The RBC Canadian Open returns this week, with a stacked field taking to the Hamilton Golf and Country Club.
Much like the Colonial Country Club in Texas that just played host to the Charles Schwab Challenge, the Ontario course has undergone a major $8.5million (£6.6million) renovation.
Both are certainly well-respected venues within the sport, with Keegan Bradley recently raving over the former, while the latter has long been ranked as one of Canada’s finest.
That should, therefore, make for a thrilling tournament, along with the fact that the RBC Canadian Open produced a stunning finish last time out, with Nick Taylor beating Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff in 2023.
The former became the first Canadian to win his national open in 69 years, and will be keen to defend his title from Toronto’s Oakdale Golf and Country Club.
Rory McIlroy should be full of confidence ahead of the RBC Canadian Open
Standing in the defending champion’s way, however, is a certain Rory McIlroy, who will be quietly confident going into the competition.
First and foremost, the world number three is the most recent winner at the Hamilton course after winning there in 2019.
Remarkably, the Northern Irishman posted a closing 61 with two bogeys to clinch the trophy, and could be in for another impressive performance even with the changes to the course.
His history in the competition will only serve to boost his morale, with McIlroy winning on his first start in 2019 before defending his title in 2022 after two editions were cancelled due to Covid-19.
Can Rory McIlroy continue momentum ahead of the US Open?
McIlroy will, of course, be working towards a strong showing at the US Open, where he is among five former champions who can win a second title at Pinehurst.
And momentum is certainly on his side at this moment in time, with the 35-year-old given another confidence boost ahead of the Canadian Open thanks to his recent wins.
McIlroy may have had to settle for tied-twelfth at the PGA Championship at Valhalla, but won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and the Wells Fargo Championship in his previous two starts.
On top of that, he boasts 20 top-10 finishes in majors since his PGA Championship glory in 2014, more than any other player during the same period.
McIlroy may have fallen to third in the world rankings after Xander Schauffele secured victory at the latest PGA Championship, but that should motivate him to climb back up the leaderboard.
A third and final confidence booster comes in the form of his current schedule, with the former world number one taking a week off before heading to Canada.
Having played six events in seven weeks, McIlroy’s body and mind should be well rested ahead of another busy period.
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