2017

Jhonattan Vegas remporte l’Omnium canadien RBC en prolongation

PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, GOLF CANADA Oakville, Ontario: Glen Abbey Golf Club RBC CANADIAN OPEN 4th ROUND- July 30, 2017

Jhonattan Vegas a remporté dimanche l’Omnium canadien RBC une deuxième année de suite en éliminant Charley Hoffman en prolongation sur le parcours du Glen Abbey Golf Club d’Oakville, en Ontario.

Le Vénézuélien a arraché la victoire, sa troisième sur le PGA TOUR, grâce à un oiselet au premier trou de la prolongation, le 18e, une normale 5, décrochant le gros lot de la dotation de 6 M $ US, soit 1 080 000 $.

Vegas est le septième golfeur de l’histoire de l’Omnium canadien à réussir le doublé, exploit aussi accompli par J. Douglas Edgar (1919-1920), Leo Diegel (1924-1925, 1928-1929), Sam Snead (1940-1941), Jim Ferrier (1950-1951) et Jim Furyk (2006-2007). Vegas a rendu une dernière carte de 65, moins 7, pour totaliser 267, moins 21.

« Il est sûr que ce doublé me donnera confiance en mes moyens, de dire Vegas, d’autant plus que j’avais été victime du couperet à mes cinq derniers départs. Cela dit, je n’ai pas si mal joué. Je me suis dit qu’il fallait que je reste calme et je suis content du résultat. »

Hoffman, un Californien de Rancho Santa Fe, avait provoqué la prolongation en inscrivant un oiselet au 72e trou, signant ainsi une carte de 68, mais il a été éliminé sur ce même trou quelques minutes plus tard en prolongation. Il était en tête, à moins 17, après 54 trous, mais pour la cinquième fois de sa carrière, il n’a pas su convertir son avance en une victoire.

L’Anglais Ian Poulter, à sa première participation à l’Omnium canadien RBC, a remis une carte de 64, la meilleure de la journée, pour gagner 13 places et terminer seul au 3e rang avec un cumulatif de 268 (moins 20).

Après un début de saison tumultueux, où il a failli perdre sa carte du PGA TOUR, Poulter revendique maintenant deux top 5 en 2017.

« J’ai été solide aujourd’hui et je me suis donné plusieurs chances d’oiselets. J’ai passé un été agréable en Europe avec la famille et les enfants. La vie est belle. »

L’Américain Gary Woodland s’est classé 4e à moins 19, un coup de mieux que ses compatriotes Brandon Hagy, Tony Finau et Robert Garrigus, ex æquo en 5e place.

Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, ON) a été le meilleur Canadien, terminant à égalité au 32e rang après avoir totalisé 278 (67-69-74-68), moins 10. Il s’est vu remettre à ce titre le trophée Rivermead, lui qui participait à son premier Omnium canadien RBC à titre de professionnel. Graham DeLaet (Weyburn, SK), seul autre des 17 Canadiens en lice à s’être qualifié pour le week-end, s’est classé ex æquo en 48e place, à 280, moins 8.

« Dans l’ensemble, ce fut une semaine agréable, a indiqué Hughes. J’ai eu de nombreux supporteurs de Dundas et de tout le Canada. Je remercie les fans canadiens de leur soutien. »

Cliquez ici pour les résultats complets de l’Omnium canadien RBC 2017

2017

Jhonattan Vegas wins 2017 RBC Canadian Open in a playoff

PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, GOLF CANADA Oakville, Ontario: Glen Abbey Golf Club RBC CANADIAN OPEN 4th ROUND- July 30, 2017

Jhonattan Vegas won the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, defending his 2016 title by defeating Charley Hoffman in a playoff to claim his third career PGA TOUR victory.

The Venezuelan made a birdie on the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th, to become the seventh RBC Canadian Open winner to successfully defend his title.

Douglas Edgar (1919-20), Leo Diegel (1924-25, 1928-29), Sam Snead (1940-1941), Jim Ferrier (1950-1951), and Jim Furyk (2006-07) have all accomplished the feat.

