Rory McIlroy: 'If I can win the Masters, the Maple Leafs can win the Stanley Cup'
CALEDON, Ont. — Rory McIlroy has given heartbroken Toronto Maple Leafs fans a reason for optimism.
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The golf superstar and two-time RBC Canadian Open champ is at TPC Toronto this week looking to notch his fourth win of the season.
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On Wednesday, McIlroy played in the tournament pro-am with MLSE top boss Keith Pelley, who gifted the five-time major champ a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey.
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More on that in a minute.
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'I haven't hidden my sort of aspirations for national Opens and where I would like them to be, what their standing is in the professional game of golf. So this has meant a lot,' McIlroy said. 'I first came here in 2019, once the date changed. It used to be that week after the Open Championship, which wasn't ideal for a lot of players. I honestly love the date change. I love that it's the week leading into the U.S. Open.
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'Playing in front of the Canadian fans and everything that goes along with that and the enthusiasm, you guys only get to see this sort of golf once a year, so I think once it does come along, it's really appreciated.
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'Then I think that atmosphere is really appreciated by the players that get to play in front of those fans.'
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