When Nick Taylor’s putter soared through the air on the 18th hole at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto, it changed the course of Canadian golf.
The beginning of the decade had been rough for the sport in the country.
In 2020 and 2021, the pandemic led to the cancellation of the RBC Canadian Open – even as, below the surface, participation in the sport was soaring.
When the tournament finally returned in 2022, it went head-to-head with the inaugural LIV Golf event in London — a double-edged sword with increased attention and a notable winner in Rory McIlroy while the national part of the national open receded to the background.
One year later, things could’ve taken a nosedive. Wildfire smoke engulfed the Tuesday practice round. Then, the bombshell announcement of the PGA Tour’s framework agreement with LIV – a deal, by the way, that is still yet to be finalized – put the future of the sport as we know it on trial.
Now, as the 2025 Canadian Open is set to be played from June 5-8 for the first time at TPC Toronto, billed by Golf Canada as the Canadian home of golf, the tournament and game itself appear to have ascended.
“I wouldn’t say it’s added pressure really,” said Taylor Pendrith about Nick Taylor’s win, “more motivation seeing Nick do it. But, like, winning a PGA Tour event is very difficult. Obviously winning the RBC Canadian Open is a dream of all of us Canadians out here, and to see Nick do it will still give you goosebumps.”
Taylor’s curse-breaking win seemed to solidify Canada’s place in professional golf.
You can chalk it up to motivation or to his booming drives, but Pendrith, of Richmond Hill, Ont., just authored the best Canadian finish at a major in 20 years when he tied for fifth at the PGA Championship on Sunday. He broke through for his first career victory on Tour last season.
Meanwhile, fellow Ontarian Corey Conners played in the second-last group on each weekend day at The Masters, ending up with his fourth top-10 finish at the marquee major. He followed it up by tying for 19th at the PGA.
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Taylor has arguably enjoyed the most success of any Canadian man since his win, earning two more victories at the WM Open and Sony Open – both, of course, in playoffs.
Yes, there have been negatives too, as golf is known to produce.
Taylor’s high highs have been met with low lows – he missed cuts at the Canadian Open and all four majors last year.
On the women’s side, Brooke Henderson hasn’t won since Taylor’s breakthrough after racking up four victories in two-plus seasons prior.
Yet all in all, Canadian golf seems to have found its footing.
And as pro golf returns north of the border, the RBC Canadian Open is well on its way to re-establishing itself as a premier event on tour – led by the consistent presence of Masters champion McIlroy.
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“Rory is a guy that people love to cheer for. He’s human, he’s talented, and the one thing that I would say we appreciate is he believes very much in this tournament,” said Mary DePaoli, RBC’s chief marketing officer.
“I believe when he comes back to Canada, the reception, which was already strong, is going to be even bigger and stronger. … And I think now with all of the performance that he’s had in 2025, the people will show up to support him without a doubt.”
The list of Canadian Open winners is esteemed, from the likes of Tommy Armour to Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer to Lee Trevino, and Tiger Woods to McIlroy.
But as recently as the 2010s, the tournament itself hasn’t always been a draw for the game’s best.
Recent changes on Tour appeared to deal another body blow to the tournament when eight other events were dubbed “signature” and lavished with $20 million US purses to entice top players. Meanwhile, the Canadian Open was moved to the week before the U.S. Open – a tough spot on the schedule as players get ready for the third major of the year.
Despite that, the Canadian Open has thrived. Its success is evident in those who have departed – ex-Golf Canada COO Kevin Blue now heads Canada Soccer, and ex-tournament director Bryan Crawford is completing his first season as commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League.
McIlroy’s affinity for national opens was demonstrated recently with his pledge to play the off-season Australian Open, where top players rarely show up.
This year and next, they will be headed to TPC Toronto, which will provide a new test – although maybe not a difficult one.
Forgiving off the tee, the north course appears like it will favour precise iron and wedge play, though we will know more on that by June 9.
“We’ve put a lot of energy and focus into making sure that every aspect of the tournament is well thought out, from where fans are parking to how fans move around the site to where the media centre is, volunteers, how they’re coming in and moving around. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been really exciting,” said tournament director Ryan Paul.
Nationalism is near all-time high levels amid 51st-state threats from American president Donald Trump, creating the potential for increased pride and rowdiness on the TPC grounds.
“Being a national open is something that’s very special to us. When we can do things and celebrate Canadian culture, that’s important to us,” Paul said.
And so now, out of its doldrums and freed from the golf wars, the RBC Canadian Open is poised for launch.
