Squamish, B.C. – Brett Webster of Chilliwack, B.C. birdied the first hole of a playoff to edge out Sukhraj Gill of Surrey, B.C. to earn a direct exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, following the B.C. Regional Qualifier at Squamish Valley Golf Club in Squamish, B.C. on Thursday.

Webster, a six-time winner on the Vancouver Golf Tour admitted he hadn’t had much success in playoffs as of late but emerged victorious on Thursday evening to earn his first ever appearance at the RBC Canadian Open and on the PGA TOUR.

“I told my caddie, this is my Rory McIlroy moment. I bogeyed the last hole, let’s make up for it here,” said an excited Webster following the playoff win.

“I feel like it hasn’t quite sunk in. I can’t wait to call my wife and facetime my kids, they’re down in Chilliwack and tell them I’m coming home. We have a two-and-a-half-year-old and six-week-old so my wife is probably ready for me to come home, but she will be really excited about this,” added Webster.

Webster was part of the afternoon wave and players were faced with a change in the weather as the winds had picked up. He admitted he did not play in a practice round prior to the qualifier, making his task a little taller. He carded seven birdies in his round, including a strong finish with birdies on holes 14, 16 and 17, which put him into the lead. However, a bogey on 18 would bring him back into a tie with Gill at 5-under (67), who had finished his round hours prior.

Webster has gone back and forth in his career on whether or not to check the leaderboard, after his tee shot on 18 he wanted to know.

“I asked my caddie what he thought I needed, and he said to try and make par, so I thought I may have had the lead,” he added.

The pressure built for Webster as Gill connected on his drive to begin the playoff. Webster found the cart path off his drive for the third consecutive hole, having done so on holes 17 and 18. He was able to take relief in the rough and hit a 3-iron into the green.

“When I hit it, I thought I smoked it over the green, but it slowed down on the edge of the rough and trickled down. My hands were shaking as much as they ever shook on the first putt and once it got to two feet I was like ok, I think I can handle this,” said Webster.

Webster admitted that while he is a little older in golf terms, and competing with many up and comers on the Vancouver Golf Tour, earning this qualification is special.

“Winning on the Vancouver Golf Tour is amazing and you beat a lot of good pros and all that, but this was 139 guys playing for the opportunity to play on the PGA TOUR and where I’m at in my career, I feel like this is the last thing I want to do and I feel like I could be satisfied if I didn’t play after that and just get to play with my kids,” he added.

In addition to Webster’s exemption, the top 10 per cent of the 139-player field, 8th place plus ties (20 players total) from the B.C. Regional Qualifier have advanced to the RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier on Sunday, June 1 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont.

RBC Canadian Open – B.C. Regional Qualifier Results:

*won in playoff

For the full leaderboard, click here.

The B.C. Regional Qualifier at Squamish Valley Golf Club was the third of five 2025 RBC Canadian Open Qualifiers. There are two qualifiers remaining, both taking place on Wednesday, May 21 at Sundre Golf Club in Sundre, Alta. and at Griffon des Sources – Aigle Lion in Mirabel, Que.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.— Mackenzie Hughes of Canada birdied his last four holes Friday for an 8-under 63, giving him a one-shot lead after the first round of the Myrtle Beach Classic.

The winner of the PGA Tour event — held opposite a signature event at the Truist Championship this week — gets a spot in the PGA Championship if not already eligible.

That’s not the case for Hughes or two of the players one shot behind him — Seamus Power and Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark — both already in the field next week at Quail Hollow.

Will Chandler also shot 64. He has yet to qualify for the PGA Championship.

Hughes, from Dundas, Ont., finished with a flurry, making five birdies over the last six holes. He is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, though it has been more than two years since his last title.

He felt like his putting has let him down in recent week, so he changed up his routine by being quicker and more instinctive on the greens.

“Putted nicely today,” he said. “Then at the end there I kind of caught fire. I can’t remember the last time I birdied the last four holes. But it’s definitely a nice finish.”

The group at 66 included 44-year-old Nick Watney, who hasn’t won in 13 years, and 17-year-old Blades Brown in his first year as a pro.

With golf season officially starting nearly everywhere across Canada, it’s a good time to brush up on some rules.

No matter if you’re a once-a-week golfer, a competition chaser, or even a weekend warrior, the rules of the game are part of what makes golf so special.

Enter – thankfully – Mary Beth McKenna, the director of rules and amateur championships at Golf Canada.

McKenna not only oversees things from a rules perspective at Golf Canada, but she’s also been part of the rules team at the RBC Canadian Open (even getting some special TV time when a Rory McIlroy tee shot in 2022 headed right down the middle, and directly into Justin Thomas’ ball).

She’s also here to help!

