OAKVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA – The PGA TOUR announced that Facebook has been added to an already impressive viewing schedule for fans within Canada to watch the RBC Canadian Open July 26-29 at Glenn Abbey Golf Club. Facebook will join Golf Channel, PGA TOUR LIVE, Twitter, Global TV, TSN, RDS (French only) and DAZN to offer a tournament record 235 hours of live coverage available on virtually any device, radio or television in Canada.

“Fans are consuming golf across more platforms than ever,” said Bill Paul, Golf Canada’s Chief Championships Officer. “We’re excited to be taking advantage of new and innovative technologies to help bring the RBC Canadian Open to additional viewers and encapsulate an exciting new, young demographic.”

Facebook will distribute exclusive live coverage of featured groups on Saturday and Sunday morning of the RBC Canadian Open in the U.S. and Canada on a free basis. To access, users can follow the PGA TOUR LIVE Page at www.facebook.com/pgatourlive. The PGA TOUR will uniquely produce this coverage for Facebook’s social video platform, with interactive elements aimed to engage fans.

While PGA TOUR Canadian broadcast partners TSN, RDS, Global TV and Golf Channel will deliver extensive RBC Canadian Open action to television sets across Canada, they will each stream coverage that can be accessed via Golf Channel Live (www.golfchannel.com/livegolf), TSN Go (www.tsn.ca/live), RDS Direct (www.rds.ca/emissions/en-direct) and Global TV (www.globaltv.com/watchlive)

PGA TOUR LIVE, the PGA TOUR’s global, Over-The-Top subscription service is available iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android smartphones and tablets, Windows 10, Xbox, as well as PGATOURLIVE.com. PGA TOUR LIVE Featured Groups coverage of the RBC Canadian Open will begin at 7 a.m. ET on Thursday and Friday and will feature Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson and Canadian star Adam Hadwin. PGA TOUR LIVE Featured Groups coverage is available for $5.99 per month or $39.99 for a year. The PGA TOUR LIVE Featured Groups on Thursday and Friday can also be accessed via the DAZN Over-The-Top sports subscription service at www.DAZN.ca.

Finally, Twitter’s preview window of PGA TOUR LIVE will be available globally to its audience and can be found at www.live.twitter.com/pgatourlive and via @PGATOUR.  The Twitter preview window of PGA TOUR LIVE will begin at 7am ET on both Thursday and Friday, concluding after the Featured Groups finish their second hole.

RBC Canadian Open Coverage Schedule (all times ET):

Thursday, July 26
7-8:30 a.m.                            Preview – Featured Groups             Twitter
7 a.m. – 3 p.m.                       Featured Groups                               PGA TOUR LIVE, TSN and DAZN
3-6 p.m.                                  Featured Holes                                 PGA TOUR LIVE
3-6 p.m.                                  Broadcast                                           TSN, RDS and Golf Channel

Friday, July 27
7-8:30   a.m.                          Preview – Featured Groups             Twitter
7 a.m. – 3 p.m.                       Featured Groups                               PGA TOUR LIVE, TSN and DAZN
3-6 p.m.                                  Featured Holes                                  PGA TOUR LIVE
3-6 p.m.                                  Broadcast                                           TSN, RDS and Golf Channel

Saturday, July 28
8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.              Featured Groups                                   Facebook (U.S. and Canada)
1-6 p.m.                                 Featured Holes                                    Facebook and PGA TOUR LIVE
1-2:45 p.m.                           Broadcast                                               Golf Channel
3-6:00 p.m.                           Broadcast                                              Global TV and RDS

Sunday, July 29
8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.              Featured Groups                                   Facebook (U.S. and Canada)
1-6 p.m.                                 Featured Holes                                     Facebook and PGA TOUR LIVE
1-2:45 p.m.                           Broadcast                                               Golf Channel
3-6:00 p.m.                          Broadcast                                               Global TV and RDS

Fans can also listen to the SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio channel on SiriusXM radios (Sirius channel 208, XM channel 92). For more information, visit www.SiriusXM.com/SiriusXMPGATOURRadio.

OAKVILLE, Ont.  —  The start times for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open Championship Pro-Am at Glen Abbey Golf Club for Wednesday, July 25 have been released.

The event will see 103 professional golfers take to the renowned Oakville course to entertain a field of 156 amateurs as part of the PGA TOUR’s new ‘Nine and Nine’ Pro-Am format where amateur participants will play nine holes each with a pair of PGA TOUR professionals. Click here for pairings and start times.

As well, the pairings and start times for the opening two rounds of the 109th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship on Thursday, July 26 and Friday, July 27 are now available online here.

PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE – WEDNESDAY, JULY 25
The following interviews will take place in the Media Centre onsite at Glen Abbey Golf Club on Wednesday, July 25:

Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Conners – 11:30 a.m.
Dustin Johnson – 12:00 p.m.
Brooks Koepka – After morning Pro-Am (9 holes)
Jonathan Vegas – After morning Pro-Am (9 holes)

INTERVIEW VIDEO, AUDIO AND TRANSCRIPTS FOR TUESDAY, JULY 24
Interview, audio and transcripts for the following players and events from Tuesday, July 24 are available here and video is available here. Please note the videos are unedited, uncut and broadcast-quality.
• Lee Trevino (presentation of the Triple Crown Trophy)
• Ben Silverman
• Tory Merritt
• Andrew Gyba (Glen Abbey Superintendent)
• Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Induction Celebration

GOLF CANADA WALK WITH A PRO
Golf Canada is welcoming a number of its junior program participants to the 2018 RBC Canadian Open to join PGA TOUR professionals on hole number 7, #TheRink, during Wednesday’s Championship Pro-Am. The “Walk with a Pro” event offers junior golfers the chance of a lifetime – to carry a professional’s putter or bag and maybe even take the pro’s first putt.

TELEVISION COVERAGE:
The following are television times for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open:

Thursday July 26 
• TSN 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Golf Channel 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Friday July 27 
• TSN 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Golf Channel 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday July 28
• Golf Channel 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• CBS & Global 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday July 29
• Golf Channel 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• CBS & Global 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

TICKETS:
Grounds tickets for all days of the 2018 RBC Canadian Open, as well as, a limited number of premium ticket packages are still available. A full list of ticket packages and pricing is available online at http://www.rbccanadianopen.com. Golf Canada and RBC are also pleased to offer FREE admission to juniors 17 and younger—Click here to download a FREE Junior Pass.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Canada’s Ben Silverman was having a great round. His shots had been solid all week. His putter was finally rolling. When he spotted a small rain cloud off in the distance, he didn’t think twice about it.

The 30-year-old from Thornill, Ont., shot a 65 in his final round to tie his career low at the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship, finishing in a tie for 12th place finish.

But ahead of this week’s RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey, the Canadian was still lamenting the rain storm that interrupted what he believed was a run to victory. Silverman was one shot back through 10 holes in Kentucky when a thunderstorm interrupted the fourth round, postponing its completion to Monday.

“I saw a little rain cloud rolling in in the distance, but I didn’t think it was going to be anything severe, and we still had over an hour of daylight, so I’m ready to line up my putt, and they blow the horn, and it’s like ‘Come on!”’ Silverman said, laughing. “I made the putt anyway right after they blew the horn.

“And the next morning it just wasn’t the same feel. It’s like I tried focusing, I tried remembering the same feels I was having on the green or setting up to all my shots, but it was slightly different, it wasn’t quite there, couldn’t quite get it going again.”

Three-time RBC Canadian Open champ Lee Trevino kicked off Tuesday’s festivities in fine fashion. Trevino had the crowd roaring at the RBC Hall of Fame Day celebrations with a stab at U.S. President Donald Trump. Born in the U.S. to Mexican parents, he joked he had to leave last week to get to Oakville on time, because of “a guy building a fence.”

Silverman, meanwhile, is one of 21 Canadians playing in this week’s US$6.2 million tournament and so naturally finds himself a headliner in what’s become an annual story: when will a homegrown player win the RBC Canadian Open?

Pat Fletcher, who was born in England, was the last Canadian winner, taking the 1954 event at Point Grey in Vancouver. Carl Keffer is the only Canadian-born champion, winning in 1909 and 1914.

Mike Weir came close to ending the drought in 2004 at Glen Abbey, but lost a playoff to Vijay Singh.

“There hasn’t been anybody that’s still living, so I want to be the first for sure,” Silverman said.

Pressure?

“No, it’s just one of my goals. My career is not going to be riding on it, whether I win this or not,” he said. “But it’s just one of my goals that I want to do and I feel like it would put me on a platform amongst Canadian golfers to be recognized the way Mike Weir is.”

Silverman believes he has the game to do it this year, a far cry from his one previous appearance at Canada’s annual PGA TOUR stop. He was a Monday qualifier at the tournament in Montreal in 2014, and was a “nervous wreck.”

“I wasn’t even thinking about scores, I was at the time trying to come up with a mental plan to just get through the tournament,” he said. “So it’s so different now. I feel comfortable. I feel like I belong. Ready to come out here and try to win. Totally different feel.”

