Lowry, Rose, Clark and Homa join RBC Canadian Open field

CALEDON - It's not going to be an easy feat for Scotland's Robert MacIntyre to repeat as RBC Canadian Open champion, but he's game to try.

Ireland's Shane Lowry, England's Justin Rose as well as Americans Wyndham Clark and Max Homa were all added to the RBC Canadian Open field on Monday, making it tougher for MacIntyre to defend his crown. And that's before considering Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy — the reigning Masters champion and a two-time winner at the men's national championship — who had already declared his return.

"I just love (national opens), because it just adds an extra buzz from the crowd, and if you get that on your side, then it can only help," MacIntyre told reporters by video call. "You go out there to be the best, you love being the best. 

"Last year, obviously, we had Rory chasing us down on a Sunday. There's not many better players than him, but everyone pitches up on the Thursday, and they've got the same chance of winning."

MacIntyre won his first-ever PGA Tour title at Hamilton Golf and Country Club last June. He went on to win the Scottish Open a month later, the first Scot to win twice on the North American tour since Sandy Lyle in 1988.

"If I don't win a major it's going to be one of the most special things I've ever done," said MacIntyre of his Canadian Open title. "It's somewhere that I'll never forget, and I just can't wait to get back."

This year's edition of the Canadian Open will be held at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont., June 5-8. Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum also announced on Monday that the course, approximately 75 kilometres northwest of Toronto, will host the tournament next year as well.

"Events like this, they highlight and showcase what Ontario is all about," said Stan Cho, Ontario's minister of tourism, culture and gaming, in TPC Toronto's clubhouse. "It is a world-class destination for sports tourism, and it's going to get the attention of national and international markets alike. 

"It's also going to provide a major boost to the community and local regional economies."

A full Canadian contingent will also challenge MacIntyre.

Canadian PGA Tour winners Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., as well as Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor, both from Abbotsford, B.C., are all lined up for the event.

Pendrith said fans should keep their eyes on No. 14, the so-called Rink Hole, the signature hole of the Canadian Open. Every year the par-three hole is hockey themed with boards around the tee box and green and officials wearing referee jerseys.

"I think the Rink Hole is going to be awesome. Scoring club in all of our hands, and it'll provide a lot of excitement," said Pendrith. "I was there last year for the (charity event) Corby Classic, and I had a one on that hole, so I've got some good vibes. 

"I think you might be able to see one this year with some of the pin positions."

Canadian golf icon Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont, will be competing in his 32nd Canadian Open. Weir will tie the all-time record for starts by a homegrown player with fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George Cumming when he tees it up.

"He's a legend in Canada, and I've got to know him pretty well over the last several years," said Pendrith, noting that he played with Weir in the first two rounds of the 2023 Canadian Open. "It was so cool to see the support that he has. He's a legend in the game in Canada. 

"For him to be back is awesome. I know he's playing some good golf this year (on the Champions Tour), and he's a competitor. He wants it. He wants to do well."

Also confirmed is Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont. 

Eight in-season PGA Tour winners were also named to the field on Monday, including Thomas Detry (WM Phoenix Open), Brian Campbell (Mexico Open), Joe Highsmith (Cognizant Classic), Garrick Higgo (Corales Punacana Championship), Andrew Novak (Zurich Classic of New Orleans), and Ben Griffin (Zurich Classic of New Orleans).

SiriusXM Concert Series, musical performances held on Friday and Saturday night of the golf tournament, has already been announced with Billy Talent and the Sam Roberts Band as the headliners.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2025.