Select ticket options for Canada’s two National Open Championships –
the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and 2025 CPKC Women’s Open –
are now available

OAKVILLE, Ont. (December 13, 2024) – What began as a marketing initiative to highlight an iconic winning moment at the RBC Canadian Open, will now take its permanent place in tournament history.

Golf Canada, in partnership with title sponsor RBC is pleased to announce that the reimagined tournament logo celebrating Nick Taylor’s historic win as the first Canadian champion in 69 years, will now become the tournament’s permanent mark.

“Team RBC Ambassador Nick Taylor’s historic winning putt will forever be an iconic moment in Canadian sports history and one of the most thrilling plays at our country’s national championship,” said Mary DePaoli, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “It is only fitting that Nick leaves a lasting legacy on the tournament logo and we continue to be very proud of the mark he’s made on Canadian golf.”

The revised brand identity for Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship originally rolled out in 2024 as a one-year tribute to Taylor’s iconic 72-foot winning putt on the fourth playoff hole to defeat Tommy Fleetwood at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

The putter toss logo was universally well received and earlier this week, was named the PGA TOUR’s Best Marketing Initiative for 2024 as part of the Tour’s season-ending meetings in Orlando, Fla.

“We are incredibly proud to forever immortalize this signature winning moment in Canadian sports history as the permanent brand identity and logo mark for the RBC Canadian Open,” said Tim McLaughlin, Chief Marketing Officer, Golf Canada. “The original plan was for this to be a one-year tribute, however, the putter toss logo was so well received that we felt celebrating Nick Taylor and this signature moment permanently on the core championship mark was an easy choice. The putter toss logo has now been emblazoned on the RBC Canadian Open trophy signifying the permanence of the change.”  

The overwhelmingly positive feedback to the reimagined logo for the RBC Canadian Open made the decision to immortalize the moment a fitting choice.

“This recognition from Golf Canada, my partners at RBC, and everyone involved in the RBC Canadian Open is humbling beyond words. I was flattered by last year’s commemorative tournament logo, but for that to now become the permanent brand identity of our national open is truly an incredible honour,” said Nick Taylor. “I’m proud to share this with my family who make these special moments possible.”

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Tickets for Canada’s National Open Championships Now on Sale…

Golf Canada also announced today that select tickets are now available for both of Canada’s National Open Championships – the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open.

The 2025 RBC Canadian Open will be conducted for the first time ever at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont., from June 4-8. TPC Toronto is quickly becoming one of the premier Canadian golf destinations, with all three courses ranked inside the Top 100 by SCOREGolf Magazine. Canadian favourites Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Taylor Pendrith, Adam Hadwin and 2023 RBC Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor will compete for Canada’s National Open Championship. The Canadian contingent will challenge the defending champion from Scotland, Robert MacIntyre, who finished at 16-under to win at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. and earn the Scotsman’s his first PGA TOUR victory.

The 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will take place at the historic Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., August 20-24. One of 17 golf clubs in Canada to have hosted both the Men’s and Women’s National Open Championships. The CPKC Women’s Open is one of the top women’s sporting events in Canada and won back-to-back LPGA Tournament of the Year honours in 2022 and 2023. The Brooke Brigade will be out in full force as 2018 CPKC Women’s Open champion Brooke Henderson will headline a field of the world’s best in Mississauga. Defending champion Lauren Coughlin earned her first LPGA Tour win in 2024 at the Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alta., an event that set an all-time attendance record for the tournament.

“There is so much momentum in Canadian golf and energy behind both the CPKC Women’s Open and RBC Canadian Open, added McLaughlin. “Both have become must-attend events on the Canadian sports calendar, and we are pleased to give fans this opportunity to lock in their tickets for both historic championships.”

Along with world class golf, fans can belt out their best rendition of “O’ Canada” and experience the thrills of the iconic “Rink Hole” as well as enjoying premium food and beverage options in The Fare Way at both national open championships.

