A shootout occurred during the final round of the RBC Canadian Open, and defending champion Rory McIlroy held off a charging field that included Justin Thomas, Tony Finau and a resurgent Justin Rose to take the title he first won in 2019.

Ror roars again

McIlroy, who won the last pre-pandemic RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, went into the final round in the lead. With weather concerns leading tournament organizers to put players out in threesomes on the back and the front nine, McIlroy found himself paired with Finau and Thomas. All three came charging out of the gate. After making four consecutive birdies on nine through 12, McIlroy could have taken command of the tournament. But a missed short putt and not being able to get up and down led McIlroy to find himself neck-and-neck with Thomas heading into the final holes.

What happened

Justin Thomas, who bogeyed the last two holes came as McIlroy made consecutive birdies to pull away. He applauded the golf course—St. George’s Golf and Country Club—and the experience he had in the week: “[The tournament] had all the ingredients—It had the golf course, the cast of players you’d want to be there, and it had the atmosphere,” McIlroy said. “Being a part of it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Things got crazy

With Thomas missing his approach on 18, McIlroy hit his approach to four feet. That’s when the crowd—estimated at around 25,000 on the day—converged on the green. Police and volunteers held them back, but it was an unusual sight as Thomas’ chip almost rolled into the throng of people perched against the 18^th hole. McIlroy said the last time he experienced something like that was when he was paired with Tiger Woods at East Lake in 2018. “The support and the love I’ve got … the fans are amazing and they come out and support this event really well,” McIlroy said.

Finau’s quiet 64

If you’re in the final group and shoot 64, you’re sure to win, right? Not if you’re paired with McIlroy and Thomas. The big man with the short swing made six birdies on the day, but somehow it felt like it should have been so much better. He finished alone in second-place.

Rose’s 59 watch

Justin Rose wasn’t really part of the mix until Sunday. He eagled his opening hole—the first of three eagles on the day—and went charging up the leaderboard. He had a good shot at 59, and found himself 11-under on the 15^th hole. But costly bogeys on 16 and 18 meant he finished in a tie for fourth, moving up 28 spots on the day.

Canadians

Twenty Canadians started in the field, and six made the cut. The standout was the top-ranked Canadian in the field, Corey Conners. With the course playing soft, Conners took advantage with six birdies and an eagle to shoot 62. He finished in 6^th-place.

What’s in the bag: Rory McIlroy

Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus 9 degrees
Fairways: TaylorMade Stealth 3-wood (15 degrees) and 5-wood (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3-iron) and P730 Rors Prototypes (4-PW)
Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 (54, 58)
Putter: TaylorMade Spider X
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x