We asked McKenna for some common situations you might find yourself in this year and what rules could help out.

Speaking of – be sure to download the Golf Canada app as you’ll have access to the Player’s Rule Finder, boasting nearly 30 diagrams and over 50 how-to videos so then golfers can reduce confusion and uncertainty by learning the ins-and-outs of the game directly from the R&A.

“Golfers will be able to determine the specific rule-related situations they encounter on the course more easily through the Player’s Rules Finder interface,” McKenna says. “The integration into the Golf Canada Mobile App allows more straightforward access to the rules of golf.”

Be sure to bookmark this page for your 2025 season and you’ll be able to have quick access to some common rules right at your fingertips, too.

“THAT’S ONE”

We’ve all seen the joke about tapping the ball with your driver accidentally and it falling off the tee. Alas, McKenna says that’s just a joke and not a real situation to get your pencil out for.  

You have to have an intent to hit the ball. So ‘intent,’ meaning you have to make a stroke at the ball. All you do is put it back on the tee and replay it. You can also move the tee to a new location as long as you’re still on the teeing ground. There is no penalty because there has been no intent to hit the ball.

McKenna says there’s actually something cool to note and file away as well.

If you hit your ball and it still (ends up) within the teeing area, you’re able to re-tee your ball. Let’s say you hit it, and it hits a tree and comes back into the teeing area? You can re-tee your ball.

IDENTIFYING YOUR BALL

When you have your ball out in the general area or on the course, it’s important to make sure you’re identifying your ball. You need to make sure you are playing the correct ball.

Identifying the ball can be done by the player, or anyone who has seen that ball come to rest in that area.

You should try to properly identify it with a mark on the ball. That’s a good recommendation for players. If you don’t, you can’t appropriately identify it you would have to declare it lost and go back to the tee.

Recalling the exact same model, brand, condition […] is hard.

You can lift the ball to identify it but you have to mark the spot of the ball, and it can’t be cleaned more than just enough to identify it.

FREQUENT SITUATION – FINDING THE PENALTY AREA

Differentiate what the relief options are between yellow (stakes) versus red (stakes).

More often than not, golf courses are marked with red penalty areas because it gives you an additional option. That’s how we mark it in competitions.

With yellow, you’re mostly going over the water or close to the green which is the main difference. The relief options are, well, you can play is at is lies in the penalty area, but then you can take relief back on a line (at the point of entry as far back as you possibly want to go.

The red stakes means an additional two club-lengths from point of entry which is the commonly used relief option. That’s important to note as a difference between the two. 

DIFFERENT RELIEF SITUATIONS

Golfers often end up looking for relief from their environment.

Typically, there is natural things like a leaf or a pinecone. Sometimes there is a man-made movable obstruction like a pop can. You are permitted to remove a loose impediment on or off the golf course and you can do it by any means necessary. But if the ball moves when you remove a loose impediment it is a one stroke penalty, and you have to replace the ball. If you are moving a removeable obstruction like a pop can and the ball moves you can replace it no penalty.

ABNORMAL COURSE RESTRICTIONS

Like a bench or a cart path – if there is interference in the ball area of the intended stance and intended swing you can take relief anywhere on course, except for when the ball is in the penalty area or when relief is clearly unreasonable.

Say your ball is against a tree but you’re standing on a cart path. If you’re not actually able to make a shot, you can’t get relief from the path because your shot is unreasonable. It’s commonly encountered out there. Relief from a cart path is ‘complete’ relief and you have one club length from that point and drop in that area.

If you end up needing to declare an unplayable ball – anywhere but in the penalty area – you can take stroke-and-distance relief, go back on a line relief, or lateral relief (two club lengths, no nearer to the hole). That’s when there’s just no way you could make a shot at your ball.

NEGOTIATING BUNKERS

You can move loose impediments and objects. There are restrictions on touching the sand in the bunker – you can’t take a practice swing, but you can smooth a bunker for care of the course. You can bring your whole bag in and put them beside your ball if you wanted to, which is interesting.

ON THE PUTTING GREEN

We all aspire to get there. Just focus on the positives on the putting green – you are allowed to improve a lot of things on the putting green that are in the line of your putt, including the removal of sand and loose soil. You can’t, of course, do that in general areas on the course. In 2019 there was also the new rule install about leaving the flagstick in that helps with pace of play.

DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT

How a ball must be dropped, well, it must be done the right way. The player him or herself must drop the ball (you can’t have a caddie or someone else drop it). It must be dropped from knee height without touching a player or equipment.

If a ball is dropped in the wrong way, a player can drop again the right way and there is no limit to the number that player may re-drop.

There is usually the ‘drop, drop, place’ rule. But an incorrect drop does not count as one of the two ‘drops’ in this case. If you’ve done it the wrong way, you are permitted to adjust.