Among the other Canadians in the field are fellow PGA TOUR regulars Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., and David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., as well as Weir.

Silverman rocketed nearly 1,000 spots in the Official World Golf Ranking in early 2017, his victory at the Price Cutter Charity Championship last August earning him PGA TOUR status for the 2017-18 season.

Now at No. 135 on the FedExCup standings, a good week will lock up Silverman’s PGA TOUR card, which would mean a less frantic life for he and his wife Morgan.

“It allows me to plan my schedule next year, so I don’t have to travel like a crazy man, I can play maybe 22 events a year, instead of 32, which would be fantastic,” he said.

Their son, Jack Palmer, just turned one, so it’s been a whirlwind existence for the young family.

“Every week is a new week and new experience it seems,” he said. “Morgan and I had a little birthday thing for (Jack) last week, I wasn’t in New York for her family and his birthday, I’m seeing some of my family this week, so you’ve just got to adjust,” he said. “That’s why I was saying 22 weeks on the road would be great instead of 32 so we could have some time to relax, go home, because it can be kind of hectic. But you just kind of roll with it.”

Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela is the tournament’s two-time defending champion and will be looking to become the first player to win three straight titles when the event officially gets underway on Thursday, July 26.

Tickets and other information on the RBC Canadian Open can be found at www.rbccanadianopen.com.

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont., Russell Budd of Toronto, Justin Yong Woo Kim of Hamilton and Mitch Sutton of London, Ont., have all earned entry into the 2018 RBC Canadian Open through Final Qualifying at Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton, Ont.

Gligic and Budd carded matching 4-under-par 67s to share medallist honours.

“It’ll be my first one at Glen Abbey,” said 28-year-old Gligic, who will make his third appearance at the RBC Canadian Open. “I’ve been looking forward to playing one there, so it’s nice to finally punch my ticket. I definitely feel the best I ever have going into a RBC Canadian Open. My nerves got to me in my first one and in the second one my game wasn’t that great. But now I feel like my game is in a really good spot, so hopefully I’ll play well.”

Gligic’s co-medallist Russell Budd secured a spot into his first RBC Canadian Open. The 27-year-old is currently playing on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.

Seung-su Han of Las Vegas, Blake Olsen of Pensacola, Fla., and Tyler McCumber of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., were the other playoff participants who failed to qualify.

“Wow, that was pretty exciting coming down the last few holes and into the playoff,” said Sutton, who won back-to-back Canadian Junior Boy Championships in 2008 and 2009. “I’m pretty pumped up right now and looking forward to playing in my first RBC Canadian Open. I’ve played Glen Abbey a couple of times, but not in a while. I’m excited to go back.”

Seung-su Han of Las Vegas, Blake Olsen of Pensacola, Fla., and Tyler McCumber of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., were the playoff participants who failed to qualify.

Below are full qualifier results from the 2018 RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifying.

1. Michael Gligic, Kitchener, ON, *36-31-67 -4
1. Russell Budd, Toronto, ON, *35-32-67 -4
3. Justin Yong Woo Kim, Hamilton, ON, *34-34-68 -3
3. Mitchell Sutton, London, ON, *34-34-68 -3

