MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ben Crane has waited so long to contend for another PGA Tour title that being patient through weather delays is no problem at all.

Staying atop the leaderboard into the third round helps.

Crane went more than 28 hours between competitive shots due to weather delays, and he was at 13 under with a four-stroke lead through six holes Saturday when another storm stopped play again at the St. Jude Classic.

“What an opportunity I have,” Crane said. “Certainly at the beginning of the week I never thought I would have been here, so I’ll just try to go home relax, get some food in me and sleep as fast as I can because we got to come back out at 7 a.m. and restart tomorrow.”

Troy Merritt, a group ahead of Crane, was at 9 under, with playing partner Peter Malnati at 8 under. Billy Horschel, Retief Goosen and Camilo Villegas were 7 under on their front nines.

Phil Mickelson, who hasn’t won in 19 straight events dating to the British Open, had pars on each of his first nine holes and was at 5 under. He’s one of many players using the event to tune up for the U.S. Open next week at Pinehurst.

Play stopped at 6:49 p.m. with officials hoping to have the leaders tee off for the final round by 9:10 a.m. Sunday, if they can avoid a fog delay like the one that delayed the start of play for an hour Saturday morning.

A storm Thursday forced 60 players to wrap up the first round Friday, and only 32 finished the second before two delays, the second for a thunderstorm that left water standing in fairways, bunkers and cart paths. The third round finally started at 3 p.m. with threesomes going off both tees. At least fans got to stick around all of Saturday afternoon after being sent home early the past two days.

Crane didn’t tee off until 4:50 p.m. Saturday after finishing up his second round at 12:18 p.m. Friday.

But this is Crane’s 300th career PGA Tour start, even though his last win was in 2011 at the McGladrey Classic. Crane said he can’t remember playing with a lead this late in a tournament it’s been so long.

He is putting well here this week, and he birdied his first hole to go to 13 under for the tournament as he rolled in a nearly 19-footer on the par-4 first. After hitting his approach into the rough behind the green on No. 2, Crane made a 12-footer to save par.

“Those are kind of critical putts right now, kind of keep the momentum going,” Crane said.

Merritt, who did not make a start on tour in 2012 or 2013 and missed his first six cuts this year, is the closest to Crane.

“Anything can happen on the final day when we’ve seen six-shot leads falter on the last day,” Merritt said. “If you can stay within a couple shots, that would be great. Anything can happen on Sunday on the PGA Tour.”

Mickelson tied for 49th last week in the Memorial following a visit from FBI agents and lingering questions about an insider-trading investigation. He never teed off at all Friday with the horn blowing for the second time with him at the No. 1 tee.

He said he couldn’t hit his irons close enough or his putts in his second round. He started bogey-birdie-bogey-birdie, though he birdied Nos. 14 and 15 to get to 5 under. He rolled in a 16-footer to save par on the par-5 16th and wasn’t happy at missing a birdie opportunity with the pin at the front of the green.

“I had a chance to get up and down,” Mickelson said. “I think if I had birdied 16 I might have gotten one more with a little bit of momentum. … I’m certainly not that far back, but I do need to get off to a quick start. I got to get a good front nine here this third round and get off to a fast start.”

Divots: Local favorite John Daly was among 71 making the cut at even par. Defending champ Harris English missed the cut along with Patrick Reed, Lee Westwood and David Toms, a two-time champ here. … David Duval withdrew after seven holes in his second round. He was at 7 over for the tournament. He was the 10th to withdraw since this event started.

Canada’s David Hearn, Brad Fritsch, and Stephen Ames all missed the cut.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ben Crane has waited so long to contend for another PGA Tour title that being patient through weather delays is no problem at all.

Staying atop the leaderboard into the third round helps.

Crane went more than 28 hours between competitive shots due to weather delays, and he was at 13 under with a four-stroke lead through six holes Saturday when another storm stopped play again at the St. Jude Classic.

“What an opportunity I have,” Crane said. “Certainly at the beginning of the week I never thought I would have been here, so I’ll just try to go home relax, get some food in me and sleep as fast as I can because we got to come back out at 7 a.m. and restart tomorrow.”

Troy Merritt, a group ahead of Crane, was at 9 under, with playing partner Peter Malnati at 8 under. Billy Horschel, Retief Goosen and Camilo Villegas were 7 under on their front nines.

Phil Mickelson, who hasn’t won in 19 straight events dating to the British Open, had pars on each of his first nine holes and was at 5 under. He’s one of many players using the event to tune up for the U.S. Open next week at Pinehurst.

Play stopped at 6:49 p.m. with officials hoping to have the leaders tee off for the final round by 9:10 a.m. Sunday, if they can avoid a fog delay like the one that delayed the start of play for an hour Saturday morning.

A storm Thursday forced 60 players to wrap up the first round Friday, and only 32 finished the second before two delays, the second for a thunderstorm that left water standing in fairways, bunkers and cart paths. The third round finally started at 3 p.m. with threesomes going off both tees. At least fans got to stick around all of Saturday afternoon after being sent home early the past two days.

Crane didn’t tee off until 4:50 p.m. Saturday after finishing up his second round at 12:18 p.m. Friday.

But this is Crane’s 300th career PGA Tour start, even though his last win was in 2011 at the McGladrey Classic. Crane said he can’t remember playing with a lead this late in a tournament it’s been so long.

