It should come as a shock and surprise, and normally would leave everyone wondering why but in this age of uncertainty the news is expected.
Rory McIlroy’s defence of his RBC Canadian Open title will not take place from June 11th to 14th after the Toronto Mayor John Tory announced all city-led events and permits have been cancelled through to the end of June, 2020.
For the World No. 1 ranked McIlroy, it is now an eighth event he would have contested this season to be either cancelled or postponed in normally an average of 24 events a year on both the PGA Tour and European Tour season for the Ulsterman.
News of the cancellation of the premier Canadian event comes soon after Ireland’s own Dubai Duty Free Irish Open set for Mt. Juliet in the last week of May was postponed.
The PGA Tour has yet to announce news of the RBC Canadian Open despite it being widely covered in Canada while it sadly will be just a matter of days before the USGA announces the postponement of the following week’s U.S. Open in San Francisco.
McIlroy brilliantly won for a first occasion last year in Canada posting a Tour career low final round 9-under par 61 to win also with a record-setting 22-under-par 258 tally in the country’s largest city.
The host St. George’s Golf and Country Club is located just 20 minutes from downtown Toronto bringing the golf course within the administration of the Toronto City Council.
Golf Canada and RBC released a statement Tuesday night on how that may impact the tournament.
“We appreciate the factors that led to this decision, in particular that all city resources are being directed to support our communities during this unprecedented health crisis,” the statement read.
“The health and safety of everyone who supports the RBC Canadian Open — and our community as a whole — will always come first, and we respect the city’s decision.
“Together with the PGA Tour, we are assessing this recent development along with other challenges posed by COVID-19 to determine the best course of action for the RBC Canadian Open.”
It will mean all RBC ambassadors, including McIlroy’s fellow Irishman Graeme McDowell, also will have another week off.
Golf Canada said to expect further announcements in the coming week.
Leave a comment