As two of Canada’s premier annual sporting events, both the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and 2025 CPKC Women’s Open offer three select ticket options now on sale for golf fans to experience the thrill of live professional golf at Canada’s National Open Championships. The advance ticket options include:

• Any Day Grounds Ticket: Access to the RBC Canadian Open / CPKC Women’s Open on any one day, Wednesday through Sunday (on-sale for a limited time, while supplies last.)

• Weekly Grounds Ticket: Access to the full week of the tournament, Wednesday through Sunday. (RBC Canadian Open/CPKC Women’s Open).

• 1904 Club Weekly Ticket/Heritage Lounge Weekly Ticket: Access for all four days of Championship play from Thursday through Sunday. (RBC Canadian Open/CPKC Women’s Open).

The 2024 CPKC Women’s Open was recently named the Gold Driver Award recipient for Best Volunteer Appreciation at the LPGA’s annual Gold Driver Awards. The CPKC Women’s Open has earned Tournament of the Year honours the previous two years (2022 and 2023). Golf Canada and CPKC also received Gold Driver Awards for Best Volunteer Engagement in 2023, Best Sponsor Activation in 2019, 2022, and 2023 as well as Best Community and Charity Engagement in three of the last five full season campaigns.

Through its CPKC Has Heart campaign, CPKC once again will be making a significant charitable contribution to the host community. Since 2014, the CPKC Women’s Open has helped raise over $22 million in support of children’s heart health in North America. A host community beneficiary of the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will be named by CPKC and Golf Canada at a later date.

The official charitable beneficiary of the RBC Canadian Open First Tee – Canada. As part of the commitment to junior golf, admission all week is free for youth aged 12-and-under at both tournaments.

Volunteer, sponsorship, and corporate hospitality opportunities for both tournaments are also available. To purchase tickets or for more information on the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, please visit rbccanadianopen.com and for the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, please visit cpkcwomensopen.com.

Golf Canada offers 2025 bundled ticket package to watch the stars of the
PGA and LPGA Tours compete for Canada’s National Open Championships

(November 27, 2024) – Two National Open Golf Championships combined into one great ticket as Golf Canada is pleased to introduce The Opens Flex Pass for a limited time, starting Black Friday (November 29) through to Cyber Monday (December 2).

The Opens Flex Pass will provide golf fans and event enthusiasts of the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open with the ultimate flexibility in a bundled ticket offer to watch the stars of the PGA and LPGA Tours compete for Canada’s National Open titles.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER

In 2025, both events will be hosted in the Greater Toronto area with the RBC Canadian Open taking place June 4-8 at TPC Toronto (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. and the CPKC Women’s Open running August 20-24 at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

Cost of The Opens Flex Pass is $147 (plus taxes and fees) and golf fans can choose their preferred day to attend each of the tournaments through this limited time offer. Any one-day tickets are valid for one scan during tournament week, there is no need to pre-select your preferred date.

The 2025 RBC Canadian Open will be conducted for the first time ever at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. TPC Toronto is quickly becoming one of the premier Canadian golf destinations, with all three courses ranked inside the Top 100 by SCOREGolf Magazine. Cheer on Canadian favourites Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Taylor Pendrith, Adam Hadwin and 2023 RBC Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor as they compete for Canada’s National Open Championship. The Canadian contingent will challenge the defending champion from Scotland, Robert MacIntyre, who finished at 16-under to win at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. and earn the Scotsman’s his first PGA TOUR victory.

The 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will take place at the historic Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., one of 17 golf clubs in Canada to have hosted both the Men’s and Women’s National Open Championships. The CPKC Women’s Open is one of the top women’s sporting events in Canada and won back-to-back LPGA Tournament of the Year honours in 2022 and 2023. The Brooke Brigade will be out in full force as 2018 CPKC Women’s Open champion Brooke Henderson will headline a field of the world’s best in Mississauga. Defending champion Lauren Coughlin earned her first LPGA Tour win in 2024 at the Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alta., an event that set an all-time attendance record for the tournament.