— DID NOT QUALIFY —

3. Blake Olsen, Pensacola, Florida, *37-31-68 -3
3. Seung-su Han, Las Vegas, NV, *33-35-68 -3
3. Tyler McCumber, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, *35-33-68 -3
8. Raoul Menard, Ange-Gardien, QC, *33-36-69 -2
8. Étienne Papineau (a), St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, *34-35-69 -2
8. Riley Wheeldon, Comox, BC, *33-36-69 -2
8. Taylor Pendrith, Richmond Hill, ON, *36-33-69 -2
12. Keith Martin, Kelowna, BC, *37-33-70 -1
12. Keven Fortin-Simard, Chicoutimi, QC, *35-35-70 -1
12. Adrian Cord, Toronto, ON, *36-34-70 -1
12. Kevin Stinson, Mission BC, *37-33-70 -1
12. Devin Carrey, White Rock, BC, *36-34-70 -1
12. Jake Scott, Strongsville, OH, *37-33-70 -1
12. Sonny Michaud, Neuville, QC, *35-35-70 -1
12. Michael McGowan, Pinehurst, NC, *36-34-70 -1
12. MJ Dauffee, Kingwood, Texas, *37-33-70 -1
12. Chase Seiffert, Panama City Beach, FL, *34-36-70 -1
12. David Mathis, Wakeforest, NC, *36-34-70 -1
12. Christopher Vandette (a), Beaconsfield, QC, *34-36-70 -1
12. Domenico Geminiani, Bradenton, FL, *35-35-70 -1
12. Joseph Harrison, Boulder City, NV, *36-34-70 -1
26. Drew Nesbitt, Shanty Bay, ON, *34-37-71 E
26. David Iaderosa (a), Ottawa, ON, *36-35-71 E
26. Ken Duke, Stuart, FL, *36-35-71 E
26. Greyson Sigg, Augusta, GA, *35-36-71 E
26. Johnny Travale (a), Stoney Creek, ON, *37-34-71 E
26. Peyton Callens (a), Langton, ON, *35-36-71 E
32. Brendan Seys (a), Port Lambton, ON, *33-39-72 +1
32. Nick Kenney, Mississauga, ON, *36-36-72 +1
32. Éric Laporte, St-Liguori, QC, *36-36-72 +1
32. James Seymour, Aurora, ON, *37-35-72 +1
32. Bennett Ruby (a), Waterloo, ON, *35-37-72 +1
32. Pierre-Alexandre Bédard, Chibougamau, QC, *39-33-72 +1
38. Dom Lalonde, Châteauguay, QC, *39-34-73 +2
38. Brian Churchill-Smith, Oakville, ON, *36-37-73 +2
38. Tim Alarie, St-Jérôme, QC, *37-36-73 +2
38. Vincent Blanchette, Boucherville, QC, *42-31-73 +2
38. T.J. Vogel, Pembroke Pines, FL, *36-37-73 +2
43. Terry O’Brien, Barrie, ON, *39-35-74 +3
43. Zach Zaback, Cromwell, CT, *36-38-74 +3
43. Ben Griffin, Chapel Hill, NC, *40-34-74 +3
46. Matt Lemay (a), Waterloo, ON, *38-37-75 +4
46. Gordon Burns, Holland Landing, ON, *37-38-75 +4
46. Chris Wilson, Toronto, ON, *38-37-75 +4
46. Philip Arci (a), Vaughan, ON, *38-37-75 +4
46. Khan Lee (a), Langley, BC, *39-36-75 +4
46. Jay Delsing, St. Louis, MO, *37-38-75 +4
46. Scott Strohmeyer, Auburn, AL, *39-36-75 +4
46. Bill Walsh, Markham, ON, *40-35-75 +4
54. Jacob Presutti (a), Brampton, ON, *39-37-76 +5
54. Sebastian Szirmak, Toronto, ON, *38-38-76 +5
54. Derek Gillespie, Oshawa, ON, *38-38-76 +5
54. Matt Matheson (a), West Vancouver, BC, *37-39-76 +5
54. Ted Purdy, Phoenix, AZ, *40-36-76 +5
59. Blair Hamilton, Burlington, ON, *43-34-77 +6
59. G.W. King, Thornbury, ON, *40-37-77 +6
59. Branson Ferrier, Barrie, ON, *38-39-77 +6
59. Robert Wilkinson (a), Dundas, ON, *37-40-77 +6
59. Nigel Sinnott, Chilliwack, BC, *41-36-77 +6
59. Yanik Laforest, Mirabel, QC, *41-36-77 +6
59. Thomas Critch (a), Hamilton, ON, *43-34-77 +6
66. Greg Lewis, Dundas, ON, *41-37-78 +7
66. Freddy D’Angelo (a), Fonthill, ON, *43-35-78 +7
66. Luke Ovenden, Georgetown, ON, *40-38-78 +7
66. Griffin Jones (a), Manotick, ON, *41-37-78 +7
70. Riley Davenport, Saint Simons Island, GA, *37-43-80 +9
71. Jake Montemurro, Toronto, ON, *45-39-84 +13
72. Jake McNulty, Port Perry, ON, *44-42-86 +15

— DID NOT FINISH —

WD. Brett Cairns, Courtland, ON, *
WD. David Morland, Palm Coast, FL, *
WD. Brian Davis, Windermere, FL, *

Twenty-one Canadians to compete at 2018 RBC Canadian Open

With the addition of the four Monday qualifiers, there are now 21 Canadians scheduled to compete as part of the 2018 RBC Canadian Open. They are:

