TORONTO, Ont. – Mackenzie Hughes had a solid start at St. George’s Golf and Country Club, shooting a four-under par 66 after the opening round of action.

“It feels great. The excitement and the buzz seem to be here and I know after three years of not playing the tournament, everyone’s pretty excited about it, so we share that same feeling,” said Hughes. “I know the Canadian players I talked to are all really excited to be here. It’s a different week for us because we don’t get to feel, I don’t do press every week on PGA TOUR, so it’s kind of neat, I kind of relish the opportunity to do it and hopefully have a great week and get the fans behind me on Sunday.”

The Dundas, Ont., native, who was paired with fellow Canadians Adam Hadwin (-1) and Mike Weir (+2), is T5 alongside Rory McIlroy, Lee Hodges, Tony Finau, Patrick Rodgers and Jonas Blixt.

Leader Wyndham Clark boarded the birdie train in the early stages of his opening round at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open and rode it all the way to the top of the leaderboard.

The Denver, Colorado native experienced few speedbumps along the way, carding a seven-under par 63 to claim the outright lead after Thursday’s highly anticipated opening round at St George’s Golf & Country Club.

Clark, who started his day on the back nine, poured in five birdies on his opening nine holes and added a pair coming in, in a bogey-free first round effort – one he felt he deserved.

“I just had the putts fall,” said Clark. “That’s all I felt I’ve needed all year was just a little jump start like this where I see some putts and it’s okay, I’m doing the right things, and I’m finally getting rewarded for all the hard work.”

This is Clark’s third appearance at the RBC Canadian Open. He missed the cut in each of his previous two showings. The 28-year-old says he hopes the momentum from round one snowballs further into the week and beyond.

“I’ve been trending in the right direction, and today it all kind of came together,” said Clark. “I’m really hoping that we keep going this week with that and leading into next week at the U.S. Open and for the rest of the summer. My game feels good.”

Matthew Fitzpatrick also jumped out to a quick start at the National Open, registering a six-under par 64 for sole position of second place. Fitzpatrick was firing on all cylinders out of the gate, notching four birdies in as many holes to start his round and steadied the ship the rest of the way.

“Growing up, I’ve always been kind of more of a straighter player and solid putter,” said the Englishman. “To me round here, it’s just about giving myself plenty of chances to get shots off the fairway to give myself chances for birdie. Today I did that well.”

Doug Ghim and Harold Varner III rounded out the top-three with a pair of five-under par performances at St George’s.

“If you’re hitting it in the fairways and you’re attacking the greens, you can post a low one. But if you’re just a yard off, you’re scrambling for par very quickly,” said Ghim. “I put the ball in play for most of the day and hit a lot of greens. Felt pretty dialed on the greens too, so that always helps.”

“Obviously every week you go on the PGA TOUR, you want to play well, but playing well in front of the home fans and your friends and family, it’s hard to describe how good that feels. So when you’re out there and you’re making birdies and having a good round, it just feels that much better,” said Hughes.

Second round tee times are scheduled to begin at 6:40 a.m. For the full list of Friday’s pairings, click here.

See below for an all-Canadian leaderboard.

TORONTO – The RBC Canadian Open tees off at St. George’s Golf and Country Club on Thursday morning. It’s the first time the men’s national golf championship has been held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are five thing to know about the tournament:

REPPING THE MAPLE LEAF

There are 20 Canadians in the field, more than any other PGA Tour event, increasing the likelihood of a Canadian winning the national championship for the first time since Pat Fletcher did it in 1954. Canadian golf fans will want to pay attention at 7:02 a.m. local time when an all-Canadian trio featuring Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., tee off together.

SMALL FOOTPRINT

At 165 acres St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto’s west end is one of the smallest courses on the PGA Tour this season. Returning champion Rory McIlroy noted on Wednesday how tight the grandstands were to some of the fairways, meaning spectators will be right in on the action.

ROUGH STUFF

The U.S. Open is renowned for its long rough and, as the event preceding the third major of the men’s golf season, the Canadian Open is following suit. Several players remarked on the deep rough at St. George’s on Wednesday, including McIlroy, who won the American national championship in 2011.

