2024 RBC Canadian Open scores, takeaways: Rory McIlroy, Sam Burns just off David Skinns’ pace after Round 1

Returning to Hamilton Golf & Country Club for the first time in five years, the 2024 RBC Canadian Open got off to a brilliant start with Sam Burns and Sean O’Hair leading the morning wave courtesy of their 7-under 63s, only to be toppled by 62 by David Skinns in the afternoon. Skinns and company weren’t the only players to take advantage of the ideal scoring conditions, as big names like Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are in the thick of things after 18 holes of play.

Despite the large presence on the leaderboard, Thursday belonged to Burns, who arrived in Canada this week without the best form. Missing the cut in three of his last five tournaments – including the first two major championships of the season – the new father settled in around par 70 in the first round, largely due to not one but two eagles.

“I think with all the rain we had earlier in the week, the greens are still pretty receptive,” Burns said. “It makes a big difference on a par 5 when you have a long iron or a wood coming in there so you can stop the ball quickly. That makes a big difference. So I think that was really the difference in my round today. Making two eagles was sort of a kick that got me started and overall it was a solid round.

After making some early birdies, Burns found a new gear at the turn, carding two eagles and a birdie over a six-hole stretch. One more on his 16th hole – the par-4 7th – put Burns alongside O’Hair, winner of this tournament in 2011.

Not only will Burns and O’Hair try to outdo Skinns, they will also fend off many names over the next 54 holes – none bigger than the man who won the last time the Canadian Open was held in Hamilton. McIlroy shot a bogey-free 66 but still has plenty of room for improvement as he seeks his third Canadian National Open victory.

The leaders

1.David Skinns (-8)
T2. Sam Burns, Sean O’Hair (-7)

Burns’ name at the top of the league table isn’t a huge surprise, but the same can’t be said for O’Hair and Skinns. Originally listed as a substitute, the 41-year-old gained entry to the field when last week’s winner Davis Riley withdrew, but this marks just the beginning of his adventures. O’Hair’s Tuesday flight to Canada was canceled and forced him to drive five hours to Dallas to find another. This cancellation meant he was unable to play a practice round on a golf course he had never seen before. On Thursday, none of that mattered as O’Hair navigated the Hamilton Golf & Country Club without a hitch, spotting five birdies and an eagle along the way.

“I mean, it was definitely uncomfortable,” O’Hair said. “I like being prepared. I just didn’t have a choice. I think when you really don’t have a choice and you’re making a big deal out of it, it almost hurts you, so I kind of either just said, ‘Look, I really don’t expect much today,'” I haven’t been playing that well either.’ So to come here and film the score I made today was definitely a shock to me, I guess as much as it can be.”

Meanwhile, Skinns has had mixed form here in 2024, with runs at the Cognizant Classic and the Houston Open, where he shared the 54-hole lead. He hasn’t done much outside of those two finishes, but from the way he hits the golf ball and the way he appears to remain on the front page of the leaderboard when he gets there, the Englishman could certainly factor in the next three days.

Other contenders

4.Robert MacIntyre (-6)
5.Ryan Palmer (-5)
T6. Rory McIlroy, Ryan Fox, Andrew Novak, Nick Hardy, Erik Van Rooyen, Trace Crowe (-4)

Returning to the site of his first Canadian Open victory, McIlroy entered the golf course on Thursday with a blind spot in his preparation. Having missed the newly remodeled back nine, he did well to stay level before turning on the jets on the way home with four birdies. Although he had a bogey-free effort, McIlroy still has plenty of room for improvement – ​​he hit just six fairways and made par on both par 5s – which should terrify the rest of the field.

“I think when we can all focus on golf again, it will be well received by everyone,” McIlroy said. “But, yes, I played a lot of golf this year. I spent four weeks at Augusta, then I had two weeks at Quail Hollow and PGA, and now I’m in another four weeks. to stretch. So yes, I’ve played a lot, but it’s been good, I’ve started to get in shape and I’ve played well in the last few weeks, and I hope I can continue like that.

How are the Canadians?

It has been more than 100 years since Canadians have won the Canadian Open in consecutive years. Although Nick Taylor broke a 69-year drought a season ago, the century streak may have a good chance of lasting – at least after 18 holes. The defending champion struggled to 2-72, while his playing partner, Taylor Pendrith, managed to get into the red numbers with 1-69. Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes faced Pendrith in the afternoon, but the biggest surprise of the Canadian contingent has to be Mike Weir , 54, is among the leaders after shooting a 2-under 68.

“I believe in myself and I feel like I still have the tools to compete when…things are happening,” Weir said. “Like I said, the last few years I haven’t been doing very well. I hope this change really helps and encourages me to play good golf here in the future. I love competing. You ask Bernhard [Langer] at 67 years old, while he’s still doing it, you know, you love the competition, and when you believe in yourself and feel like you can still do it, why not?”

Updated 2024 RBC Canadian Open Odds and Picks

• Rory McIlroy: 5/2
• Sam Burns: 7/2
• Robert MacIntyre: 12-1
• Tommy Fleetwood: 12-1
• David Skinns: 12-1
• Erik Van Rooyen: 22-1
• Aaron Rai: 22-1

Cameron Young is a name I circled at 50-1 after an opening 69. He made a mess of a few holes, turning a surefire birdie into a bogey on the par-4 5th and failing to take advantage of the par-5 back nine. Young still hits the ball well overall and should have a real chance to start running downhill tomorrow morning and get back into contention.