FINAL FIELD RELEASED FOR 2018 RBC CANADIAN OPEN
OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) — Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to announce the final field of competitors vying for the US $6.2 million purse at the 2018 RBC Canadian Open, July 23-29 at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
World no. 1 and Team RBC member Dustin Johnson will be challenged by a stellar field of PGA TOUR stars including former Masters champion and world no.19 Sergio Garcia, two-time defending US Open champion and world no. 4 Brooks Koepka, world no.10 Tommy Fleetwood and big-hitting world no.13 Bubba Watson, a 12-time PGA TOUR winner who has won three times in 2018.
Other notable additions to the field for the 109th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship include world no. 27 Matt Kuchar; rising star and world no.31 Tony Finau; world no. 33 Kevin Kisner; former FedEx Cup champions Billy Horschel and Bill Haas; 12-time PGA TOUR winner Steve Stricker; six-time PGA TOUR winners Jimmy Walker, Stewart Cink and Rory Sabbatini; fan-favourites Ian Poulter, J.B. Holmes, Charley Hoffman and Martin Kaymer; and two-time defending champion Jhonattan Vegas.
Johnson, an 18-time winner on the PGA TOUR and Kuchar, a seven-time PGA TOUR winner will lead a roster of Team RBC players to Glen Abbey that includes three-time PGA TOUR winners Ryan Palmer and Graeme McDowell, 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion and eight-time winner Brandt Snedeker; Jim Furyk, a 17-time winner and two-time RBC Canadian Open champion; along with Canadian Team RBC players Adam Hadwin, David Hearn and Nick Taylor.
“The field is nearly set and we’re ready to tee-up the 109th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship, starting next week at Glen Abbey Golf Club,” said Golf Canada Chief Championship Officer Bill Paul. “This year’s championship will feature a re-energized mix of international stars led by Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Brooks Keopka, Bubba Watson, Tony Finau and Tommy Fleetwood, plus five past champions, eight in-year PGA TOUR winners and the deepest field of Canadian talent ever to compete for our National Men’s Open title. Golf fans are sure to be treated to another world-class showcase when the stars of the PGA TOUR return to Glen Abbey.”
In total, 156 players will compete for the US$6.2 million purse next week in Oakville when Canada’s National Open Championship returns to Glen Abbey for a record 30th time.
Click here for a full field list for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open.
PGA TOUR In-Year Winners…
A total of eight in-year PGA TOUR winners (accounting for 11 PGA TOUR titles in 2018) will compete at Glen Abbey led by three-time winner Bubba Watson (Genesis Open, World Golf Championship-Dell Technologies Match Play and Travelers Championship) and two-time winner Dustin Johnson (Sentry Tournament of Champions and FedEx St. Jude Classic). Other 2018 PGA TOUR winners include Brooks Koepka (US Open), Ian Poulter (Houston Open), Ryan Armour (Sanderson Farms Championship), Austin Cook (RSM Classic), and Gary Woodland (Waste Management Phoenix Open) and Billy Horschel (Zurich Classic of New Orleans).
Past Champions…
Two-time (2016-17) defending champion Jhonattan Vegas returns to Glen Abbey looking to become the first player ever to win Canada’s National Open Championship on three consecutive occasions. Vegas is one of five past champions set to compete including Brandt Snedeker (2013), Sean O’Hair (2011) and Chez Reavie (2008) along with Jim Furyk who claimed back to back titles in 2006-07.
Sixteen Canadians to compete for National Men’s Open Title…
Leading the Canadian contingent at Glen Abbey will be Abbotsford, B.C. native and world No. 48 Adam Hadwin, who will return to Glen Abbey to play in his ninth RBC Canadian Open. Other confirmed Canadians include past PGA TOUR winners Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas Valley, Ont., and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., Cory Conners of Listowel, Ont., Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., and David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., who finished third at the 2015 RBC Canadian Open. Also confirmed to compete is Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont., who will tee it up in his 28th RBC Canadian Open.
