2018

BROOKS KOEPKA, BUBBA WATSON, TOMMY FLEETWOOD, TONY FINAU AND IAN POULTER TO JOIN WORLD NO. 1 DUSTIN JOHNSON AT 2018 RBC CANADIAN OPEN

Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson
SOUTHAMPTON, NY - JUNE 17: Brooks Koepka of the United States and Dustin Johnson of the United States walk off on the 18th green during the final round of the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 17, 2018 in Southampton, New York. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

OAKVILLE, ON (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada and RBC today announced that four of the top five finishers from the 118th playing of the U.S. Open will be facing off in the 2018 RBC Canadian Open.

Two-time U.S. Open champion and world No. 4 golfer Brooks Koepka, Bubba Watson (world No. 13), Tommy Fleetwood (world No. 10), Tony Finau (world no. 31) and world No. 28 Ian Poulter will all join Dustin Johnson, the world’s number one ranked golfer and Team RBC member in competing for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open, July 23-29 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

Koepka, who recently defended his U.S. Open title, is only the seventh player in history to win consecutive U.S. Opens. He is a 3-time PGA TOUR winner who sits 13th on the 2018 FedEx Cup standing.

Fleetwood made a fierce charge at the U.S. Open, firing a final-round 7-under 63 to finish runner-up behind Koepka. With four top-10 finishes in 2018, the 27-year old Englishman is ranked No. 10 in the world and No. 28 on the FedEx Cup standing. The European rising star will be making his debut appearance in Canada’s National Open Championship.

Johnson’s solo-third place finish at the U.S. Open was his eighth top-10 finish in 2018. A member of Team RBC, Johnson is an 18-time PGA TOUR winner, including two 2018 victories—the Sentry Tournament of Champions as well as the recent FedEx St. Jude Classic. He is currently ranked No. 1 in both the world ranking and FedEx Cup standing and will compete in his sixth RBC Canadian Open.

Finau is having a career-best season on the PGA TOUR in 2018—his T5 finish at the U.S. Open was one of six top-10 finishes this season. A graduate of the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, Finau has one-career PGA TOUR win and is ranked No. 31 and No. 11 on the world ranking and FedEx Cup standing respectively.

Also confirmed to compete at Glen Abbey is big-hitting lefty Bubba Watson who claimed his 12th career PGA TOUR win last week at the Travelers Championship. The win was Watson’s third of the season including the World Golf Championship—Dell Technologies Match Play and the Genesis Open.  The win was his fifth top-10 finish in 2018. He is currently ranked No. 13 in the world and is 3rd on the 2018 FedEx Cup standing in a season which includes five top-10 finishes. Watson, whose wife is Canadian, will again be a fan-favourite making his eighth appearance at the RBC Canadian Open.

Ryder Cup star and fan-favourite Ian Poulter is also committed to compete in the RBC Canadian Open. Poulter has three career PGA TOUR wins including the 2018 Houston Open. He has three top-10 finishes in 2018 and is currently ranked 28th and 29th on the world ranking and FedEx Cup standing respectively.

The foursome of Watson (3), Johnson (2), Koepka (1) and Poulter (1) have captured a combined seven PGA TOUR wins during the 2018 season to date.

“A growing list of the hottest players on the planet are coming out for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open,” said Golf Canada Chief Championship Officer and acting Tournament Director Bill Paul. “We are thrilled to welcome two-time U.S. Open winner Brooks Koepka along with rising stars Tommy Fleetwood and Tony Finau plus in-year winners Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Ian Poulter to Canada’s National Open Championship.”

Players have until 5 p.m. ET on the Friday of the week preceding the tournament to officially commit to playing. The field is released and published by the PGA TOUR as soon as possible after 5 p.m. ET on that Friday.

More information about the 2018 RBC Canadian Open including tickets, corporate hospitality and volunteer information is available at www.rbccanadianopen.ca.

Juniors and students aged 17-and-under get FREE admission to the RBC Canadian Open.

2018

RBC Canadian Open Quebec Regional Qualifier ends in a six-way tie

blue skies green grass tress at blainvillier golf

BLAINVILLE, Que. — An eventful day that involved threats of thunderstorms and a three-hour rain delay ended with a six-way tie at the final RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier of 2018 at Le Blainvillier on Monday.

Five golfers from Quebec — Vincette Blanchette of Boucherville, Sonny Michaud of Neuville, Yanik Laforest of Mirabel, Tim Alarie of Saint-Jérôme and Keven Fortin-Simard of Chicoutimi — won the event alongside Jake Scott of Strongsville, Ohio after carding a 1 under par to earn them a spot at the Final Qualifying event taking place at Heron Point Golf Links in Ancaster, Ont., on July 23rd.

