RBC Canada Open: Rory McIlroy returns four times as Aaron Rai shares the lead and Matt Fitzpatrick impresses | Golf News

Aaron Rai, one of four players leading the way five under, with Matt Fitzpatrick hitting back on the congested leaderboard; Rory McIlroy overspeeds four times as he chases third win in a row at the Canadian Open – watch all week on Sky Sports Golf

Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player

Highlights from the first day of the RBC Canada Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club

England’s Aaron Rai took the lead after the opening round of the RBC Canada Open, where US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick also got off to a good start.

Rai recovered from going three through five holes to excel in fifth under 67 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, which saw him part of a four-way draw at the top of the table. congestion class.

The world No. 130 saw an early birdie in the second set canceled by a double in the next set and consecutive trebles in the fourth, only to bounce back with three birdies. in four holes extending from the seventh game.

Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player

A look back at the best action from Rory McIlroy’s opening round 71 at the RBC Canada Open

Rai pursued a birdie with two putts on the 12th par-5 by making a shot on the next hole and getting close to a hole-punch on the 14th par-third, with further birdies on the 14th. Holes 16 and 18 saw him share the lead with Chesson Hadley, Justin Lower and Corey Conners of Canada.

“I played very well overall,” Rai said. “Holes 3 to 6 are going to be the hardest holes on the course and they’re all fighting holes, which makes it difficult. But very pleased with how we ended the round after that, the way we were. play.”

Hadley held the full advantage until a bogey error on his ninth par-three, his final hole, while the Conners started the week bogey-free and Lower beat the final par-5 to complete the quartet. in the leading position.

Fitzpatrick showed positive signs ahead of next week’s US Open title defense by rolling five birdies on opening day, with a bogey on his penultimate hole – the 352-yard eighth hole – making him share in fifth place.

Matt Fitzpatrick is chasing his second PGA Tour win of the season, following his success at RBC Heritage in April

Britain’s Justin Rose was two beats behind and Tommy Fleetwood was in the third group behind, while Rory McIlroy opened for a third straight win at the RBC Canada Open with a score of 71 in the opening round.

McIlroy had five birdies and four bogeys off to a vibrant start, with the Northern Irishman – who played alongside Rose – happy to be back in focus on golf after an eventful week in the sport. .

Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player

After the opening round at the Canada Open, Rory McIlroy admits his press conference to tackle the PGA-LIV merger was the most uncomfortable thing he’s felt in the past year.

“Rosie [Justin Rose] and I said, ‘Okay, let’s not chat until lunch so we can really focus on what we’re doing out there,'” McIlroy said. (hole) first and we’re like, ‘No, let’s stop this. Let’s focus on our golf and we’ll say what we mean when we go inside.’

“So it was nice to play a round of golf and focus on something else for the five hours we were out there.”

Watch the RBC Canada Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Early coverage of the second round begins Friday at noon via the red button, before full coverage from 8pm on Sky Sports Golf.