Each of the 16 Canadian players in the field will look to become the first Canadian to capture the national title since Pat Fletcher accomplished the feat in 1954.
Twelve Canadians to receive Tournament Exemptions….
Web.com Tour players Adam Svensson and Roger Sloan as well as European Tour player Austin Connelly, and Golf Canada Young Pro Squad member Jared du Toit, along with a trio of National Amateur Squad members—Hugo Bernard, Joey Savoie and Chris Crisologo—are among the Canadians receiving tournament exemptions.
Svensson is tracking well to earn his PGA TOUR card, sitting eighth on the Web.com Tour money list with $187,607. The 24-year-old Surrey, B.C., talent and Team Canada graduate has four Web.com Tour top-10 finishes this season, including a win at the 2018 Bahamas Great Abaco Classic in January.
Calgary native Roger Sloan currently sit no. 52 on the Web.com Tour money list and will make his fourth appearance in Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. He has two top-10 finishes on the Web.com Tour this season.
Austin Connelly, a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, is a former member of Canada’s National Amateur Team. He made international headlines at last year’s Open Championship, where he finished with a share of 14th. He has three top-20 finishes on the European Tour this season, including a tie for 11th at the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open.
In 2016, Jared du Toit of Kimberley, B.C., took a thrilling run at the RBC Canadian Open, taking a share of the 54-hole lead into the final round before eventually finishing tied for ninth. A member of Golf Canada’s Young Pro Squad, du Toit is ranked 21st on the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada Order of Merit including four top-10 finishes.
Tournament exemptions were also given to Team Canada National Amateur Squad members Hugo Bernard of Mont St-Hilaire, Que., Joey Savoie of La Prairie, Que., and Chris Crisologo of Richmond, B.C.
As well, 50-year old Winnipeg native Todd Fanning earned his place in the RBC Canadian Open by claiming victory in the 2017 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Fanning, a former pro who returned to amateur golf, will be making his fifth appearance in Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.
PGA of Canada professional Marc-Etienne Bussières of Gatineau, Que., earned his way into the 2018 RBC Canadian Open by claiming the no. 1 position on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC.
Other confirmed tournament exemptions to notable international competitors including American Zach Bauchou, winner of the 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship; Nyasha Mauchaza of Zimbabwe who topped the 144-player at the Ontario Regional Qualifer at Blue Springs Golf Club in Acton, Ont. to earn automatic exemption; and recent amateur standout turned professional Norman Xiong of Canyon Lake, Calif., the 2018 recipient of the Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award as the top player in NCAA Division I golf and Haskin Award as the most outstanding collegiate golfer.
Final Tournament Exemptions to be Named…
Following the Osprey Valley Open which concludes on Sunday July 22, the top-three players on the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada Order of Merit will earn exemptions to compete in the 2018 RBC Canadian Open.
The final four exemptions into the field for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open will be handed out at the Monday Final Qualifier on July 23, to be played at Heron Point Golf Links near Ancaster, Ont.
Click here for the full current list of competitors competing in the 2018 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club from July 23-29.
Tickets for all tournament rounds of the RBC Canadian Open are still available for purchase at www.rbccanadianopen.com. As well, kids 17-and-under get FREE admission all week long.
THE GLENLIVET RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLF CANADA
TORONTO – Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd. and Golf Canada are pleased to announce that Single Malt Scotch Whisky brand, The Glenlivet, will continue as the official spirit supplier of Golf Canada’s National Open Championships—the RBC Canadian Open taking place from July 23-29, 2018 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. as well as the CP Women’s Open, August 20-26 at The Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask.
“We’re excited to extend our partnership with the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open as it allows us to celebrate the tremendous excellence and heritage of golf in Canada with The Glenlivet,” says Bryan Lin, Scotch Whisky Brand Manager, Corby Spirit and Wine. “The Glenlivet is the ultimate Single Malt Scotch whisky that was distilled for pleasure since 1824. We are committed to delivering a first-class experience that can be shared by golf fans and patrons throughout the championship with multiple onsite activations and touchpoints.”