• Hugo Bernard (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.)
• Russell Budd (Toronto, Ont.)
• Marc-Etienne Bussieres (Gatineau, Que.)
• Chris Crisologo (Richmond, B.C.)
• Austin Connelly (Church Point, N.S./ Irving, Texas)
• Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.)
• Jared du Toit (Calgary, Alta. )
• Todd Fanning (Winnipeg, Man.)
• Michael Gligic (Kitchener, Ont.)
• Adam Hadwin (Abbotsford, B.C.)
• David Hearn (Brantford, Ont.)
• Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ont. )
• Justin Yong Woo Kim (Hamilton, Ont.)
• Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.)
• Ben Silverman (Thornhill, Ont.)
• Roger Sloan (Merritt, B.C.)
• Mitch Sutton (London, Ont.)
• Adam Svensson (Surrey, B.C.)
• Nick Taylor (Abbotsford, B.C.)
• Ryan Yip (Calgary, Alta.)
• Mike Weir (Bright’s Grove, Ont. )

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Team Canada Young Pro Squad’s Augusta James recorded the best finish of her season so far after finishing the Symetra Tour Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic in a tie for sixth.

The Bath, Ont., talent shot her third 69 of the weekend to finish at 10 under, only two strokes behind the winners after firing three consecutive birdies on the back-nine.

It took 76 holes, but Eun Jeong Seong (Yongin, Republic of Korea) eventually walked away the victor at the fourth annual Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic for the Symetra Tour rookie’s first professional win.

Seong and Stephanie Meadow (Jordanstown, Northern Ireland) were tied atop the leaderboard at 12-under par following the conclusion of 72 holes. They proceeded to play the par-3 18th in a sudden-death playoff format until a winner was decided.

On the fourth hole, it was Seong who ran in a birdie putt to end the drama at Brook-Lea Country Club. After the trophy presentation, the 18-year-old still could not believe she had won.

“I didn’t think about winning to start the day, just focused on my goal,” said Seong. “I’m not feeling anything yet because I don’t know what a champion is supposed to feel. I know that I won, but the feeling has not come to me.”

To start the final round, Seong was tied for sixth at 7-under par, four shots behind Meadow. That deficit quickly disappeared when she carded five birdies, an eagle and only one bogey to record a 6-under par 30 going out.

“I started very nice and didn’t think about my score, not about being 13-under,” said Seong, who held the solo advantage when she made the turn.

From there, Seong added a birdie on No. 14 before back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 17 and 18 capped a 5-under par 67 afternoon.

“Just very nervous, but still had a chance and I just took my chance,” Seong said. “First playoff hole, I was very nervous with my tough chip. After two playoff holes I thought, ‘Just second, if I lose it’s just second,’ and not nervous.”

The two exchanged pars over the first three playoff holes. On the fourth effort, Seong hit her tee shot to 10 feet. Once Meadow missed her birdie putt from just off the green, it was Seong’s tournament for the taking and she redeemed herself from the earlier bogey.

After turning pro late last year and making just her seventh Symetra Tour start, Seong finds the winner’s circle for the first time.

“I think I just start new because I am a professional now and then I have to recover every tournament,” Seong said. “When I was an amateur, I was playing very hard and would just hit. If I hit bad it’s okay because I am not pro, but now I am pro and I want to learn from my play.”

For Meadow, it was the second time she found herself in a playoff this season. The first was at the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa when she buried a 40-foot putt to win on the first playoff hole.

“Wish I had that again,” Meadow said laughingly. “I just made a couple mistakes, but made some great putts out there to get myself back in it. It was such a hard hole to have a playoff on because I was right between a 5-iron and a 4-hybrid. She made a great birdie.”

Coming out on the other side of things this time around stings, but also leaves Meadow feeling confident about what is to come. The performance marked the seventh top-10 finish for the former University of Alabama four-time First Team All-American.

“I played great, made really great decisions and it was way better than my last three weeks,” said Meadow, who shot 1-under par today. “I just have to take the positives and keep rolling with it.”

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – The final four spots into the 2018 RBC Canadian Open field will be determined Monday as the Final Qualifier is set to tee off at Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton, Ont.

The 75-player field is comprised of touring professionals, top amateurs and 47 regional qualifiers as part of the two-stage RBC Canadian Open qualification process.

“We look forward to welcoming these talented golfers to our Final Qualifier at Heron Point Golf Links for an opportunity to earn an exemption into the 2018 RBC Canadian Open,” said Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s Director, Rules, Competitions and Amateur Status. “The course is in great condition and will provide an excellent test for this impressive field of golfers vying for a spot into the 109^th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship.”

The Final Qualifier features 18 holes of stroke play with the low four competitors receiving an exemption directly into the 2018 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 23. Results will be available as players complete their rounds.

