This week has the potential to be one for the history books and it isn’t all about the goings-on at Jurassic Park, with the Toronto Raptors on the cusp of winning the NBA Finals against the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors.
With the Raptors home for Game 5 on Monday, another memorable moment could take place the day before in a game often accused of still being in the Jurassic Period, but you’d never know it even if the RBC Canadian Open is being played in a very staid, traditional setting of the Hamilton Golf and Country Club.
It’s there that Adam Hadwin, at 12 under, is just one shot off the lead with one round to go. He is among three Canadians in the top 10 on the leaderboard, including Mackenzie Hughes in eighth spot and Nick Taylor in a tie for ninth.
All are within five shots of the lead and as we’ve seen throughout the first three rounds, quick moves up the leaderboard are possible with a string of birdies or a timely eagle or two, although it was a little dicier. particularly with a tricky wind, in Saturday’s third round.
The age of 65 is generally considered the age of retirement in Canada and that’s precisely the number of years since Pat Fletcher became the last Canadian to win the national championship. With the number of times they’ve heard about it, the Canadians who remain at the RBC Canadian Open would love to put that winless streak since 1954 into retirement.
“It’s been amazing. We’re all so proud to represent Canada wherever we play around the world. Each one of us loves coming back home and playing in front of the home crowd,” said Hadwin.
“To play well is another thing on top of that, so like I say, such a great group to be part of and play alongside. We all want each other to do well. Hopefully. we all have good rounds tomorrow,” he added.
The fans would revel in it as well, especially after Brooke Henderson ended a similar streak of 45 years for Canadians on the LPGA Tour 10 months ago when she won the CP Women’s Open at Regina’s Wascana Country Club.
Alas, there is still one round to go for the Canadians and as Raptors players have been preaching, nothing can be counted on until the final decision. Right now on the leaderboard in Hamilton, that’s a pretty impressive trio of co-leaders including Webb Simpson, Matt Kuchar and Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy’s presence is a sign of the times for the RBC Canadian Open, which was moved from that dreadful date behind the British Open to the first week of June, just before next week’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.
McIlroy, however, says Pebble Beach preparation can’t be your only goal the week before.
“That thought doesn’t even enter your mind on Thursday morning when you’re on the golf course. You’re here to try to win a golf tournament. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to give it my all and try to compete,” said McIlroy.
“I think the best preparation for tournaments ahead is to get yourself into contention and feel the heat of battle and going down the stretch, hitting the shots when you need to,” he said.
“If you can do that, then I don’t think you can do anything else in the game that will give you more confidence than that,” said McIlroy, who was among four of the top six players in the world rankings present this week.
It’s McIlroy’s first appearance in Canada and he likes what he sees so far.
“It’s been awesome. The Canadian fans really come out and support this event. Yeah, it’s probably the best atmosphere I’ve played in in a long time. Around that 13th hole there is pretty cool,” he said.
“I’ve never played Phoenix. I think what they’ve been able to do here is like right on the limit of fun, but still in keeping with the traditions of the game, so I think it’s been awesome,” said McIlroy.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I’ve had a wonderful reception from everyone and just excited to get to play in front of them again (Sunday), he added.
A date change, an increased purse and a premium host site at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club are ways RBC has appealed to players and the marquee names have led to capacity crowds of all ages.
Birds eye view of the @RBCCanadianOpen crowd who came to the @FLAGALine concert tonight in Hamilton @rbcxmusic @RBC @LiveNation pic.twitter.com/WBBJgBEs0Q
— Mary DePaoli (@marydepaoli) June 8, 2019
Adding to the fun have been RBC concerts, open to everyone with a ticket. On Friday night as the Raptors were winning their fourth game of the NBA Finals, Mary DePaoli, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for RBC, posted an eye-opening tweet of the crowd enjoying Florida Georgia Line. On Saturday, homegrown rock band The Glorious Sons were due up.
One thing is clear, no matter who wins on Sunday. Under the guidance of DePaoli and Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum, this isn’t your dad’s golf tournament anymore. It’s into a new era that has nothing to do with dinosaurs.
