OAKVILLE, Ont. – ZTE announced today a three-year extension as official smartphone of the RBC Canadian Open, through the end of 2019. This year’s RBC Canadian Open takes place at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario, from July 24-30, 2017.

This partnership is another milestone in ZTE’s ongoing commitment to invest in Canada, and is part of a larger movement to grow the company’s presence on the world stage.

“The RBC Canadian Open is a major part of ZTE’s global sports partnership strategy, and provides us with broader reach in Canada and in regions around the world,” said Lixin Cheng, CEO of ZTE Mobile Devices and Chairman of ZTE North America.

“Brand building relies on long-term and consistent investment, and we are thrilled to continue to showcase ZTE’s brand and devices at such a world-class event.”

“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with a strong global brand like ZTE,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada. “I’d like to thank them for their commitment to Canadian golf and for enhancing the championship experience at Canada’s National Open Championship.”

Partnering with local sports teams, organizations and players is a strategic initiative of ZTE’s around the globe to help build awareness and affinity towards the brand.  With partnerships now in Canada, the United States, Germany, Australia, Mexico and other regions, ZTE can engage more fans with the ZTE brand in key markets around the world.

To engage with fans at the RBC Canadian Open, ZTE has the Grand X View tent, a large, covered structure set between the 6th green and 7th tee, to demonstrate its latest products including the new ZTE Connected Car Solution. There are also charging stations for spectators and daily giveaways.

New this year, ZTE is offering fans the opportunity to get up close with the professional golfers through a custom-designed Player Walkway. This walkway will give fans a unique vantage point of the players walking past, along with a Selfie Mirror set up in front of the walkway. Finally, fans can also check out the ZTE Experience Tour truck, a hands-on mobile showcase of ZTE’s amazing technologies.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – The 108th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship gets underway Thursday with 156 of the world’s best golfers, including 17 Canadians and world No. 1 Dustin Johnson set to compete for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open trophy and their share of the $6 million (US) purse.

Johnson leads the PGA TOUR in wins this year with three, and was the runner-up at the RBC Canadian Open in 2013 and 2016.

“I’ve played well here the last couple years, and you know, I’m looking forward to it this year,” said Johnson. “I enjoy playing this golf course.”

Johnson went on to talk highly of the host city and the support he receives from the Canadian fan base.

“The fans have been great since the first time I came,” said Johnson. “When I’m out there on the course, I’ve always got a lot of fans and they are always supporting me a lot.”

When asked about the condition of Glen Abbey, the world’s No. 1 golfer had high praise for the work superintendent Andrew Gyba and his team have done to get the course ready for the RBC Canadian Open.

“It’s in perfect condition. You can’t find anything wrong with it,” added Johnson. “The greens are perfect. The fairways are perfect.”

The first round of the RBC Canadian Open starts at 7:10 a.m. with players teeing off on the first and 10th tees.

Jack Nicklaus talks to media on Tuesday, July 25th at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

A video recap of our 2017 Opening Ceremony and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Induction.

ANCASTER, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Drew Nesbitt of Shanty Bay, Ont., Riley Wheeldon of Comox, B.C., Lee McCoy of Tampa, Fla. and Jhared Hack of Homestead, Fla. have all earned entry into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open through today’s Final Qualifier at Heron Point Golf Links.

Nesbitt and Wheeldon carded matching rounds of 5-under-par 66 to share medallist honours.

Nesbitt, who will make his PGA TOUR debut at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, is thankful Canada’s National Championship is truly an open event.

“That’s the nature of the game that they have these open qualifying events. It allows amateurs and pros that aren’t full status and mini tour players like myself, to get to the next level,” said Nesbitt. “It will be a good experience to test my game against the best players in the world.”

Wheeldon will be playing in his third PGA TOUR event. He played in the 2013 RBC Canadian Open and advanced through Monday Qualifying into the 2014 Farmers Insurance Open.

“I feel lucky as a Canadian that I get to play in our National Championship,” added Wheeldon. “It’s great to be one round away and know that you have that opportunity to get into that tournament.”

Six players shot 67, which forced a playoff that decided the last two spots. McCoy advanced on the second playoff hole while Hack outlasted Team Canada’s Stuart MacDonald from Vancouver on the sixth playoff hole.

Team Canada graduate Blair Hamilton (Burlington, Ont.), Nyasha Mauchaza (Port Saint Lucie, Fla.) and Hunter Stuart (Lexington, Ky.) were the other playoff participants who failed to qualify.

Below are full qualifier results from the 2017 RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifying.

