Rory McIlroy hits a shot during the first round of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open. | Photo by Amy Lemus/Getty Images
RBC Canadian Open fans rival some of the best on the schedule, and the PGA Tour pros cannot get enough of their energy.
The RBC Canadian Open crowds appear to be one of the favorites for PGA Tour players. They bring such an authentic feel to the tournament and know how to enjoy themselves.
The Canadian fans love to get rowdy, and similar to the 16th hole at the WM Phoenix Open, Canada has a similar setup catered to their crowds, known as the rink hole.
The par-3 13th is this year’s “rink hole,” where hockey boards surround the tee, and the tee markers are goalie masks. There are also referees and even a Zamboni.
Fans can slap the boards and get boisterous, which makes for quite the atmosphere.
R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images
The Rink at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open.
Nevertheless, the pros love this entire tournament. Multiple guys mentioned how great the crowds were after their rounds on Thursday, impressive for an opening round.
“One of the main reasons I love coming back here is the atmosphere the fans create when we’re out there to play,” Rory McIlroy said.
“Playing with two Canadians today was exactly what I expected. For a Thursday morning at 7:40 a.m. or whenever we teed off, there were a lot of people out there. It was great to see.”
McIlroy played alongside Taylor Pendrith and the reigning RBC Canadian Open champion, Nick Taylor.
“There were more people watching us than last time I played here or last time I played the Canadian Open,” Pendrith said.
“It was great… It was fun to play with Nick. It was a comfortable pairing, and it was fun to have the support of the home crowd. It should be good tomorrow.”
Last year, Taylor ended a 69-year drought for Canadians in the national open by making a 72-foot eagle putt in a playoff against Tommy Fleetwood to seal the deal.
It marked a special moment for an entire nation, so much so that the tournament changed its logo this year to commemorate the iconic celebration. The fans went especially wild when one of their own took home the title.
“Usually, the morning round for me on a Thursday, there’s not that many people there,” Taylor said.
“But the energy was high, which was great, gets the adrenaline going, which is fun that early in the morning, gets you focused on what you need to do.”
Fleetwood is also someone the crowds love to watch. Fans often root for him when he plays at this event, so he knows all too well how incredible the vibes are in the Great White North. Not to mention, he also played with a Canadian golfer, Corey Conners.
“They’re so enthusiastic about golf and their nation and players,” Fleetwood said.
“I’ve been lucky. I’m very grateful they’ve always been very supportive of me, and I’ve had some good times at the tournament. I think it’s a great atmosphere to play in front of, and everybody appreciates the enthusiasm they have when we come to this tournament.”
Golf is not the primary sport in Canada. However, these fans love their golf and bring the energy for the RBC Canadian Open. When the fans bring the noise like this, these PGA Tour players seem just as excited to play for them.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, be sure to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
