Top 4 moments from the Canadian Open's storied history

As the third-oldest event on the PGA TOUR, there's been plenty of incredible moments in the Canadian Open's 118-year history.

With the TOUR heading to St. George's Golf and Country Club this week after a two-year absence due to COVID-19, here's a look at the top moments from the national open.

Palmer's first PGA TOUR title

Only four men have won more PGA TOUR events than the 62 that Arnold Palmer claimed in his storied career. The American's opening victory on the circuit came at the 1955 Canadian Open.

Palmer's four-stroke triumph over Jackie Burke in his rookie season signaled his future dominance. His 23-under total marked the second-lowest score in the 46-year history of the event. He made the trip to Canada 17 times in his career, with 1955 representing his lone victory.

Palmer earned seven more wins over the next three years before claiming his first major title at the 1958 Masters.

Trevino completes Triple Crown in 1971

There was no hotter golfer on the planet in 1971 than Lee Trevino. The entertaining Texan won the U.S. Open two weeks prior to coming to Richelieu Valley in Quebec.

Trevino emerged victorious north of the border with a playoff win over Art Wall Jr., his first of three Canadian Open championships.

That wouldn't be the end of Trevino's brilliant run in 1971. He headed across the Atlantic Ocean and completed the Triple Crown that year with a win at the Open Championship.

That run of success netted Trevino the Associated Press' Male Athlete of the Year award.

Rory's sizzling 61

Rory McIlroy certainly knows how to make a debut. The electric Ulsterman claimed a record-setting victory in his first trip to the Canadian Open in 2019.

The crowd favorite certainly had the Canadian faithful behind him at Hamilton Golf and Country Club as he torched the historic layout with four birdies in his opening five holes Sunday to separate from a tie for the lead.

McIlroy actually got to 10-under on the day through 17 holes, putting a possible 59 in play before he bogeyed No. 18. It was still enough for a whopping seven-shot victory, but his actions in the post-round ceremony cemented his place in the hearts of Canadians.

The Raptors ended up winning the title in six games later that month.

The best shot of Tiger's career?

Tiger Woods has stunned the golfing world with endless brilliant moments over his storied career, but his longtime caddie Steve Williams thinks his best shot occurred in Canada in 2000.

"Tiger hit an incredible amount of brilliant shots whilst I was caddying for him," Williams told PGATOUR.com's Cameron Morfit. "Given it was the 72nd hole with the tournament on the line, the approach shot to the 18th hole at Glen Abbey from the fairway bunker at the 2000 Canadian Open tops my list."

The details on his approach to the par-5 closer at Glen Abbey really highlight just how incredible the shot was. Woods came to the 18th with a one-shot lead over Grant Waite, searching for his fifth title in seven starts. Waite found the green with ease and was left with a comfortable two-putt for birdie. Woods also needed to make a four to avoid a playoff.

Faced with 218 yards over water from wet sand in a fairway bunker, many would have laid up and tried to make birdie with a pinpoint wedge. Woods had no such thoughts, though. He hit a towering 6-iron that just cleared the water and came to rest 15 feet from the hole.

Woods got up and down for birdie to seal the victory and became the first to hold the U.S. Open, Open Championship, and Canadian Open titles at the same time since Trevino in 1971.