Rory McIlroy Wins RBC Canadian Open

Rory McIlroy with an 8-under 62 to outlast Justin Thomas and Tony Finau and win his second consecutive RBC Canadian Open title. McIlroy won in Canada in 2019 and came into the 2022 event as the defending champion following cancellations in 21 and 22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

McIlroy finished at 19-under 261 for a two-stroke victory at St. George’s Golf & Country Club. He successful defended a title on the PGA Tour for the first time, won on the PGA Tour for the 21st time and moved into a tie for 31st on the all-time PGA TOUR wins list.

“It means an awful lot. I feel like it’s getting tougher and tougher to win on the PGA Tour,” McIlroy said. “Even, just look at the two guys that I played with today. I went out with a lead and had to shoot 8-under par to get the job done. So the depth of talent on this TOUR is really, really impressive. And going up against guys like JT and Tony and coming out on top, that’s something to feel really good about. So super happy to get that 21st win, to defend, even though it doesn’t feel like a defense because it’s been so long. And then just to play in a final group like that with that atmosphere all day. I mean the fans here this week have just been absolutely unbelievable. Like so good and so cool to play in an atmosphere like that. Boisterous, loud, but respectful. It was really, really cool. It was really cool to be a part of and just really happy to get the win today and obviously sets me up well going into next week in Boston. But right now I just want to enjoy this and focus on this.”

This is McIlroy’s second win of the PGA Tour season following the CJ Cup in Las Vegas.

Finau drained a 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th for a 64 and a solo second.

Thomas finished alone in third while Charles Schwab Challenge champion Sam Burns finished in fourth.

Justin Rose ended up in fifth place following a 60 that included bogeys on Nos. 16 and 18.

“I’m totally disappointed, yeah. Because you know what’s at stake, for sure. You’re really just playing the last hole — I never shot 59 before — so it would have been a lovely footnote on the week. I don’t know how much was in my control or not, but I could have made we were right in between two clubs and a decision and I went the wrong way on a decision and paid the price for it,” Rose said. “So those are the things that do happen and it’s amazing how those situations present themselves right at the end. It was tricky, but all in all there’s tons to take out of this week.”

Next up is the U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, MS.