Along with world class golf, fans can belt out their best rendition of “O’ Canada” and experience the thrills of the iconic “Rink Hole” as well as enjoying premium food and beverage options in The Fare Way at both national open championships.

Don’t miss out on this limited time offer to secure your spot at both of Canada’s National Open Championships through The Opens Flex Pass.

Rory McIlroy finished the 2024 DP World Tour season in style by winning his sixth Race to Dubai crown following victory at the DP World Tour Championship.

After a third placed finish at last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, only South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence could deny McIlroy from claiming his sixth Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex of his career.

Lawrence needed to win and for the World Number Three to finish in 12th or worse for him to overturn McIlroy’s huge advantage, but his challenge never materialised as he carded a one-under-par total at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The Northern Irishman shared the lead after the first and third rounds, and looked in total control when he burst three shots clear thanks to a run of four straight birdies from the second.

Rasmus Højgaard remained in touch and capitalised on bogeys at the ninth and 13th from McIlroy to sit alongside him at the summit at 13 under.

However, birdies at the 16th and 18th paid dividends for McIlroy as he secured his third triumph on the Earth course by two shots to complete a season-finale double.

Antoine Rozner, who shared the third-round lead with McIlroy and Højgaard, birdied the opening hole to take the outright lead at 13 under, which turned into a two-shot advantage after the final group bogeyed the same hole.

The Frenchman slid a putt by at the second which would have improved his score and McIlroy and Højgaard responded by birdieing the same hole to return to 12 under.

McIlroy gained momentum and put his approach inside four feet at the third, which he rolled in to rejoin Rozner at the summit.

The birdie trail continued for the World Number Three at the fourth to become the first player to reach 14 under and when he followed suit at the fifth, he was two clear.

Before McIlroy teed off at the sixth, Rozner bogeyed the same hole to inflate the Northern Irishman’s advantage to three.

Rory McIlroy joins Seve Ballesteros with six Race to Dubai titles:

Rozner and Højgaard replied with a birdie at the next, however, McIlroy continued to keep his nose out in front despite a bogey to close his front nine.

It became a two-way tussle with Højgaard following his birdie at the seventh, while Rozner slipped back after a double bogey at the ninth.

McIlroy narrowly missed chances to extend his lead at the start of his back nine and when he bogeyed the 13th, there were two at the top.

The 35-year-old showed his quality at the 16th by landing his approach inside a foot for his first birdie in 11 holes, which Højgaard could not match.

PONTE VEDRE, FLA. – The PGA TOUR has released its nominees for their 2023-24 PGA TOUR Tournament Awards, with the 2024 RBC Canadian Open receiving three award nominations.

The 2024 RBC Canadian Open was won by Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre who finished at 16-under, to edge Ben Griffin by one at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. in June. It was the Scotsman’s first PGA TOUR victory, having previously won twice on the DP World Tour, the 2020 Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown and the 2022 Italian Open. One month later, McIntyre went on to win the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open for his fifth professional tournament win. The 28-year-old was also part of Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup winning team. Equally as special as earning his first PGA TOUR victory, MacIntyre did so with his father Dougie on the bag, caddying his son in Hamilton.

“We are appreciative and honoured to be nominated for three prestigious PGA TOUR Tournament Awards following the 2024 RBC Canadian Open,” said Ryan Paul, Tournament Director, RBC Canadian Open. “These nominations reflect the hard work, dedication and passion of our team, RBC and all of our proud partners, our proud host club, our incredible volunteers and our fans. Together we are continually driven to deliver an exceptional experience for everyone involved in our National Open Championship. We are incredibly grateful to be nominated again this year.”

The 2024 RBC Canadian Open picked up nominations in the following three categories:

Best In Class Element: This award recognizes a ‘Best in Class’ element at the tournament or associated with the tournament. It is to highlight a service, an event, a venue, a campaign, a program, an activity, an operation procedure or anything would represent a ‘Best in Class’ element that others should consider following or incorporating into their own events.