BEST CANADIAN IN EUROPE

Aaron Cockerill has consistently been the best Canadian on the European-based DP World Tour. Cockerill, from Stony Mountain, Man., is currently ranked 42nd on the circuit that takes in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Despite his international success, it will be the 30-year-old’s first appearance at a Canadian Open as a professional.

SUMMER’S OPEN

The Canadian Open is being positioned by the PGA Tour, Golf Canada, and their partners as the unofficial opening of summer. Part of that is creating a festival atmosphere. Concerts headlined by rapper Flo Rida and pop group Maroon 5 will be held on Friday and Saturday night at nearby Richview Collegiate Institute. The Rink, a hockey-themed feature hole, will return with arena boards surrounding the tee box and goalie helmets marking the tee.

Rory’s Lucky Loonie

Defending RBC Canadian Open Champion Rory McIlroy doesn’t need luck on his side when it comes to his golf game. The Northern-Ireland native has notched five top 10 finishes this season – including a second-place finish at The Masters – bringing his total PGA TOUR career victories to 20. However, some would argue that a little extra luck never hurts.

During the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, McIlroy tried on a Canuck superstition when marking his ball for the week – the lucky loonie. Shooting 22-under-par 258 in 2019 (the lowest 72-hole score ever carded at the event), it’s a superstition he’s keeping as he chases back-to-back RBC Canadian Open titles for the 111^th playing of the historic tournament.

“I turned up to the locker and there was already one in my locker,” said McIlroy. “And then one of my pro-am partners give me one this morning on the first green as well. So I’m loaded with loonies this week. Yeah, so, yes, I will use it, for sure.”

The lucky loonie tradition became famous during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City when the one-dollar coin was embedded into centre ice by a Canadian maintenance crew to bring luck to the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. After both squads claimed gold medals, the tradition became a sensation for Canadian sports pursuits across the country and has been going strong ever since.  

 It comes as no surprise that McIlroy, a self-professed fan of history, would partake in the now-iconic tradition.

“One of the great things about our game is you can in some way compare yourself to historical figures. Figures that I’ve never met before, but I look at a trophy that my name’s on and Walter Hagan’s name is on there or Gene Sarazen or Byron Nelson or Ben Hogan or Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer or whoever it is,” said McIlroy.  “And I think that’s one of the coolest things about our sport that not a lot of other sports can sort of tap into. As a golf historian and traditionalist, I like that stuff. I like sitting down with the Claret Jug at home and looking at the names on the trophy. Like that is so cool. And you look at the Canadian Open trophy and you look at the names that are on that. You’re putting your name in history by winning these national championships.”

Rory will seek to defend his title as the first round of the tournament commences tomorrow.

Corey’s Canadian Coffee

Corey Conners needed a taste of home, and he got it – literally. There’s nothing that yells ‘Canada’ quite like Tim Horton’s and there are few people on TOUR who know that better than the Listowel, Ont. native. The Canadian honoured his citizenship with a visit to the renown coffee shop as soon as his plane touched down in Toronto and, suddenly, he was home again.

“That reminds me I’m home. I think that’s the first stop every time I get back to Canada. Don’t know what it is about it, but that makes me feel like I’m at home,” Conners said.

His order: one cream, one sugar. “Don’t mind an apple fritter [either],” he added.

Mac’s Caddie Shack

Before Mackenzie Hughes played in the RBC Canadian Open Championship Pro-Am, he caddied in it – or at least tried to. Mike Weir served as the ultimate distraction for the 13-year-old Hughes who he walked alongside down the fairways of Glen Abbey Golf Course at the 2004 Pro-Am event. Unfortunately for Hughes, the fairway wasn’t where he needed to be.

“I just did a horrendous job caddying that day because I was so intrigued by just being close to Mike and trying to ask him a question here and there,” said Hughes. “Then my player would be over here in the rough and I’m like, ‘Oh, sorry,’ just nowhere near him.”

Luckily for Hughes, his playing skills make up for his lackluster caddying.  

Full press release transcripts here.

TORONTO, Ont. – Patrick Flavin beat the rush hour traffic but Braden Thornberry, Brad Adamonis and Jeff Kang got caught in the thick of things at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier on Monday. Thankfully for them, the highway to St George’s Golf and Country Club opened up quickly.

