The Canadian Open returns to Hamilton Golf and Country Club for the first time in five years – and here are six significant changes to look out for this week.
Rory McIlroy took the title back in 2019, and the Northern Irishman is looking to land his third PGA Tour victory of 2024.
Not long after the 35-year-old’s triumph five years ago, the course underwent an $8.5million renovation under the watchful eye of architect Martin Ebert.
In 2023, Golf Digest named Ebert’s renovation to Hamilton the ‘Best Renovation’ of the year – and here are the main changes to look out for ahead of Thursday’s first tee time.
Main changes to Hamilton Golf and Country Club
Six holes have been significantly changed since the 2019 competition. The first comes at the par-three sixth, with the short hole set to play 25 yards longer in 2024.
A new tee box comes into play on the par-four seventh, making it 35 yards longer. In some sense, the changes to Hamilton are not too dissimilar to what the world’s best had to deal with at Quail Hollow.
The 11th and 14th have been lengthen by a combined distance of 45 yards. A new green comes into play on the 17th, and the par-four 18th has been lengthened by 11 yards.
Rory McIlroy to replicate his 2019 outing at the Canadian Open
It’s hard to look past McIlroy again this week. The Northern Irishman was superb during his recent win at the Wells Fargo Championship and put in a respectable outing at the PGA Championship.
In what is a slightly weaker field this week, the four-time major champion is no doubt the favourite.
Elsewhere, Sahith Theegala could be well suited to Hamilton’s narrow fairways. Typically a shot-shapers course, the one-time PGA Tour event winner could thrive this week.
After last year’s playoff drama, it would be foolish to write off one of the Canadian players with Nick Taylor and Taylor Pendrith the home crowd’s best chance of victory.
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