He is putting well here this week, and he birdied his first hole to go to 13 under for the tournament as he rolled in a nearly 19-footer on the par-4 first. After hitting his approach into the rough behind the green on No. 2, Crane made a 12-footer to save par.

“Those are kind of critical putts right now, kind of keep the momentum going,” Crane said.

Merritt, who did not make a start on tour in 2012 or 2013 and missed his first six cuts this year, is the closest to Crane.

“Anything can happen on the final day when we’ve seen six-shot leads falter on the last day,” Merritt said. “If you can stay within a couple shots, that would be great. Anything can happen on Sunday on the PGA Tour.”

Mickelson tied for 49th last week in the Memorial following a visit from FBI agents and lingering questions about an insider-trading investigation. He never teed off at all Friday with the horn blowing for the second time with him at the No. 1 tee.

He said he couldn’t hit his irons close enough or his putts in his second round. He started bogey-birdie-bogey-birdie, though he birdied Nos. 14 and 15 to get to 5 under. He rolled in a 16-footer to save par on the par-5 16th and wasn’t happy at missing a birdie opportunity with the pin at the front of the green.

“I had a chance to get up and down,” Mickelson said. “I think if I had birdied 16 I might have gotten one more with a little bit of momentum. … I’m certainly not that far back, but I do need to get off to a quick start. I got to get a good front nine here this third round and get off to a fast start.”

Divots: Local favorite John Daly was among 71 making the cut at even par. Defending champ Harris English missed the cut along with Patrick Reed, Lee Westwood and David Toms, a two-time champ here. … David Duval withdrew after seven holes in his second round. He was at 7 over for the tournament. He was the 10th to withdraw since this event started.

Canada’s David Hearn, Brad Fritsch, and Stephen Ames all missed the cut.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ben Crane remained atop the leaderboard with his 5-under 65 good enough for a four-stroke lead once the weather-delayed second round finally ended Saturday at the St. Jude Classic.

Crane finished his first 36 holes Friday with a 12-under 128 total before a delay for lightning, then thunderstorms washed out play and closed the TPC Southwind course. Fog delayed the start of play Saturday morning for an hour, and the drenched course made for softer, more receptive greens though also stopping shots from rolling in the fairways.

Retief Goosen (66) and Camilo Villegas (64) were at 132. Peter Malnati (68) and Troy Merritt (66) were at 133 with Carl Pettersson (67) and Brian Harman (65) at 134.

Phil Mickelson shot a 68 after a bogey-birdie-bogey-birdie start. He was in a group of eight at 135 including Davis Love III (70), Billy Horschel (68) and Dustin Johnson (67).

The third round was set to start at 3 p.m. with players going off both tees trying to squeeze in as much golf as possible with more thunderstorms possible.

A delay Thursday forced 60 players to wrap up their first round Friday morning with only 32 finishing the second before a delay for lightning with 13 minutes of play squeezed in followed by the next delay for a thunderstorm. Fans were sent home for a second straight day, and players never went back out again with water standing in fairways, bunkers and cart paths.

Crane’s 36-hole total tied for the second best of his career and the 12 under matched Harris English’s winning score here a year ago. That left him a target that nobody could reach during the second round.

Villegas said he wasn’t thinking about Crane at all. He went out with a six-birdie round, finishing birdie-birdie on Nos. 17 and 18.

“There’s still half of the tournament to be played, and you got to focus on your game,” Villegas said.

Mickelson hasn’t won in 19 events dating back to the British Open, and he’s just one of the many in Tennessee trying to tune up for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst next week. He tied for 49th last week in the Memorial following a visit from FBI agents and lingering questions about an insider-trading investigation. He never teed off at all Friday with the horn blowing for the second time with him at the No. 1 tee.

He said he couldn’t hit his irons close enough or his putts. He birdied Nos. 14 and 15 to get to 5 under but had to roll in a 16-footer to save par on the par-5 16th. He wasn’t happy at missing a birdie opportunity with the pin at the front of the green.

“I had a chance to get up and down,” Mickelson said. “I think if I had birdied 16 I might have gotten one more with a little bit of momentum. … I’m certainly not that far back, but I do need to get off to a quick start. I got to get a good front nine here this third round and get off to a fast start.”

Pettersson was upset he couldn’t finish Friday, forcing him to set his alarm for 4:45 a.m. in order to finish his second round with a two-putt from 46 feet.

“It wasn’t too bad,” Pettersson said. “I just had to putt. I hit 30 minutes of putts on the putting green.”

Only 32 finished up the second round Friday, and Goosen was among the many playing a full 18 Saturday. He had an up and down round with seven birdies and three bogeys to pull within four strokes of Crane. He planned to go rest until his next tee time.

“Tricky some of these greens, this morning or afternoon,” Goosen said. “I don’t even know what the time is. It’s been a long day already. Overall very happy with the round yeah. I could have probably would have been nice to make another birdie coming in on the last three. I had my chances but (can) shoot pretty low again this afternoon to catch Ben.”

Divots: Local favorite John Daly was among 71 making the cut at even par. Defending champ Harris English missed the cut along with Patrick Reed, Lee Westwood and David Toms, a two-time champ here. … David Duval withdrew after seven holes in his second round. He was at 7 over for the tournament.

