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.
-
PGA Tour Truist Championship Creator Classic Line-Up And Format Revealed
The PGA Tour has announced the line-up for the second Creator Classic ahead of the Truist Championship - with YouTubers from outside golf taking on the challenge
By Paul Higham
-
Are You Tired Of Your High-Handicap Golfer Status? These 4 Substantiated Tips Are Your Salvation
Being a high-handicap golfer is not easy, with consistency being difficult to establish and progress hard to come by... until you try these four simple tips!
By Barry Plummer
-
Tiger Woods Heads 8 Golfers To Make All Time Rich List Of Top 50 Highest Paid Athletes
Tiger Woods is the second highest paid athlete of all time behind only Michael Jordan in a new top 50 rich list from Sportico
By Paul Higham
-
Rory McIlroy And Shane Lowry Explain Golf Ball Tactics For Zurich Classic Foursomes
Defending Zurich Classic of New Orleans champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry explained how they go about picking which golf ball to use in foursomes
By Paul Higham
-
'I’ve Never Seen Someone Hit A Driver That Good. He Played So Freaking Good. And You Almost Feel Like, How Do I Compete With That?' - Akshay Bhatia Wowed By McIlroy's Masters Display
Akshay Bhatia lavished praise on Rory McIlroy's game at the Masters after playing the opening two rounds alongside the eventual champion at Augusta
By Paul Higham
-
‘I Spoke To Two Presidents The Day After’ – Rory McIlroy Reflects On 'Absolutely Amazing' Reaction To Masters Win
The five-time Major winner revealed he had spoken to two presidents in the aftermath of completing the career Grand Slam at The Masters
By Mike Hall
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2025
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry defend their title as players compete for a record purse in the unique team competition
By Mike Hall
-
Rory McIlroy Career Grand Slam Celebrated With Royal Mail Postmark
Rory McIlroy's Masters win, which made him the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam, was celebrated with a special postmark by the Royal Mail
By Mike Hall
-
9 Things Rory McIlroy Still Has Left To Achieve In His Career
After becoming one of just six players ever to complete the career Grand Slam, what else could Rory McIlroy realistically achieve before retirement?
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Rory McIlroy Invited To Old Trafford By Manchester United Boss Ruben Amorim After Masters Victory
Following on from his Masters victory, McIlroy has received an invitation from Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, to show off his Green Jacket at Old Trafford
By Matt Cradock