Golf Canada is pleased to provide assistance in any questions that you might have regarding The Rules of Golf and Rules of Handicapping. Have a rules question that needs an answer? Ask An Expert!

156 of Canada’s top junior golfers to compete over 54 holes in Belleville with exemptions into the Canadian Junior Boys and Girls Championships up for grabs 

The road to the 2025 national junior championships continues with the NextGen Ontario Championship set to kick off on Thursday, May 8 at Black Bear Ridge Golf & Resort in Belleville, Ont.  

156 players – 111 boys and 45 girls – will make up the starting field and have the option of participating in a practice round ahead of the tournament on Wednesday, May 7. The 54-hole stroke play event will get started on Thursday and run until Saturday, May 10 – where the field will be reduced to approximately 70 players. The top eight players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, taking place August 12-15, at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, N.B. The top eight players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, August 13-16, at Sainte-Marie Club de golf in Sainte-Marie, Que. If a tie for eighth place in the Junior Boys division occurs, appropriate players will enter a playoff to determine the tournament’s final exemption.  

Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. carded rounds of 67 and 70 through his final 36 holes to clinch last season’s NextGen Ontario Championship at Firerock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont., and will begin his title defence on Thursday as the lone NextGen Team Canada member in the Junior Boys division. Bode Stephen of Kingston, Ont., who took home the NextGen Atlantic Championship last summer in a playoff will also compete in the Junior Boys division. 

Team Canada NextGen member Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont. highlights the field from the Junior Girls division competing in Belleville. Park enjoyed a successful 2024 campaign, with 10 wins that included the top spot of the podium at the Canadian U15 National Championship last August at the Elmira Golf Club in Elmira, Ont. 

Opening its doors in 2005, Black Bear Ridge Golf Course has hosted professional championships on the PGA Tour Canada and several provincial amateur events including the 101st playing of Golf Ontario’s Men’s Amateur Championship in 2023. Originally envisioned to be the home for his family hunting lodge, builder and designer Brian Magee was encouraged to transform the land’s rolling acreage into a golf hotbed by 18-time major champion and family friend, Jack Nicklaus.  

“Black Bear Ridge Golf & Resort is honoured to host the NextGen Ontario Championship as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting junior golf and nurturing the next generation of Canadian talent,” said Cale Flair, Vice President of Black Bear Golf & Resort. “We’re proud to welcome these elite young players to experience everything that makes Black Bear Ridge special—from our championship-calibre layout to the warm, inclusive atmosphere our guests, members, and team help create.” 

Featuring a 628-yard par-5 and a terrain exceeding 5,100 yards in length, Black Bear Ridge demands length from players while rewarding the longest and most patient hitters able to navigate the neighboring bunkers and hazards on selective greens. Combining sport with outdoor recreation and luxury living options, the course provides an exceptional test of golf while serving to restore and inspire its guests on and off the tee box.  

“Our beautiful parkland layout with a tighter tree-lined front nine and more open back nine, with ample elevation changes and challenging water features, demands thoughtful strategy and discipline. Players will need to bring precision off the tee, a sharp short game, and steady composure across all three days to find success here. We’ve seen how Black Bear Ridge shapes strong, competitive golfers—and we’re excited to see who rises to the occasion this week,” added Flair.  

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Ontario Championship, click here  

About the NextGen Championships  

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2025 national junior championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.  

Ridgeway, Ont. – Matt Scobie of Oshawa, Ont. birdied two of his final three holes at Cherry Hill Club in Ridgeway, Ont. to emphatically secure his spot in the 2025 RBC Canadian Open.  

Destined for a playoff between clubhouse leaders Ellis Kinnaird of Carleton Place, Ont. and Brendan Leonard of Cambridge Ont., Scobie flipped the script entirely in his final holes to earn the exemption. 

“It’s really an amazing personal accomplishment,” said Scobie moments after seizing his exemption on the final hole. “It hasn’t set in yet. I’m very proud and very happy to be playing in our country’s Open,” he added. 

Walking off the 15th hole enduring a bogey and in a tie for fourth, Scobie rallied his game, nabbing birdies at the 16th and 18th and impressively making par on the 17th that became the toughest hole on the property throughout Tuesday’s round.  

Both Kinnaird and Leonard wrapped up their rounds with a portion of the clubhouse lead following a round of 70 at 1 p.m. and endured a series of legitimate pushes from the afternoon wave to try and throw a wrench in their plans for a playoff.  

Ryan Skae of Montvale, N.J. was the first member of the afternoon groupings to join the duo on Tuesday, immediately vaulting his name into contention with a trio of birdies through his first five holes to take the first solo lead of the afternoon. His ascension stalled on the 18th green however, making the turn with a bogey that led him to play his front nine at three-over par and finish his round of 72 with the Canadians still leading off the course.  

