Written by: Bob McArthur
Scoring Chair, RBC Canadian Open
Senior Manager of Payment Security, RBC
Instagram: @JustBob1965

As I looked out the window of my return flight to Canada, I wondered how I ended up scoring Sunday’s final group with Matt Kuchar at the Mayakoba Classic over 2500 kilometres away.

Starting over 10 years ago, I began volunteering to help out with the RBC Canadian Open. I have volunteered in many difference capacities, including: running ticket sales, helping patrons with directions, and scoring the tournament. The “work” (as most would call it) requires extremely long hours. Getting to the course before sunrise and leaving well after sunset each day in the summer is to be expected. I can honestly say that it doesn’t feel like work to me—not when you are doing something you love so much. Sure, sometimes negative and unforeseen events happen (like when the rain gods decide to interrupt well-laid plans). However, it has been a thrill to face adversity and challenges with my fellow volunteers, only to come out the other side. The connections over the years have created experiences all priceless to me—especially when it comes to friendships.

David Park, Bob McArthur, Brian Evison, Lori DeCecco

My volunteer experience also includes the Toronto Pan American Games, World Junior Championships along with the Invictus Games—all of which were amazing experiences. I got to meet some incredible people at the Invictus Games, including a chance meeting with Prince Harry!

All of the previous experiences led to an open invite to Mexico to help with the Mayakoba Golf Classic over the past three years. This year, myself and three friends finally booked our trips and committed to going down. All of us volunteer with the RBC Canadian Open, including fellow RBC employee Lori DeCecco (Vice-Chair, Scoring).

Bob McArthur, Lori DeCecco, David Park, Adam Hadwin

From the picturesque location, excellent weather and laid-back atmosphere, the Mayakoba Classic was fantastic. For us volunteers, we were able to experience all of this plus so much more. There were snakes, iguanas and birds everywhere! In the past, some have seen monkeys but they were hiding from me this year. You got to experience the thrill of watching amazing golfers plus the bonus of all the added perks of being in such an exotic location. Being up close to the players and watching them land shots within 10 feet from 200 yards out never gets old.

The tournament itself gives so much back to the community by including people in the event that would never really have the opportunity to do. The tournament is a bit smaller than many on TOUR, which affords it the opportunity to do some good things—like bringing in students to learn about golf and having them participate as standard bearers or giving people a thrill to be up close and personal to famous golf players.

In the evenings we were able to enjoy the nightlife in Playa Del Carmen. The volunteers and some of the caddies would hang out at some of the local restaurants and pubs along 5th avenue. We had full days between being at the course before the sun came up, to having celebrations in the late evenings with old and newfound friends.

Back to the highlight of my experience: being asked to be a scorer for the final group on Sunday with RBC sponsored player Matt Kuchar. On the Friday evening, David Sanchez Garcia, the vice-chair walking scorer, approached me and asked if I would like to score the final group. My first response was almost “DUHHH, OF COURSE” but instead happily agreed while doing backflips internally. Maybe I was asked because of my past volunteer work and organizing, maybe it was because we brought in team of experience volunteers, maybe it was because I have the RBC connection with Matt Kuchar as a RBC employee or maybe it was a combination of everything. Whatever the reasoning, I can’t express by biggest gratitude for selecting myself and how big of a thrill it was creating a memory that I will hold dear for the rest of my life.

I don’t think PGA TOUR events would be as successful if it wasn’t for the tireless volunteers who provide their time and support. The bonds you make being part of this, coupled with the experiences are again, priceless. Now after our experience my friends and I are asking ourselves why we didn’t do this sooner. Hopefully this becomes a tradition with more friends and new friends joining us. You might just be amazed at how rewarding and fun this can be.

I’m just a simple volunteer—just Bob. But I can tell you honestly that these experiences and friendships gained have been amazing.

Next up, the 2019 RBC Canadian Open in Hamilton, Ont., from June 3-9.

Come out & consider volunteering.

Click here to register as a volunteer for the RBC Canadian Open.

St Andrews, Scotland – The road to Royal Portrush will include a stop in Hamilton, Ont.

The R&A announced today that next years RBC Canadian Open will be one of 16 events in 11 countries that will make up The Open Qualifying Series for 2019.