Thornberry, Adamonis and Kang survived a 4-for-3 playoff at Oakdale Golf & Country Club to secure three of the final four spots at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-12, at St George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Ont.

The trio of Americans, who registered rounds of two-under par 69 in regulation, made their pars on the second playoff hole to settle a four-way tie. Piercen Hunt did not make it through.

Flavin carded a three-under par 68 earlier in the day to dodge the madness and punch his ticket to the National Open Championship.

The Chicago, Illinois native was one-over after the front nine but turned things around down the stretch to fire the low round of the day.

“You’re never as far out of it as you think,” he said. “There’s been a couple shockers this year where it’s not as low as you think, especially with this course being so hard. I figured anything under par was going to be a really good score, so three-under when I finished, I felt really good about.”

Flavin is no stranger to Monday qualifiers. The 18-hole stroke play tournament in Toronto, Ont. marks his fourth entry into a tournament via the final qualifier this season, and his sixth total PGA TOUR event in 2022.

“When you Monday in it’s kind of a little bit of a whirlwind because there’s so much to get done, but I think I’ve developed a good formula for what is going to allow me to play well and have a lot of energy on the weekend,” said the 26-year-old.

Adamonis found the greenside bunker on the second playoff hole but for him, that was just as good as hitting the green.

“Long ago, I had a bunker in my yard and I’m like, ‘I’ve hit these a million times, this is an easy shot,’” Adamonis told himself. “I felt comfortable, I didn’t even think about it, and I hit a good shot,” added the 49-year-old journeyman.

The RBC Canadian Open will be Adamonis’ first start on TOUR since the 2021 Valspar Championship.

Thornberry was rolling at Oakdale, sitting at four-under par thru 14 holes but bogeys on No. 16 and 17 forced him down into a T2 position and into the thick of things on the leaderboard but the former Ole Miss Rebel was able to collect himself and prevail.

“I think I had the best round going through 14 holes […] I feel like I was playing really good but kind of didn’t play well coming in, so it was nice to still get through and not have that cost me at all,” said Thornberry.

Thornberry’s first trip to Canada has already been memorable and the Germantown, Tennessee native will look to add to the memories when he tees it up on Thursday.

Flavin, Thornberry, Adamonis and Kang complete the starting field of 156 that will compete for the $8.7 million purse at St George’s Golf and Country Club. Click here for the full list of competitors.

Click here for full results of the RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier.

For tickets to the 2022 RBC Canadian Open click here.

MILTON, Ont. – Jonas Blixt has always struggled with overthinking on the golf course.

But the Swede cleared his mind on Monday for two rounds to finish atop the leaderboard in a U.S Open qualifying tournament at RattleSnake Point Golf Club. Blixt was tied for the lead after the day’s opening round and finished the day alone at No. 1 with an overall score of 10 under.

“Today I was just going to go out there and not think too much technically, and just play,” said Blixt with several players still out on the course. “I had some gnarly shots, but I saved myself and made some putts and things are going a lot better with my game.

“It was nice to see that today no matter what happens.”

Blixt is playing this season on a major medical extension. He’d missed several weeks of the PGA Tour season before competing in Monday’s qualifier and found playing 36 holes in a single day tiring.

Fortunately for him, the forecast called for heavy rain on Tuesday, giving him a ready excuse to miss practising at St. George’s Golf and Country Club to prepare for this week’s RBC Canadian Open.

“I’m going to be in my bed for a long time,” said Blixt with a laugh.

England’s Callum Tarren and Japan’s Satoshi Kodaira tied for second a shot back of Blixt to earn the other two U.S. Open berths.

It’s only the second time a U.S. Open qualifier has been held in Canada, with RattleSnake Point also hosting the event in 2019.

Jared du Toit of Kimberley, B.C., had to settle for one of two alternate spots after he bogeyed No. 18. Derek Bard of the U.S. took the other alternate spot for the third major of the men’s golf season, tying du Toit at 7 under.

Du Toit earned the first alternate position ahead of Bard after a three-hole playoff in the driving rain. That put du Toit in a solid position to still play in the U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., June 16-19.