Grouped alongside Skae, Brody Burgess of Victor N.Y. pounced on his fellow countryman’s inability to tame Cherry Hill Club’s front nine, becoming the next player from the afternoon to jump into contention for the top spot of the qualifier. Burgess birdied the 18th, first and third holes, and looked primed to close out his round with a 69 and be the one to earn a direct exemption to the 2025 RBC Canadian Open. However, consecutive bogeys chased him off the course at holes eight and nine.  

Ultimately, Scobie – who was playing six holes behind the Americans during the afternoon’s constant lead changes on Tuesday – was the one with enough composure to claim the top spot, failing to following the trend that the course set for itself throughout the day and say otherwise.  

“I didn’t really leaderboard watch at all today,” mentioned Scobie. “I just stuck to my own game and worried about what I could control.” 

RBC Canadian Open – Ont. Regional Qualifier Results: 

For the full leaderboard from Monday’s action at Cherry Hill Club, please click here. 

The top 10 per cent of Tuesday’s finishers (excluding Scobie, the low medalist) advanced to the final qualifier ahead of the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, set to be contested at The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ont. on Sunday, June 1.   

All winners (low medalists) at regional qualifying sites surpassing a field size of 120 players are awarded a direct exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and will compete alongside the game’s best at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. from June 4-8.   

Players around the country will have three additional opportunities to punch their ticket into Canada’s Men’s National Open, as well as the Monday Qualifier on June 1, with regional qualifiers continuing on Thursday, May 8 at Squamish Valley Golf Club in Squamish, B.C.  

The final field for June’s Monday Qualifier will be confirmed later in the month, with the final two regional qualifiers being contested at Sundre Golf Club in Sundre, Alta. and Golf Griffon des Sources in Mirabel, Que. on Wednesday, May 21.   

Brampton, Ont. – Team Canada alumnus Cougar Collins of Mono, Ont. took advantage of favourable morning conditions at Monday’s opening Regional Qualifier to book his spot in the 2025 RBC Canadian Open.  

A former member of Team Canada’s Men’s Amateur Squad in 2020 and 2021, Collins carded a 65 at Brampton Golf Club in Brampton, Ont. on Monday to take the clubhouse lead at six-under par. Finishing his round just after 1 p.m. local time, Collins was forced to wait nearly six hours before being declared the event’s official winner, a feat he was more than happy to hold out for with brief periods of rain weaponizing the course shortly before the final group teed off at 2:01 p.m. local time.  

Finishing in a tie for sixth at last year’s Monday Qualifier and unsuccessful in his attempt to earn a place in the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Hamilton, Ont., Collins put any doubts of being in the 2025 field to rest with his prevailing victory Monday.  

He will get set to take on the North course at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont., a destination not far from his hometown of Mono, Ont., when action begins on June 4.  

“It’s actually my home course so it’s really freaking cool,” commented an elated Collins following his win. “I’ve wanted to play in the Canadian Open since I started golfing. Obviously, this is like our major championship if you will, for Canada, so I’m pretty pumped to be playing in it.” 

Collins rode a hot start on Monday to perch himself atop the leaderboards, carding birdies at holes one, six, seven and nine to make the turn with a field-best score of 33. He then navigated the first four holes of his back nine at even-par before separating further from the morning wave with consecutive birdies at the 14th and 15th to shoot himself up to six-under par.  

A double bogey at the par-3 16th erased all of his momentum on the back nine, however, the scare was only temporary after Collins found redemption on the 17th with an eagle to maintain his distance over his chasers.  

“I was pretty steady all day until I came up onto 16 and hit it in the water,” said Collins. “I was mad, but I got over it pretty quickly and I’m glad I was able to bounce back and make eagle on 17.” 

Several other players from the morning wave capitalized on fair conditions to secure exemption into the final qualifier, including current Team Canada NextGen members, Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. and Antoine Jasmin of Blainville, Que. The two played alongside Collins throughout the day and carded rounds of 68 and 71 respectively.  

“I thought both of them had great games,” praised Collins of his two playing partners, Pain and Jasmin. “I’m sure they’re going to play very well in college,” he added. 

RBC Canadian Open – Ont. Regional Qualifier Results: 

For the full leaderboard from Monday’s action at Brampton Golf Club, please click here.   

The top 10 per cent of Monday’s finishers (excluding Collins, the low medalist) advanced to the final qualifier ahead of the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, set to be contested at The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ont. on Sunday, June 1.  

All winners (low medalists) at regional qualifying sites surpassing a field size of 120 players are awarded a direct exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and will compete alongside the game’s best at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. from June 4-8.  

