Wednesday, June 7, 2023 – Two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy is ready to make history in defence of the RBC Canadian Open title at Oakdale Golf & Country Club.
The world’s number three ranked player will lead a field of 156 of the world’s best players looking to become the first player in history to win three consecutive titles.
“Any time you can come back and defend a title sort of wherever that is in the world, it’s nice to be able to do that, said McIlroy. “Obviously the Sunday last year was, to me, one of the probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had playing on TOUR. Battling it out with JT and Tony down the stretch. Rosie was on course trying to shoot 59. There was a ton of low scores. Battling with those two guys. JT and Tony being two of the best players in the world. Coming out on top. Yeah, it was really nice. Nice to be able to defend a title. I felt like the support I got out there was absolutely amazing and I’m looking forward to playing in that sort of atmosphere again this week.”
OPENING CEREMONIES KICK OFF AT 6:30 A.M.
The opening ceremonies for the 2023 RBC Canadian Open will begin at 6:30 a.m. and will include a blessing of the land, National Anthem, and a fly over by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. The opening ceremonies will conclude with a ceremonial tee shot from Wilf Homenuik. During his career, Homenuik won eight international professional titles, two Canadian Professional Golfer Association (CPGA) championships, two CPGA Match Play Championships for the Millar Trophy and eleven provincial titles. Nine of the 27 holes at Oakdale Golf and Country Club are named after the club’s long-time teaching professional, known as the Homenuik nine. Homenuik was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2005.