“Oh it was not fun, especially bogeying my last hole to cause all that. It was kind of a punishment for bogeying the last hole,” said du Toit of the playoff. “I’m very fortunate that bogey didn’t really cost me and I was able to give myself some good looks in the playoff and then convert with a birdie.”

Three players withdrew from the qualifier on Monday morning, reducing the field to just 22 players despite having three berths at the prestigious U.S. Open on the line. There were eight other qualifiers happening across the U.S. on Monday, with the field in Canada the smallest.

“When I heard there was 27 players I thought there’d be only one spot and then to hear three I was like ‘holy moly!” said Tarren, who was originally scheduled to play in the qualifier at The Club at Admiral’s Cove in Jupiter, Fla., on Monday.

“But my caddy was like, ‘you may as well play in Canada because we’re playing the Canadian Open this week.’ So I changed it and it’s paid off.”

There were nine Canadians playing at RattleSnake Point. Toronto’s Riley Goss tied for sixth at 6 under and Michael Gligic of nearby Burlington, Ont., tied for 12th at 4 under.

Du Toit said that having a U.S. Open qualifier on the Monday before the Canadian Open and only a short drive away is helpful for growing the sport in Canada.

“It’s a great fit in the schedule with the Canadian Open being here,” he said. “The strength of field is great, which a lot of guys really liked.”

David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., and amateur Owen Mullen of Truro, N.S., who were paired together, tied for 15th at 3 under.

Branson Ferrier of Barrie, Ont., was 18th at 2 under, Brendan Leonard of Cambridge, Ont., was 19th at 1 under. David Li Sheman of Aurora, Ont., and Hamilton’s Michael Blair tied for 20th at even par.

Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to announce the final field vying for the US$8.7 million purse at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-12 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in partnership with nearby Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility. 

After a wait of 1,093 days and two years of cancellation due to the global pandemic, 2019 champion and world no. 7 Rory McIlroy returns to Canada looking to defend his title against a stellar field of PGA TOUR stars led by world no. 1 and 2022 Master champion Scottie Scheffler, world no. 3 and 2022 The Players champion Cam Smith, world no. 4 and 2022 PGA champion Justin Thomas and world no. 9 Sam Burns, a 3-time PGA TOUR winner in 2022.

Other notable additions to the field for the 111th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship include world no. 15 Matthew Fitzpatrick, world no. 16 Tony Finau, world no. 23 Tyrell Hatton and big-hitter Cameron Champ along with past Major winners, Shane Lowry, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Jason Dufner and Danny Willet. 

Team RBC will be represented at St. George’s by a collection of international and Canadian talents including world no. 38 Harold Varner III and 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion Brandt Snedeker along with world no. 34 Corey Conners and fellow Canadian PGA TOUR players Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Hadwin, Nick Taylor, Roger Sloan, Michael Gligic, Adam Svensson, and Taylor Pendrith.

The field for the celebrated return of the 2022 RBC Canadian Open includes five of the top-10 players in the world (Scheffler, Smith, Thomas, McIlroy, and Burns) and the top-four players on the current FedEx Cup ranking. Seven major championship winners (accounting for 11 titles) will compete along with eight 2021-22 PGA TOUR in-year winners, six past champions of the RBC Canadian Open, and 21 Canadians. 

“We are extremely pleased with the field of world-class competitors that make their way to Canada to join us in the celebrated return of the RBC Canadian Open and challenge for the 111^th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bryan Crawford. “Led by our defending champion Rory McIlroy, this year’s championship features a strong mix of stars from all around the world and the deepest field of Canadian talent ever to challenge for our National Men’s Open title. Along with great golf, fans will be treated to an incredible festival environment with terrific on-site activities including the Recipe Unlimited Fareway food and beverage experience and the RBCxMusic Concert series featuring Flo Rida (June 10) and Maroon 5 (June 11). It is the return that Canadian golf fans deserve as we get set to kick off summer.” 

In total, 156 players will compete for the US$8.7 million purse next week in Toronto when the RBC Canadian Open returns to the storied Stanley Thompson design for the sixth time and first since 2010. 

Due to current Government of Canada travel restrictions extending beyond June 1, Team RBC ambassadors Webb Simpson and Matt Kuchar are not able to participate in the championship and have officially withdrawn from the 2022 RBC Canadian Open. Golf Canada and RBC look forward welcoming Simpson and Kuchar back to Canada for the 2023 RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club.

