The PGA Tour officials have announced the cancellation of the 2021 RBC Canadian Open – the Tour’s lone stop north of the border, due to Canada’s restrictive COVID-19 policies, which created “significant logistical challenges related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”
Established in 1904, the RBC Canadian Open is currently the third-oldest national championship in golf – behind only The (British) Open Championship and the U.S. Open.
“Even with an extensive health and safety plan in place, we faced a number of significant logistical challenges that led us to this decision,” said PGA Tour President Tyler Dennis.
“While we are disappointed to cancel Canada’s National Championship, we are thankful to our partners RBC and Golf Canada – along with our Canadian fans — for their unwavering support and cooperation throughout this process.
“We look forward to the RBC Canadian Open returning to our schedule next year.”
Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum added, “Together with RBC and the PGA TOUR, we set a decision timeline based on the most up to date travel and quarantine restrictions in effect along with consideration for the TOUR’s ability to pivot and successfully fill a significant date on the schedule.
“It was also important to be respectful partners to the health leaders and government officials who have helped inform our operation protocols and provided great direction on this journey. The timing simply did not align for us and we are deeply disappointed that the celebrated return of the RBC Canadian Open will have to wait another year.”
The 2019 edition was contested at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Ontario, where Rory McIlroy claimed a blowout victory in his maiden appearance.
Scheduled for June 10-12 at St. George’s Golf & Country Club, just outside of Toronto, the tournament received a difficult spot on the schedule, sandwiched between two of the PGA Tour’s premier summer events – the Memorial and U.S. Open, which is being played in Southern California this year – making COVID-era travel logistics (Ontario to San Diego) even more challenging.
The PGA Tour will fill the empty spot on the schedule with an official FedExCup event, with some sources suggesting a second back-to-back at Jack’s Place, Muirfield Village – as they did last year. Detail are expected by early April.