Best Marketing Initiative: Criteria include the development and execution of a marketing campaign designed to increase ticket sales and attendance.

Best Volunteer Program: Conducts effective volunteer recruitment outreach, training and onboarding programs. Meets and/or exceeds the standard committee numbers required, promotes year-round engagement, communication and feedback. Showcases an outstanding element of their volunteer program, diverse and inclusive culture, embraces the Volunteer Excellent Program and implements appreciation programs leading to higher retention.

Winners will be announced at the 2024 PGA TOUR Tournament Awards Celebration, which take place Wednesday, December 11 in Orlando, Fla. 

The 2025 RBC Canadian Open will be held June 3 – 8 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont.

Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce that Ryan Paul of Ancaster, Ont. has been appointed Tournament Director of the RBC Canadian Open.

Paul has served the past seven years with Golf Canada as Tournament Director of the CPKC Women’s Open, Canada’s lone stop on the LPGA Tour. During Paul’s tenure as CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Director, the National Open Championship has been hosted in four provinces and has become a signature women’s sporting event in Canada, having earned back-to-back LPGA Tournament of the Year honours in 2022 and 2023. In addition, the tournament has won a number of awards including, Best Sponsor Activation (2023, 2022 and 2019), Best Charity and Community Engagement (2022, 2019 and 2017), Best Volunteer Appreciation (2023) and has seen the largest build on the LPGA Tour (2023, 2022).

A member of Golf Canada’s Senior Leadership Team, Paul has led Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship to record levels of commercial and operational success since taking over as Tournament Director in 2017. Last month’s CPKC Women’s Open – hosted for the first time ever at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alta. set a new tournament record with 73,290 fans attending the event.

“Ryan Paul has done a tremendous job in growing every aspect of the CPKC Women’s Open and he will now take that stellar record into continuing to grow the RBC Canadian Open and maintain the amazing trajectory of this award-winning PGA TOUR event,” said Laurence Applebaum, Chief Executive Officer, Golf Canada. “Ryan comes from a lineage of great tournament directors with his father Bill occupying a similar role for many years. Ryan is just the right leader and growth mindset to be the ideal new leader of this great national championship.”

A collaborative and experienced golf industry leader, Paul has been a key contributor to Golf Canada’s professional championships team and the success of Canada’s National Open Championships dating back to 2007. Prior to being named Tournament Director of the CPKC Women’s Open, Paul worked as Golf Canada’s Manager, Professional Championships and Assistant Tournament Director, supporting both of Canada’s National Open Championships – the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open. 

Paul honed his executive management skills with Wasserman from 2011-2016 as an account manager on the agency’s key golf accounts for RBC, CN, Shaw, Manulife, and CPKC where he managed operations, experiential activities, and player relations. 

For Paul, taking on the leadership position of Canada’s lone stop on the PGA TOUR begins a new chapter stewarding a signature Canadian sporting event that has long been a part of his life.

“I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to take on the role of Tournament Director for the RBC Canadian Open. The RBC Canadian Open has always been a big part of my life having grown up with it and is one I am very passionate about. For Golf Canada and RBC to have the confidence in me to play a lead role in our National Men’s Open Championship is truly an honour. I am excited to dive right into preparations for the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. The RBC Canadian Open is a world-class event and I look forward to continuing to build upon the growth and success it has achieved,” said Ryan Paul, Tournament Director, RBC Canadian Open. “I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to CPKC, the LPGA Tour’s players, caddies, staff and key stakeholders for an incredible seven years working to elevate the CPKC Women’s Open and women’s golf in Canada. I am beyond proud of what we’ve collectively accomplished highlighted by back-to-back Tournament of the Year honours. I look forward to remaining part of the CPKC Women’s Open team in a supporting role and watching the tournament continue to succeed.”