Click here for a full field list for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open.

PGA TOUR Season Winners…

A total of eight in-year PGA TOUR winners accounting for 14 PGA TOUR titles in 2021-22 will compete at St. George’s led by 4-time winner Scottie Scheffler, 3-time winner Sam Burns, and 2-time winner Cam Smith. Other in-year PGA TOUR winners in the field include Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Luke List, JJ Spaun, and Chad Ramey. 

Past Champions…

Six past RBC Canadian Open champions will compete at St. George’s including Chez Reavie (2008), Sean O’Hair (2011), Scott Piercy (2012) Brandt Snedeker (2013), Jhonattan Vegas (2016-17) and defending champion Rory McIlroy (2019). 

Twenty-one Canadians to compete for their National Men’s Open Title…

Current PGA TOUR players Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Hadwin, Nick Taylor, Adam Svensson, Michael Gligic, Taylor Pendrith and Roger Sloan will lead a talented roster of 21 Canadians competing in the RBC Canadian Open. The 2022 event welcomes home a legend as 8-time PGA TOUR and Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Mike Weir will make his 29^th start in the RBC Canadian Open. Other Canadians competing on exemption include David Hearn, Aaron Cockerill, Stuart MacDonald, Albin Choi, Myles Creighton, Jared du Toit, Brendan Leonard, Wes Heffernan, Callum Davison, and Max Sekulic along with Team Canada amateurs AJ Ewart and Johnny Travale. 

Final Tournament Exemptions to be Named…

The final four exemptions into the field for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open will be handed out at the Monday Qualifier on Monday June 6, to be played at Oakdale Golf and Country in Toronto, host site of the 2023 and 2026 RBC Canadian Open. 

Click here for the full current list of competitors competing in the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-12 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in partnership with nearby Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility. 

Tickets for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open are available here.

Golf Canada and RBC confirmed today that 8-time PGA TOUR winner and Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Mike Weir has accepted an exemption to compete in the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-12 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto. 

With the appearance, Weir, the 2003 Master champion and past winner on PGA TOUR Champions who recently finished T4 at the 2022 Senior PGA Championship, will be making his 29^th start in the RBC Canadian Open, third-most in tournament history behind fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famers George Cumming (32) and Gordon Brydson (30).

Also accepting an exemption to compete in the 111^th playing of the Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship are PGA TOUR veteran David Hearn of Brantford, Ont. as well as Winnipeg, Man. native Aaron Cockerill who currently sits 40^th on the DP World Tour ranking. Hearn will be competing in his 18^th RBC Canadian Open while Cockerill will make his first appearance. 

A pair of Canadians currently competing on the Korn Ferry Tour – Stuart MacDonald of Vancouver and Albin Choi of Toronto – have also been extended exemption to compete at St. George’s. Choi, who is currently ranked no. 93 on the Korn Ferry Tour money list will compete in his sixth RBC Canadian while MacDonald, a member of Golf Canada’s Young Pro Squad who is currently ranked no. 111 on the Korn Ferry money list will play in his first RBC Canadian Open. 

Two other members of Golf Canada’s Young Pro Squad – Miles Creighton of Digby, N.S. and Jared du Toit of Kimberly, B.C. – have also been extended exemptions. Creighton will make his first-ever start in Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship while du Toit, who made a magical run in 2016 to finish T9 as an amateur, will make his fourth appearance.

Team Canada Amateur Squad member AJ Ewart of Coquitlam, B.C. will also compete in his first RBC Canadian Open. The 23-year-old sophomore at Barry University has earned seven career NCAA Division II victories including four this season. Ewart’s Team Canada teammate, 21-year-old Johnny Travale of Stoney Creek, Ont., has also accepted an exemption. 

A third member of the Team Canada Amateur Squad—Max Sekulic of Rycroft, Alta. will also compete in his first RBC Canadian Open, an exemption he earned by winning the 2021 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. Sekulic will compete in the RBC Canadian Open as a professional.   

Calgary native Wes Heffernan will compete in his seventh RBC Canadian Open, earning his exemption as the top finisher of on the 2021 PGA of Canada player rankings. 

