Rory McIlroy Blames Caddie's Birthday Dinner for Slow Start at RBC Canadian Open

Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish golfer and a four-time major winner, attributed his slow start at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open to celebrating his caddie Harry Diamond's birthday the night before. McIlroy admitted to feeling groggy after consuming a few glasses of wine during the celebration.

Despite the sluggish beginning, McIlroy managed to shoot a bogey-free 66 at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Ontario, Canada. He started his round with nine consecutive pars, including at the par-5 17th, where he drove into a hospitality tent. McIlroy eventually found his rhythm and made birdies at the first, fifth, seventh, and eighth holes.

McIlroy's slow start can also be attributed to rust from a week off, during which he attended a friend's wedding in Italy and spent time with his family. He mentioned that he had only hit 150 balls in practice last week. Additionally, McIlroy played the back nine of the course blind, having only seen the front nine during the pro-am on Wednesday.

Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy said, "A bit of a slow start... Harry's birthday dinner last night so had a couple of glasses of wine. I was probably feeling a little groggy when I woke up." He added, "I played the back nine blind. Hadn't seen the back nine. Only played the front nine in the pro-am. So I was sort of happy enough to get out of there in even par and not make a bogey."

McIlroy's score of 66 placed him three strokes off the lead shared by Sam Burns and Sean O'Hair. His performance on the front nine, where he made four birdies, helped him climb the leaderboard. McIlroy's familiarity with Hamilton Golf & Country Club, where he won the RBC Canadian Open in 2019 with a score of 61, also played a role in his recovery.

The course has undergone renovations since McIlroy's 2019 victory, making it more challenging with run-offs and tricky green sections. McIlroy noted these changes, saying, "The course has undergone significant changes since I won here in 2019. The new design requires a more cautious approach."

Despite the initial setbacks, McIlroy remains optimistic about his chances in the tournament. He is seeking his third RBC Canadian Open title and is looking forward to the upcoming rounds. McIlroy's strong finish on the front nine and his familiarity with the course could work in his favor as he aims to climb the leaderboard.

Rory McIlroy's slow start at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open was attributed to his caddie Harry Diamond's birthday dinner and wine consumption. Despite feeling groggy, McIlroy managed to shoot a bogey-free 66 and place himself in contention for the title. His familiarity with the course and strong performance on the front nine could prove advantageous in the upcoming rounds.

Key Takeaways

• Rory McIlroy attributed his slow start at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open to celebrating his caddie's birthday.
• McIlroy shot a bogey-free 66 despite feeling groggy from wine consumption.
• He started with 9 consecutive pars, then made birdies on 4 holes.
• McIlroy's familiarity with the course helped him recover from a slow start.
• He's seeking his 3rd RBC Canadian Open title and remains optimistic about his chances.