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2021 RBC Canadian Open Canceled amid COVID-19; PGA Tour to Schedule Replacement
March 9, 2021
The PGA Tour and Golf Canada announced the cancelation of the 2021 RBC Canadian Open due to logistical challenges related to COVID-19 protocols on Tuesday. This year's event was set to take place at St. George's Golf & Country Club in Etobicoke, Ontario from June 7-13.
"Even with an extensive health and safety plan in place, we faced a number of significant logistical challenges that led us to this decision," PGA Tour President Tyler Dennis said in a statement. "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."
The Tour will look to schedule a replacement FedExCup event for that week in the United States.
This is the second consecutive year the Canadian Open has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Last year's event, also set for mid-June at St. George's, was called off in April. Rory McIlroy remains the reigning champion after pulling off a runaway victory by seven strokes in 2019.
The decision to cancel the 2021 Canadian Open follows concerns of stakeholders who needed to cross the border, per the PGA:
"The RBC Canadian Open had put together a comprehensive health operation protocol with consultation and direction from local, provincial, and federal government and health officials, and was working together with a multitude of partners to navigate the impact of the travel restrictions and quarantine measures currently in effect, given the number of stakeholders required to cross the border for the week of the event. A decision timeline was also established to allow the PGA TOUR a sufficient window to fill the event date."
The Tour expects the Canadian Open to return to the schedule in 2022.
"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," Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum said. "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."
A replacement event is expected to be named in the coming weeks.