Paul takes over the role of RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director from Bryan Crawford who left Golf Canada in June to become Commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League.

Paul and his wife Samantha are parents to three young children.

The 2025 RBC Canadian Open will be conducted June 3-8 for the first time ever at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. The 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will be played August 18-24 at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.  

Golf Canada has already begun the search for a new CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Director.

Golf Canada and Matt & Steve’s are thrilled to announce a three-year extension of their partnership, ensuring Matt & Steve’s continues as the Official Caesar Partner of Golf Canada, the CPKC Women’s Open and the RBC Canadian Open through 2027.

Building on the successful collaboration that began in 2022, Matt & Steve’s will continue to offer a selection of their popular ready-to-drink Caesars, Extreme Beans, and pickled garnish products at Golf Canada’s premier events. Spectators will also continue to enjoy the vibrant and popular Matt & Steve’s Caesar Deck as part of the Fare Way food and beverage experience.

“We are excited to extend our partnership with Matt & Steve’s, bringing their unique and flavorful products to enhance the fan experience at the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open,” said Craig Sharp, Sr. Director, Partnerships, Golf Canada. “Matt & Steve’s has been an integral part of our championships, and we look forward to continuing to build a lively and enjoyable atmosphere for our spectators with their innovative offerings.”

The extension of this partnership underscores the commitment of both Golf Canada and Matt & Steve’s to deliver exceptional experiences for golf fans and to celebrate the sport across the country. With this renewed collaboration, fans can look forward to more exciting activations and delicious offerings at Canada’s most prestigious golf events.

“Building on the incredible success of the last three years, we are thrilled to extend our partnership with Golf Canada. We look forward to continuing to bring the Matt & Steve’s Caesar Deck experience to golf fans across Canada. See you on the Caesar Deck in 2025!” said Steve McVicker, Co-Founder/CBO of Matt & Steve’s.

Matt & Steve’s are operating their infamous Caesar Deck at the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open in Calgary, Alta. where the iconic Caesar was invented, July 25 – 28.

RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bryan Crawford will be leaving the organization as he has accepted the role of Commissioner with the Ontario Hockey League.

“Bryan has played an instrumental role in the growth of the RBC Canadian Open into one of Canada’s signature sport properties and we are extremely appreciative of his contributions over the past six years as Tournament Director,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Bryan is a talented and dynamic sports executive who has made a wonderful impact on our team and our National Men’s Open Championship during his time with Golf Canada. He is well positioned for continued success in leading the Ontario Hockey League.”  

Since joining Golf Canada in 2018, Crawford has been leading force in the continued elevation and commercial growth of the RBC Canadian Open, which has become a festival experience featuring world-class golf, music and food experience. Crawford has also worked with the PGA TOUR’s Tournament Advisory Council, serving most recently as its Vice-Chair. A former member of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club, Crawford has previously worked in leadership positions with Basketball Canada and Ontario University Athletics (OUA).

Caledon, Ont., is preparing to welcome the world — through the RBC Canadian Open — to its rolling green hills.

TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley was announced as the host for the 2025 edition of the RBC Canadian Open, the men’s national golf championship and the only PGA Tour event north of the border, two weeks ago. 

Mayor Annette Grove said the success of this year’s event at Hamilton Golf and Country Club shows what it can do for a municipality’s international profile.

“It’s an opportunity to really put Caledon on the map globally,” said Grove on Tuesday. “I understand that over one million households across the United States, people from 140 different countries, viewed the tournament over the weekend in Hamilton, so this is an exciting opportunity for Caledon.”

The CPKC Women’s Open, Canada’s national women’s championship and the only LPGA Tour event in the country, travels across the country. It was at Vancouver’s Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club last year and will be at Calgary’s Earl Grey Golf Club at the end of July.