Canada’s David Hearn, Brad Fritsch, and Stephen Ames all missed the cut.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ben Crane’s back is OK, and his putter couldn’t be working much better.

The combination helped him shoot a 5-under 65 on Friday to open a six-stroke lead in the St. Jude Classic before heavy rain delayed play twice and forced the suspension of play for the day.

Crane birdied his final hole Thursday night for a 63 and rolled in a 44-footer for birdie to start the second round Friday morning. He had a 12-under 128 total at TPC Southwind, matching the winning score in relation to par last year.

“I certainly didn’t see this coming,” Crane said. “But you know when you’re putting well, I started to feel like I was a little more in control of my ball, just felt like I was tightening my draws and fades a little bit. I had access to some holes I haven’t this year and so gosh, it’s been an incredible two days.”

Crane has spent the past six months changing his swing to protect his back. A four-time PGA Tour winner, Crane’s last win came in 2011 at the McGladrey Classic and his best finish this year was a tie for ninth in the Humana Challenge in January. But he was in such pain he had a therapist with him for treatment during the round.

“It’s been a really, really hard year, racking my brain what’s going on, what’s going wrong and have I changed that much,” Crane said. “You start wondering, `Am I going to get it back.’ So this is super encouraging. My wife said last night, `looks like you still got it.’ Because you wonder. But anyway, it’s been a fun start.”

Carl Pettersson and Jason Bohn were tied for second at 6 under. Pettersson had one hole left, and Bohn had two to play. Davis Love III (70) and Billy Horschel (68) were in at 5 under.

Phil Mickelson and Retief Goosen were unable to start the second round. Mickelson, winless in his last 19 events since the British Open, opened with a 67 on Thursday, and Goosen had a 66.

Friday got off to a slow start with 60 players needing to wrap up the first round with the second started 40 minutes later.

Lightning delayed play at 1:03 for 59 minutes before play resumed for 13 minutes. Mickelson had just gotten to the tee when the horn blew again. Fans were sent home before a severe thunderstorm drenched the course, filling bunkers, fairways and cart paths with water.

Finally, play for the day was suspended just before 5 p.m. Players are due back at 7 a.m. so they can make the cut for the third round.

Love was glad to be done before the weather moved in even at 5 under, and he doubts Crane will run out to 24 under. This course where John Cook won at 26 under in 1996 was redesigned to a par of 70 after 2004.

“So he’s off to a great start and we’ll have to run him down,” Love said about Crane. “He’s a great putter, and these greens are perfect, so he’s got the advantage on us right now, but just hang in there.”

Crane had perfect timing for most of his rounds. He played most of the first round after the lengthy delay Thursday afternoon, which left nearly perfect scoring conditions with little wind and soft greens. He was in the first group off No. 1 starting the second round, and he birdied rolling in a putt with a break of more than 4 feet for the first of 24 putts.

He followed up his opening birdie by sinking a 22-footer for birdie on No. 7. He hit his approach from 147 yards out to 3 feet for birdie on No. 9 to reach 10 under through 27 holes. He sunk a 14-footer on the par-3 11th with the island green before rolling in a 9-footer for birdie on No. 13. His 8-foot birdie on the par-5 16th put him at 13 under.

But Crane hit into a bunker on No. 18 and missed a 7-footer to save par on way to his first bogey in two rounds.

“How do I keep this going?” Well, certainly just keep doing what I’m doing, and hopefully the same game shows up, and obviously continuing to putt well helps your score,” Crane said. “I think that’s the key.

This was the second straight round where fans were sent home early due to weather. Memphis hadn’t had a weather delay since 2010 when the first round was suspended due to lightning. This is the 16th tour event this season with either a delay or suspension due to weather or darkness.

David Hearn leads the Canadians in the field. He’s 2-under after one hole of his second round.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Phil Mickelson came to the St. Jude Classic wanting to tune up for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst by finishing strong.

He did just that Thursday.

Mickelson shot a 3-under 67, birdieing three of his final four holes in windy conditions before a thunderstorm softened up TPC Southwind. It was his first round in the 60s since the third round at the Wells Fargo Championship. He hadn’t shot below 70 since. He missed the cut at The Players Championship and tied for 49th last week in the Memorial following a visit from FBI agents and lingering questions about an insider-trading investigation. Lefty hasn’t won in 19 events dating to the British Open and is among the players in Tennessee tuning up for Pinehurst.

“I did exactly what I need to do and build some momentum that I need heading into the U.S. Open,” Mickelson said. “Tomorrow’s round, the same thing. Finish strong and play a good round.”

Ben Crane shot a 7-under 63 giving him the lead in the suspended first round, taking advantage of the 3 1/2-hour delay that left nearly perfect scoring conditions with no wind and rain-softened greens. He had five of his seven birdies on his final nine, the last a few minutes before play was suspended because of darkness.

Sixty players were unable to finish the round.

Peter Malnati shot a 65, and Billy Horschel also was 5 under with two holes left to play. Retief Goosen and Joe Durant each had a 66, while Stuart Appleby, Zach Johnson and Jason Bohn were on the course at 4 under. Appleby had a hole-in-one on the 157-yard eighth hole, using a 7-iron. That was his 17th hole, and the last one he completed.