“Obviously repeating is a big thing for the confidence,” said Vegas. “Obviously I want to win more and bigger tournaments, and this is a great step forward.”

Vegas recorded his lowest round of the championship, firing a 7-under-par 65 in Sunday’s final round with just one bogey on the par-3 15th.

Coming into the week, Vegas had missed five consecutive cuts.

“Obviously after coming after five missed cuts is never positive,” said Vegas. But I’ve been playing good golf the whole year; that I just had to stay cool and hopefully things will turn around, and I’m glad they did.”

Hoffman, from Ranch Santa Fe, Calif., was the 54-hole leader at 17 under par. He carded a 4-under-par 68 in Sunday’s final round.

This is the fifth time Hoffman has failed to convert a 54-hole lead into a victory.

“Yeah, it’s always tough after you don’t close the deal after having the lead but obviously got some big tournaments coming up,” said Hoffman. “The playoffs, a major championship, and obviously got some good momentum going into those.”

Hoffman’s previous best finish at the RBC Canadian Open was a T4 at St. Georges Golf and Country Club in 2010.

Englishman Ian Poulter charged up the leaderboard Sunday, carding an 8-under-par 64 to finish third at 20 under par in his first RBC Canadian Open appearance.

After a tumultuous start to his season in which he nearly lost his PGA TOUR card, Poulter now has two top-5 finishes in 2017.

“I’ve done everything I needed to do today. I played very solid. I gave myself lots of opportunities,” said Poulter after his round. “I’ve had a nice summer in Europe with the family and kids. Life’s all good.”

Gary Woodland of Topeka, Kans., finished fourth at 19 under par – his fifth top-10 of the season and best-ever finish at the RBC Canadian Open.

Dundas, Ont., native Mackenzie Hughes won the Rivermead Trophy as the low Canadian, finishing in a tie for 32nd at 10 under par in his first RBC Canadian Open as a professional.

Hughes finished strong with a 4-under-par 68 on Sunday to climb 23 spots after struggling with a 2 over par 74 in the third round.

“The week as a whole was a lot of fun,” said Hughes. “So many people out supporting me from Dundas and all over Canada. I could feel that support all the way around. All the Canadian fans
listening, thank you for the support.”

Graham DeLaet from Weyburn, Sask., finished T48 at 8 under par, closing with a 1-under-par 71 on Sunday.

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson tried to make a charge after starting the day five shots back of Hoffman at 12 under par. He finished with a 5-under-par 67, ending tied for fifth with Tony Finau (Lehi, Utah) and Robert Garrigus (Scottsdale, Ariz.)

“The golf game is moving in the right direction,” said Johnson. “I felt like I played really good every day this week. I hit really good putts. They just weren’t going in the hole.”

Click here to view the full leaderboard for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

2017

Best photos from Round 4 of the 2017 RBC Canadian Open

Jhonattan Vegas having fun with the RCMP Red Serge

A look at the best photos from Sunday’s final round of the 2017 RBC Canadian Open. Images via: Golf Canada/ Bernard Brault.

2018

Glen Abbey Golf Club to host 2018 RBC Canadian Open

PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, GOLF CANADA Oakville, Ontario: Glen Abbey Golf Club RBC CANADIAN OPEN Practice rounds, driving range, autographs July 24, 2017

Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., has been selected to host the RBC Canadian Open in 2018, as announced today by Golf Canada and RBC.

Renowned as the longtime home of Canada’s National Men’s Open Golf Championship, the return to Glen Abbey in 2018 will mark the 30th time the venue has played host to the stars of the PGA TOUR. The 2018 championship will run July 23-29 on the PGA TOUR schedule.

“Together with our partners at RBC, we are excited to announce the RBC Canadian Open will be contested at Glen Abbey Golf Club again in 2018,” said Laurence Applebaum, chief executive officer of Golf Canada. “Glen Abbey has proven to be one of the world’s premier stadium courses for spectators and fan engagement. With our 2018 venue secured, we will continue to work towards finding a permanent home that serves our needs for Canada’s National Open Championship well into the future.”

