RBC Canadian Open ready to tee off at Glen Abbey Golf Club
OAKVILLE, Ont. – The 109th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship gets underway Thursday with 156 of the world’s best golfers, including 21 Canadians and world No. 1 Dustin Johnson set to compete for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open trophy and the champion’s share of the $6.2 million (US) purse.
Johnson, an 18-time winner on the PGA TOUR, has had great success at Canada’s National Open Championship, finishing runner-up in both 2013 and 2016.
“It’s always good to come back here. I’ve had some success here and I enjoy coming and playing the Canadian Open, especially being an RBC ambassador,” said Johnson. “I get a lot of fans out here and they’ve been great the past few years.”
The world’s No. 1 golfer had high praise for the work superintendent Andrew Gyba and his team have done to get the course ready for the RBC Canadian Open.
“The course is in really good shape, probably the best shape I’ve seen it since I’ve played here,” added Johnson. “It’s going to be a good week.”
Johnson went on to talk about the recently announced date change for the RBC Canadian Open—moving to June 3 to 9 beginning in 2019—and the impact he anticipates it will have on the tournament.
“I think it’ll be good for the golf tournament. A lot of guys like to play the week before the U.S. Open, so you’ll definitely get some different guys,” said Johnson. “I think the field will definitely improve, even though this year I feel like we have a really good field at the tournament.”
PAIRINGS FOR ROUNDS 1 and 2
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.
INTERVIEW VIDEO, AUDIO AND TRANSCRIPTS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 25
Interview, audio and transcripts for the following players and events from Wednesday, July 25 are available here and video is available here. Please note the videos are unedited, uncut and broadcast-quality.
- Brooks Koepka
- Jhonattan Vegas
- Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Connors
- Dustin Johnson
2018 MEDIA GUIDE AND PLAYER PERFORMANCE BOOK:
Media can also download the 2018 RBC Canadian Open Media Guide for complete stats, records and historical information. Media can also download the 2018 RBC Canadian Open Player Performance Book which details individual player statistics from 1904-2017.
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.
RED AND WHITE DAY:
On Friday, July 27, we invite you to wear your brightest reds and your whitest whites to celebrate Canada and show your support for the Canadian players competing in our National Open. Canadian flags will be handed out at the main entrance while supplies last.
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.
Johnson, Hadwin excited to play in front of “hometown” crowds at RBC Canadian Open
OAKVILLE, Ont. – Dustin Johnson pulled on the Edmonton Oilers jersey with “Gretzky 99” on the back, lined up his shot and hit it over the water and on to the green at No. 7 on Glen Abbey Golf Club.
Jersey: 9⃣9⃣
Swing: ?@DJohnsonPGA pays homage to @WayneGretzky with an @Oilers jersey at “The Rink” during his @RBCCanadianOpen pro-am.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/NyVSspUOVz— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 25, 2018
American through-and-through, the RBC Canadian Open is Johnson’s home tournament by marriage, with future father-in-law Wayne Gretzky growing up in nearby Brantford, Ont.
But playing in a pro-am tournament on Wednesday morning, Johnson was encouraged to embrace his extended family’s sport of choice at Glen Abbey’s seventh hole, which has a tee box surrounded by hockey boards and tournament volunteers stationed at the hole wearing referee’s stripes.
“I’m sure Wayne had something to do with it,” said Johnson with a laugh. “They wanted us to wear our favourite hockey jersey when we hit the shot on No. 7 so I had the Gretzky jersey on.”
Johnson leads a highly competitive field that also includes U.S. Open winner Brooks Koepka, two-time RBC Canadian Open winner Jim Furyk, and top-20 players Tommy Fleetwood and Bubba Watson. Jhonattan Vegas, who has won the last two RBC Canadian Opens, is also back.
As world No. 1, Johnson always draws a big crowd. But the added boost of having family ties to hockey royalty makes him extra popular at the RBC Canadian Open.
“I get a lot of fans up here, thanks to Wayne. Thanks Wayne, I appreciate that,” said Johnson, who is engaged to Gretzky’s daughter Paulina. “I get a lot of fans and it’s great. It’s always fun to play for a big crowd, to have them cheering you on.”