Players around the country will have four additional opportunities to punch their ticket into Canada’s Men’s National Open, as well as the Monday Qualifier on June 1, with regional qualifiers continuing on Tuesday, May 6 at Cherry Hill Club in Ridgeway, Ont.  

Squamish Valley Golf Club in Squamish, B.C. will host the following Regional Qualifier on Thursday, May 8 before wrapping up play later in the month with a pair of regional qualifiers contested at Sundre Golf Club in Sundre, Alta. and Golf Griffon des Sources in Mirabel, Que. on Wednesday, May 21.  

Multi-time PGA TOUR winning group join eight in-season winners on PGA TOUR including two-time RBC Canadian Open champion and 2025 Masters champion, Rory McIlroy along with defending champion Robert MacIntyre and 2023 RBC Canadian Open winner Nick Taylors part of week-long festival atmosphere at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley

Mike Weir accepts Tournament Exemption into the 114th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship to compete alongside Canadian PGA TOUR winners Corey Conners, Taylor Pendrith, Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Hadwin and Adam Svensson

2026 RBC Canadian Open set to return to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley

Purchase Tickets

Caledon, ON – Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Wyndham Clark and Max Homa have confirmed their commitment to compete June 4-8 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in the 2025 RBC Canadian Open.

Lowry, the 2019 Open Championship winner has won three times on the PGA TOUR along with four international wins. Lowry has played in two Ryder Cups; he was part of Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup winning side and competed on the 2020 team. In addition, he has represented Ireland at the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games. The world no. 12 ranked fan favourite will be making his seventh appearance at the RBC Canadian Open. His top finish was T2 in 2019, along with a T10 (2022) and T12 (2018). This season, Lowry finished as runner-up at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and has earned three top 10’s and seven top 25 finishes in 10 events.

Rose is an 11-time PGA TOUR winner and was the 2018 FedEx Cup champion and 2013 U.S. Open champion. The no. 14 ranked player in the world has also won 12 international tournaments and has represented Team Europe at the Ryder Cup on six occasions, winning four (2012, 2014, 2018, 2023). Rose also won the gold medal for Great Britain at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This season, Rose has earned a runner-up, three top 10’s and three top 25 finishes on the PGA TOUR. His runner-up finish came at the Masters Tournament, where he lost on the first hole of a thrilling playoff to Rory McIlroy. He is a three-time runner-up at the Masters. Rose will be making his sixth appearance in tournament history, he has finished T4 twice at the RBC Canadian Open, in 2004 and 2022.

Clark has won three times on the PGA TOUR, including the 2023 U.S. Open. Clark has represented the United States on three occasions including the Ryder Cup in 2023, the Olympic Games in 2024 and was part of the Presidents Cup winning side last September in Montreal. The world no. 15 ranked player will be making his fourth appearance in tournament history, his best finish at the RBC Canadian Open was T7 in 2022. This season, Clark has earned a top 10, and four top 25 finishes in 11 tournaments on tour.

Homa has earned six PGA TOUR victories in his career and has represented the United States on three occasions, at the Presidents Cup (2022, 2024) and the Ryder Cup in 2023. This season, Homa has earned a top 25 finish in 10 events on tour. A fan favourite on the PGA TOUR, Homa will be making his third appearance in tournament history.

“The RBC Canadian Open continues to be a significant event for golf in Canada, driving economic and community impact across the country,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “Each year, we raise the bar around the fan experience, and with a field featuring many of the world’s best golfers and recent champions, we can’t wait to see how this year’s tournament captivates audiences at home and around the world.”

The group is joined by eight in-season winners including, Thomas Detry (WM Phoenix Open), Brian Campbell (Mexico Open at VidantaWorld), Joe Highsmith (Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches), Garrick Higgo (Corales Punacana Championship), Andrew Novak (Zurich Classic of New Orleans), Ben Griffin (Zurich Classic of New Orleans), and previously announced 2023 RBC Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor (Sony Open) and two-time RBC Canadian Open champion and three-time winner on the PGA TOUR in 2025, Rory McIlroy (AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, PLAYERS Championship, the Masters Tournament).

A full Canadian contingent will also challenge for the national championship, led by PGA TOUR winners Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., Taylor Pendrith of Richmond, Hill, Ont., Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., and Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C. Also confirmed is Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont. The group will compete alongside Team RBC ambassadors, Sahith Theegala, Cameron Young and Sam Burns.

2024 RBC Canadian Open champion, Robert MacIntyre will also be defending his title at TPC Toronto. MacIntyre earned his first PGA TOUR victory last year in Hamilton, Ont. finishing at 16-under, one shot clear of Ben Griffin. MacIntyre has won twice on the PGA TOUR and has three international wins. He was part of Europe’s winning side at the 2023 Ryder Cup. This season, MacIntyre has two top 10’s and four top 25 finishes in ten events on the PGA TOUR.