The men’s championship, however, stays in southern Ontario. St. George’s Golf and Country Club and Oakdale Golf and Country Club, both in Toronto, hosted in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Along with Hamilton and Toronto TPC, the four courses — and possibly a fifth to be announced at a later date — will comprise a rotation of locations in and around Toronto, Canada’s largest city.

Golf Canada’s chief operating officer Garrett Ball outlined the two tournaments’ economic impact at a news conference on Wednesday at the Canadian Open. He said the national sport organization had an $84-million economic impact on Canada as a whole, with $66 million of that in Ontario.

Although the final ticket sales data wasn’t yet released on Tuesday, Golf Canada estimated last week that 137,000 fans attended the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club between Wednesday and Sunday. The organization also estimated that more than 60,000 of them came from more than 40 kilometres away.

Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s minister of tourism, culture and sport, announced at the same news conference that the province would contribute $1 million to Golf Canada to support the event.

“The impact won’t just be for three or four days, it will be significant and it will be long lasting,” said Lumsden. “This touches all bases on what we are trying to do across Ontario. 

“So far, when we partner up (with Golf Canada), the expectations have been met and exceeded, and this will be no different at the RBC Canadian Open.”

Groves is excited to bring that kind of economic activity to Caledon, a regional municipality northwest of Toronto, that is stretched out over 700 square kilometres. That includes the unincorporated town of Bolton, the region’s largest community, as well as seven villages and 10 hamlets.

“I believe that this is a wonderful opportunity for our local businesses right across the town,” said Groves, who pointed to the villages of Alton and Cheltenham as well as the hamlet of Terra Cotta as communities that will benefit. 

“Right across the town, businesses will certainly benefit from this economically.”

Hosting a RBC Canadian Open is not without its challenges. Staff and fans arriving account for thousands of extra cars on roads and in parking lots in the area. The township also has a limited number of accommodations for visitors.

“One of the things that we we’re working on, certainly, is shuttling people. We’ve got other areas in Caledon and Caledon is a very big place,” said Groves. “We are working with our communities right across Caledon and with our partners to make sure that we can shuttle people safely to the Osprey Valley golf course.”

Groves also said that her town would be working with the neighbouring municipalities of Brampton, Ont., and Orangeville, Ont., for infrastructure support like hotels and shuttle points.

She also pointed to Caledon’s previous success hosting the equestrian competitions at the 2015 Pan American Games, which were held at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, Ont.

HAMILTON, Ontario — Robert MacIntyre, with father Dougie at his side as his caddie, held on to win the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title.

Four strokes ahead entering the final round at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, MacIntyre shot a 2-under 68 to beat playing partner Ben Griffin by a stroke. On the par-4 18th, the 27-year-old Scottish left-hander two-putted for par from 12 feet, holing out from 1 1/2 feet.

“Goose bumps. It’s incredible,” MacIntyre said. “It’s a dream of mine to play golf for a living. It’s been a dream of mine to win on the PGA Tour. … I just can’t believe I done it with my dad on the bag. The guy’s taught me the way I play golf.”

MacIntyre finished at 16-under 264 for the breakthrough victory in his 45th career PGA Tour start. The former McNeese State player was a member of Europe’s winning 2023 Ryder Cup team and has two European tour victories, the 2020 Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown and 2022 Italian Open.

“I was in a dog fight there,” MacIntyre said. “Obviously, Ben made it difficult coming in the stretch. He played well. It’s just incredible to do this with my dad on the bag and have my girlfriend here and I’m sure there’s a party going on back home in Oban.”

Griffin had a 65. He parred the 18th after birdieing the previous three holes.

“I fought hard,” Griffin said. “It felt like there was a lid on the cup for most of the day for me. I hit so many pretty good putts, I wouldn’t say like striped putts, but pretty good putts and just kept burning edges. A couple bad putts, but stayed patient.”

Victor Perez of France was third at 14 under after his second straight 64.

Two-time Canadian Open champion Rory McIlroy also shot 64 to tie for fourth with Tom Kim (64) at 13 under. McIlroy won in 2019 the last time the tournament was in Hamilton and again in 2022 at St. George’s in Toronto.