The Emirates Australian Open, which is being played from 15-18 November at The Lakes in Sydney, will be the first opportunity for players to secure their place at Royal Portrush next year. The leading three players, who finish in the top ten and ties and who are not already exempt, will qualify for The Open.

A total of 46 places in The Open are available through the Series, which provides golfers with opportunities to qualify at events around the world on the PGA TOUR, the European Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, the Asian Tour, the Korean Tour, the Japan Golf Tour and the Sunshine Tour.

“The race to qualify for The Open at Royal Portrush has well and truly begun and we are eagerly anticipating an exciting series of events as golfers around the world aim to book their place at the Championship,” said Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A. “We know that there is real excitement at the prospect of The Open returning to Northern Ireland for the first time in almost 70 years and it will undoubtedly act as an extra incentive for those players who are hopeful of teeing it up at the famous Dunluce links in July.”

The 2019 RBC Canadian Open will take place June 3-9 at Hamilton Golf & Country CLub, offering up three qualifying places into The 148th Open.

Regional Qualifying and Final Qualifying events will take place at venues throughout Great Britain and Ireland.

The Open Qualifying Series (TOQS) will offer the following qualification places in The 148th Open:

NB: Any player who has qualified through The Open Qualifying Series is deemed an exempt player. In the event that that player subsequently fulfils other exemption categories those places in the starting field will be subject to Section F of The Open Entry Form.

UPDATE: Tickets for the 2019 RBC Canadian Open will be available for purchase on March 22 at 10 a.m. ET

HAMILTON, Ont.  (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada, in partnership with title sponsor RBC, are pleased to announce that tickets are now available for the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, June 3-9 at the historic Hamilton Golf & Country Club.

With a new premier spot on the PGA TOUR schedule in early June, the 2019 RBC Canadian Open promises to be a summer festival celebration to mark the unofficial start of Canada’s golf season.

One of Canada’s premier annual sporting events, the RBC Canadian Open features miles of front row seating for golf fans to experience Canada’s lone stop on the PGA TOUR.

General admission tickets, starting at just $25 for early week access, provide access to the grounds to get an up-close look at the stars of the PGA TOUR including defending champion and Team RBC member Dustin Johnson.

Tournament rounds for Thursday, Friday and Saturday are $70; a Sunday final-round ticket is $80; and a weeklong, fully-transferable badge is $160. As well, Tuesday admission for RBC Hall of Fame Day is complimentary with the purchase of a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday ticket. A specially-priced youth ticket (13-17 years old) is also available while juniors aged 12-and-under gain FREE grounds admission all week long.

In addition to general admission tickets and corporate hospitality products, the RBC Canadian Open also offers a pair of premium ticket products—The 1904 Club and The Trophy Club—for golf fans to experience the 110^th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship.

The 1904 Club is located inside the clubhouse at Hamilton Golf and Country Club and offers an air-conditioned experience with ample televisions and indoor views of the 18 green, as well as an outdoor patio with views of the driving range and 1st tee. Tickets for The 1904 Club start at $125.

The Trophy Club is a premium social experience situated in the heart of the action at Hamilton Golf and Country Club. Located behind the 14th green with a view of the 15th tee and fairway, guests will enjoy all-inclusive food and beverage from a raised, covered structure. Well suited for passionate event fans or small businesses looking to host smaller client groups, cost for this upscale ticket experience is $260 per day, with savings available for those purchasing multi-day commitments.

Volunteer opportunities to be a part of the 2019 RBC Canadian Open are also available with a full listing of committee positions here.

New in 2019, with the RBC Canadian Open date change to early June, Golf Canada has introduced a new Student Volunteer Program for students to earn their required volunteer hours during the week of Canada’s National Open Championship.

The tournament’s return to the Harry Colt designed course in 2019 is timed perfectly – marking the 100-year anniversary since the renowned club originally hosted Canada’s National Open Golf Championship.

Hamilton Golf and Country Club previously hosted five Canadian Opens, with the first taking place in 1919 – a championship featured two of the most legendary names in golf – Bobby Jones and Francis Ouimet. J. Douglas Edgar would go on to earn a 16-stroke win – a PGA TOUR record stands to this day as the largest margin of victory.