Also accepting an exemption to compete is Canadian golf icon Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont. who will be competing in his 32nd RBC Canadian Open. By competing this year at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Weir will tie the all-time record for starts in Canada’s National Open Championship with fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George Cumming.

In addition to world class golf, fans at the 2025 RBC Canadian Open will be treated to the two-night SiriusXM Concert Series onsite at TPC Toronto featuring an all-Canadian line-up. As previously announced, multi-time JUNO Award winning bands Billy Talent and Sam Roberts Band will headline the concert series, with JJ Wilde and Ruby Waters set to open the two-night concert series.

Golf Canada is also proud to announce that TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley will host the 115th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship in 2026. The Doug Carrick designed North course underwent a major golf course renovation in 2023 led by architect Ian Andrew with consultation from the PGA TOUR for the course to host large-scale, global championship level competition. TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley is also the site for the future Home for Canadian Golf that will include Golf Canada’s national headquarters, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, First Tee – Canada national headquarters and a community accessible 18-hole putting green.

“We are incredibly excited to add four of the top players on the PGA TOUR to a growing field that will compete along side Rory McIlroy, defending champion Bob MacIntyre and a great Canadian contingent for our National Open Championship,” said Ryan Paul, Tournament Director, RBC Canadian Open. “We are equally as excited to announce that TPC Toronto will also play host to the 2026 RBC Canadian Open. The venue has established itself as one of the premier facilities in the country and as we look to build on the momentum of what will be a special championship in 2025, we are grateful to Chris Humeniuk and the staff at TPC Toronto for their commitment to hosting our prestigious National Men’s Open Championship.”

Tickets for the 2025 RBC Canadian Open are available here. Children aged 12-and-under get free admission with a ticketed adult.

Abbotsford B.C. – Yanling (Elaine) Liu of Vancouver, B.C. put the finishing touches on her wire-to-wire victory on Sunday while Maxim McKenzie of Chilliwack, B.C. secured a come-from-behind win to each take the 2025 NextGen Pacific Championship at Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford, B.C.  

Buoyed by a three-under 33 during Friday’s opening nine, Liu didn’t take her foot off the gas over the weekend, firing rounds of 68-69-70 to finish seven strokes better than her closest chaser, Amy Seung Heung Lee of Surrey, B.C.  

“I try my best to just stay in my own bubble and not think about it… I’m really proud of myself for trying to stay in my own bubble and not let other distractions get to me,” said Liu following her final round.  

Liu kept her composure on Sunday to claim an exemption into the 2025 Canadian Junior Girls Championship set to take place Aug 16-18 at Club de golf Sainte-Marie in Sainte-Marie, Que.  

After posting birdie at the difficult par-3 second, Liu flipped her name into red figures, before dropping back to even-par on her round with bogey at the fifth. The blemish went on to be just one of two mistakes Liu made in her final round on Sunday, playing the next 12 holes at one-under par despite finishing with bogey on 18.  

Liu used the word “meaningful” to describe what Sunday’s victory meant to her. Committed to taking her talents to the university level in a year’s time, Liu has eyes on grabbing more victories as a junior golfer in the near future.  

“Playing events like Golf Canada really affect me,” said Liu. “Ledgeview is a wonderful golf course and when I look back [on today] I won’t have any regrets.”  

The margin of victory was much slimmer in the Junior Boys division however, with McKenzie battling Manpreet Lalh of Nanaimo, B.C. for the title in the final pairing. The two British Columbians took turns with the lead despite Lalh sitting in a tie for first place alongside Team Canada NextGen member Austin Krahn of Christina Lake, B.C. when the day began.  

Starting his final round at even-par and two strokes behind the co-leaders, McKenzie vaulted all the way up the leaderboard with three birdies in his first five holes to lead Lahl by two strokes after the latter stalled out with an early bogey on the fifth hole.  

Meanwhile, Krahn, who also teed off in the final group, was unable to build around the 66 he carded in the second round, following a pair of bogeys on the front nine. The opening allowed Lalh to make a move on the back nine, grabbing a birdie at the 11th to move into solo first before being derailed by bogeys at holes 12 and 14.  

McKenzie definitively capitalized on his playing partners’ miscues with a timely birdie at the par-4 13th to regain his two-stroke lead. The back nine separated McKenzie from his chasers on Sunday to secure his first win in the NextGen Championship series, playing six of the nine hardest holes on the property at one-under par and taking advantage of the tournament’s most scorable conditions.  

“It means a lot to me,” commented McKenzie on his win Sunday at his home course. “All the hard work I put is paying off so just keep doing what I’m doing. Coming from behind is obviously great,” he added.  

