golfcanada
Big thanks @rbc @marydepaoli pic.twitter.com/jODaM82p7u— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 3, 2019
“It was really cool to be there and be a part of and experience,” said McIlroy.
The Canadian Open has benefited from changing the date of the tournament to early June because players are using the weekend as a chance to fine tune their game ahead of the U.S. Open which opens at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 13.
In past years the Canadian Open would be played in July, after the Open Championship, at a time when players preferred to take the week off rather than coming overseas.
For Canadian golf fans, this has been a promising week with Adam Hadwin in the mix heading into the final round. They have also shown their unrelenting passion for the Raptors busting out in a “Let’s Go Raptors!” chant.
"Let's go @Raptors"@RBCCanadianOpen fans are ready for Game 5.#WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/fRIzK0AtcV
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 8, 2019
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