In 2016, RBC announced it was continuing its investment in golf by signing a six-year extension as title sponsor of both the RBC Canadian Open and RBC Heritage. The new agreements take effect in 2018 and run through 2023.

“RBC is proud to partner with Golf Canada to ensure the RBC Canadian Open remains a best-in-class event for golf fans across Canada,” said Mary DePaoli, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for RBC. “Glen Abbey is a premiere location to showcase our National Open Championship and host the world’s top golfers, including our Team RBC players.”

Glen Abbey Golf Club hosted 22 Canadian Opens between 1977 and 2000 and after a brief hiatus the tournament returned in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Golf Canada’s head office as well as the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum are located on the grounds of Glen Abbey Golf Club.

“ClubLink is proud to again partner with Golf Canada as host of the RBC Canadian Open – the crown jewel of Canadian golf,” said ClubLink chief executive officer Rai Sahi. “We continue to be a committed and vested partner in Canadian golf and we look forward to working closely with Golf Canada and RBC to grow golf in Canada and work on opportunities for a permanent home for the RBC Canadian Open.”

Designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, a seven-time runner-up at the event, Glen Abbey is playing host to this year’s championship from July 24-30. The 2017 RBC Canadian Open is once again raising funds in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada – along with the Golf Canada Foundation in support of junior golf initiatives.

 

2017

Charley Hoffman leads heading into final round of the 2017 RBC Canadian Open

PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, GOLF CANADA Oakville, Ontario: Glen Abbey Golf Club RBC CANADIAN OPEN 3RD ROUND- July 29, 2017

Charley Hoffman of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., is the 54-hole leader at the RBC Canadian Open after carding a 7-under-par 65 in Saturday’s third round at Glen Abbey Golf Club.

Hoffman recorded eight birdies and just one bogey on the day, building a one-shot lead over fellow American Kevin Chappell.

“You know the birdies are out there,” said Hoffman. “A perfect day here to make some birdies and have some fun in front of the fans.”

A four-time winner on the PGA TOUR, Hoffman’s last victory came at the 2016 Valero Texas Open.

Starting the day in a tie for fourth, Chappell, from in Fresno, Calif., posted a 6-under-par 66 in round three to enter the final grouping with Hoffman.

“We are good friends. Our caddies are staying together,” said Chappell. “We’ll have some laughs and it will be a comfortable pairing, that’s for sure.”

Chappell has three top-10 finishes on the PGA TOUR this season, including a win at the Valero Texas Open. He came to Glen Abbey ranked 32nd in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Robert Garrigus, from Scottsdale Ariz., tied the Glen Abbey course record with a 10-under-par 62 in the morning wave, moving him to 15 under par for the tournament—a 43 spot climb up the leaderboard into a tie for third place with Gary Woodland.

It’s a great confidence builder,” said Garrigus. “I know it’s hard to follow up a good round with a really good one but I’ve done it before, so hopefully I can do it again.”

Woodland, from Topeka, Kans., had seven birdies on Saturday but carded a 4-under-par 68 due to a double-bogey on the par-4 third. He is searching for his third career PGA TOUR victory.

Defending champion Jhonattan Vegas is part of a group of six players tied for fifth at 14 under par. Vegas carded a 5-under-par 67 in round three and knows he’ll have to go low again tomorrow to defend his title.

“You have to stay super aggressive. There’s nothing else you have to be thinking of,” said Vegas. “There’s a lot of birdies out here. We have to find a way to make a few more birdies than everyone tomorrow and see what happens.”

World. No. 1 Dustin Johnson was 5-under-par on the front nine Saturday but a double-bogey on No. 11 derailed his round, and he posted a 4-under-par 68 in round three to finish at 12 under par.

Johnson is seeking his PGA TOUR leading fourth win of 2017.

After 54 holes, Graham DeLaet is the top Canadian at 7 under par in a share of 41st place.

The Weyburn, Sask., native made the turn at 1 under par and went on to post a 1-over-par 73.

“I turned it under par which is solid play without making any putts and I just hit four bad tee shots in a row on 11, 12, 13, 14,” said DeLaet. “All of as sudden I’m a couple over par and 50th place or whatever it was.”