Monday of RBC Canadian Open week at Glen Abbey kicks off with the Canada Day Pro-Am in support of the Golf Canada Foundation. Click here for a list of Canadian golfers and other notable athletes competing in the shot-gun Pro-Am beginning at 12:15 pm.

The 2018 RBC Canadian Open will be contested at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., from July 23-29, 2018. Ticket and corporate hospitality info is available online at www.rbccanadianopen.com.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Team Canada Young Pro Squad’s Augusta James shot a 71 during the third round of the Danielle Downey Credit Union after two consecutive rounds of 69.

The Bath, Ont., talent heads into the final day sharing a piece of sixth at 7 under, separated from the leader by four shots.

With three rounds complete in the fourth annual Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic at Brook-Lea Country Club, Stephanie Meadow (Jordanstown, Northern Ireland) has separated herself from the rest of the field at 11-under par overall.

On moving day in the Empire State, the former four-time First Team All-American performer for the University of Alabama signed a 4-under par scorecard, recording six birdies in the process.

“Anytime you can lead going into the final day is always a bonus,” said Meadow, who has hit 39-of-42 fairways so far this tournament. “I’m excited to have a tiny bit of a cushion, but tomorrow I just need to keep doing my same thing. Get as far ahead as I can as soon as possible.”

The only thing that held her back from an even lower number this afternoon was a double bogey on the par-3 9th hole.

“I was going good until I misjudged the wind and hit it over on nine, which is absolutely a no-go,” Meadow said. “To come back on the back nine with a 4-under was pretty awesome. The greens are firming up, so any downwind holes are pretty hard to get close.”

It may be the first time in the final pairing for Meadow, but she is no stranger to finding the winner’s circle. In early April, she captured the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.

That experience is something she is sure to use to get her through tomorrow.

“I can draw on that since I’ve already been there, in contention playing good golf,” said Meadow. “At the IOA Championship I played really well and came from behind. If I can go out with that mentality, even though I am not in that current situation, I think that will help. Once you do something you want to do it again, especially when you know the feeling.”

Meadow will be joined by Jenny Coleman (Rolling Hills Estates, California) in the final pairing off No. 1 tee at 1:10 p.m. ET tomorrow.

Furthermore, a group of four individuals sit at 8-under par overall, just three shots back of the lead. Among them is Natalie Sheary (New Britain, Connecticut), who has put together three consecutive rounds under par for the first time this season.

“I’ve hit my irons well all week, so that has been a strong point for me,” Sheary said after a 1-under par third round. “I have been working on my game for so long, but I have been working really hard lately and it’s just nice to see things pay off.”

Ranked No. 1 on the Symetra Tour in driving accuracy (88.2 percent) and greens in regulation (84.7 percent) coming into this event, Sheary could be found right back at the range once she left the scoring tent.

Hitting 12-of-14 fairways in each of the last two days, as well as 15 greens, has her work ethic wanting more.

“I had two missed fairways today which is a lot for me, but on the holes that you really need to have a perfect drive, I missed a little left and you can’t do that,” said Sheary. “This course allows so many birdie opportunities that it’s easy to bounce back after you made a really easy bogey. It’s a classic northeastern golf course that is tree-lined, with some holes that are open and some you have to hit certain targets.”

Final round action picks up tomorrow morning at 7:30 p.m. ET and all pairings will start off No. 1 tee.

MOVE(S) OF THE DAY ON MOVING DAY 

Entering the third round of the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic, Jenny Coleman and Marissa Dodd (Allen, Texas) were both tied for 25th at 2-under par, but they launched up the leaderboard with strong efforts today.

At separate points during play this afternoon, both players saw their name atop the leaderboard holding a solo advantage.

“It feels really good to do that, especially at a tournament I love so much,” said Dodd. “It doesn’t matter where you are standing on the leaderboard, you can chase the number. You aren’t necessarily chasing a person.”

It was Coleman who fired the lowest round of day three. She carded a bogey-free, 5-under par 31 going out. Then coming in she stayed steady with two birdies and a bogey to complete a 6-under day.

“You just have to keep your gameplan, be confident in your game and see what it brings that day,” said Coleman, who tied her season-best round score with today’s performance. “I have hit the ball well enough all week and just needed some putts to drop, which they finally did. I know my plan and need to try to execute it as well as I can tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Dodd found her way to a 5-under par round. Like Coleman, she also scored a bogey-free, 5-under par 31 on the front nine. Two birdies and two bogeys evened their way out from there.

All in all, it was a Symetra Tour career-best showing for Dodd.