Johnson will tee off with Watson and Canadian Adam Hadwin to start the first round on Thursday. Hadwin, ranked No. 55, is the top Canadian on the PGA TOUR this season. Although he’s from Abbotsford, B.C., he also sees the RBC Canadian Open as his hometown event, even if it’s more than 4,000 kilometres from home.
“It’s always exciting to come back in to Canada and play,” said Hadwin. “They love golf up here. They love supporting Canadians. I’m really just proud to represent them.”
Hadwin is one of 21 Canadians in the field at this year’s tournament, which also includes PGA regulars Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., and Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont.
Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., the 2003 Masters champion, and David Hearn, from Gretzky’s home town of Brantford, are other Canadians to watch.
Pat Fletcher of Victoria was the last Canadian to win the national championship in 1954, finishing at 8-under with a four-stroke lead at Vancouver’s Point Grey Golf Club.
“We all want to do well, we all want to play well,” said Hadwin. “I know it’s been a long time (since a Canadian won).”
The RBC Canadian Open’s undergoing major changes after this season. With Glen Abbey possibly slated for demolition, it could be the last time the Jack Nicklaus-designed course will be used for the event. Hamilton Golf and Country Club will play host next year.
It’s position on the PGA TOUR’s schedule is also being moved from mid-July, a week after the British Open, to early June, the week before the U.S. Open. The change in schedule will improve the strength of the RBC Canadian Open’s field as many golfers like to rest after the British Open.
“I like playing the week before (a major),” said Koepka. “I think it’s good prep to know where your game is at. I wouldn’t be surprised if the (Hamilton) golf course, they grow the rough up just to kind of imitate, I guess, Pebble Beach a little bit.”
Facebook Watch added to robust live coverage schedule for Canadians to view the RBC Canadian Open
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.
Kupcho grabs early lead at Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship
VANCOUVER, B.C. – Jennifer Kupcho shot a 7-under-par 64 during the opening round of the 105th playing of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Marine Drive Golf Club on Tuesday.
Kupcho, from Westminster, Colo., carded seven birdies and an eagle on the par 5 13thhole during her round. She was close to recording an eighth birdie on hole 9 but, unfortunately, the ball lipped out.
“I was hitting a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens, and just made a lot of putts. I was making putts from everywhere,” said Kupcho. “It’s a narrow course so I just tried to keep it straight.”
“The course was really scorable. I was surprised from the practice round yesterday, it seemed like it was going to be difficult, but today I came out and it was just a really scoreable course,” said the current No. 1 ranked amateur golfer.
The Women’s course record was beat earlier in the morning by Yealimi Noh from Concord, Calif.when she recorded a 5-under 66. Dylan Kim from Sachse, Tex. then tied Noh’s new record before Kupcho came in at 7-under to break the record for a second time.
The initial course record was a 4-under 68 set by Annika Sorenstam in 1992 when Marine Drive co-hosted the World Amateur Team Championships in Vancouver where Sorenstam won the individual title.
Yealimi Noh and Dylan Kim sit tied for second just two strokes behind Kupcho. Both players finished with 6 birdies and a bogey on their scorecards.
Two players sit tied in fourth place at 4-under: Alyaa Abdulghany from Newport Beach, Calif., and Gina Kim from Chapel Hill N.C.
Team British Columbia leads the inter-provincial competition after the team consisting of Naomi Ko, Mary Parsons and Christina Proteau shot a combined score of 2-over par. Team Ontario sits in second at 5-over par.
The 2018 Canadian Women’s Amateur title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and – along with the low Canadian – the CP Women’s Open at Wascana Country Club on August 20-26, 2018.
For full results click here.
Start times set for RBC Canadian Open Championship Pro-Am
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.
Ben Silverman would love to end Canada’s drought at RBC Canadian Open
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.
Gligic, Budd, Kim and Sutton secure final four spots into 2018 RBC Canadian Open
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. )
Sloan finishes in the top-ten at Pinnacle Bank Championship
ELKHORN, Neb. – Calgary’s Roger Sloan climbed up twenty-one spots to finish the Pinnacle Bank Championship in a tie for 10th.
