There is little doubt over the marquee group for the opening two rounds of the RBC Canadian Open this week, with Luke Clanton teeing it up alongside Rory McIlroy and Ludvig Aberg.
Plenty of eyes will be on Luke Clanton this week, as the youngster makes his long-awaited professional debut at the RBC Canadian Open. The 21-year-old has already threatened to win on the PGA Tour as an amateur.
And it seems that the tournament organisers are keen to create as much excitement in his group as possible, with Rory McIlroy and Ludvig Aberg joining him for the first two days at TPC Toronto.
Of course, it will be McIlroy’s first appearance since his disappointing PGA Championship showing.
Luke Clanton outlines what impresses him about Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy
Oddly, it already feels that McIlroy has a point to prove, despite winning three times earlier in the year, including at The Masters to complete the career grand slam.
And the reason he has that point to prove is Scottie Scheffler. The world number one has won three times in his last four starts, with his four-shot triumph at The Memorial Tournament being the smallest victory yet.
There is no question at all that the two are the best players in the world this year. And speaking ahead of his first round, Clanton was asked what impressed him about the pair.
“I think what Scottie and Rory do so well is, when they’re coming down that final stretch to win a golf event, they know how to handle themselves well. They’ve been in that moment multiple, multiple times now obviously. It’s just amazing to see what they do. I think Scottie and Rory are icons of this game, and to be playing against Rory this week is pretty cool,” he said.
“Again, in similar ways, I’m still learning. I don’t know how I’m similar to them yet, even if I am or not, but I know that I’m a pretty good golfer, and I know I’ve got a good mentality and it will hold me strong throughout my career.”
Luke Clanton assesses Scottie Scheffler’s performance at The Memorial Tournament
What was so outstanding about Scheffler’s win at Muirfield Village was how he never seemed to put himself in fifth gear.
Just like the PGA Championship, a late flurry of birdies on Saturday set Scheffler up to go on and win the tournament. And Clanton explained what he found so remarkable about his display at Jack’s Place.
“I think what they do so well is their emotions never get too high or too low,” he added.
“Again, Scottie, last week at Memorial, if you watched him play, threw one fist pump, and he was leading the event. He was so locked in on what he was doing. I’m a massive golf fan, so I watched the whole back nine obviously. He hit it great. He gained like 15 shots off the field in irons. That’s unbelievable.
“He’s just different right now. That’s it. Pretty plain and simple.”
In actual fact, Scheffler gained just over 15 shots across all categories over the week, according to the PGA Tour website. Nevertheless, it was unquestionably one of the most polished performances golf fans will see all year.
And yet, you would not be surprised if better was still to come.
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