Ladies and gentlemen, it’s U.S. Open week. The 119th edition of the tournament gets underway at Pebble Beach on Thursday. Before we head to the Monterey Peninsula, though, let’s catch up on what happened last week.

Canadian Rors

Sunday at the RBC Canadian Open had all sorts of drama despite being a one-man show. Rory McIlroy, Matt Kuchar, and Webb Simpson started the day tied for the lead, but it quickly became Rory Time. The Northern Irishman birdied five of his first seven holes, added four birdies and an eagle on the back nine, and ultimately “settled” for a final-round 61. He bogeyed two of his last three holes to win by seven shots over Shane Lowry. Leaderboard

It should come as no surprise that Rory McIlroy has a gear that few players can match. The victory in Canada gives him two wins and six top fives on the season, along with just one missed cut in 12 starts. Despite all of this success, Sunday was the first time this year he put the pedal to the floor like the Rory of old. The performance comes at an auspicious time, with the U.S. Open starting in four days. He has been known, however, to find good form right before a major, only to lose it during the championship itself.

Leaderboard Notes

  • Shane Lowry and Webb Simpson tied for second this week, seven shots behind Rory. Lowry opened the week with a 64 and stayed near the lead for the whole tournament until McIlroy pulled away at the end.

  • Adam Hadwin (sixth) and Graeme McDowell (T-8) both gained entry into The Open Championship with their performances this week. As a County Antrim native, McDowell did everything he could to get to Royal Portrush. His success this week did not come without drama, as he needed this 30-footer to save par on his 72nd hole.

  • Rookie Sungjae Im collected his sixth top-10 finish of the season with a seventh-place showing in Canada. Since dominating the Web.com Tour last year, Im has impressed in all facets of the game. A few modest improvements will have him holding a trophy soon.

  • Collin Morikawa finished T-14 in his first career PGA Tour event this week. The Cal superstar has all the tools to compete at the top level. He earned his way into the U.S. Open through sectional qualifying and has a series of sponsor exemptions lined up this summer.

Make It Rhein

It was a soggy affair on the Web.com Tour this weekend as the BMW Charity Pro-Am was shortened to 54 holes. Rhein Gibson dominated, shooting 66-64-63 en route to a three-shot win. Gibson has had a strong season to this point, and this win is the icing on the cake. He now has four top 10s and back-to-back top fives. Michael Miller, Jonathan Randolph, Kristoffer Ventura, and Brian Campbell were the closest pursuers. Leaderboard

Déjà Vu

The LPGA Tour ran it back this weekend as Lexi Thompson and Jeongeun Lee6 battled for the LGPA Shoprite Classic. Lee6 started the day with the lead before getting run down by Thompson over the closing three holes. Lexi birdied the 16th and eagled the 18th to capture the title and knock off the U.S. Open champ. Leaderboard

Fields of Dreams

On the website, Will Bardwell visit the Fields Golf Club, a quietly revolutionary course in LaGrange, GA. Designed and now owned by Mike Young, the Fields was minimalist before minimalism was cool. Bardwell illuminates the course’s backstory, its simultaneously intimate and grand routing, and its strategic nuances. Check out the full story here.

Iverness
Iverness

Tee It Up at Inverness

Andy Johnson is playing in the Outpost Club and Silver Club’s outing at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio on Monday, June 24. The event is open to anyone and an opportunity to play the storied Donald Ross design. If you are interested in playing, email events@outpostclub.com.

Quick Hooks

Team Thailand defeated Team England to win the Golfsixes Cascais on the European Tour. Scores

The Internationals defeated the U.S. to win the Arnold Palmer Cup at the Alotian Club. Story by Brentley Romine

The Latest Podcasts and Articles

Shotgun Start: Rory goes wild in Canada, Anchorman takes Japan, and JDay calls on Stevie

This major championship week begins worse for the wear with Andy’s flight cancelled and Brendan posted up waiting anxiously at the Bixby House in Monterey. We review the weekend results, starting with Rory McIlroy torching the Canadian Open with a 64-61 weekend to win by seven shots. Does it mean anything for Pebble Beach and the U.S. Open? We also discuss Graeme McDowell’s big moment getting into his home Open with his Sunday play in Ontario, Brooksy getting out from under Joey D, and low Canadians. Then we get to the Champions Tour, where Scott McCarron won again despite more pictures floating around Twitter alleging anchoring. We also get into Web Tour minutiae with Rhein Gibson’s win and the scheduling injustice of having an event opposite the U.S. Open, where many of its members are playing. Lexi Thompson’s dramatic win gets the award for “finish of the week.” News hits on an outstanding trophy from the women’s game, some early US Open rumblings, and Jason Day bringing in old Stevie Williams for the week. Listen on iTunesStitcher or Spotify