Rory McIlroy Vows To Keep Returning To Canada ‘Until They Tell Me I Can’t Come Over The Border’ After Highlighting Prestige Of National Opens
The World No.3 was discussing the history, tradition, and legacy of Open Championships in golf after the 2024 Canadian Open


Rory McIlroy believes national Open Championships "definitely mean something else" and are vital in terms of the sport's traditions and legacy moving forward.
The World No.3 is the proud owner of an Open Championship trophy, having won at Royal Liverpool in 2014, and a US Open Championship title - clinching the 2011 prize at Congressional Country Club for his maiden Major.
He has also won the Canadian Open twice, along with a dramatic success at the Scottish Open in July 2023 - beating fellow Ryder Cup teammate Robert MacIntyre by a shot.
While McIlroy's love affair with national Open Championships is clear, the Northern Irishman insists he would still hold them in such high regard anyway as the 35-year-old stated his belief that this historic group of tournaments are elevated above a regular tour event.
Speaking on Sunday before MacIntyre's own Canadian Open triumph and a first PGA Tour success, McIlroy said: "I think history and tradition and legacy are a really big part of the game of golf. This is one of the oldest championships in the world, as is, you know, the Scottish Open... yeah, the Opens definitely mean something else."
Rory McIlroy with the Claret Jug in 2014
Going on to use the Canadian Open - which is the third-oldest continuously-running tournament on the PGA Tour, after The Open Championship and the US Open - to highlight his point, McIlroy continued: "It's great that so many people, Golf Canada, RBC have gotten behind this RBC Canadian Open and made it really special.
"As I said, it's a pleasure to come up here and play every year and I'm going to keep doing that until they tell me I can't come over the border."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
While Northern Ireland is famously McIlroy's place of birth, the support he continually receives over in North America might confuse the uninitiated, such is its magnitutde.
On his way to a T4 finish, three shots shy of MacIntyre's 16-under winning score, thousands of Canadians were cheering for the serial winner all week - a fact that was not lost on McIlroy.
Commenting on the fans at Hamilton Country Club, he said: "Yeah, it's incredible. I do, I feel like, I feel like an honorary Canadian at this point and the support I get here is amazing.
"I keep saying it, but just a pleasure to play in an atmosphere like that. The crowds are so good, they're so supportive, so enthusiastic."
Another birdie for @McIlroyRory 🐦The two-time @RBCCanadianOpen is T4 and 4 back! pic.twitter.com/NsybDYtMrIJune 2, 2024
McIlroy has begun an intense run of events in June, with the Memorial Tournament - the penultimate Signature Event - preceding the US Open and the Travelers Championship.
The Travelers is the final elevated tournament this season and will likely be the four-time Major winner's last appearance before a two-week break prior to his defence of the Scottish Open in July.
Asked how pleased he was to have begun this stacked period in fine style, McIlroy said: "Going into a big stretch of golf here and obviously it's not... you want to come to tournaments and try to win every single one that you play in.
"But I think to build off, especially the weekend here, going into Memorial next week, and then obviously going into the U.S. Open the week after, we've got a lot of golf coming up, but really nice to see some good signs in my game this weekend."
Event | Year | Tour |
---|---|---|
US Open | 2011 | Major |
Hong Kong Open | 2011 | DP World Tour |
Australian Open | 2013 | PGA Tour of Australasia |
The Open Championship | 2014 | Major |
Irish Open | 2016 | DP World Tour |
Canadian Open | 2019 | PGA Tour |
Canadian Open | 2022 | PGA Tour |
Scottish Open | 2023 | PGA Tour/DP World Tour |
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
How To Watch The Players Championship: Live Streams, TV Channels, Schedule
This year will be the sixth running of the event, with 23 nationalities competing and with the final round played around Augusta National's iconic course.
By Roderick Easdale Published
-
Sun Day Red Launches Azalea Gold Collection, And It Might Be The Best 'Augusta-Themed' Range We Have Seen
Tiger Woods' brand has just released the new collection and we are big fans already...
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Rory McIlroy's Masters Odds Slashed Despite Northern Irishman Complaining Of Minor Elbow Issue
The Northern Irishman is being heavily backed by golf fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland ahead of his latest attempt at completing the career Grand Slam
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reveals Issue With Right Elbow Ahead Of Latest Masters Challenge
The four-time Major winner revealed to the Golf Channel he has discomfort in his right elbow, less than two weeks before his latest attempt to win the Green Jacket
By Mike Hall Published
-
‘You Don’t Want 10-Year-Old Kids Punting Their Putters Across The Green Every Time They Miss A Putt’ - Rory McIlroy Says Tour Pros Have ‘Responsibility’ To Set Good Example After Recent Viral Clips Showcasing Players’ Frustrations
Speaking at the Texas Children's Houston Open, McIlroy explained how displaying emotion on the course shows the pros 'are human', but there's also a 'responsibility to set an example'
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'The Loss Of A Few Trees Is Definitely Noticeable' - Rory McIlroy On What He Learned From Augusta National Practice Round Ahead Of 2025 Masters
The four-time Major winner made a trip to Augusta National earlier this week in preparation for The Masters
By Elliott Heath Published
-
‘Give The Lad A Break. He’s A Very Good Caddie. Harry, Don’t Read The S****’ - Billy Foster On Critics Of Rory McIlroy’s Caddie
The experienced looper has spoken out and defended McIlroy's caddie, Harry Diamond, with Foster claiming the 'criticism is not fair at all'
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Rory McIlroy’s Caddie Harry Diamond May Have Earned Almost $900,000 In Bonus Money Already This Year (More Than The PGA Tour Average) After World No.2's Strong Start
McIlroy has picked up two wins so far in 2025 and could well have shared a decent portion of his winnings with long-time assistant, Diamond
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'I Can't See Why Anybody Wouldn't Want To Do This' - Padraig Harrington Outlines Reasons Rory McIlroy Will 'Likely' Change His Damning Verdict On Playing Senior Golf
After Rory McIlroy recently said he would never play senior tour golf, Padraig Harrington explained why he thinks the World No.2 could well change his mind
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Impressive Players Championship TV Ratings Show Rory McIlroy Is Golf's Needle Mover
McIlroy's victory at The Players Championship drew an increase in viewership over 2024, with his recent victories on the PGA Tour showing that he could well be the new needle mover
By Matt Cradock Published