Other players to have won the Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club include Tommy Armour (1930), Bob Tway (2003), Team RBC member Jim Furyk (2006) and Scott Piercy (2012).

The 2019 RBC Canadian Open in early June begins an exciting new chapter for Canada’s National Open Championship. Join us at the historic Hamilton Golf & Country Club to witness great golf, activities for all ages including ‘The Rink’, local food and patio experiences, plus new event features being announced in the coming weeks.

Get your tickets today and be a part of one of Canada’s premier sporting events – www.rbccanadianopen.com/tickets.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – The PGA TOUR announced today that Brooks Koepka has been named the 2018 PGA TOUR Player of the Year as voted by the TOUR’s membership for the 2017-18 season.

PGA TOUR members who played in at least 15 FedExCup events during the 2017-18 season were eligible to vote. The balloting process ended on October 1.

Koepka, a 28-year-old native of West Palm Beach, Florida, finished a career-best ninth in the FedExCup following a season that included victories at both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. He earned four additional top-10 finishes, including runners-up at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions and Charles Schwab Challenge.

“On behalf of the PGA TOUR, our congratulations to Brooks Koepka on being voted PGA TOUR Player of the Year by his peers,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Brooks has brought a new brand of athleticism to the PGA TOUR, and we saw the results this year with his historic season at the major championships and a top-10 finish in the FedExCup. These feats were accomplished despite missing significant time due to injury, a testament to his work ethic and perseverance throughout the season.”

Following the Sentry Tournament of Champions in January, Koepka did not compete on TOUR while recovering from a left wrist injury, making his return in late April at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. He collected his first top-10 post-injury at the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club, a second-place finish to Justin Rose.

With his victory at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, Koepka became the first player since Curtis Strange (1988-89) to win back-to-back U.S. Open titles. Five starts later, Koepka won his third major title in his 100^th PGA TOUR start, capturing the PGA Championship by two strokes over Tiger Woods with a tournament record 16-under 264. At age 28, Koepka became the fifth American since 1945 with three or more major wins before the age of 29 and the fifth player to win the U.S. Open and PGA Championship in the same season.

Koepka posted season-low rounds of 63 on four occasions in 17 PGA TOUR starts, including the lowest final round ever at THE PLAYERS Championship. He closed the season with 13 of 16 rounds in the 60s over the four FedExCup Playoffs events.

Koepka’s lone blemish came at the 2018 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey – an event that represented his only missed cut of the year.

Koepka, who will receive the Jack Nicklaus Trophy for winning PGA TOUR Player of the Year, was selected for the honor over Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose and Justin Thomas.

MEMPHIS, Tenn., – One day prior to the start of the PGA TOUR’s TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, teen entrepreneurs myCryptoHippo from Junior Achievement (JA) of Central Ontario won the second annual FedEx Junior Business Challenge program for their business presentation and secured a $75,000 donation from FedEx to further support youth entrepreneurship.

myCryptoHippo, which aims to educate Generation Z about cryptocurrencies and blockchain through the use of their integrated cryptocurrency simulator, presented its business to a panel of judges, including Warrick Dunn (3-time Pro Bowler and Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor member), David Cunningham (president and chief executive officer of FedEx Express), Ryan Lane (owner of Dream Beard and FedEx Small Business Grant Recipient) and Marc Leishman (3-time PGA TOUR tournament winner who is competing for the coveted FedExCup).

Through its PGA TOUR sponsorship, FedEx teed off the second annual FedEx Junior Business Challenge program earlier this year at the WGC-Dell Match Play Championship (Austin, Texas) and held three other qualifying events at THE PLAYERS Championship (Jacksonville, Florida), the RBC Canadian Open (Ontario) and Dell Technologies Championship (Boston).  Judging panels comprised of PGA TOUR players, business leaders and local celebrities selected one junior achievement business at each qualifying event to move on to the FedEx Junior Business Challenge finals. myCryptoHippo was the JA champter that moved on from the 2018 RBC Canadian Open held at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

The four student-led companies that qualified for the finals were evaluated on their pitch skills, presentation content, visual aids and connection to innovation, sustainability, job creation or trade industry.  myCryptoHippo came out on top for their integrated cryptocurrency simulator, impressing the judges with their goal to make blockchain technology easy to learn and investing in cryptocurrencies less intimidating by providing a hands-on learning experience.

