Storylines for RBC Canadian Open: Rory McIlroy returns

The PGA Tour takes a trip north this week for the RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. 

With this week serving as the final tune-up before the U.S. Open, let's take a look at the three most intriguing storylines in Canada. 

Rory McIlroy returns as the heavy favorite

We haven't seen McIlroy since he finished T47 and blew off the media at the PGA Championship in May, so he could use a solid week leading up to the U.S. Open. In his last three starts at the RBC Canadian Open, the Northern Irishman is a combined 44 under par with a win and two more top-10 finishes. 

TPC Toronto is a long par-70 at close to 7,400 yards, so driving distance and long-iron play will be paramount this week. That's great news for McIlroy, who ranks first in strokes gained from off the tee, third in driving distance and fourth in par-4 scoring average this season. With no Scottie Scheffler in the field, McIlroy is a +450 favorite to win the RBC Canadian Open. 

TPC Toronto ready for the spotlight

The RBC Canadian Open has visited a rotation of courses in the Great White North, but this is TPC Toronto's first chance to shine. The golf course, located about an hour north of Toronto, is a large facility that features six par 4s, each measuring at least 480 yards. As we just mentioned, it will be critical for players to control their long irons this week. 

The only data point we have on the golf course since it underwent a massive renovation in 2023 is a PGA Tour Americas event from last year. TPC Toronto hosted the Fortinet Cup Championship in 2024, with Will Cannon taking home the title at just 5 under par. John Keefer, who is in the field this week, came in third at 3 under. This should be a challenging test even for some of the world's best players. 

Welcome to the show, Luke Clanton

The RBC Canadian Open marks the professional debut for Clanton, who dazzled on the PGA Tour as an amateur. The 21-year-old has already recorded four top-10 finishes on Tour, which propelled him to earn his full-time card through the PGA Tour University Accelerated program.