Hamilton may be star of RBC Open
Tourney shaping up a little light on big names, but newly renovated course should be a highlight
The big news to come out of RBC Canadian Open media day Monday at Hamilton Golf and Country Club was that there wasn’t much news to share. At least not yet.
Beyond some impressive facts and figures — the buildout for this year’s Open will again be the biggest in tournament history with 200,000 square feet of structural space and some 9,500 pieces of furniture — it was announced that Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry will play the tournament.
Neither is a surprise. Memorably, Fleetwood lost in a playoff to Abbotsford, B.C.’s Nick Taylor last year at Oakdale and Lowry has played the last five Canadian Opens, finishing second to Rory McIlroy at Hamilton in 2019. Amid talk of a walkout at Oakdale last year after the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund dropped their framework agreement bombshell, it was Lowry who stood up at a player meeting and told the disgruntled they weren’t going anywhere.
Though they are recognizable names and likeable lads, neither is much of a needle-mover, either. At present, only McIlroy fits that bill, which made the “world-class field” refrain from Golf Canada executives somewhat disingenuous. Barring another big name being announced before the tournament starts on May 30 — Max Homa is apparently high on the wish list — this year’s field might be weaker than last year’s, which was a significant step down from 2022 at St. George’s. That year, McIlroy beat Justin Thomas and Tony Finau in
an epic final-round clash. An onthe-rise Scottie Scheffler was also lured to Toronto that year, his one and only Canadian Open appearance.
The weak field is the result of being dealt a date that precedes two big-money signature events — the Memorial and Travelers Championship — and the U.S. Open. Plus, it occurs two weeks after the PGA Championship, which comes on the heels of this week’s Wells Fargo Championship, another elevated event. That’s a seven-week stretch of five tournaments with a purse of $20 million (U.S.) or more, Canada’s national championship not among them.
In that regard, McIlroy’s pre-Christmas pledge to return without a title to defend was something of a surprise and a huge get.
“He’s so enthusiastic about coming back to Canada,” said Mary DePaoli, RBC’s chief marketing officer and executive vice-president, who
spent time with the world No. 2 at last month’s RBC Heritage. “The way he’s treated by fans, he feels like an honorary Canadian.”
On the flip side, the actual Canadian contingent — which now numbers seven PGA Tour winners, including last week’s champion Taylor Pendrith and sponsor exemption Mike Weir — will be a draw.
Just like Weir at Hamilton in 2003 (his first Canadian Open after winning the Masters) fans will want to see and celebrate the return of Taylor after his Oakdale heroics. In a neat marketing move, 7,500 Nick Taylor putter-flip bobbleheads will be sold online and on site. The tournament will also mark another homecoming for Mackenzie Hughes, who grew up in nearby Dundas, Ont. Hughes tied for 14th in 2019 at Hamilton, while Adam Hadwin finished sixth.
There was also no announcement on future sites, though tournament director Bryan Crawford teased there could be news within two weeks. Along with having no longterm extension from RBC, the biggest issue is venue, of which there are not many suitable options given the size and scope of a PGA Tour event.
It’s widely believed the recently renovated North Course at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont., will get the 2025 edition, while Oakdale has an option to bring the tournament back in 2026. That’s no guarantee given the hurdles involved. Despite the dream finish last year, players were critical of Oakdale’s setup and the fact they had to take a shuttle outside of the property to get to a makeshift driving range on the property.
On that note, the best thing the RBC Canadian Open has going for it this year — aside from a defending champion who is Canadian — is Hamilton.
The course was overhauled by Martin Ebert after the 2019 tournament to return the 100-plus-yearold layout closer to the vision of original architect Harry Colt.
Thousands of trees were removed and new bunkering was installed throughout the property. Yardage was added via some new tee decks and green sites and short-grass collection areas now surround every putting surface. More important, the club is set up perfectly to host a big event. The driving range, first tee, ninth tee, 10th green, 18th green, putting green, clubhouse and media centre are within yards of one another. As well, the third nine and short course provide plenty of room for TV trucks, fitness trailers and food vendors.
“I like the changes. I’m a little bit sad to see all the trees go, but it still has a great feel to it,” said Hughes via text. “Hamilton has all you need logistically for a tour stop ... It’s a complete package.”