Attendees at the RBC Canadian Open Spectator Village will have the opportunity to sample the award-winning Single Malt Scotch Whisky The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve and take home their own custom label with The Glenlivet Label Maker Experience.
Fans can also enjoy a more premium viewing experience inside the Single Malt Super Seats Lounge behind the 16th Hole Green, with feature tastings of the newly launched Ballantine 15 Year-old Glenburgie Single Malt Scotch led by The Glenlivet Brand Ambassador, Frank Biskupek.
Additionally, Corby Spirit and Wine will feature several of its premium spirits at public concessions, including Absolut Vodka, Havana Club Rum, Altos Tequila and Ungava Gin.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd. an offer our fans a truly world-class whiskey at both the RBC Canadian Open as well as the CP Women’s Open,” said Craig Sharp, Golf Canada Managing Director, Partnerships. “The tremendous history behind The Glenlivet pairs perfectly with well over 100 years of delivering a premium spectator experience at our historic National Open Golf Championships.”
COMMISSIONAIRES RETURNS AS A PROUD PARTNER OF THE RBC CANADIAN OPEN
Oakville, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Commissionaires, the largest private employer of veterans in Canada, has announced a renewal partnership with Golf Canada to once again host Canadian Armed Forces Day on Saturday July 28, 2018 as part of the RBC Canadian Open.
“We are very pleased to renew our relationship with Golf Canada and the RBC Canadian open” says Benjamin Alexander, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Commissionaires Great Lakes. “Last year’s event was very well received within the Veteran community. With our expanded involvement to host selected members of the Veteran community to play in the Championship Pro-Am, this year promises to be a memorable event for those who serve our country”
All current and former members of Canada’s Armed Forces who register at www.commissionaires-cgl.ca will be entitled to complimentary access into the Military Outpost, a hospitality area hosted by Commissionaires. Within the Military Outpost, guests of Commissionaires along with their immediate family will receive a complimentary lunch and an invitation to engage with a PGA TOUR Player in an exclusive engagement event.
“We are very proud to renew our partnership with Commissionaires and once again celebrate Canadian Armed Forces Day at the RBC Canadian Open,” said Golf Canada Chief Championship Officer Bill Paul. “We believe in honouring our veterans and are pleased to join Commissionaires in welcoming the brave men and women who served our country to enjoy a meaningful day at Canada’s National Open Championship.”
The 2018 RBC Canadian Open will be contested at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., from July 23-29, 2018.
GOLF LEGEND LEE TREVINO TO JOIN 2018 RBC CANADIAN OPEN CELEBRATION
OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada, in partnership with RBC, is pleased to announce that golf legend Lee Trevino will be taking part in the RBC Hall of Fame Day celebration on Tuesday, July 24th, beginning at 11 a.m. ET, as part of the 2018 RBC Canadian Open.
A three-time RBC Canadian Open champion (1971, 1977, 1979) and member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Trevino will join 20 honoured members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame at a free outdoor public event to officially celebrate the newest inductees—former LPGA Tour player and broadcaster Gail Graham along with the late renowned golf course architect Arthur Vernon (A.V.) Macan as the 80th and 81st honoured members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
Over the course of his professional career, Trevino won six major golf championships and 29 PGA TOUR events. Trevino’s victory at the 1971 Canadian Open at Club de golf de la Vallée du Richelieu in Sainte-Julie, Que, earned him golf’s Triple Crown, awarded to a golfer who wins The Open Championship, the U.S. Open and the RBC Canadian Open in the same year. Tiger Woods is the only other player to accomplish the feat (2000). Trevino’s win in 1977 is also remembered as the first Canadian Open conducted at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
Trevino will also be awarded a keepsake Triple Crown trophy during the outdoor celebration, which will take place in Spectator Village at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
“We are absolutely honoured to welcome golf legend Lee Trevino back to Canada to help celebrate RBC Hall of Fame Day at the RBC Canadian Open,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum.” As a three-time Canadian Open winner and one of only two golfers ever to win the illusive Triple Crown trophy, we are extremely proud to have Mr. Trevino participate in RBC Hall of Fame Day and celebrate his unique and meaningful connection to Canada’s National Open Championship.”
