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.

OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to announce the final field of competitors vying for the US$6.0 million purse at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, July 24-30 at Glen Abbey Golf Club.

World no. 1 Dustin Johnson will be challenged by a stellar field of PGA TOUR stars including world No. 18 Matt Kuchar, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, two-time RBC Canadian Open champion Jim Furyk, world No. 33 and 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion Brandt Snedeker, three-time PGA TOUR winners Ryan Palmer and Graeme McDowell, as well as World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els.

Other notable additions to the field for the 108^th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship include defending champion Jhonattan Vegas, Ian Poulter, 34-time PGA TOUR winner Vijay Singh, eight-time winner K.J. Choi, six-time winner Hunter Mahan, world No. 28 Kevin Chappell, world No. 39 Charley Hoffman, world no. 48 Gary Woodland and rising-star Tony Finau, who sits 27^th on the FedEx Cup Point Standings.

“The field is nearly set and we’re ready to tee-up the 108^th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship starting next week at Glen Abbey Golf Club,” said Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “It’s a big year for Canada celebrating 150 years and with a tremendous mix of international stars and the deepest field of Canadian talent ever, we couldn’t be more thrilled to treat fans to a world-class showcase of golf steeped in Canadiana.”

In total, 156 players will compete for the US$6.0 million purse next week in Oakville when Canada’s National Open Championship returns to Glen Abbey for a record 29^th time.

Past Champions…

Defending champion Jhonattan Vegas will be joined by seven other former champions including Team RBC members Brandt Snedeker – who won in 2013 at Glen Abbey Golf Club – and Jim Furyk who claimed back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007. Other confirmed past champions include Scott Piercy (2012), Sean O’Hair (2011), Carl Pettersson (2010), Chez Reavie (2008) and Vijay Singh (2004).

PGA Tour In-Year Winners…

A total of nine in-year PGA Tour winners will compete at Glen Abbey including Cody Gribble, Mackenzie Hughes, Harris English, Matt Kuchar, Hudson Swafford, Dustin Johnson, Adam Hadwin, D.A. Points and Kevin Chappell.

13 Canadians to compete for National Men’s Open Title…

World no. 54 Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., will lead a 13-member Canadian contingent into Canada’s national Open championship. The 29-year old is in the midst of his finest season with a win at the Valpsar Championship and a 59 at the CareerBuilder Challenge. Hadwin will be joined by fellow recent PGA TOUR winners Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. as well fellow Canadian fan favourites Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., Brad Fritsch of Manotick, Ont. and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont.

Other Canadians confirmed include Jared du Toit, the 22-year old Team Canada member played in the final pairing at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open. The Calgary native returns to Glen Abbey as a professional hoping to recapture the magic that made him the story of last year’s championship.  Team Canada National Amateur Squad members Hugo Bernard of Mont St-Hilaire, Que., the reigning Canadian Men’s Amateur champion along with Austin James of Bath, Ont., will also compete.

Former Team Canada member Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., has earned his third consecutive RBC Canadian Open exemption by winning his third straight Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. PGA of Canada professional Bryn Parry of Vancouver earned his way into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open by claiming the No. 1 position on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC, while former Team Canada member Matt Hill of Brights Grove, Ont., won the 144-player Ontario Regional Qualifier to earn an exemption.

The Canadians in the field have their sights set on becoming the first Canadian to capture the national title since Pat Fletcher claimed victory in 1954.

Final Tournament Exemptions to be Named…

The top three players on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Order of Merit following this weekend’s Mackenzie Investments Open in Mirabel, Que. will earn exemptions into the field for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

The final four exemptions into the field for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open will be handed out at the Monday Final Qualifier on July 24 to be played at Heron Point Golf Links near Ancaster, Ont.

Click here for the full list of competitors competing in the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club from July 24-30.