Crane needed only 24 putts for his best round of the season, including a 27-footer for birdie on his final hole at No. 9 with only a handful of people watching because officials closed the course to spectators because of the high winds with the storm.

“We caught a huge break being on this side of the wave,” Crane said. “You know this is ideal Memphis weather. It’s as good as it gets. It was calm, barely any wind. The greens softened up. We were able to attack some of the pins.”

Mickelelson, who tied for second at Southwind last year, was among the 53 players who finished before play was delayed. Even with tricky wind Thursday morning, Mickelson said his focus on each shot was much better. He’s trying to better visualize the shot and curve his irons so that his approach shots land closer to the hole, giving him more tap-in opportunities.

Finishing with the three birdies in his final four holes was exactly what he wanted in a round with five birdies and two bogeys.

He hit his approach from 135 yards on the par-4 sixth to 5 feet and rolled in the birdie putt. He left himself longer putts with a 7-footer on the par-3 eighth and an 11-footer on the par-4 ninth, but knocked them in for his strong finish.

“I’ve been struggling with finishing the round strong,” Mickelson said. “I had a good round last week on Thursday and then played poorly. To birdie three of the last four made it a great round. That’s exactly what I need to do.”

Firm greens made it tough to land balls close, but Goosen credited them with helping him roll in some of his birdie putts. He sunk a couple from 5 feet or closer, but also had a couple birdie putts from 14 feet. Goosen also saved par on No. 7 with a 12-foot putt.

“The greens are as good as greens as you can get,” Goosen said. “The greens are rolling close to 13 on the stimpmeter. They are really good. You hit the right putt, they are going to go in.”

A seven-time winner on the PGA Tour, Goosen hasn’t won on tour since 2009. He has two top-10 finishes this year as he continues his comeback from back surgery in August 2012. He tied for third in Memphis in 2011 and said he really likes the course.

The three Canadians managed to complete their opening-rounds Thursday.

David Hearn shot a 2-under 68, Stephen Ames was 1-over after a 71 and Brad Fritsch was a shot back after a 2-over 72.

Robert Garrigus withdrew after hurting his wrist in the 18th fairway. He had a 79 that included three bogeys, a double and an 8 on the par-4 17th.

Players will resume the second round at 7 a.m. local time, with the second round starting approximately 40 minutes later.

Montreal, Que. (Golf Canada) – Excitement is quickly building towards the 2014 RBC Canadian Open, as 2013 champion Brandt Snedeker confirmed on a media teleconference this morning that he will be at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Île-Bizard, Que., July 21-27 to defend his RBC Canadian Open title.

Currently ranked No. 31 in the world and a member of Team RBC, Snedeker captured Canada’s National Open Championship by three shots last year at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. A six-time PGA TOUR winner and the 2012 Fed Ex Cup champion, Snedeker will lead the field of world class golfers into Royal Montreal for the 105th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship.

“I’m very excited to be heading to The Royal Montreal Golf Club to defend my title at the end of July,” Brandt Snedeker said earlier on a teleconference today “I’ve never been to the course but everybody that I’ve asked has great things to say about this historic venue. It was very special to me to win Canada’s Open Championship last year especially considering it is sponsored by one of my partners in RBC. Hopefully I’ll be able to have another strong showing in 2014.”

Golf Canada and RBC are also pleased to report that a number of notable names have indicated their intent to play the 2014 RBC Canadian Open. An interim list released today boasts golfers featured within the top echelon of the Official World Golf Rankings.

Joining Snedeker at Royal Montreal will be World No. 4 Matt Kuchar; World No. 12 Jim Furyk; World No. 16 Luke Donald; World No. 18 Graeme McDowell; World No. 38 Hunter Mahan and World No. 51 Ernie Els.

Canada’s Graham DeLaet, currently ranked No. 32 in the world will lead a Canadian contingent that includes World No. 88 David Hearn, Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir and recently announced Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Stephen Ames. The Canadian foursome will vie to see if one of them can become the first Canuck to capture the title since Pat Fletcher won the Canadian Open in 1954.

With many of the world’s best players excited about playing for Canada’s National Open Championship, RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bill Paul credits the engagement of title sponsor RBC as a driving factor.

“With the RBC Canadian Open less than two months out, we are very pleased with the strength of our field as it comes together,” said Paul. “This is a testament to the commitment of our partners at RBC in delivering a world-class event experience. And that’s exactly what golf fans can expect when the world’s best player’s tee it up at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in July.”

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE MEDIA TELECONFERENCE.

Family Day
New this year, Family Day on Saturday, July 26th will feature a ticket package especially aimed at families with activities onsite for parents and children to enhance the spectator experience at Canada’s National Open Championship. Family Day will include specially priced grounds passes that provide access to dedicated fan areas, kids’ golf activities and more. In addition to specially priced ticket packages on Family Day, children aged 17 and under gain free admission all week when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada
Also announced today, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada will continue to be the Official Charity Partner of the RBC Canadian Open. Now in its second year, this relationship will continue to support RMHC through a combination of program grants and various fundraising activities before and during the event.

“We are incredibly proud of our partnership with RMCH through the RBC Canadian Open,” stated Martin Thibodeau, President, Quebec Headquarters, RBC Royal Bank. “As an extension of our commitment to supporting youth and kids in Canada, this relationship will continue important work that was started in 2013 to specifically support the mental well-being of children and their families when they are facing some of the most vulnerable and challenging times in their lives.”