“Three really good rounds of golf, one not so good one,” McIlroy said. “Felt a little out of sorts on Friday. Did a good range session and sort of rectified it.”

Corey Conners was the top Canadian, shooting a 65 to reach 12 under.

“Definitely something to be proud of,” Conners said. “Yeah, obviously disappointing to not win the big trophy, but, yeah, it’s a cool honor.

Fellow Canadian Mackenzie Hughes, tied for second entering the day, was another shot back after a 70.

Last year at Oakdale in Toronto, Nick Taylor made a 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth hole of a playoff against Tommy Fleetwood to become the first Canadian to win the event since 1954.

Mackenzie Hughes had the dream scenario of winning the RBC Canadian Open in his hometown within reach but then it all slipped away.

Hughes started the final round of the men’s national golf championship tied for second, four shots back of Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre. Hughes had three birdies on his first four holes and MacIntyre bogeyed No. 1 to lift the Canadian to the top of the leaderboard.

The final 10 holes were tough on Hughes, with three bogeys dropping him back down as MacIntyre found his rhythm and surged to his first PGA Tour victory.

“Pretty gutted,” said Hughes, pausing to collect himself. “Yeah, I wanted this one pretty badly.

“I don’t know. This one will sting for awhile. I obviously got off to the start I needed to get off to but I just didn’t.”

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., ended a 69-year drought for Canadians at their national championship last year after a thrilling four-hole playoff at Toronto’s Oakdale Golf and Country Club. It has been 110 years since Canadians won it in consecutive years, with Albert Murray (1913) and Karl Keffer (1914) the last to accomplish the feat.

Hughes spoke all week about trying to stay mentally present and shelve any pressure he might feel. Not just because he was aware of the importance of keeping the championship in Canada, but because this year’s event at Hamilton Golf and Country Club was essentially in his hometown.

Billed from Dundas, Ont., just eight kilometres away from the course in Ancaster, Ont., — both towns were amalgamated into the city of Hamilton in 2000 and 2001 respectively — Hughes allowed that the pressure of the final round did weigh on him.

“Today I felt sort of the enormity of a few of the putts I had and a few of the shots,” he said. “Kind of felt like I was running out of holes at times and that I needed to make something happen. 

“In this game you can’t really force things or feel like you need to start pressing, it’s kind of a hard game to be pressing.”

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., actually leapfrogged Hughes on the final leaderboard to win the Rivermead Cup, the trophy for lowest scoring Canadian at the men’s national championship. Conners shot 5-under 65 on the day to finish 12 under in sole possession of sixth.

“I guess it’s a nice consolation prize,” said Conners, who also won it in 2022. “Definitely something to be proud of but obviously disappointing to not win the big trophy. It’s a cool honour.”

There was a small silver lining for Hughes. His performance earned him a spot in the upcoming British Open at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland.

“It’s a great, I guess, bonus after not getting what you want, but kind of hard to think about that at the moment,” said Hughes. “It’s always great to get a major start under your belt and to play at Troon.

“I’ve played there before, so it’s a really fun golf course and looking forward to getting there in July.”

Taylor Pendrith (69) of Richmond Hill, Ont., tied for 21st at 7 under. He is projected to move three spots up to 30th on the FedEx Cup standings, making him the highest ranked Canadian on the PGA Tour.

“A good step in the right direction,” said Pendrith, who went to Kent State University with Hughes and Conners. “I felt like I did a lot of good things, I putted awesome today, saved me a lot.”

Ben Silverman (68) of Thornhill, Ont., tied for 35th, Adam Svensson (70) of Surrey, B.C., tied for 51st. Myles Creighton (70) of Digby, N.S., tied for 57th. Edmonton’s Will Bateman (74) tied for 62nd, and David Hearn (76) of Brantford, Ont., finished 69th in his 20th Canadian Open appearance.