“It was incredible to see these teenagers from JA chapters across the country showcase their entrepreneurial skills and ambition, in addition to their innovation and intellectual curiosity,” said Warrick Dunn.  “I don’t remember what I was doing at their age, but I wasn’t starting a business.  I’m inspired by these young entrepreneurs and it’s comforting to know the kids from JA will be tomorrow’s business leaders.”

In just two years, the FedEx Junior Business Challenge program has provided more than 30 JA student-led companies the chance to present their businesses at more than ten PGA TOUR tournaments, and awarded $150,000 to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“Every day around the world, businesses are faced with new challenges, and to stay ahead of competition, companies and leaders need to be creative, agile and innovative,” said David Cunningham, president and CEO, FedEx Express.  “Success in small business and entrepreneurship is paramount to FedEx, and the JA students who participated in today’s FedEx Junior Business Challenge finals proved that the future is bright.”

Since 1996, FedEx has donated nearly $14 million to JA Worldwide in support of small businesses and future entrepreneurs.  As a part of FedEx Cares global giving initiative, the FedEx Junior Business Challenge program is part of FedEx’s goal of investing $200 million in more than 200 global communities by 2020 to create opportunities and deliver solutions for people around the world.  The JA Worldwide network reaches more than 10 million young people in more than 100 countries, making JA a natural partner for FedEx Cares.

With FedEx as the official sponsor of the PGA TOUR since 2002, FedEx and the PGA TOUR have a long-standing relationship.  In 2007, the PGA TOUR introduced the FedExCup as the first season-long competitive and promotional platform, transforming the competitive landscape of professional golf.  The performance-based point structure culminates with the FedExCup Playoffs, a four-tournament playoff at the end of the season to determine the FedExCup Champion.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – With the upcoming 2018-19 PGA TOUR schedule reflecting previously announced, significant structural changes, PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan today unveiled further innovations that elevate the entire FedExCup season – from the Regular Season through the FedExCup Playoffs and ultimately, at the Playoffs Finale, the TOUR Championship. These changes include a simplified scoring system at the TOUR Championship that will determine the FedExCup Champion and a new $10 million program for the FedExCup Regular Season sponsored by Wyndham Rewards: the “Wyndham Rewards Top 10.”

The FedExCup Playoffs – which have been reduced from four to three events beginning next season and will conclude before Labor Day, allowing the TOUR to compete to own the August sports calendar – will feature fields of 125 for THE NORTHERN TRUST, 70 for the BMW Championship and 30 for the TOUR Championship, where the FedExCup Champion will be determined. While the points structure for the first two events will remain the same (awarding quadruple points compared to FedExCup Regular Season events), there will be a significant change to the format for the TOUR Championship.

Instead of a points reset at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, beginning with the 2018-19 event the TOUR is instituting a strokes-based bonus system related to the FedExCup standings through the BMW Championship. The FedExCup points leader after the first two Playoffs events will begin the TOUR Championship at 10-under par. The next four players will start at 8-under through 5-under, respectively. The next five will begin at 4-under, regressing by one stroke per five players until those ranked Nos. 26-30 start at even par.

With the implementation of this change, the player with the lowest total score will be the FedExCup Champion and be credited with an official victory in the TOUR Championship competition.

“This is a significant and exciting change for the PGA TOUR, our players, our partners and – most importantly – our fans,” said Monahan. “As soon as the TOUR Championship begins, any fan – no matter if they’ve followed the PGA TOUR all season or are just tuning in for the final event – can immediately understand what’s going on and what’s at stake for every single player in the field. And, of course, players will know exactly where they stand at all times while in play, which will ratchet up the drama, consequence and volatility of the competition down the stretch.

“Compared to the current system, the beauty here is in the simplicity. Fans are very familiar with golf leaderboards in relation to par, so they will have a clear understanding of the impact every shot makes during the final run for the FedExCup – ultimately leading to a singular champion without conflicting storylines.”

“It has been gratifying to witness the growth, popularity and importance of the FedExCup since its launch in 2007,” said Davis Love III, a current Player Director on the PGA TOUR Policy Board who also served on the Board during the development and launch of the FedExCup. “Several important refinements have been made along the way to help accelerate the FedExCup’s universal acceptance as a tremendous achievement in professional golf.