69 golfers completed all18 holes at the Quebec qualifier. In addition to the six leaders, 8 players are also moving on to the Final Qualifier at Heron Point. Toronto’s Russell Budd finished one stroke behind the leaders at even-par 72 while Oshawa, Ont., native Derek Gillespie came in eighth with a 1-over-par 73. Six golfers round out the 14 heading to the Final Qualifier tied for 9th at 2 over — Team Canada Alumnus Raoul Menard (Ange-Gardien, Que), last year’s second place finisher and amateur Griffin Jones (Manotick, Ont.), amateur David Iaderosa (Ottawa, Ont.), David Morland (Palm Coast, Fla.), Dom Lalonde (Châteauguay, Que.) and Éric Laporte (St-Liguori, Que.)

The Quebec Regional Qualifier was the third and final Regional Qualifying event. Provided that there are 100 or more players in the field, the low qualifier receives an exemption directly into the 2018 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

Otherwise, the top 15 percent of finishers at each qualifier become eligible to compete at the final qualifying event.

A minimum of four players from the 18-hole stroke play Final Qualifier at Heron Point will gain entry into the RBC Canadian Open field.

Additional information and the full leaderboard can be found here.

The following golfers advanced to the Final Qualifier from the Quebec Regional event:

  1. Vincent Blanchette, Boucherville, QC, *38-33-71 -1
  2. Sonny Michaud, Neuville, QC, *35-36-71 -1
  3. Jake Scott, Strongsville, OH, *36-35-71 -1
  4. Yanik Laforest, Mirabel, QC, *34-37-71 -1
  5. Tim Alarie, St-Jérôme, QC, *38-33-71 -1
  6. Keven Fortin-Simard, Chicoutimi, QC, *37-34-71 -1
  7. Russell Budd, Toronto, ON, *37-35-72 E
  8. Derek Gillespie, Oshawa, ON, *39-34-73 +1
  9. Raoul Menard, Ange-Gardien, QC, *36-38-74 +2
  10. Griffin Jones (a), Manotick, ON, *37-37-74 +2
  11. David Iaderosa (a), Ottawa, ON, *36-38-74 +2
  12. David Morland, Palm Coast, FL, *36-38-74 +2
  13. Dom Lalonde, Châteauguay, QC, *37-37-74 +2
  14. Éric Laporte, St-Liguori, QC, *37-37-74 +2
2018

Final RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier heads to Le Blainvillier

The final RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier of 2018 will take place Monday, June 18th, at Le Blainvillier in Blainville, Que. 85 golfers will be looking to finish in the top 15% of the field and secure a spot in the  RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier, which takes place Monday, July 23 at Heron Point Golf Links in Ancaster, Ont.

The low qualifier receives a direct exemption into the RBC Canadian Open if 100 players or more compete at a regional qualifier. If less than 100 people register for a regional qualifier  – as is the case for Monday’s event – the top 15% of the field and ties beyond the low qualifier, advance to Final Qualifier.

33 players have already advanced to the final qualifying event through the Regional Qualification process. At the first Regional Qualifier at Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford, B.C., Matt Matheson secured medallist honours to earn a spot in the final Qualifying event.

At the Ontario Regional Qualifier at Blue Springs Golf Club in Acton, Ont., Nyasha Mauchaza posted a 6-under 66 to claim medallist honours to punch his ticket to his first RBC Canadian Open as more than 100 golfers competed at the event.

The qualifying competitions are open to members in good standing with the PGA of Canada or other PGA affiliates, amateur golfers with a current Handicap Factor not exceeding 2.0, who are members of Golf Canada or in good standing with their respective associations, as well as other golf professionals.

During the 2017 Quebec regional qualifier, Mack Duke of Camden, Maine earned medallist honours to advance to the final qualifying event, alongside fourteen additional golfers.

Notables
Griffin Jones
The seventeen-year-old amateur finished one stroke behind the winner at this event last year, the highest of all returning players. Jones recently won the Investors Group Men’s Amateur Qualifier at The Marshes Golf Club.

Thomas Baik of Buenos Aires, Argentina
The 24-year-old made his 2018 PGA TOUR Latinoamerica debut at the Molino Cañuelas Championship, where he won in a sudden death playoff. In 2017, Baik claimed medalist honors at the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica Qualifying Tournament played at Club Las Praderas de Lujan in Argentina.

Étienne Papineau
Graduate of the Team Canada Amateur Squad who finished T4 at this event last year. The second year West Virginia University golfer is fresh off a win at the Men’s Provincial Match Play Championship that took place from June 5-7. Papineau was the 2015 Amateur Golfer of the Year in Quebec and was twice named the Junior Golfer of the Year.

Derek Gillespie
The 39-year-old Big Break Prince Edward Island winner is currently playing on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica. He has six career top-10s on the tour, including T9 finishes in 2017 at the Aberto do Brazil tournament and BMW Jamaica Classic. Gillespie advanced to the final qualifier from the 2016 Ontario Qualifier.

