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 commenced with an impressive start. Sam Burns and Sean O’Hair initially led the morning rounds with 7-under 63s, but David Skinns surged ahead in the afternoon with a remarkable 62. Big names like Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are also in strong contention after the first day.

Thursday’s spotlight was on Burns, who entered the tournament in less-than-ideal form, having missed the cut in three of his last five events, including the season’s first two majors. The new father found his stride on the par-70 course, significantly aided by two eagles.

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

Burns, after an early pair of birdies, hit his peak around the turn with two eagles and a birdie over six holes. Another birdie on his 16th hole brought him level with O’Hair, who won this tournament in 2011.

Both Burns and O’Hair now face the challenge of surpassing Skinns and holding off other contenders over the next 54 holes. McIlroy, who won the last Canadian Open held at Hamilton, finished with a bogey-free 66 and remains a formidable presence as he seeks his third victory at this event.

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

While Burns topping the leaderboard isn’t a major surprise, O’Hair and Skinns are unexpected contenders. O’Hair, originally an alternate, made the field after Davis Riley withdrew. Despite travel disruptions that left him without a practice round, O’Hair navigated Hamilton Golf & Country Club flawlessly, recording five birdies and an eagle.

“I mean, it definitely felt uncomfortable,” O’Hair said. “I like to be prepared. I just, I didn’t have an option. I think when you don’t really have an option and you’re kind of making a big deal about it, it almost hurts you, so I kind of just said, ‘look, I don’t really expect a whole lot today, I haven’t really been playing that great, either.’ So to come out here and shoot the score I did today was definitely kind of a shocker for me. Ride it out I guess as long as I can.”

Skinns, who has shown promise with contention runs at the Cognizant Classic and the Houston Open, appears poised to be a significant factor in the coming 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)

McIlroy, revisiting the site of his first Canadian Open win, faced some uncertainty due to not having seen the newly remodeled back nine. He managed even par on the front before rallying with four birdies on the back, finishing bogey-free despite hitting only six fairways.

“I think when all of us are able to focus purely on the golf again that would be welcomed by everyone,” McIlroy said. “But, yeah, I’ve played a lot of golf this year. I was on a four-week stretch sort of through Augusta, and then I had two weeks Quail Hollow and PGA, and now I’m on another four-week stretch. So, yeah, I’ve played a lot, but it’s been good. I’ve started to play my way into form, and I’ve played well the last few weeks, and hopefully I can just keep that going.”

**Canadian Performance:**
It’s been over a century since Canadians have won consecutive Canadian Opens. Defending champion Nick Taylor struggled with a 2-over 72, while Taylor Pendrith, Corey Conners, and Mackenzie Hughes each posted 1-under 69s. The standout among Canadians was 54-year-old Mike Weir, who shot a 2-under 68.

“I have belief in myself, and I feel like I still have the tools to compete when … things are on,” Weir said. “Like I said, the last few years I just have not been putting very well. I’m hoping this change really helps and spurs me on to some good golf here going forward. I just love the game. I love to practice. I love to compete. You ask Bernhard [Langer] at 67 while he’s still doing it, you know, you love the competition, and when you have that belief in yourself and you feel like you can still do it, why not?”