Players confirmed to compete in the 2014 RBC Canadian Open include:

Stephen Ames
– Four-time PGA TOUR winner, including the 2006 Players Championship
– Competing in his 17th RBC Canadian Open
– Inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2014

Graham DeLaet
– Currently ranked No. 1 in Canada, No. 32 in the world and No. 20 in the FedEx Cup standings
– Competing in his 6th RBC Canadian Open

Luke Donald
– Five-time PGA TOUR winner and winner of back-to-back BMW PGA Championships in 2011 and 2012
– Currently ranked No. 16 in the world and No. 40 in the FedEx Cup standings

Ernie Els
– 19-time PGA TOUR winner and 4-time major winner (1994 and 1997 U.S. Open, 2002 and 2012 Open Championship)
– Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame
– Currently ranked No. 51 in the world and No. 94 in the FedEx Cup standings

Jim Furyk
– 16-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2003 U.S. Open
– Two-time RBC Canadian Open champion (2006 and 2007)
– Currently ranked No. 12 in the world and No. 11 in the FedEx Cup standings

David Hearn
– Currently ranked No. 2 in Canada, No. 88 in the world and No. 62 in the FedEx Cup standings
– Competing in his 12th RBC Canadian Open

Matt Kuchar
– Seven-time PGA TOUR winner including 2014 RBC Heritage, 2013 World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship, 2013 Memorial Tournament and 2012 The Players Championship
– Currently ranked No. 4 in the world and No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings

Hunter Mahan
– Five-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2012 World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship
– Currently ranked No. 38 in the world and No. 61 in the FedEx Cup standings

Graeme McDowell
– Two-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2013 RBC Heritage and 2010 U.S. Open
– Currently ranked No. 18 in the world and No. 55 in the FedEx Cup standings

Brandt Snedeker
– Six-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2013 RBC Canadian Open and AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
– 2012 winner of the FedEx Cup
– Currently ranked No. 31 in the world and No. 113 in the FedEx Cup standings

Mike Weir
– Eight-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2003 Masters
– Inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2009
– Competing in his 24th RBC Canadian Open, currently ranked 98th in the FedEx standings

Canadians Earn Their Way to Montreal:
A number of additional Canadians will be attempting to qualify for Canada’s National Open Golf Championship in the coming weeks. Among those qualifying include players participating in RBC Canadian Open regional qualifiers, Canadians competing on the Web.com Tour, players ranked at the top of the PGA TOUR Canada Order of Merit as well as the PGA of Canada Order of Merit leader following the PGA of Canada Championship later this month.

Kevin Carrigan of Victoria, B.C. has secured his spot in the 2014 RBC Canadian Open thanks to his win at the 2013 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Additional exemptions for Canadian amateur and professional golfers competing in the 2014 RBC Canadian Open will be announced in the coming weeks.

VOLUNTEERS:
Golf Canada and the Royal Montreal Golf Club are pleased to announce that a number of volunteer positions are still available for golf enthusiasts to be a part of the RBC Canadian Open. In all, nearly 1,400 volunteer committee positions will contribute to the success of Canada’s National Open Golf Championship and anyone interested in applying can do so at www.rbccanadianopen.com.

TICKETS:
Grounds tickets for all days of Canada’s National Open Championship as well as a limited number of premium ticket packages are still available. A full list of ticket packages and pricing, including the new Family Day package, is available online at www.rbccanadianopen.com. Golf Canada and RBC are also please to offer free admission to children 17 year and younger who are accompanied by a ticketed adult.

(Montreal, Que.) – Excitement is quickly building towards the 2014 RBC Canadian Open, as 2013 champion Brandt Snedeker confirmed on a media teleconference this morning that he will be at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Île-Bizard, Que., July 21-27 to defend his RBC Canadian Open title.

Currently ranked No. 31 in the world and a member of Team RBC, Snedeker captured Canada’s National Open Championship by three shots last year at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. A six-time PGA TOUR winner and the 2012 Fed Ex Cup champion, Snedeker will lead the field of world class golfers into Royal Montreal for the 105th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship.

“I’m very excited to be heading to The Royal Montreal Golf Club to defend my title at the end of July,” Brandt Snedeker said earlier on a teleconference today “I’ve never been to the course but everybody that I’ve asked has great things to say about this historic venue. It was very special to me to win Canada’s Open Championship last year especially considering it is sponsored by one of my partners in RBC. Hopefully I’ll be able to have another strong showing in 2014.”

Golf Canada and RBC are also pleased to report that a number of notable names have indicated their intent to play the 2014 RBC Canadian Open. An interim list released today boasts golfers featured within the top echelon of the Official World Golf Rankings.

Joining Snedeker at Royal Montreal will be World No. 4 Matt Kuchar; World No. 12 Jim Furyk; World No. 16 Luke Donald; World No. 18 Graeme McDowell; World No. 38 Hunter Mahan and World No. 51 Ernie Els.

Canada’s Graham DeLaet, currently ranked No. 32 in the world will lead a Canadian contingent that includes World No. 88 David Hearn, Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir and recently announced Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Stephen Ames. The Canadian foursome will vie to see if one of them can become the first Canuck to capture the title since Pat Fletcher won the Canadian Open in 1954.