Charles-Éric Bélanger
Eighteen-year-old Team Canada Men’s Development Squad alumus who won the 2015 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Most recently finished T2 at Men’s Provincial Match Play Championship at Royal Bromont Golf Club.

QUICK FACTS
The Regional Qualification process gives players from across Canada and the world a chance to qualify for the RBC Canadian Open, the third-oldest national open golf championship in the world, after the British Open and the U.S. Open.

The low qualifier receives a direct exemption into the RBC Canadian Open if 100 players or more compete at a regional qualifier. If less than 100 people register for a regional qualifier, the top 15% of the field and ties beyond the low qualifier, advance to final Monday qualifying.

In 2013, Jesse Smith became the first Six Nations golfer to participate in the RBC Canadian Open after advancing through the final Qualifier and the Quebec Regional Qualifier. He will look to advance to the final qualifier for the second consecutive year.

ABOUT THE COURSE
Designed by architect Graham Cooke.

Opened on May 18, 1991.

Designated as the Training Center of the Junior Elite of Quebec (CEP) in 2014.

For more information on the tournament, click here.

2019 2023

Hamilton Golf and Country Club to host RBC Canadian Open in 2019 and 2023

ANCASTER, CANADA - JULY 28: Scott Piercy of the U.S. walks with his caddie on the 18th hole during the third round of the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club on July 28, 2012 in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

HAMILTON, Ont. –  Golf Canada and title sponsor RBC today announced that the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ont., will host the RBC Canadian Open in 2019 and 2023.

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.

“Together with our partners at RBC and the PGA TOUR, we are extremely proud to be bringing the RBC Canadian Open back to the Hamilton Golf and Country Club in both 2019 and 2023,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada.  “There are few courses in the country that can equal Hamilton in terms of excellence and storied history and I am delighted that the club’s membership and the City of Hamilton have joined us to bring the RBC Canadian Open back to Hamilton twice over the next five years.”

Consistently ranked among Canada’s best courses, Hamilton’s parkland setting, which includes winding fairways, multi-elevations and undulating greens, have made the club a favourite of the PGA TOUR pros who’ve played it throughout the years.

“Returning to Hamilton Golf and Country Club in 2019 and 2023 is a great fit for RBC and the RBC Canadian Open,” said Matt McGlynn, Vice President, Brand Marketing for RBC. “Our clients and all Canadian golf fans want to see the world’s best golfers playing the world’s best courses and by having Team RBC challenge the PGA TOUR’s best at Hamilton, we will accomplish just that.”

The 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 that 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).

In addition, Hamilton has hosted many other prestigious events including the (former) Canadian Senior Championship in 1996 as well as several Ontario (1932, 1974 and 1991) and Canadian Amateur Championships (1922, 1927, 1935, 1948, 1977 and 1994).

“We are proud to host the most prestigious championship in Canadian golf and welcome the RBC Canadian Open and the stars of the PGA TOUR to Hamilton Golf and Country Club twice over the next five years,” said Hamilton Golf and Country Club’s President Chris Hamel. “Our members are honoured to have the opportunity to help write additional chapters in the long and storied history of Canadian golf and the RBC Canadian Open in 2019 and 2023 and are especially pleased to celebrate a centennial connection in 2019 between our club and Canada’s National Open.”

rbc canadian open trophy hamilton

The confirmation of the Hamilton Golf and Country Club as the host venue for 2019 and 2023 was also made possible through a new partnership between the city of Hamilton and Golf Canada. This partnership will result in Canada’s National Sport Federation bringing multiple events and golf championships to the city to complement the two RBC Canadian Opens.

“We are thrilled to welcome the stars of the PGA TOUR back to Hamilton for two more years,” said Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of Hamilton. “The RBC Canadian Open is a world class event and I know our citizens take great pride in hosting the championship here in their backyard. In addition, through our partnership with Golf Canada, our region will welcome numerous national and regional golf championships between 2019 and 2023. With a goal to leave an economic, charitable and social legacy through golf, we look forward to becoming a hub community for Canadian golf.”

The stars of the PGA TOUR won’t be the only ones having fun during tournament week when the RBC Canadian Open stops in Hamilton. Golf Canada, RBC and all tournament partners have embraced the PGA TOUR’s new fans first mantra, highlighted in the Tour’s new “Live Under Par” campaign. The event has become much more than just 72 holes of world-class golf – it’s one of Canada’s most prolific sporting events, chocked-full of activities for spectators, whether they are core golf fans or new to the sport.

This year’s RBC Canadian Open will take place east of Hamilton at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., from July 20-26, 2018. Ticket, volunteering, sponsorship and corporate hospitality info is available online at www.rbccanadianopen.com.

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