The win is a long time coming for McKenzie at his home NextGen Championship after finishing back-to-back years in the top ten of the leaderboards including a T3 finish in 2024 at Summerland Golf & Country Club in Summerland, B.C. His final round four-under 66 is his best performance at the tournament and grants him automatic exemption into the 2025 Canadian Junior Boys Championship set to take place Aug 11-15 at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, N.B.  

“I knew I was close,” said McKenzie. “Actually, getting it done last year, coming in third, getting the win this week is pretty big in the right direction.”  

NextGen Pacific Championship – Advancing to 2025 Canadian Junior Boys Championship 

*Top 8 qualify 

NextGen Pacific Championship – Advancing to 2025 Canadian Junior Girls Championship 

*Top 8 plus ties qualify 

The circuit continues next week at Black Bear Ridge Golf & Resort in Belleville, Ont. for the playing of the NextGen Ontario Championship. Practice rounds will get underway on Wednesday, May 7, followed by 54-holes of golf set to kick off on Thursday May 8 and wrap up on Saturday, May 10.  

For the final leaderboards from the NextGen Pacific Championship, please click here.  

About the NextGen Championships  
The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.  

A.J. Ewart understands that golf is not a game that you could perfect, but it’s a game where you could learn and work hard to make continual improvements. Having that mindset has helped the talented young golfer achieve an impressive list of accomplishments as an amateur – and now, he is focused on translating that success onto the professional ranks.

Reflecting on his journey in golf, the soon to be 26-year-old is grateful to his father, Brad Ewart, for introducing him to the sport during his early childhood years and teaching him the fundamentals.

“My dad had me swinging the golf club as soon as I could walk.  He was a pro golfer and was also a golf instructor – so I guess you could say I was born into it. It’s always something I’ve been around,” the Golf Canada National Team member recalled.

“My earliest memory was playing in a tournament at the age of five or six and I remembered that I really enjoyed playing outdoors.”

Young A.J. found his passion in golf and worked hard to better his game.

“It’s like anything you do, if you want to get good at it, you have to give it a lot of time. But putting in that work was always something I enjoyed.  It didn’t seem like work because I always enjoyed the process of getting better,” he noted.

“Obviously, golf isn’t a game you could perfect but you want to get as good at it as possible.”

Ewart would enjoy success as a junior golfer but says he first realized he might be able to play the sport at a high level after being selected to Golf Canada’s amateur squad back in 2017.

“Golf Canada provides us with so many resources and tools that we are fortunate to have.

I credit Golf Canada for a lot of my success,” he pointed out.

Ewart also credits his time at Barry University in Miami, Florida for a big part of his development as a golfer.  During his time at Barry, the Canadian National Team member won a school record 14 times.  And in 2022, he earned the Jack Nicklaus award as the number one golfer in NCAA Division II.

“Barry University has a good program and it worked for other guys so I went out for a visit and talked to the coach there and was thankful that I did – and I think everything happens for a reason,” said Ewart, who graduated with a major in communications and a minor in sports management.

“My collegiate coach instilled a strong work ethic; and the warm weather meant we were able to compete year round,” he added about his time at Barry University.

“Winning a regional championship was cool. We never won a national championship but had a couple of good runs.”

Another notable accomplishment came at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in 2021 where he recorded a runner up finish to champion, Max Sekulic.

“It was definitely a bright spot in my amateur career. It’s always cool to compete for your national title.  I was competing against a couple of my good friends down the stretch so was a lot of fun,” Ewart noted.

Someone very familiar with Ewart’s game is Team Canada Assistant Coach, Louis Melanson.

“A.J. is eager to learn and works very hard. He’s also a very intelligent and mature young man and applies that to his advantage on the golf course,” said Melanson.

“A.J. won’t out drive you but he’s very consistent. He doesn’t quit. He’s good at adapting and finding his own way and does his best to get the job done.  He plays a similar style to Nick Taylor.”

Melanson adds that the five foot 11 inch Ewart is a student of the game and has the right attitude and all the skills to succeed as a professional. He notes that Ewart has already won twice as a professional in 2024 – at the Sandpiper Open and at the Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open.

“Winning last year was huge for A.J. as it gave him the confidence that he could win as a professional.  And now it’s just about playing in more tournaments, learning and gaining that experience.”

Ewart also acknowledged the significance of his wins as a professional last year.

“It meant a lot and it gave me confidence in knowing that when I play my best golf, I’m just as good as anybody.”

With the goal of playing on the PGA Tour one day, the talented young golfer says it gives him added confidence to see the success of so many Canadian players who have gone through the program.

“Seeing so many Canadians having success on the PGA Tour proves that the program works,” said Ewart.

“Obviously, we want to be where those guys are one day and it gives us motivation to continue to work hard to get to that point.”