“When I have those steady rounds, that’s me feeling really close and like everything is in good form, just waiting for it all to fall in place,” said Dodd, who will join Natalie Sheary in the third to last group tomorrow. “It’s honestly not that different of a game from the days before. Overall, it is just a little more concentrated and focused. It’s really getting dialed in on those putts, over those shots.”

OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada)  —  Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to announce the final field of competitors vying for the US $6.2 million purse at the 2018 RBC Canadian Open, July 23-29 at Glen Abbey Golf Club.

World no. 1 and Team RBC member Dustin Johnson will be challenged by a stellar field of PGA TOUR stars including former Masters champion and world no.19 Sergio Garcia, two-time defending US Open champion and world no. 4 Brooks Koepka, world no.10 Tommy Fleetwood and big-hitting world no.13 Bubba Watson, a 12-time PGA TOUR winner who has won three times in 2018. 

Other notable additions to the field for the 109th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship include world no. 27 Matt Kuchar; rising star and world no.31 Tony Finau; world no. 33 Kevin Kisner; former FedEx Cup champions Billy Horschel and Bill Haas; 12-time PGA TOUR winner Steve Stricker;  six-time PGA TOUR winners Jimmy Walker, Stewart Cink and Rory Sabbatini; fan-favourites Ian Poulter, J.B. Holmes, Charley Hoffman and Martin Kaymer; and two-time defending champion Jhonattan Vegas. 

Johnson, an 18-time winner on the PGA TOUR and Kuchar, a seven-time PGA TOUR winner will lead a roster of Team RBC players to Glen Abbey that includes three-time PGA TOUR winners Ryan Palmer and Graeme McDowell, 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion and eight-time winner Brandt Snedeker; Jim Furyk, a 17-time winner and two-time RBC Canadian Open champion; along with Canadian Team RBC players Adam Hadwin, David Hearn and Nick Taylor.

“The field is nearly set and we’re ready to tee-up the 109th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship, starting next week at Glen Abbey Golf Club,” said Golf Canada Chief Championship Officer Bill Paul. “This year’s championship will feature a re-energized mix of international stars led by Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Brooks Keopka, Bubba Watson, Tony Finau and Tommy Fleetwood, plus five past champions, eight in-year PGA TOUR winners and the deepest field of Canadian talent ever to compete for our National Men’s Open title. Golf fans are sure to be treated to another world-class showcase when the stars of the PGA TOUR return to Glen Abbey.”

In total, 156 players will compete for the US$6.2 million purse next week in Oakville when Canada’s National Open Championship returns to Glen Abbey for a record 30th time.

Click here for a full field list for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open.

PGA TOUR In-Year Winners…
A total of eight in-year PGA TOUR winners (accounting for 11 PGA TOUR titles in 2018) will compete at Glen Abbey led by three-time winner Bubba Watson (Genesis Open, World Golf Championship-Dell Technologies Match Play and Travelers Championship) and two-time winner Dustin Johnson (Sentry Tournament of Champions and FedEx St. Jude Classic). Other 2018 PGA TOUR winners include Brooks Koepka (US Open), Ian Poulter (Houston Open), Ryan Armour (Sanderson Farms Championship), Austin Cook (RSM Classic), and Gary Woodland (Waste Management Phoenix Open) and Billy Horschel (Zurich Classic of New Orleans).

Past Champions…
Two-time (2016-17) defending champion Jhonattan Vegas returns to Glen Abbey looking to become the first player ever to win Canada’s National Open Championship on three consecutive occasions. Vegas is one of five past champions set to compete including Brandt Snedeker (2013), Sean O’Hair (2011) and Chez Reavie (2008) along with Jim Furyk who claimed back to back titles in 2006-07.

Sixteen Canadians to compete for National Men’s Open Title…
Leading the Canadian contingent at Glen Abbey will be Abbotsford, B.C. native and world No. 48 Adam Hadwin, who will return to Glen Abbey to play in his ninth RBC Canadian Open. Other confirmed Canadians include past PGA TOUR winners Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas Valley, Ont., and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., Cory Conners of Listowel, Ont., Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., and David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., who finished third at the 2015 RBC Canadian Open. Also confirmed to compete is Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont., who will tee it up in his 28th RBC Canadian Open.

Each of the 16 Canadian players in the field will look to become the first Canadian to capture the national title since Pat Fletcher accomplished the feat in 1954.

Twelve Canadians to receive Tournament Exemptions….
Web.com Tour players Adam Svensson and Roger Sloan as well as European Tour player Austin Connelly, and Golf Canada Young Pro Squad member Jared du Toit, along with a trio of National Amateur Squad members—Hugo Bernard, Joey Savoie and Chris Crisologo—are among the Canadians receiving tournament exemptions.