1. Drew Nesbitt, Shanty Bay, ON, *33-33-66 -5
   1. Riley Wheeldon, Comox, BC, *33-33-66 -5
   3. Jhared Hack, Homestead, FL *34-33-67 -4
   3. Lee McCoy, Tampa, FL *33-34-67 -4
   — DID NOT QUALIFY —
   3. Stuart MacDonald, Vancouver, BC, *35-32-67 -4
   3. Blair Hamilton, Burlington, ON, *33-34-67 -4
   3. Nyasha Mauchaza, Port Saint Lucie, FL, *35-32-67 -4
   3. Hunter Stewart, Lexington, KY, *35-32-67 -4
   9. Stephane Dubois, Brantford, ON, *35-33-68 -3
   9. Vincent Blanchette, Boucherville, QC, *35-33-68 -3
   9. Eric Banks, Truro, NS, *35-33-68 -3
   12. Brendan Leonard, Cambridge, ON, *34-35-69 -2
   12. Brad Kerfoot, Toronto, ON, *37-32-69 -2
   12. Danny Sahl, Sherwood Park, AB, *35-34-69 -2
   15. Jesse Smith, Ohsweken, ON, *37-33-70 -1
   15. Philip Arci (a), Vaughan, ON, *37-33-70 -1
   15. Eddie Maunder, Oakville, ON, *35-35-70 -1
   15. Russell Budd, Toronto, ON, *36-34-70 -1
   15. Jordan Niebrugge, Oakville, MT, *37-33-70 -1
   20. Cole Nead (a), Toronto, SC, *39-32-71 E
   20. Marc Casullo (a), Aurora, ON, *36-35-71 E
   20. Benoit Boudreau, Longueuil, QC, *36-35-71 E
   20. Griffin Jones (a), Manotick, ON, *38-33-71 E
   20. Joshua Montgomery (a), Ancaster, ON, *37-34-71 E
   20. Peyton Callens (a), Langton, ON, *38-33-71 E
   20. Marc-Étienne Bussières, Sherbrooke QC, *37-34-71 E
   27. Horacio Leon, Jupiter, FL, *35-37-72 +1
   27. Andrew Ledger, Toronto, ON, *37-35-72 +1
   27. Adrian Cord, Toronto, ON, *33-39-72 +1
   27. Derek Barron, Lakewood, WA, *34-38-72 +1
   31. Chase Komaromi (a), London, ON, *35-38-73 +2
   31. Sebastian Szirmak, Toronto, ON, *35-38-73 +2
   31. Peter Campbell, Windermere, FL, *37-36-73 +2
   31. Keith Martin, Kelowna, BC, *38-35-73 +2
   31. James Skrypec, Kitchener, ON, *39-34-73 +2
   31. Bill Walsh, Markham, ON, *38-35-73 +2
   37. Nic Mazze (a), Caledon East, ON, *38-36-74 +3
   37. Joseph D’Alfonso, Caledon, Ontario, *36-38-74 +3
   37. Marc Bourgeois, Dieppe, NB, *36-38-74 +3
   40. Victor Ciesielski, Cambridge, ON, *38-37-75 +4
   40. Lucas Kim, Toronto, ON, *37-29-66 +4
   42. Mandeo Singh Pathania, Toronto, ON, *40-36-76 +5
   42. Jean-Philip Cornellier, St-Césaire, QC, *39-37-76 +5
   42. Wes Homan, Cincinnati, OH, *37-39-76 +5
   42. Jay Delsing, St. Louis, MO, *39-37-76 +5
   46. Mike Currie (a), Milton, ON, *39-38-77 +6
   46. Gabriel Gingras (a), Chelsea, QC, *39-38-77 +6
   46. J.J. Regan, Burlington, ON, *40-37-77 +6
   46. Dan Bowling, Brights Grove, ON, *38-39-77 +6
   50. Mack Duke, Rockport, ME, *40-38-78 +7
   51. Yanik Laforest, Mirabel, QC, *41-38-79 +8
   51. Louis-Alexandre Pitre, Quebec, QC, *42-37-79 +8
   53. Elliott Whitley, Hamilton, ON, *38-43-81 +10

— DID NOT FINISH —

1. Tom Hoge, Fort Worth, TX, *30-0-30 +1
   WD. David Iaderosa (a), Ottawa, ON, *31-0-31 +2
   WD. Francis Berthiaume, Valleyfield, QC, *33-0-33 +4
   WD. Matthew Jones, Scottsdale, AZ, *

CANADIANS IN THE FIELD:

The following 17 Canadians will compete in the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

• Adam Hadwin, Abbotsford, B.C.
• Graham DeLaet, Weyburn, Sask.
• Mackenzie Hughes, Dundas, Ont.
• David Hearn, Brantford, Ont.
• Nick Taylor, Abbotsford, B.C.
• Brad Fritsch, Manotick, Ont.
• Mike Weir, Brights Grove, Ont.
• Jared du Toit, Calgary, Alta.
• Hugo Bernard, Mont St-Hilaire, Que.
• Austin James, Bath, Ont.
• Garrett Rank, Elmira, Ont.
• Bryn Parry, Vancouver, B.C.
• Matt Hill, Brights Grove, Ont.
• Ryan Williams, Surrey, B.C.
• Riley Wheeldon, Comox, B.C.
• Drew Nesbitt, Shanty Bay, Ont.
• Daniel Kim, Toronto, Ont.