Mackenzie Hughes – the other Canadian playing the weekend at Glen Abbey – posted a 2-over-par 74 in round three to sit T55.

Tee times for the final round can be found here.

2017

Best photos from Round 3 of the 2017 RBC Canadian Open

Dustin Johnson tees off.

A look at the best photos from Saturday’s third round of the 2017 RBC Canadian Open. Images via: Golf Canada/ Bernard Brault.

2017

Best photos from Round 2 of 2017 RBC Canadian Open

Canada's Adam Hadwin & Nick Taylor celebrate Red & White Day

A look at the best photos from Friday’s second round of the 2017 RBC Canadian Open. Images via: Golf Canada/ Bernard Brault

2017

Martin Flores leads through two rounds at the RBC Canadian Open

OAKVILLE, ON - JULY 28: Martin Flores of the United States reacts to his putt on the seventh hole during the second round of the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club on July 28, 2017 in Oakville, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Fort Worth, Tex., product Martin Flores fired a 66 for the second consecutive day at Glen Abbey Golf Club to move to 12-under-par and take the 36-hole lead at the RBC Canadian Open.

Flores was bogey-free on Friday with four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 second hole to build a one-shot advantage over Matt Every, Gary Woodland and Brandon Hagy, who are 11 under.

“I was really pleased with my day,” said Flores. “Starting on the back, I sprinkled in some birdies and was able to capitalize on 16 and 18 – two par 5s.”

The 35-year-old is looking for his first career PGA TOUR victory this weekend.

Every—one of five players who shared the opening-round lead at 7 under par—posted a 4-under-par 68 in the second round to climb to 11 under par.

A two-time PGA TOUR winner, the Daytona Beach, Fla., native is happy to be in contention heading into the weekend.

“I definitely feel like I’ve made big strides the last few months, because it sucks to suck,” said Every. “I’m playing well right now. It’s not like a surprise to me. But I feel good with where I’m at.”

Hagy, a Santa Monica, Calif., native, had seven birdies on Friday to put himself in position to chase his first career PGA TOUR win this weekend.

The lowest score of the day belonged to Woodland. Hailing from Topeka, Kans., Woodland fired a 9-under-par 63, matching his career low round on the PGA TOUR—one shot away from tying the course record.

“Today I drove it well. Obviously, the ball-striking was good and I saw some putts go in,” said Woodland. “That adds up to a pretty good number.”

Graham DeLaet and Mackenzie Hughes were the lone Canadians to survive the 36 hole cut at Glen Abbey. The pair sit at 8 under par and hold a share of 14th.

DeLaet carded a 4-under-par 68 for the second consecutive day.

“I know the crowds will probably be big tomorrow and fun, and I need to try to embrace that,” said DeLaet. “I’m within striking distance, so another solid round tomorrow or something really low, I think I’m going to need two really good ones or like one really special one to get the win.”

The Weyburn, Sask., native had his best RBC Canadian Open finish in 2014, where he tied for 7th.

Already a winner in his rookie season on the PGA TOUR, Hughes started the day in a tie for 17th at 5 under par. The Dundas, Ont., native poured in seven birdies in round two, but added four bogeys to card a 3-under-par 69.

“You’re going to have those kind of rounds. I did well to manage it,” said Hughes. “It was kind of tricky out there. The winds were kind of swirling and a little bit gusty at times. So, 3 under was a good score.”

Three-time major champion Vijay Singh made a move up the leaderboard on Friday. The Fijian carded a 4-under par 66 to move into a tie for fifth two shots back of Flores at 10-under par.

Singh, 54, passed on playing in the Senior Open Championship this weekend to return to the site of his 2004 victory over Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member and Brights Grove, Ont., native Mike Weir.

“I know the golf course. The people are very friendly and they know golf,” said Singh. “I’ve played here so many times. Very, very familiar with it.”

Defending champion Jhonattan Vegas is part of a group of four players at 9 under par. The Venezuelan doesn’t plan on changing his game plan on the weekend as he tries to repeat.