With many of the world’s best players excited about playing for Canada’s National Open Championship, RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bill Paul credits the engagement of title sponsor RBC as a driving factor.

“With the RBC Canadian Open less than two months out, we are very pleased with the strength of our field as it comes together,” said Paul. “This is a testament to the commitment of our partners at RBC in delivering a world-class event experience. And that’s exactly what golf fans can expect when the world’s best player’s tee it up at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in July.”

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE MEDIA TELECONFERENCE.

Family Day
New this year, Family Day on Saturday, July 26th will feature a ticket package especially aimed at families with activities onsite for parents and children to enhance the spectator experience at Canada’s National Open Championship. Family Day will include specially priced grounds passes that provide access to dedicated fan areas, kids’ golf activities and more. In addition to specially priced ticket packages on Family Day, children aged 17 and under gain free admission all week when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada
Also announced today, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada will continue to be the Official Charity Partner of the RBC Canadian Open. Now in its second year, this relationship will continue to support RMHC through a combination of program grants and various fundraising activities before and during the event.

“We are incredibly proud of our partnership with RMCH through the RBC Canadian Open,” stated Martin Thibodeau, President, Quebec Headquarters, RBC Royal Bank. “As an extension of our commitment to supporting youth and kids in Canada, this relationship will continue important work that was started in 2013 to specifically support the mental well-being of children and their families when they are facing some of the most vulnerable and challenging times in their lives.”

Players confirmed to compete in the 2014 RBC Canadian Open include:

Stephen Ames
– Four-time PGA TOUR winner, including the 2006 Players Championship
– Competing in his 17th RBC Canadian Open
– Inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2014

Graham DeLaet
– Currently ranked No. 1 in Canada, No. 32 in the world and No. 20 in the FedEx Cup standings
– Competing in his 6th RBC Canadian Open

Luke Donald
– Five-time PGA TOUR winner and winner of back-to-back BMW PGA Championships in 2011 and 2012
– Currently ranked No. 16 in the world and No. 40 in the FedEx Cup standings

Ernie Els
– 19-time PGA TOUR winner and 4-time major winner (1994 and 1997 U.S. Open, 2002 and 2012 Open Championship)
– Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame
– Currently ranked No. 51 in the world and No. 94 in the FedEx Cup standings

Jim Furyk
– 16-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2003 U.S. Open
– Two-time RBC Canadian Open champion (2006 and 2007)
– Currently ranked No. 12 in the world and No. 11 in the FedEx Cup standings

David Hearn
– Currently ranked No. 2 in Canada, No. 88 in the world and No. 62 in the FedEx Cup standings
– Competing in his 12th RBC Canadian Open

Matt Kuchar
– Seven-time PGA TOUR winner including 2014 RBC Heritage, 2013 World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship, 2013 Memorial Tournament and 2012 The Players Championship
– Currently ranked No. 4 in the world and No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings

Hunter Mahan
– Five-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2012 World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship
– Currently ranked No. 38 in the world and No. 61 in the FedEx Cup standings

Graeme McDowell
– Two-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2013 RBC Heritage and 2010 U.S. Open
– Currently ranked No. 18 in the world and No. 55 in the FedEx Cup standings

Brandt Snedeker
– Six-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2013 RBC Canadian Open and AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
– 2012 winner of the FedEx Cup
– Currently ranked No. 31 in the world and No. 113 in the FedEx Cup standings

Mike Weir
– Eight-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2003 Masters
– Inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2009
– Competing in his 24th RBC Canadian Open, currently ranked 98th in the FedEx standings

Canadians Earn Their Way to Montreal:
A number of additional Canadians will be attempting to qualify for Canada’s National Open Golf Championship in the coming weeks. Among those qualifying include players participating in RBC Canadian Open regional qualifiers, Canadians competing on the Web.com Tour, players ranked at the top of the PGA TOUR Canada Order of Merit as well as the PGA of Canada Order of Merit leader following the PGA of Canada Championship later this month.

Kevin Carrigan of Victoria, B.C. has secured his spot in the 2014 RBC Canadian Open thanks to his win at the 2013 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Additional exemptions for Canadian amateur and professional golfers competing in the 2014 RBC Canadian Open will be announced in the coming weeks.

VOLUNTEERS:
Golf Canada and the Royal Montreal Golf Club are pleased to announce that a number of volunteer positions are still available for golf enthusiasts to be a part of the RBC Canadian Open. In all, nearly 1,400 volunteer committee positions will contribute to the success of Canada’s National Open Golf Championship and anyone interested in applying can do so at www.rbccanadianopen.com.

TICKETS:
Grounds tickets for all days of Canada’s National Open Championship as well as a limited number of premium ticket packages are still available. A full list of ticket packages and pricing, including the new Family Day package, is available online at www.rbccanadianopen.com. Golf Canada and RBC are also please to offer free admission to children 17 year and younger who are accompanied by a ticketed adult.

DUBLIN, Ohio – Hideki Matsuyama made two huge mistakes coming down the stretch – and still walked away with a smile.

Matsuyama muscled his way into a playoff with a clutch birdie on the 18th hole, then beat Kevin Na with a par on the first playoff hole to win the Memorial Tournament on Sunday.

