“Mr. 57” Nearly Strikes Again: Del Solar and Olesen Dazzle at a Rain-Softened RBC Canadian Open, Rory Stumbles
Chilean rookie Cristobal Del Solar fires a sizzling 61 at TPC Toronto, stealing headlines and igniting excitement at the 2025 RBC Canadian Open.
- Del Solar shot a 9-under 61—just one stroke shy of the tournament record.
- “Mr. 57” notched seven birdies over eight holes mid-round.
- Thorbjorn Olesen matched the lead with his own sparkling 61.
- Rory McIlroy, a former champ, posted a 71 after bogeying his closing holes.
Golf fans hungry for drama found plenty on Thursday as Cristobal Del Solar, also known as “Mr. 57,” flirted with golf history at the RBC Canadian Open. The Chilean rookie torched the rain-softened TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, carding a jaw-dropping 61 to grab a share of the spotlight—and the tournament lead—alongside Denmark’s red-hot Thorbjorn Olesen.
Del Solar gained global golf fame in early 2024 for firing the lowest score ever in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event, a 13-under 57 at the Astara Golf Championship. On Thursday, he revived whispers of another record-smashing round as he birdied his way into double digits before a late stutter on the 17th ended his quest for a mythical “59.”
With laser focus, Del Solar strung together seven birdies in just eight holes, captivating fans and surging up the leaderboard. After rolling in a 6.5-foot putt on 14 and draining an electric 15.5-footer at 16, he stood at 10 under with two to play. The dream faded with a bogey on 17, but his attack left one thing clear—golf’s new sensation has arrived.
While Del Solar set the pace, Olesen matched stride for stride, pouring in a series of long-range birdies and eagle putts. His putting stroke looked magical as he rattled off eight birdies, an eagle, and just one blemish on the card—all while preparing for next week’s U.S. Open at Oakmont.
Veteran champion Rory McIlroy, however, had a tough morning. The Masters victor and two-time Canadian Open winner faltered late, bogeying his final two holes for a disappointing 71. McIlroy’s quest to reclaim the Canadian crown took a rocky start, leaving him with work to do.
Q: Who’s Chasing? Key Contenders Surge in Opening Round
The furious pace set by Del Solar and Olesen left a packed leaderboard scrambling for position.
- Cameron Champ’s sleek 62 kept him in early contention.
- Jake Knapp, who already broke 60 in March, notched 63.
- Rasmus Hojgaard, Shane Lowry, Trey Mullinax, and Ricky Castillo all threatened at 64.
Canadian favorites also refused to fade, with Taylor Pendrith matching defending champ Robert MacIntyre at 65 and Nick Taylor—2023’s home hero—opening with a 66.
How Did Del Solar Get the “Mr. 57” Nickname?
Cristobal Del Solar cemented his legend in February 2024 when he shot a record-smashing 57 at the Astara Golf Championship in Colombia. That round set a new low-water mark for professional golf, and now, every hot streak raises speculation about whether he can repeat the impossible.
What’s Next for the RBC Canadian Open—and the 59 Watch?
With TPC Toronto’s softened greens promising more fireworks, all eyes remain on Del Solar’s pursuit of sub-60 magic. Will another player join golf’s ultra-exclusive 59 club? Weather, nerves, and the pressure cooker of moving day promise an unforgettable finish.
For more updates on this electrifying tournament and golf’s shifting power landscape, check the latest at PGA Tour, Golf Channel, and ESPN.
How to Follow All the RBC Canadian Open Action
- Watch live coverage and highlights at main sports networks.
- Keep track of player scores via the official RBC Canadian Open leaderboard.
- Bookmark official outlets for instant round updates and player interviews.
Don’t miss a moment—bookmark your sources and get set for a wild weekend!
RBC Canadian Open Scannable Checklist:
- Follow Cristobal Del Solar and Thorbjorn Olesen as they lead the pack.
- Watch for Rory McIlroy’s comeback after a tough opening round.
- Keep an eye out for more low scores as weather conditions evolve.
- Track Canadian hopefuls: Pendrith, MacIntyre, and Taylor.
- Stay tuned for potential historic rounds and final leaderboard shakeups.
References
