Rory McIlroy Eyes Third Canadian Open Title: A Final Round Battle in Ontario

Rory McIlroy Eyes Third Canadian Open Title: A Final Round Battle in Ontario

Rory McIlroy is in solid form after the third round at the RBC Canadian Open, in his attempt to win his third Canadian Open title.

Rory McIlroy’s performance in the penultimate round of the RBC Canadian Open has set the stage for an exhilarating final round. Tied for ninth place alongside Tom Kim, Trace Crowe, and Joel Dahmen, McIlroy’s outing in Ontario could be a significant precursor to his performance at the U.S. Open in mid-June. Reflecting on his game, McIlroy shared, “I got off to a pretty fast start. Three-under through 5 and 5-under through 9. Wish I had made a couple more coming in, but overall a good day’s work and hopefully it puts me within touching distance going into tomorrow.”

The atmosphere at the RBC Canadian Open has undeniably been a factor in McIlroy’s resurgence. “I feel like an honorary Canadian at this point and the support I get here is amazing,” McIlroy said. “I keep saying it, but just a pleasure to play in an atmosphere like that. The crowds are so good, they’re so supportive, so enthusiastic, looking forward to one more day of it.” The encouragement from the crowd was instrumental in helping McIlroy bounce back from a challenging second round.

This tournament marks McIlroy’s first event since his 12th-place finish at the PGA Championship at Valhalla in early May. During the tournament, news broke that McIlroy had filed for divorce from Erica Stoll, ending their seven-year marriage. Despite this personal upheaval, McIlroy has shown remarkable focus and resilience on the course.

After sitting in sixth place and four shots off the lead following the opening round, McIlroy admitted he entered the competition feeling less than stellar. “I had too much wine celebrating caddie Harry Diamond’s birthday the night before and came into the competition feeling ‘groggy,'” McIlroy revealed. Despite this, he managed to play the back nine blind, having only practiced the front nine during the pro-am. “I was happy enough to get out of there in even par and not make a bogey,” he said. “But once I got those nine holes out of the way, I knew there were some chances on the front side and played much better. Four birdies and no bogeys was a good day’s work.

McIlroy’s recent performances have shown a steady improvement, a testament to his determination and skill. “I’ve played a lot of golf this year. I’m on another four-week stretch, but it’s been good. I’ve started to play my way into form and I’ve played well the past few weeks and hopefully, I can keep that going,” he commented.

A strong finish at the Canadian Open could provide McIlroy with the momentum he needs as he heads into future tournaments, most notably the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. With a decade-long major drought, McIlroy will be eager to prove his mettle against the competition, including stars from LIV Golf.

As McIlroy prepares for the final round in Ontario, all eyes will be on him to see if he can clinch his third Canadian Open title. His journey through the tournament has been marked by resilience, skill, and the unwavering support of the Canadian crowd. Whether he emerges victorious or not, McIlroy’s performance at the RBC Canadian Open is sure to be a pivotal moment as he gears up for the U.S. Open and other major tournaments this season.