CALEDON, Ont. – The final field is now set as the last four players received exemptions to the 2026 RBC Canadian Open following the Final Qualifier at the Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ont. on Sunday.
Canadians Eric Zhao of Toronto, Ont. and Laurent Desmarchais of Cowansville, Que. were tied at the top of Sunday’s leaderboard at 4-under 67. Vince Covello of Philadelphia, Penn. and Jeevan Sihota of Victoria, B.C. were the other two to receive exemptions following rounds of 3-under 68.
Team Canada member Zhao finished the round with five birdies, three of those coming on holes 11, 12, and 13. “That was a lot of fun, I have to give credit to my caddie, he had some good reads on the green today, and I made some good putts coming in,” said Zhao.
“This is going to be my first PGA TOUR event, it’s going to be super fun, it’s an honour to get to have my first one be in Canada and get represent my country. It’s going to be really cool with the fans being mostly Canadian,” said Zhao when asked what is means to play in the RBC Canadian Open.
Desmarchais will make is first start on the PGA TOUR following his round at the Final Qualifier. “Its unreal, I mean I’m like shaking, it was a really good round of golf, and it means so much to me to get to play here in Canada, it’s a dream come true,” said Desmarchais. He finished the round with five birdies and one bogey to shoot 4-under 67 and earn his exemption to the RBC Canadian Open.
Covello will be making his second career start at the RBC Canadian Open after playing in last years event. “The round was pretty steady all in all, I made one bogey on 17 unfortunately, other than that I hit a lot of really good approach shots and got it up and down early,” said Covello. “The course was in great shape, cool golf course with a lot of character to it, unique in a lot of ways.”
I’ve been on the Canadian Tour for probably five different seasons, and I always love coming up here, it’s good golf, great people, and really good crowds out there,” said Covello. He finished the round with four birdies and one bogey, carding 3-under 68 at the Pulpit Club.
Sihota shot 3-under 68 carding six birdies and three bogeys to earn exemption into his first PGA TOUR event at the RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto. “It means the world, this is what you dream about as a kid. I’m really looking forward to the experience,” said Sihota.
“I had three birdies in a row on 11, 12, and 13 which was nice, on 11 I hit a nice drive on top of the ridge and had a nice shot in. On 12 I stuck it close and had a tap in and then on 13 I hit it on the green in two and two putted for birdie,” said Sihota. “I felt really good, this is a really good track, its tough out here, I putted really well today.”
For the final leaderboard from today’s RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier, click here.
The 115th playing of the RBC Canadian Open will take place June 10-14 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. For more information on the RBC Canadian Open, including volunteer opportunities or to purchase tickets, please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com/