McIlroy’s Canadian Open defence cancelled

The PGA Tour is looking towards mid-May to restart tournament play, however, officials in Toronto, Canada are having none of that with Toronto Mayor John Tory cancelling all city-led events and permits through until the end of June 2020.

McIlroy brilliantly won for the first time in Canada last year posting a Tour career low of 9-under par 61 in the final round to amass a record-setting 22-under tally in the country’s largest city.

Rory McIlroy holds the 2019 Canadian Open trophy (Credit: RBC Canadian Open)

Just over the border, the US is battling a rampant spread of the Coronavirus and it would seem any hope of seeing the PGA Tour move out of hiatus may be much longer than we initially expected.

Golf Canada and RBC released a statement Tuesday night to clarify the decision.

“We appreciate the factors that led to this decision, in particular that all city resources are being directed to support our communities during this unprecedented health crisis,” said the statement from Golf Canada and RBC.

“The health and safety of everyone who supports the RBC Canadian Open — and our community as a whole — will always come first, and we respect the city’s decision.”

“Together with the PGA Tour, we are assessing this recent development along with other challenges posed by COVID-19 to determine the best course of action for the RBC Canadian Open.”