Rory McIlroy Faces Challenges at RBC Canadian Open: A Tough Start But Optimism Remains
Rory McIlroy had a challenging beginning to the RBC Canadian Open, finishing his first round with a score of one-over 71. This performance left him six strokes behind early leader Taylor Pendrith at TPC Toronto. As the world’s second-ranked golfer and reigning Masters champion, McIlroy was looking to regain form after a disappointing finish at the PGA Championship two weeks ago.
Taylor Pendrith set a strong pace with an impressive 65, while McIlroy’s round took a turn for the worse with back-to-back bogeys at the last two holes. The Northern Irish golfer ended the day tied for 51st, making his quest for a 30th PGA Tour victory an uphill battle.
Starting his round from the 10th tee, McIlroy encountered difficulties early on, dropping shots at both the 12th and 17th holes due to missed greens. However, he found his rhythm with three consecutive birdies, including a successful two-putt on the par-five 18th and first holes, and an 11-foot putt at the second hole. Despite the disappointing score, McIlroy remained positive about his performance, stating, “I actually felt like I played okay.”
One bright spot for McIlroy was his debut with a new driver. He expressed satisfaction with its performance, saying, “I hit some drives that I liked, so that was encouraging.”
Looking ahead, McIlroy acknowledged the need to improve, stating, “Obviously, I need to go a little bit lower tomorrow and over the weekend to have a chance. Overall, I’m still trying to work on some things, but I’m okay with where everything is.”
This round at the Canadian Open followed a tough outing at the PGA Championship, where he finished 47th, 14 strokes behind the winner, Scottie Scheffler. After a break from tournament play, McIlroy showed signs of rustiness, which added pressure as he prepares for the upcoming US Open.
As the day progressed, other clubhouse leaders alongside Pendrith included Rico Hoey, Sam Burns, Nick Taylor, and Thomas Detry, all at four-under par. With half the field still on the course, McIlroy’s path to recovery will require a strong performance in the remaining rounds of the tournament.
Stay tuned as Rory McIlroy aims to bounce back and regain momentum in the RBC Canadian Open!
