One of the best athletes in the world believes in one of sports’ biggest franchises.

During practice rounds in the lead-up to the RBC Canadian Open this weekend at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy was playing in the event’s Pro-Am with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment CEO and former European Tour chief Keith Pelley.

Pelley decided to commemorate the occasion by presenting McIlroy with a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater, with the No. 25 on the back (don’t tell that to Brandon Carlo).

The star golfer pointed out the Maple Leafs’ extended Stanley Cup drought, comparing it to his long-awaited green jacket that he obtained this past April.

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

This isn’t the first time McIlroy has shown support for the Leafs. Around last year’s Canadian Open, he was quoted as saying that he heard from someone who worked with the team that the Leafs were “making some changes.”

“Hopefully, that’s the catalyst to hopefully making a run in the playoffs and maybe getting that Stanley Cup,” McIlroy said. “I would certainly love that, along with, I don’t know, probably millions of locals and Canadians.”

Unfortunately, McIlroy’s prognosis didn’t quite pan out, as the Leafs ran it back with a similar roster to the one they had in 2023-24, falling in the second round to the now three-time defending Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers. However, with numerous decisions to be made regarding the pending unrestricted free agents Mitch Marner and John Tavares, those changes McIlroy might have discussed might come to fruition.

McIlroy comes into the weekend as one of the favourites to win the Canadian Open, a tournament he won in 2019 and 2022 in Hamilton and Etobicoke, respectively. The tournament serves as a prelude to next week’s U.S. Open in Texas.

One of the best aspects of the Canadian Open is the significant influence hockey has. From players donning hockey sweaters on the course to ‘The Rink’ hole that features boards and even a goal, along with patrons serenading Canadian participants with a boastful (and libation-infused) rendition of ‘O, Canada,” it’s one of the more unique events on the PGA Tour.