However, I believe this new strokes-based bonus system for the TOUR Championship might well be the most important of them all, as it will lend absolute clarity to where everyone in the field stands and what exactly they must do to win the FedExCup. It will make for a very exciting and dramatic four days.”

Meanwhile, the new $10 million Wyndham Rewards Top 10 not only will add drama to the Wyndham Championship as the final event before the FedExCup Playoffs but will also put an even greater premium on excelling over the course of the FedExCup Regular Season. The top-10 Regular Season finishers in FedExCup points through the Wyndham Championship – also sponsored by Wyndham Rewards – will reap the benefits of the Wyndham Rewards Top 10. The leader will earn $2 million, followed by $1.5 million for the runner-up with the 10th-place finisher earning $500,000. Additionally, each player in the top 10 will be invited into Wyndham Rewards at its most exclusive Diamond level, unlocking all the travel perks and unique Wyndham benefits that go along with it.

And while the Wyndham Rewards Top 10 will be recognized at the conclusion of the Wyndham Championship, the impact of the program will be felt throughout the season; a player’s performance every week becomes more critical than ever before, elevating the significance of each tournament on the schedule and producing drama for PGA TOUR fans at every turn.

“We are excited to unveil the Wyndham Rewards Top 10 next year, which will place an even greater premium on excelling over the course of the Regular Season,” said Andy Pazder, Chief Tournament and Competitions Officer for the PGA TOUR. “Season-long success is tantamount to qualifying for and advancing through the FedExCup Playoffs, and this is an exciting way to reward the best of the best and provide an added layer of drama for our fans in each market and around the world.”

In addition to the $10 million Wyndham Rewards Top 10, the existing FedExCup bonus pool will increase by $25 million, to $60 million. The FedExCup Champion will receive $15 million, versus the $10 million prize from previous years.

“Our players and fans have invested in the FedExCup over the past 12 seasons, and with these enhancements, we are reinvesting in the FedExCup in order to raise the stakes, so to speak, for their benefit,” said Monahan. “We are able to grow and diversify our fan base because we have the best athletes on the planet competing on the PGA TOUR. Now is the time to make these changes, and thanks to significant input in the process by our players, partners and fans, I believe we’re making exactly the right moves.

“To that end, these changes wouldn’t have been possible without the full support of the TOUR Championship’s outstanding Proud Partners – Coca-Cola and Southern Company – as well as longtime partner FedEx and an enhanced partnership with Wyndham Rewards,” he added. “They shared our vision for how we can challenge ourselves to raise level of excitement and fan engagement throughout the season up until the moment our FedExCup Champion is determined.”

OAKVILLE, Ont. – (Golf Canada) World No. 1 Dustin Johnson fired a 6-under par 66 Sunday to pull away from the field and win his first RBC Canadian Open at 23-under par.

Johnson, who entered the day in a 4-way tie for the lead with Whee Kim, Byeong Hun An and Kevin Tway, carded seven birdies and a bogey to separate himself from the pack. He started the day with a pair of birdies on his first two holes, but a nearby storm suspended play shortly after Johnson hit his drive on the ninth hole.

After a one hour and 46-minute weather delay, play resumed at 5:12 p.m. Johnson electrified the Canadian crowd with four more birdies on the back nine. The only tarnish on his scorecard was a bogey on the par-3 No. 12.

“It was definitely good to get off to a fast start,” said Johnson. “That’s always good, especially when the leaderboard is so bunched up.”

Johnson, a Team RBC member from Columbia, S.C., felt like he was playing in front of a home crowd thanks to his fiancée Paulina and her father, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.

“It was great all week,” Johnson added. “I had a lot of support out there, a lot of fans following me with my ties to Canada. Paulina and her dad being Wayne Gretzky, it definitely helps. I get a lot of fans that pull for Wayne, they pull for me. So, it was a lot of fun out there this week. I thought I had a lot of support. It’s a lot of fun to play out there for a big crowd.”

With the win, Johnson becomes the first player since Tiger Woods (2005-09) with at least three wins in three consecutive seasons. He also earned $1,116,000 (U.S.), the winner’s share of the $6.2 million purse.