It was a victory that could mark the 22-year-old from Ehime, Japan, as the next big thing in international golf. He won in the elite event hosted and founded by Jack Nicklaus and played on his Muirfield Village layout. Nicklaus was also 22 when he broke through as a pro.

“To win my first PGA Tour event is enough, but to win it here at Mr. Nicklaus’ course, it really gives me a lot of confidence going (forward),” Matsuyama said through an interpreter. “Hopefully I’ll be able to use this week as a steppingstone to further my career.”

High drama unfolded over the last five holes with Bubba Watson, who won the Masters in April and should be among the favorites at the U.S. Open in 10 days, ahead of the pack.

Adam Scott, who won the Masters in 2013, was tied with Watson for the lead before hitting into the pond in front of the signature, par-3 12th, making double bogey. He made three more bogeys, costing him a follow-up to his win last week at Colonial.

Watson hit two wayward drives – one at the par-4 14th and another at the reachable par-5 15th – that turned the tournament into a free-for-all. The first resulted in a bogey that dropped him into a tie for the lead.

The second all but doomed his chances.

“(It was a) bad decision, trying to be a hero,” he said of his hooked rocket that ended up in the backyard of a million-dollar home that backs up to the course.

The double bogey dropped him a shot behind Na, who had completed the day’s low round – an 8-under 64 – about two hours earlier. Na had been relaxing in the clubhouse, two shots out of the lead and behind some of the biggest stars in the game.

Watson’s double opened the door for Matsuyama, who led Na by two strokes as he stepped to the 16th tee, a 201-yard par-3 with a narrow green on the other side of a large lake.

“I knew the wind was coming from the right,” Matsuyama said. “I just hit a bad shot.”

His iron shot plunked into the water a few feet short of the bank in front of the green. He ended up with a double-bogey and was suddenly tied with the idle Na, who instantly headed for the driving range.

Then Matsuyama’s second shot to the 17th hole went through the green and he made bogey.

But he came up big when he absolutely had to. His 313-yard drive on the uphill finishing hole left him 165 yards to the treacherous back pin. After he hit it, he tapped the ground with the driver and the head broke off. He just picked it up and stuffed it in his bag.

His approach ended up 6 feet below the pin. When he drilled it into the heart of the cup, he grabbed a spot in the playoff.

Still, Watson hadn’t been eliminated. He also needed a birdie at the 18th to join the fun. But his chip from the fringe rolled well past.

In the playoff, Na promptly hit his drive on 18 into the creek that runs along the left side of the fairway.

“I overcompensated and pulled it,” he said.

After a drop he hit an iron into heavy rough right and short of the green. From there he chipped on.

Meanwhile, Matsuyama, using his 3-wood instead of a replacement driver, hit into a bunker and then hooked his second into deep rough left of the green. But his flop shot came to rest 10 feet from the hole and he rolled in the speedy putt for the win.

“He hit an unbelievable putt,” Na said. “That was not an easy downhill-sloping putt.”

His first victory on American soil followed Matsuyama’s five wins on the Japan Golf Tour. He finished in the top 10 of two majors a year ago. He also gained valuable experience by playing Muirfield Village in the Presidents Cup last fall, when he was paired with Scott in four matches.

Nicklaus was asked about his tournament’s new champion.

“This young man’s going to win a lot of golf tournaments,” he said. “First one in the United States. Got to start somewhere.”

David Hearn carded 71 Sunday to move up 11 spots and finish the tournament in the group tied for 28th.

DUBLIN, Ohio -Bubba Watson has never been so happy at the Memorial. It helps to be in the lead.

Watson ran off three straight birdies on the front nine to overtake Paul Casey and wound up with his third straight round in the 60s on Saturday, a 3-under 69 that gave him a one-shot lead at Muirfield Village and a chance to win for the third time this year.

In eight previous appearances, Watson has never finished better than a tie for 23rd.

“I have a shot,” Watson said. “I’d like the same score tomorrow and let the boys beat me if they can beat me.”

Plenty of them should have a chance. With a bogey on the final hole, Watson’s lead shrunk to one shot over Scott Langley, who had a 67 to make it an all-southpaw final pairing Sunday. Langley has not been in the final group since his rookie debut two years ago in Honolulu.

The most famous Lefty, Phil Mickelson, had a 72 and was 10 shots out of the lead while coping with reports he is involved in a federal investigation of insider trading. Mickelson confirmed that FBI agents approached him after the first round this week. Otherwise, he went about his business on the golf course.

“It’s not going to change the way I carry myself,” Mickelson said. “Honestly, I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m not going to walk around any other way.”

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan made birdie on his last hole for a 69 and was two shots behind. Adam Scott, the No. 1 player in the world and coming off a win at the Colonial last week, made eagle on the 15th that sparked another surge up the leaderboard. With a bogey on the last hole, he had a 68 and still was only three shots behind.

“It’s going to be tough,” Scott said about his three-shot deficit to the Masters champion. “He’s playing great this year, and I just have to post a number. I’m in a good position where I can possibly post a number, and that makes life a little harder for the leader.”

The 36-hole leader had a tough enough time. Paul Casey, who started Saturday with a three-shot lead. That was gone in three holes when Watson made a pair of birdie, and Casey missed more than his share of putts that keep rounds together. He ended with a double bogey for a 76. He still was in range, however, part of a large group at 8-under 208 that included Jordan Spieth (67), Charl Schwartzel (67) and Byron Nelson winner Brendon Todd (69).

