Rory McIlroy Falters With Rare 78 as Cameron Champ Shines at RBC Canadian Open
The opening round of the 2025 RBC Canadian Open brought a wave of surprises, headlined by one of golf’s biggest names suffering a rare misfire. Rory McIlroy, the two-time Canadian Open champion and one of the favorites entering the tournament, carded a disappointing 78 — leaving fans and analysts stunned.
Meanwhile, Cameron Champ, the long-driving American, surged into the spotlight with a stellar round, grabbing the solo lead and instantly flipping the tournament’s narrative.
😬 McIlroy’s Opening Round: A Struggle From the Start
Coming into the event riding decent form, Rory McIlroy was expected to put on a show. After all, he’s no stranger to Canadian success, having won the tournament in 2019 and again in 2022. But Thursday’s performance was one of his most erratic in recent memory.
The round got off to a shaky start, with McIlroy bogeying three of his first six holes. The mistakes were largely self-inflicted — wayward drives, mistimed iron shots, and several three-putts. His frustration became evident by the back nine, where a double bogey on the par-4 13th all but sealed his fate for the day.
By the end of the round, McIlroy found himself at 8-over-par, well outside the projected cut line. While not mathematically out of contention, the Northern Irishman will need a near-miraculous turnaround in Round 2.
“It just wasn’t there today,” McIlroy admitted post-round. “You try to stay patient, but sometimes the course has other plans.”
🚀 Cameron Champ: Power Meets Precision
On the flip side, Cameron Champ put on an absolute clinic. Known for his explosive drives, Champ combined raw power with finesse on the greens to finish his round at 6-under-par 64, seizing the early lead.
Champ’s day included seven birdies, with only one bogey marring an otherwise pristine scorecard. Particularly impressive was his control on the par-5s, where he consistently outdrove his competitors and set up easy scoring opportunities.
Champ’s putter was red-hot, converting multiple birdie chances from beyond 10 feet — a key factor that has been missing from his game over recent months.
“I just felt really comfortable out there,” said Champ. “I didn’t try to force anything. The course rewarded good decisions today.”
This marks one of Champ’s most promising starts in over a year and immediately makes him a player to watch for the rest of the weekend.
🇨🇦 Canadian Crowd Left Waiting for Fireworks
The large galleries at Hamilton Golf and Country Club were hoping to see a vintage McIlroy performance, but instead, they witnessed a grind. The energy remained high, however, especially around hometown players like Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor, who both posted solid opening rounds under par.
Still, McIlroy’s presence in the field has always been a magnet for fans, and many will hope Friday brings a bounce-back round worthy of the fanfare.
📊 Leaderboard Highlights After Round 1
- Cameron Champ – 64 (-6)
- Sam Burns – 66 (-4)
- Nick Taylor – 67 (-3)
- Adam Hadwin – 68 (-2)
- Rory McIlroy – 78 (+8)
🔎 What’s Next for McIlroy?
All eyes will be on Friday’s Round 2, where Rory McIlroy must produce one of the best rounds of his season just to make the cut. While the course can offer scoring chances, McIlroy’s tee-to-green game must drastically improve.
Mental resilience has always been one of his assets — and it will be tested to the fullest.
If he can channel the form that earned him previous titles at this very event, there’s still hope for a weekend rally. But if the issues persist, it could be an early and uncharacteristic exit for the golf icon.
🏌️ Why This Matters: Form vs. Forecast
McIlroy’s struggles serve as a reminder of just how unpredictable golf can be, even for the sport’s biggest stars. At the same time, Champ’s sudden rise shows how quickly fortunes can change.
With a packed field, shifting weather conditions, and unpredictable greens, the Canadian Open promises drama — and perhaps redemption.
Stay tuned.