Johnson had tied for second in the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in 2013 and 2016.

Hun An and Kim shared second place with matching tournament totals of 20-under par.

Dundas, Ont., native Mackenzie Hughes won his second consecutive Rivermead Cup, awarded to the low Canadian, finishing in a tie for 8^th at 15-under par.

Hughes started strong, gaining four strokes on the pack through his first seven holes before a bogey at the 8^th hole. He recuperated nicely on his back nine with a birdie in Glen Abbey’s valley at No. 13.

“The Rivermead Cup has history here in Canada, and if you’re not going to win the big trophy, the Rivermead Cup is a pretty good consolation prize,” said Hughes. “Twenty-one Canadians here this week and every one of those players are just so talented.

“But, yeah, next year will be additional pressure being so close to home. But, again, it’s only what you make of it, and if you just try to have fun with it, hopefully I’ll have a great weekend next year.”

Hamilton Golf and Country Club will host the 2019 RBC Canadian Open. It is also shifting forward in the PGA TOUR’s schedule, moving to early June in the week before the U.S. Open.

Chris Crisologo, a Team Canada member had a stellar showing in his PGA TOUR debut. The Richmond, B.C., native fired a four under 68 to finish as low amateur in the field at T45 – collecting the Gary Cowan Medal.

Golf Canada is pleased to announce that Bryan Crawford of Ancaster, Ont. has been named the new Tournament Director of the RBC Canadian Open. The appointment was officially announced by Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum during a press conference held on the final Sunday of Canada’s national men’s golf championship.

Crawford served the past three years on the Leadership Team of Canada Basketball in the role of Senior Director, Operations. He led several of the organization’s strategic business functions including overseeing the development, implementation and operations of all Canada Basketball hosting and revenue generating activities. Bryan also developed and drove the long term, multi-event hosting strategy for major FIBA international events including athlete relations, volunteer management, community engagement, government relations, corporate partnerships and event execution.

Prior to that, he honed his executive management skills in the role of Interim Executive Director / Director of Operations with Ontario University Athletics (OUA), leading the operational, commercial and promotional activities as well as strategic planning for the governing body of interuniversity sport in Ontario.

Crawford is a former professional athlete, having spent seven seasons as a member of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club where he served as a Special Teams Captain and CFL Players’ Association Representative. A native of Ancaster, Ont., Bryan holds a B.A. in Political Studies and Development from Queens University where he was a two-sport athlete in football and track and field. He has been selected by the Canadian Olympic Committee as a COC Emerging Leader and has been a community ambassador for the ALS Society of Ontario, Right to Play, Climb for Cancer and the Argonauts’ Huddle Up Against Bullying Program.

Crawford will report directly to Golf Canada Chief Championship Officer Bill Paul. He will work collaboratively with Golf Canada’s sales, partnership, marketing and commercial teams and will be a key contact and central hub of the organization’s relationship with the PGA TOUR.

He began his new role on July 18, spending advance and tournament week getting oriented during the 2018 event in order to hit the ground running to lead the 2019 RBC Canadian Open in its new date, June 3-9 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – World no. 1 Dustin Johnson took Glen Abbey by storm Saturday, rocketing up the leaderboard for a share of top spot at 17-under following a third-round  7-under 65. Also sharing top-position at 17-under are second-round leader Kevin Tway who carded a 4-under 68, as well as the South Korean duo of Byeong Hun An and Whee Kim, who shot 66 and 67 respectively to head into Sunday tied with Johnson atop the leaderboard.

Johnson was off to the races early Saturday, birdying five of the first six holes, before dropping two shots with bogeys at Nos. 10 and 13. He would finish in force with a birdie, birdie, eagle stretch at 14, 15 and 16.

“Yeah, I mean, definitely got off to really nice start and made a couple good par saves in there, too,” said Johnson, an 18-time PGA TOUR winner and member of Team RBC. “I feel like my game is in really good form. There’s a lot of guys that are right around the lead and somebody is going to shoot low. Hopefully it’s me.”

Johnson, who was paired with Canadian Nick Taylor on Saturday, could feel the encouragement of the crowd, crediting the support in part to his personal connection to hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.

