Rory McIlroy kickstarted his round in the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Country Club, Ontario, thanks to his favourite weapon, outdriving 355 yards from his first tee after a steady front nine. His ball landed in the right rough, requiring only a gap wedge for the remaining 57 yards to the pin. Four feet away from the flag, McIroy secured a birdie, marking a successful start for the Northern Irishman. He completed the round without a single bogey and scored a four-under-par 66, which placed him in contention.
McIlroy further credited his TaylorMade Qi10 driver for his previous victories at the Zurich Classic (alongside Shane Lowry) and the Wells Fargo Championship this PGA Tour season. He emphasised the importance of utilising it wisely, particularly on a challenging course, noting that each good tee shot grants him a significant advantage.
McIlroy had some luck during the front nine, particularly when he managed to evade the water hazard down the right after careening an iron shot off the 12th tee into the trees. The birdie on the first, which was his 10th hole of the round, was followed by more on the fifth, seventh, and eighth holes. His 66 left him three shots behind early clubhouse leaders Sam Burns and Sean O’Hair, who scored 63s.
The Northern Irish golfer, who is following a more intense playing schedule this season, is targeting his third career win in the Canadian Open. It kicks off a four-week run that includes the Memorial, the US Open, and the Travelers. McIlroy states that the increased frequency of play has contributed to his recent form, and hopes to keep the momentum going.
Séamus Power embarked on a four-week tour, and began with a rough two-over-par 72 (three bogeys, one birdie). He has a ways to go to get to the halfway cut. Meanwhile at the Women’s US Open in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster Country Club, Nelly Korda, who has been dominantly the world’s number one after claiming victory in six out of her latest seven LPGA Tour starts, had a challenging day with a score of 80 after playing the par three 12th.
She cited her struggles on the hole, which include her shot landing in a bunker and then multiple shots in the water, as a key component of her troubles. Korda acknowledges her subpar performance, saying, “Making a 10 on a par three will certainly hinder you in a US Open . . . just a difficult day in the job.”
There was also uncertainty about her approach to the hole, causing her some anxiety and leading to shots she admits were poor.
Amidst challenging conditions, Adela Cernouseka of France took the early clubhouse lead with a score of one under par 69. Accompanying her is a group that includes Germany’s Alex Forsterling, winner of the LET this season twice, and Sei Young Kim and amateur Megan Schofill trailing by a shot with 70s.
In other news, Leona Maguire recorded a three-over-par 73 while Lahinch amateur Áine Donegan registers a first round 76.