Svensson is tracking well to earn his PGA TOUR card, sitting eighth on the Web.com Tour money list with $187,607. The 24-year-old Surrey, B.C., talent and Team Canada graduate has four Web.com Tour top-10 finishes this season, including a win at the 2018 Bahamas Great Abaco Classic in January. 

Calgary native Roger Sloan currently sit no. 52 on the Web.com Tour money list and will make his fourth appearance in Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. He has two top-10 finishes on the Web.com Tour this season.  

Austin Connelly, a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, is a former member of Canada’s National Amateur Team. He made international headlines at last year’s Open Championship, where he finished with a share of 14th. He has three top-20 finishes on the European Tour this season, including a tie for 11th at the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open. 

In 2016, Jared du Toit of Kimberley, B.C., took a thrilling run at the RBC Canadian Open, taking a share of the 54-hole lead into the final round before eventually finishing tied for ninth. A member of Golf Canada’s Young Pro Squad, du Toit is ranked 21st on the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada Order of Merit including four top-10 finishes. 

Tournament exemptions were also given to Team Canada National Amateur Squad members Hugo Bernard of Mont St-Hilaire, Que., Joey Savoie of La Prairie, Que., and Chris Crisologo of Richmond, B.C.

As well, 50-year old Winnipeg native Todd Fanning earned his place in the RBC Canadian Open by claiming victory in the 2017 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Fanning, a former pro who returned to amateur golf, will be making his fifth appearance in Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. 

PGA of Canada professional Marc-Etienne Bussières of Gatineau, Que., earned his way into the 2018 RBC Canadian Open by claiming the no. 1 position on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC.

Other confirmed tournament exemptions to notable international competitors including American Zach Bauchou, winner of the 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship; Nyasha Mauchaza of Zimbabwe who topped the 144-player at the Ontario Regional Qualifer at Blue Springs Golf Club in Acton, Ont. to earn automatic exemption; and recent amateur standout turned professional Norman Xiong of Canyon Lake, Calif., the 2018 recipient of the Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award as the top player in NCAA Division I golf and Haskin Award as the most outstanding collegiate golfer.

Final Tournament Exemptions to be Named…
Following the Osprey Valley Open which concludes on Sunday July 22, the top-three players on the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada Order of Merit will earn exemptions to compete in the 2018 RBC Canadian Open.

The final four exemptions into the field for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open will be handed out at the Monday Final Qualifier on July 23, to be played at Heron Point Golf Links near Ancaster, Ont.

Click here for the full current list of competitors competing in the 2018 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club from July 23-29.

Tickets for all tournament rounds of the RBC Canadian Open are still available for purchase at www.rbccanadianopen.com. As well, kids 17-and-under get FREE admission all week long.

Glen Abbey Golf Club hosts the RBC Canadian Open for the 30th – and possibly final – time next week. Here are five of the top moments at the club, which first hosted Canada’s lone PGA tournament back in 1977.

2000 – Tiger’s towering drive

The biggest moment of them all from the biggest golfer of the last 25 years. Woods hit a towering six-iron more than 200 yards from a bunker, over water, on 18 to win by a shot over Grant Waite. It was his ninth win of the year and his only Canadian Open triumph. He joined Lee Trevino as the only two golfers to capture the Triple Crown, winning the U.S. Open, the British Open, and the Canadian Open in the same year.

2004 – So near for Weir

Canadian golfer Mike Weir lost the 2004 Canadian Open in a playoff to Vijay Singh after knocking his approach in the water on 18. The native of Bright’s Grove, Ont., came into the tournament as one of the biggest athletes in the country after his Masters victory in 2003 – the first, and only, time a Canadian male golfer has won a major.

1984 – Valet service

Greg Norman’s win in 1984 was made more memorable by his unique path to victory. In the final round, Norman hit an approach over the 17th green and it came to rest under a parked car. A volunteer moved the car and Norman caught a break. He’d go on to win by two shots over Jack Nicklaus.

1985 – Don’t be a stranger

Strange won his eighth PGA Tour event at the 1985 Canadian Open. He was paired with Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman for the final round and told The Canadian Press it was “one of the thrills” of his life and added the Canadian fans “adopted” him after that win. Nicklaus would never win the Canadian Open, but would finish runner-up seven times.

1977 – Grand debut

Lee Trevino won the first event at Glen Abbey when he bested Englishman Peter Oosterhuis by four shots. It was Trevino’s second Canadian Open (he also won in 1971), and was the first golfer in history to win the Triple Crown.