Rory McIlroy backs Toronto Maple Leafs to beat Stanley Cup curse
The Toronto Maple Leafs might just have what they need to get over the Stanley Cup hump — the blessing of one Rory McIlroy.
The Northern Irish golfer is in Canada this week for the Canadian Open, taking place in Toronto. McIlroy is coming to the tournament for the first time as the Masters champion, winning golf’s biggest prize earlier this year in an epic playoff victory.
Speaking to TSN’s Bob Weeks about the tournament, McIlroy showed love to the Canadian fanbase, with most of his events taking place in the U.S.
“I’m excited to be back in Canada and play here again,” McIlroy told Weeks. “I love playing in front of the Canadian fans. It’s really, really cool.”
Much like the Leafs, McIlroy had the reputation of being able to win quite a bit, but had never been able to get over the Masters hump until his win this year. Back in 2019, McIlroy was in Toronto for the Canadian Open during the NBA Finals and was presented with a Raptors jersey.
Given a Leafs jersey by MLSE CEO and former PGA European Tour CEO Keith Pelley, McIlroy threw his support behind the Leafs breaking their long-time Stanley Cup curse dating back to 1967.
“If the Leafs win the Cup, it’s going to be nothing to do with me. It’s all going to have to do with them. But I hope they do it… I guess we all have to throw our support behind the Oilers at this point… one day [the Leafs will win], I hope. I was hoping that the Leafs would still be in and maybe we’d be able to get to a game this week. It’s only a matter of time. If I can go on and win at Augusta, these guys can go on and win the Stanley Cup.”
The Canadian Open runs from Thursday through Sunday at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.
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