When the new date for the RBC Canadian Open was announced last spring at Glen Abbey, there was an understandable sense of giddiness about the place. But even amid all the smiling faces at the Abbey, one question remained: had Golf Canada and RBC just swapped a poor July date for a poor June one? “He’s a global ambassador for golf like a very select few players are,” said Bryan Crawford, tournament director of the RBC Canadian Open. On its own, the addition of McIlory to the field means the new date will be a win for the Canadian Open for this year at least. On the road to getting back to its former prominence in the golf calendar, the RBC Canadian Open landing Rory McIlroy is a sizable first stride.

Source: National Post March 21, 2019 19:30 UTC