“Well, I can thank Wayne for that,” added Johnson. “There’s a lot of Gretzky fans out there, and so they tend to pull for me, which thanks Wayne, I appreciate that.”

Tway briefly overtook the lead during his round, getting to 18-under before a costly bogey on 18 dropped him back into a share of the lead with Johnson, Hun An and Kim.

“It was a little struggle at the start, maybe (I was) a little nervous,” said Tway, whose father Bob won the RBC Canadian Open in 2003. “I’m just going to relish the opportunity. I’ve got nothing to lose, so I’m going to try to make as many birdies as I can.”

It was moving day at Glen Abbey on Saturday with many golfers vaulting up the leaderboard and into contention. Hudson Swafford shot 67 to climb 10 spots into a share of fifth with Rory Sabatini, while Mexico’s Abraham Ancer shot 65 to climb 37 spots to T7 position. Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. shot 67 to climb into a share of 13^th position at 11-under. Calgary’s Ryan Yip, making his first-ever RBC Canadian Open appearance, carded the low Canadian round of the day, 66, to climb to T21 at 10-under.

OAKVILLE, Ont.  —  Edmond, Okla., product Kevin Tway shot a 7-under 65 at Glen Abbey Golf Club on Friday to move to 13-under-par and take the 36-hole lead at the RBC Canadian Open. 

Tway, who is looking for his first PGA TOUR title, recorded one bogey and eight birdies on Friday to build a one-shot advantage. 

“It’s always nice to make a bunch of birdies,” said Tway, looking for his first career PGA TOUR victory. “Being near the top is what you practice for, so I’ll just keep trying to do the same thing the next two days.”

The 30-year-old is also hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father Bob, who won the 2003 edition of the tournament. A victory here would make for a great historical moment at Canada’s National Open, as no father-son duo has ever won the Canadian Open.

 “He did it in ’03, actually, so that was 15 years ago,” said Tway when asked about his father’s run at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, host of the 2019 and 2013 RBC Canadian Open. “It would be great to match with that.”

Keegan Bradley is also charging into the weekend with a share of second at 12-under. The Woodstock, Vt. came in hot with an eagle on the 2nd hole and finished even stronger, going birdie-eagle-birdie-eagle across his final four holes.

“Yeah that was wild. It turned kind of an average day out here into something really special,” said Bradley. “There’s not many courses you can do that on like you can out here. That’s what makes it such a great event.”

South Korea’s Whee Kim is tied with Bradley after making a similar impressive run with two birdies out the gate on the back-nine at Glen Abbey followed by an eagle and two consecutive birdies across his final three holes.

“You know, you don’t really need to think about missing the cut or just making a bogey or double bogey,” said Kim. “Everything is great. It feels very positive, you know.”

Seven Canadians survived the 36-hole cut at Glen Abbey led by Nick Taylor who carded a 5-under-par 68 to sit T10.

“I hit a lot better today. I drove it way better today too,” said Taylor. “If I play well and I’m the low Canadian, that’s great but I’m trying to win a golf tournament. That could take care of that.”

The Abbotsford, B.C., native heads into the weekend four shots off the lead and will look for his best RBC Canadian Open finish since he placed T53 in 2008.

Ben Silverman made the biggest move at the tournament, catapulting 106 spots up the leaderboard into a tie for 15th. The Thornhill, Ont., native poured in nine birdies in his bogey-free second round, coming within one shot of tying the course record.

“Couldn’t have scripted it better really,” said the PGA TOUR rookie when asked about how it felt to play in front of the hometown crowd. “I’ve got the Canadian shoes on, red and white, and got to play 40 minutes from where I grew up, so it was awesome.”

Team Canada Amateur Squad rookie Chris Crisologo of Richmond, B.C. continued to make waves at the tournament, posting a 7-under-par 137 to add his name to the list of Canadians advancing to the weekend.

“You never know what to expect out of these things,” said the 22-year-old amateur. “Obviously it’s my first (RBC) Canadian Open, so really I’m just out here to enjoy the moment and make the most out of this opportunity.”

Roger Sloan (Merritt, B.C.), Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ont.), Ryan Yip (Calgary, Alta.) and David Hearn (Brantford, Ont.)  round out the Canadians making the cut.