First contested in 1904 (the same year as the Australian Open), the two events are pre-dated by only The Open and U.S. Open (and a handful of amateur tournaments).

Boasting an honour roll the equal of any Major (with the exception of Jack Nicklaus who was runner-up a frustrating five times) it should be one of the most prestigious titles in the game.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Rory McIlroy is defending a perfect record this week. He has played the Canadian open once and won it once. By seven.

That was back in 2019, the last time the event was staged before Covid changed the world, but the four-time major champion is back this week for a second bite at the cherry.

It was a stunning performance from McIlroy three years ago where a final round 61 sent him to the following week’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach as a short-priced favourite.

RIGHT: Rory McIlroy wont the last Canadian Open when it was played in 2019. PHOTO: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images.

COURSE: Rory’s 2019 heroics came at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ontario, but it will be a different test which faces the players this week when the tournament moves to St. George’s Golf and Country Club.

The work of Canada’s most revered course architect, Stanley Thompson, this year marks the fifth time the club has hosted the national championship but the first since 2010.

Thompson’s original course, laid out in 1929, was revered for generations but a major renovation prior to the 1968 Canadian Open undid much of his work.

The club at the time felt the course was not up to the rigours of professional tournament golf and several holes were changed in a bid to make the course more difficult for scoring.

It was the last Open hosted there for more than 40 years.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

Much restoration work has been undertaken in the new century including a 2014 project to rebuild several greens which had been changed and were considered out of character with Thompson’s original vision.

St. George’s is not long by modern standards but does provide an exacting test with precision required off the tee and especially into the small, sloping greens.

It will be interesting to see how Carl Pettersen’s winning score of 14-under-par stands up this week with the course a radically different test this week.

PRIZEMONEY: US$8,700,000

Cam Smith will fly the Aussie flag at the Canadian Open this week at one of the country's best courses. PHOTO: Andy Lyons/Getty Images.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: With the U.S. Open to be held next week at Brookline Country Club many of the game’s top players have opted to rest this week.

However, there are more than enough big names making the trip north to ensure a compelling week including the defending champion, McIlroy.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler makes his Canadian Open debut, one of five world top-10 ranked players in the field.

Fourth ranked Cam Smith joins PGA Champion Justin Thomas, World No.9 Sam Burns and McIlroy in what should be a compelling week.

While it would be no surprise if any or even all of those five were in the mix come Sunday, the nature of the test this week could throw up some surprises.

There will be 21 highly motivated Canadians in the field but it is the highest ranked, Corey Conners, who presents their best chance.

Ranked fourth on Tour in Greens in Regulation for the season, Conners’ strong iron game and hometown motivation will hold him in good stead this week.

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick is the other whose game looks well suited to the questions being asked this week though a disappointing PGA Sunday and a missed cut at last week’s Memorial might not be the ideal preparation.

72-HOLE RECORD: 258 (-22, Rory McIlroy, 2019)

18-HOLE RECORD: 60 (Carl Pettersen, 2010)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Joe Kirkwood (1933), Jim Ferrier (1950, 1951), Kel Nagle (1964), Greg Norman (1984, 1992), Nathan Green (2009), Jason Day (2015)

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Greg Chalmers, Brett Drewitt, Mark Hensby, Camron Percy and Cameron Smith.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 8am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 8am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 3am – 8am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 3am – 8am)
*AEST, check local guides