"McIlroy 'Kept His Word' to Defend Title After 3 Years"... Rose: "Did You See Three Eagles in One Day?" (Summary)

RBC Canada Open Final Day: 8-Under Par '2-Stroke Victory', Finau 2nd, Thomas 3rd, 'Number 1' Scheffler Tied 18th

Rory McIlroy is cheering while holding the trophy immediately after winning the RBC Canadian Open. Toronto (Canada) = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Title defense after 3 years."

World No. 8 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) fired an 8-under-par round on the final day of the PGA Tour RBC Canadian Open (total prize money $8.7 million) held on the 13th (Korean time) at St. George Golf Club in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (par 70, 7,014 yards), securing a 2-stroke victory (19-under 261). This marks his second win of the season following The CJ Cup in October last year, which is included in the 2022 season, and his 21st career victory overall, with a winner's prize of $1,566,000 (approximately 2.05 billion KRW).

McIlroy started tied for the lead and racked up 10 birdies (2 bogeys). He had a strong start with birdies on holes 1 and 4, followed by consecutive birdies on holes 6 and 7, and a streak of four birdies from holes 9 to 12. Interestingly, bogeys on holes 13 and 16 allowed Justin Thomas (USA) to catch up and tie. Ultimately, the 17th hole (par 4) became the turning point. McIlroy’s second shot landed close to the hole, regaining control, and he celebrated his victory with a birdie on the 18th hole (par 4).

This tournament is especially significant as the "promised land" where McIlroy set a new milestone called the "triple crown." He has won the national titles of three countries: the US Open in the United States in 2011, The Open Championship in the United Kingdom in 2014, and the Canadian Open in 2019. After a 3-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he achieved back-to-back wins and completed a solid "warm-up" ahead of the third major, the US Open, which opens on the night of the 16th.

Rory McIlroy (right) is making an iron shot on the 16th hole on the final day of the RBC Canadian Open. Toronto (Canada) = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images

Locally, McIlroy’s loyalty drew the spotlight. This was because Dustin Johnson (USA), a major drawcard, announced his participation in the first LIV Golf event led by Saudi Arabia during the same period. McIlroy is a symbolic figure, supported for a long time by the title sponsor RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) and connected through his father-in-law, the "ice hockey legend" Wayne Gretzky (Canada). McIlroy also cheered, saying, "I had a great battle with Tony and JT," adding, "It will be remembered for a long time."

Tony Finau finished 2nd (17-under 263), and Thomas took 3rd place (15-under 265) after consecutive bogeys on holes 17 and 18. Justin Rose (England) created buzz off the course by making three eagles. He made a "shot eagle" from 137 yards on hole 1 (par 4), and eagles on holes 11 and 15 (both par 5s) with "2-on 1-putt." Adding 7 birdies and 3 bogeys, he posted a daily best 10-under and soared to a tie for 4th place (14-under 266). World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (USA) tied for 18th (7-under 273), and Korea’s Noh Seung-yeol (32) tied for 35th (3-under 277).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.