Watson already has won at Riviera and Augusta National this year. He has tried to make it a point of keeping golf fun – Bubba Golf, he likes to call it – instead of getting wrapped up in expectations.

He is scoring the way Muirfield Village allows, playing the par 5s in 11-under par through three rounds. That great run ended on the par-5 11th when his drive found the water, he chose to lay up because of the front hole location and missed his 12-foot par putt. He followed by missing birdie chances of 7 feet on the 13th hole and 3 1/2 feet on the 14th hole, a chance to build some separation.

But he rolled in a 12-foot birdie on the 15th and was back in control until the 18th. Watson pulled his approach well right of the green, and his chip ran through the green and into the fringe against the collar. Using a fairway metal to chip, it appeared that the club moved his ball before the stroke, though Watson says he didn’t touch it and television replays made it clear that the ball didn’t leave its position.

Langley doesn’t hit the ball as long as Watson. His game is about efficiency and control, and he has shown that by taking a streak of 40 straight holes without a bogey into the final round. Much like Watson, he saw the simple pleasures of a round at Muirfield Village.

“Any time you shoot in the 60s here, pretty happy about it,” Langley said. “Tough place.”

Langley grew up in the Midwest and went to school at Illinois. He has played plenty in the Columbus area in college and says he “never cracked an egg” whether he was at the Scarlett Course at Ohio State or Scioto. The good news for Langley? Muirfield Village is in Dublin.

DUBLIN, Ohio – Paul Casey expected to be chasing someone Friday in the Memorial, figuring it would be Rory McIlroy.

After two holes, Casey had the lead to himself at Muirfield Village, and that was only the start of another big day. He took advantage of the par 5s for another 6-under 66, giving him a three-shot lead over Masters champion Bubba Watson going into the weekend.

McIlroy, whose 63 was the lowest first round in the 39-year history of the tournament, was barely in the picture. He was 15 shots worse with a 78, courtesy of three straight double bogeys and his fourth straight PGA Tour event with a nine-hole score of 40 or higher. McIlroy went from a three-shot lead to nine shots behind.

“To be honest, I thought I was going to be playing a round to try and maybe catch a couple of guys,” Casey said. “I woke up checking the scores to see what Rory was going to be. That’s really what I was going to be doing — see how many under I was going to have to try to shoot to chase. Obviously, that didn’t happen.”

Casey, taking another step on a long road back from injuries that nearly derailed his career, was at 12-under 132.

He made his first birdie with his best drive of the day on the par-5 11th, setting up a 4-iron onto the green for a two-putt birdie. He made eagle on the par-5 15th hole for the second straight day, and he stuffed it close around the turn for birdies to start pulling away from the field.

Watson gave him a good run in an active round that featured six birdies, five bogeys and an eagle. He only was angry at a few shots where he failed to concentrate. Even so, a bogey-bogey finish wasn’t enough to entirely ruin his day. Watson has never finished better than 23rd in eight previous appearances.

“I can’t look at the bogeys,” Watson said. “I’ve got to look at where I’m at. If you told me it’s my best two days around this golf course, I’d take it.”

Chris Kirk (70) was four shots behind. Hideki Matsuyama (67) and Martin Flores (68) were five back.

Adam Scott, who won Colonial in his debut at No. 1 in the world, shot 70 and was at 5-under 139, still in the mix depending on how Casey fares on the weekend. Phil Mickelson was happy to get in two more rounds. He shot a 70, though he was 10 shots back.

Casey, once a Ryder Cup regular who reached as high as No. 3 in the world, is slowly getting his game and his life back in the right place. He endured injuries to his shoulder and his toe that kept him winless for more than two years. He went through a divorce. He wondered if he would ever return to the brand of golf he was capable of playing.

Weeks like this offer promise.

Casey won the Irish Open a year ago with what he called “spectacular” golf. The game is still there.

“It’s slowly crawling along and making progress, climbing back up the ladder, however you want to phrase it,” Casey said. “It’s very difficult when you’ve played to a certain level and then … I genuinely had no clue how to play to that level.

“Luckily, I didn’t think about that too long.”

His life is back in order. Casey is married to British television presenter Pollyanna Woodward. They are expecting their first child (a boy) in September. He talks about having perspective, knowing where golf fits on his list of what’s important.

His golf has looked familiar over the last two days.

McIlroy could say the same. Except for last week at the BMW PGA Championship in England, which he won with birdies on the last two holes, McIlroy’s good golf has been stalled by bad patches, and Friday was no exception.

In fact, it nearly has become the rule.

He shot a 43 on the back nine – he started the round at No. 10 – making this the fourth consecutive PGA Tour event where he shot at least 40 over nine holes. All of them have been in the second round.

McIlroy twice hit the trees on the 13th hole and made double bogey. He hit into the water on the 14th for double bogey. And then he double-hit a wedge on the 15th to make it three straight double bogeys.

“These little runs I’m getting on where it gets away from me, I was able to avoid that last week,” McIlroy said. “Not so much this week. Even though I had such a bad day, I’m still in with a chance depending on what the guys do this afternoon. So going into the weekend, not exactly where I want to be. But it could be worse.”

Casey simple made it a lot harder.