Sloan had a strong bogey-free back-nine and carded a 66, the second lowest score of the day, to finish at 10 under.
All David Skinns’ four-year-old son, Brayden, wanted was a trophy. Skinns fulfilled his son’s wish on Sunday in Elkhorn, Nebraska, securing his first Web.com Tour win in his 65th career start.The 36-year-old from Lincoln, England birdied the 72nd hole at The Club at Indian Creek for a two-stroke victory at the second annual Pinnacle Bank Championship presented by Heartland Chevy Dealers. Skinns’ 16-under-par 268 total earned him a first-place prize of $108,000 and moved him from No. 132 to No. 33 on the money list.
“It’s been a really long journey,” said Skinns, during the trophy presentation. “I don’t want to say I didn’t think it could happen, but I’m 36 years old. I’ve been at it for a while and it was relief, complete relief that I finally got it done.”
Leading money earner Sungjae Im extended his advantage with a runner-up performance, his third of the season. Fellow Tour rookie and 2017 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada Player of the Year Kramer Hickok all but secured his PGA TOUR card with a solo third.
Skinns turned professional in 2006 after an outstanding collegiate career at the University of Tennessee where he was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year and a part of Europe’s winning 2003 Palmer Cup team. The father-of-two was poised for success in the professional ranks after racking up the accolades during his tenure in Knoxville.
It took a few years for Skinns to get settled in on the Web.com Tour. During his rookie season in 2012, the Suwanee, Georgia resident played in eight events, recorded three top-25s and ended the year No. 125 on the money list. He had similar results in 2014 with one top-10 in 11 starts and a 101st-place finish.
Fast forwarded to 2017 where Skinns needed a good week in Oregon to keep his Tour card for the following season. Entering the WinCo Foods Portland Open presented by Kraft Heinz at No. 115 on the money list, he delivered a runner-up performance that secured him a spot in the Web.com Tour Finals, but more importantly his Tour membership for the following season.
A week later, Skinns missed the first cut in the first Finals event and was poised for another breakout performance, this time at the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft Nabisco. After scores of 69-66, Skinns was T9 heading into the weekend and received a call that his wife, Kristin, was going into labor. He quickly withdrew from the tournament as the two celebrated the birth of their second son, Bennett.
“Having that happen in Boise last year, it feels good to have that pay off, “ he said. “I know I made the right decision, but to get a win kind of validates it.”
Skinns has been plagued with back issues for the better part of two years and last week, during the Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank, his back turned on him resulting in another weekend off.
“It’s been a long year,” said Skinns, who made six cuts in his first 16 starts. “I’ve had a lot of 30th-place finishes (where) I thought I was playing okay. I felt like I could win out here, came close in Portland last year and didn’t quite get it done.
“Just complete relief,” he continued. “I started thinking about my family and what they’ve been through this year. Because, it’s been a rough year so far. But it was a lot of emotion and it all came to a point.”
There is no question Skinns made the right call. Everything he’s gone through to get to this point has been for his family. The support he receives from Kristin has helped drive him to overcome multiple injuries and break through at the Pinnacle Bank Championship.
“My wife is so supportive,” he said. “She takes care of two kids and works a full-time job when I’m not there. For her to give me the opportunity to do this is what keeps me going. I owe it to her to give it everything I’ve got every day, and that’s what I try to do.”
Im continues to impress each week of his rookie campaign after securing his PGA TOUR card earlier this season. With the race for Player of the Year heating up, the 20-year-old from Jeju Island, South Korea turned in his third second-place showing and now leads Scott Langley on the Regular Season money list by more than $109,000.
“I’m very happy with the three runner-up finishes,” he said. “I honestly didn’t expect to be playing this well so early in my career. I thought I would spend at least two years on the Web.com Tour, so I’m very happy with my win and my three runner-up finishes.”
Augusta James finishes Danielle Downey T3
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.”
Pairings and start times set for 2018 RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier
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 109th 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.