Monday at the RBC Canadian Open was the Canada Day Pro Am. Teams of three amateurs joined one Canada’s top golfers or a Canadian Golf Hall of Fame player with morning and afternoon tee times.

Proceeds from the Pro-Am benefited the Golf Canada Foundation going to support the developmental pathway in Canada including Team Canada and the Young Pro Program. The Foundation’s mission is to provide golfers and industry partners with a charitable platform to increase participation in golf by engaging players of all ages and abilities across Canada.

The 2017 RBC Canadian Monday Pro-Am raised over $200,000 in support of junior golf programs. For more information on the Golf Canada Foundation, visit www.golfcanadafoundation.com.

A look at photos from Monday, July 24th at Glen Abbey Golf Club and the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – The final four spots into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open field will be determined Monday as the Final Qualifier is set to tee off at Heron Point Golf Links in Ancaster, Ont.

The 57-man field is comprised of touring professionals, top amateurs and 43 regional qualifiers from the as a part of the two-stage RBC Canadian Open Qualification process.

“We’re very happy to have the Final Qualifier at Heron Point Golf Links,” said Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s Director, Rules, Competitions and Amateur Status. “The course is in great condition and it should provide an excellent test for this impressive field of golfers vying for a spot in the RBC Canadian Open.”

The Final Qualifier features 18 holes of stroke play with the low four competitors receiving an exemption directly into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open field.  If necessary, a hole-by-hole playoff will be conducted immediately following the conclusion of play.

Click here for pairings, start times and results for RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifying on Monday, July 24. Results will be available as players complete their rounds.

OAKVILLE, ON — On Tuesday, July 25 at 10 a.m. ET at Glen Abbey Golf Club, golf icon Jack Nicklaus will be on hand to officially open the 2017 RBC Canadian Open during a public outdoor ceremony at Glen Abbey Golf Club.

The Opening Ceremony for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open will be immediately followed by the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where amateur champion Judy Darling Evans and legendary golf club maker Bob Vokey will be officially inducted as the 78^th and 79^th honoured members.  Nicklaus, who was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1995, will join 16 other legends of Canadian golf as part of the celebration.

Spectators are invited to join the celebration (FREE for all attendees) that will officially kick off the 2017 RBC Canadian Open. Both the induction and ceremony will take place on stage in the Coors Light 19th Hole Beer Garden.

Oakville, ON – For the second year, the RBC Canadian Open 5K Golf Run officially kicked off RBC Canadian Open tournament week at Glen Abbey Golf Club, running the tournament ready holes at the championship course, just days before the golf professionals. A total of 522 participants took part, surpassing 2016’s total of 361.

“It is very special to be able to put on an event that combines the love for running, walking and golf, and to be able to do it as part of the RBC Canadian Open is remarkable,” said Elliott Kerr, President of Landmark Sport Group Inc., the organizers of the RBC Canadian Open 5K Golf Run.

Runners, walkers and golf enthusiasts gathered near the first tee of the championship course to mark the beginning of their journey through the PGA TOUR ready course, finishing alongside the iconic 18^th green.

“The RBC Canadian Open 5K Golf Run once again proved to be a huge hit with runners and golf fans,” said Brent McLaughlin, RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director. “It is a great way to kick off Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.”

Participants were treated to experiencing Glen Abbey set up for the RBC Canadian Open, before the pros arrive to compete in the tournament, beginning Monday, July 24^th. The fun continued post-race at the Coors Light Beer Garden, where participants and spectators were invited to enjoy beverages and watch the third round of the British Open live on large television screens. The RBC Canadian Open Trophy was also available for photos.

“We are extremely pleased with the turnout for the second year of this event,” said Brody Coles, Race Director. “People are attracted to the uniqueness of the event, as it isn’t your typical race. The atmosphere of being at Glen Abbey just prior to a PGA TOUR Tournament begins is truly exciting.”

On a competitive note, Connor Hammond, Oakville and Rebecca Kowalenko, Toronto finished first overall in the male and female categories, with respective times of 17:40 and 20:06. All participants received a finisher’s medal upon crossing the finish line, with additional prizes handed to top finishers in each age and gender category. Each participant also received a complimentary “any single day” ticket to the RBC Canadian Open, earning the chance to watch their favourite golfers compete on the same course they completed their run through. Glen Cairn Golf Club won the Golf Club Championship by having the most club members registered for the event, and each registered member received an upgraded pass to Golf Canada House Powered by Boston Pizza.

For more information, visit www.golfrun.ca.