“I was playing with Dustin (Johnson) today, which was a good thing because we were both firing at everything,” said Vegas. “You have to stay aggressive out here, because these guys are making a lot of birdies.”

Tee times for the third round can be found here.

CANADIANS AT THE 2017 RBC CANADIAN OPEN

— DID NOT ADVANCE —

(a) denotes amateur

2017

Best photos from Round 1 of 2017 RBC Canadian Open

Dustin Johnson and Jim Furyk

A look at the best photos from Thursday’s opening-round of the 2017 RBC Canadian Open. Images via: Golf Canada/ Bernard Brault

2017

Five golfers share the lead at rain-shortened RBC Canadian Open

PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, GOLF CANADA Oakville, Ontario: Glen Abbey Golf Club RBC CANADIAN OPEN 1ST ROUND July 27, 2017

Hudson Swafford, Kevin Chappell, Matt Every, Ollie Schniederjans, and Brandon Hagy carded matching rounds of 65 to lead the way at 7 under par in the rain-shortened first round of the RBC Canadian Open.

Play was halted at 3:45 p.m. due to dangerous weather and resumed at 5:40 p.m. after a 1 hour and 55-minute delay. Twenty-one golfers were unable to finish their first round when play was officially suspended for the day due to darkness at 8:48 p.m.

Swafford, from Tallahassee, Fla., parred his first hole of the day before pouring in five consecutive birdies to kickstart his round.

“I hit a lot of quality shots and gave myself a lot of looks,” said Swafford. “That’s all I was trying to do, keep giving myself looks and rolled the putter beautifully.”

He added three more birdies and just one bogey to put him himself in a good position to chase his second PGA TOUR win of the season following a victory at the CareerBuilder Challenge in January.

Chappell averages 299.9 yards per drive off the tee and took advantage of the three par-5s at Glen Abbey playing them in 4-under-par.

“I hit it really well. Got the ball in play on the par 5s, so I was able to attack those,” said Chappell.

The Fresno, Calif., native has three top-10s on the PGA TOUR this year including a win at the Valero Texas Open and a T7 at The Masters.

Hagy, a native of Santa Monica, Calif., had eight birdies and only one bogey to record his career-low round on the PGA TOUR (in relation to par). Every of Daytona Beach, Fla., had a clean card in his opening round recording seven birdies without dropping a single stroke.

Like Every, Schniederjans was bogey free. The Dallas, Tex., product chipped in for eagle on hole No. 13 and another on hole No. 18 to go along with three birdies. The former No. 1 ranked amateur in the world has four top-10s on the PGA TOUR this year.

“I took advantage of the par-5s and just played real consistently well off the tee. I was in good positions all day. Just a solid round,” said Schniederjans.

Eleven players are one stroke back at 6-under-par including two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson. The Baghdad, Fla., product had six birdies and zero blemishes on his card recording his first bogey-free round since the second round of the 2016 BMW Championship.

“Today it’s a little softer but you know, light rough, firm greens, but light rough and I feel like I can play as long as I can make a couple putts and that’s what I did,” commented Watson.

Dundas, Ont, native Mackenzie Hughes is the leading Canadian sitting T17 after a 5-under-par 67. Teeing off on hole No. 10 Hughes went out in a pedestrian 1-under-par 36 before heating up on his second nine – carding four birdies in his first five holes to finish at 5 under par.

“It was pretty rock solid, lots of fairways and gave myself some really good looks. The birdie putts I made were relatively close, inside ten feet, 12 feet” said Hughes. “Those are nice days when you can be aggressive from that 15-foot range. It was a fun day.”

Graham DeLaet from Weyburn, Sask., is T33 at 4-under-par. Nick Taylor, (Abbotsford B.C.) is T53 alongside Brantford’s David Hearn at 3-under-par (69).

Team Canada Amateur Squad teammates Jared du Toit (Kimberley B.C.), Hugo Bernard (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.) and Austin James (Bath, Ont.) carded matching rounds of 71 for a share of 87th.

CANADIANS AT THE 2017 RBC CANADIAN OPEN

Round one will resume on Friday at 8:20 a.m.

For the full leaderboard click here.