RBC Hall of Fame Day will be hosted by Canadian golf legend Sandra Post, an honoured member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Chair of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
Following the free public outdoor induction ceremony, Trevino and attending members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame will participate in a gala luncheon—the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Induction Celebration presented by Emerick Construction—taking place inside the clubhouse at Glen Abbey. Individual tickets can be purchased by clicking here and full tables are also available by contacting cghf@golfcanada.ca. In addition, a silent auction—open online to the public—will be taking place in conjunction with the RBC Hall of Fame Day celebration with all proceeds going to the Golf Canada Foundation in support of Canadian golf heritage.
Media interested in attending the outdoor RBC Hall of Fame Day celebration on Tuesday, July 24 at 11:00 a.m. must register for media credentials prior to July 13, 2018.
Spectators interested in attending the FREE onsite celebration and induction ceremony on Tuesday of RBC Canadian Open week can find directions and parking here.
Tickets, volunteer or corporate hospitality opportunities are available at www.rbccanadianopen.com
RBC SCORES ‘A HOLE IN ONE’ WITH 2019 PGA TOUR SCHEDULE CHANGE
TORONTO, July 3, 2018 — RBC, Golf Canada and the PGA TOUR today announced that the 2019 RBC Canadian Open will be moving to a premier spot on the PGA TOUR schedule starting in 2019, one week before the U.S. Open. The 110th RBC Canadian Open, to be played at the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club with new dates, June 3-9, 2019, is expected to attract an even better field for Canada’s National Championship.
The 2018 RBC Canadian Open will be played as scheduled, July 23-29, at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario.
“The RBC Canadian Open is one of the oldest and most-prestigious golf events in the world and we’re thrilled to start a new chapter in 2019,” said Mary DePaoli, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer, RBC. “As the only Canadian stop on the Tour, the June tournament date will help enrich the experience for fans, players and all Canadians.”
IT’S A DATE! The #Golf_Canada_Network_Leaderboard_BigBox is moving to June 3-9 in 2019 ??#OurOpen pic.twitter.com/okc6Z3dopB
— RBC Canadian Open (@RBCCanadianOpen) July 3, 2018
In addition to the new spot on the PGA TOUR schedule, the 2019 RBC Canadian Open will also feature an increased purse, set at USD $7.6-million.
“The PGA TOUR, RBC and Golf Canada have collaborated to ensure this new date is the right fit for players and fans of the RBC Canadian Open,” said Andy Pazder, chief tournaments & competitions officer, PGA TOUR. “As title sponsor of both the RBC Canadian Open and the RBC Heritage, RBC has been a tremendous partner of the PGA TOUR, and we’re thrilled to have this opportunity to move one of golf’s most important and historic tournaments to a new date for the event starting in 2019.”
With even stronger fields and competition anticipated with the new date, the RBC Canadian Open is expected to:
- Increase global awareness for golf in Canada and the RBC Canadian Open tournament
- Drive deeper interest and participation in golf in Canada
- Positively impact the regional economy with increased ticket sales, hospitality and tourism
“Golf Canada is beyond thrilled by RBC’s overall support for the Canadian Open. Together with the PGA TOUR, the new 2019 date change is a clear demonstration of our combined commitment to the game and Canada’s National Open Championship,” said Laurence Applebaum, chief executive officer, Golf Canada. “This exciting change will inject tremendous energy into the RBC Canadian Open and make Canadian golf better.”
For ticket, volunteering, sponsorship and corporate hospitality information on the 2018 RBC Canadian Open, details are available online at www.rbccanadianopen.com