Rory McIlroy: 'If I can win the Masters, the Maple Leafs can win the Stanley Cup'

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CALEDON, Ont. — Rory McIlroy has given heartbroken Toronto Maple Leafs fans a reason for optimism.

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.

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.

More on that in a minute.

“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.

“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.

“Then I think that atmosphere is really appreciated by the players that get to play in front of those fans.”

Back to the Leafs jersey.

TSN’s Bob Weeks pointed out to McIlroy that after he wore a Toronto Raptors jersey in 2019, the Raptors won the NBA championship, and asked if perhaps the golfer could be the secret ingredient to ending the Leafs’ 58-year Cup curse.

“If I can win the Masters, surely the Maple Leafs can win the Stanley Cup,” McIlroy said.

From Rory’s lips to Lord Stanley’s ears.