Two-night concert series featuring all-Canadian headliners part of week-long festival atmosphere at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley

JJ Wilde and Ruby Waters join performance line-up
for two-night concert series

Purchase Tickets

Toronto, ON – Golf Canada and SiriusXM Canada are pleased to announce that Billy Talent and Sam Roberts Band will headline the SiriusXM Concert Series at the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

JUNO Award winning Canadian band, Billy Talent will be the headliner on Friday, June 6 followed by fellow JUNO Award winner, Sam Roberts Band on Saturday, June 7 as part of Canada’s Men’s National Open Championship. In addition, JJ Wilde will be opening night one and Ruby Waters will perform on night two of the concert series.

Hosted by SiriusXM Canada in partnership with Live Nation Canada and Golf Canada on location at the RBC Canadian Open, the two-night onsite concert series will continue to shine a spotlight on Canadian talent and artists.

“We’re proud to champion Canadian artists and to deepen connections between fans and the music, sports, and entertainment that define our culture,” said Rob Keen, SVP, Sales & Marketing, SiriusXM Canada. “These are core to who we are and what we do every day. Our continued partnership with Golf Canada gives us a uniquely Canadian opportunity to bring two national passions—music and sports—together in a way that truly resonates. The SiriusXM Concert Series is a great way to celebrate homegrown talent and create unforgettable moments both on and off the course.”

Billy Talent has been entertaining fans worldwide since forming in Mississauga, Ont. in 1993. The band has produced six studio albums and has won seven JUNO Awards along with earning 22 nominations. Billy Talent was among the top awarded artists in the history of the Much Music Video Awards (MMVA) with 10 awards. Billy Talent’s first two studio albums, Billy Talent and Billy Talent II both reached quadruple platinum certification from Music Canada, while Billy Talent III earned triple platinum certification.

“RBC Canadian Open is a world class event. As a couple of us are huge golf fans and golfers, we’re stoked to be able to perform at this year’s event which is bound to be a good one!” said Billy Talent frontman, Benjamin Kowalewicz.

Sam Roberts Band originally began in 2002 in Montreal, Que. and has performed across North America, Europe, Australia and Japan and at a number of festivals. In 2003, Sam Roberts released his first full-length album, We Were Born in a Flame, it went on to be certified Double-Platinum and won JUNO Awards for Album of the Year, Rock Album of the Year and Artist of the Year. Additional albums won JUNO Awards for Rock Album of the Year, including Chemical City (Platinum-certified) and Love at the end of the World (Gold-certified). The band has since release five additional studio albums, for eight in total with many singles toping the Canadian rock charts.

“The band and I are really looking forward to a great Saturday night and rocking out with music and golf fans alike,” said Sam Roberts.

JJ Wilde from Kitchener, Ont. won the Rock Album of the Year at the 2021 JUNO Awards, becoming the first female artist to win the award since Alanis Morissette in 1996. Wilde has released two studio albums, Ruthless (2020) and Vices (2024) along with three EP’s, Wilde Eyes, Steady Hands (2019), Wilde (2021) and Best of Me (Pt.1) in 2024.

Ruby Waters, a native of Shelburne, Ont, is a powerful artistic force set on a path that is wholly her own creation. Ruby’s music is an extension of her truest self—good times, good friends, and honest storytelling. As an independent artist, Ruby has amassed over 50 million streams, with her singles and two EPs, Almost Naked (2019) and If It Comes Down To It (2020), as well as a JUNO Award nomination for Alternative Artist of the Year in 2022 and 2024. Touring is where Ruby thrives, having previously sold-out headline shows across the US, Canada, Europe and the UK. Looking ahead to 2025, Ruby Waters is captivating fans with her full-length debut, What’s The Point, summer festival appearances, and headline tours, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

Along with the SiriusXM Concert Series and world class golf, fans will enjoy a week-long festival atmosphere at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. Highlighted by the iconic “Rink Hole,” fans can belt out their best rendition of “O’Canada” while watching the world’s best players up close. As well as enjoying premium food and beverage options and patio experiences in The Fare Way featuring The Keg.

“We are excited to announce an award winning all-Canadian line-up for the 2025 RBC Canadian Open,” said Ryan Paul, RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director. “Live music is a staple of the RBC Canadian Open and fans will have the opportunity to enjoy a day of world class professional golf followed by incredible live performances from Billy Talent, Sam Roberts Band, JJ Wilde and Ruby Waters at TPC Toronto this year.”

Tickets for Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 include full day access to the tournament and the SiriusXM Concert Series. The concert grounds will be located on the southwest side near the Heathlands course clubhouse at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. To purchase tickets to the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, please visit RBCCanadianOpen.com/tickets/.