Canadian Callum Davison of Duncan, B.C. (2021 PGA TOUR Canada season winner) will compete on an exemption previously earned through PGA TOUR Canada and will be joined by Delta, B.C. resident Yi Cao (2020 Canada Life Series winner). 

Brendan Leonard of Cambridge, Ont. recently earned a spot in the field by winning the RBC Canadian Open Ontario Regional Qualifier at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. The next 20 finishers from the Ontario Reginal Qualifier will join 11 players from the Quebec Qualifier (May 9 at Club do Golf Le Blainvillier in Blainville, Que.) nine players from the BC Qualifier (May 17 at Meadow Gardens Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C.), and six from the Alberta Qualifier (May 30 at Mickelson National Golf Club in Calgary, Alta.) in the Final Monday Qualifier on June 6 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club. Four exemptions from the Final Qualifier on Monday, June 6 will be available into the field of the RBC Canadian Open.  

A full Canadian contingent will also celebrate the return of the RBC Canadian Open led by world no. 34 Corey Conners, past PGA TOUR winners Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor as well as fellow PGA TOUR members Taylor Pendrith, Adam Svensson, Michael Gligic and Roger Sloan. 

Tickets for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open are available here.

TORONTO – June 2, 2022 – theScore Bet is elevating its presence in its first year as the Official Gaming Partner of the RBC Canadian Open, introducing a premium, first-of-its-kind on course viewing experience. theScore Bet Skyline Seats will bring fans up to 100 feet above the RBC Canadian Open Championship to watch tournament action like never before, overlooking the 1st and 18th holes at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in the greater Toronto area.

theScore Bet Skyline Seats will host tournament attendees high above the course to enjoy food and beverage, providing a bird’s eye view of the championship golf course and sweeping views of the Toronto skyline. The RBC Canadian Open takes place Thursday, June 9 – Sunday, June 12.

“To tee off our partnership with Golf Canada and the RBC Canadian Open, we wanted to create a memorable and completely unique golf viewing experience that adds real value for fans attending Canada’s premier golf event,” said Aubrey Levy, Senior Vice President of Content and Marketing, theScore Bet. “The Skyline Seats is a fresh, new type of sponsor activation for a sporting event and an execution that showcases theScore Bet brand in a way that speaks to how we’re innovating and consistently enhancing the fan experience, helping get fans into Bet Mode offline as we do online. We appreciate Golf Canada’s collaboration and willingness to push the boundaries to bring this very original concept to life.”

theScore Bet Skyline Seats Details:

• The experience opens on Thursday, June 9 at 9:00 AM.

• Patrons will have the opportunity to secure Skyline Seats spots by visiting theScore Bet’s on-course activations, including the BET MODE Putting Challenges and theScore Bet Members Lounge.

• The seating structure hosts 22 people, who will be harnessed into their seats.

• The experience in the sky is 30 minutes with additional time allotted for embarking and disembarking. Food and beverage is included in the experience.

Also new to the RBC Canadian Open Championship this year is theScore Bet Members Lounge, a premium hospitality space with complimentary food and beverage that overlooks the 18th fairway. The Lounge will be open exclusively to active theScore Bet account holders.

Additionally, BET MODE Putting Challenge stations will be set up throughout the course,  offering fans the opportunity to test their skills for a chance to win premium prizes, including the Skyline Seats experience.

The 2022 RBC Canadian Open is the first event to take place during theScore Bet’s multi-year partnership with Golf Canada. The partnership provides theScore Bet with access to activate across Golf Canada’s high-profile events and national championships.

theScore Bet Skyline Seats are operated by Events in the Sky Canada, part of a global group installing similar experiences around the world since 2006. Toronto-based SDI MKTG is supporting theScore Bet with its activations at St George’s.

Canada’s National Open Golf Championships will welcome a new wine partner as Golf Canada has aligned with Masi Wines, the historic Italian wine producer which celebrates its 250^th anniversary this year, as the Official Wine of Golf Canada, the RBC Canadian Open and the CP Women’s Open.

Through the partnership, Masi’s premium portfolio, led by Masianco Pinot Grigio, the iconic red Campofiorin and the exciting new Fresco di Masi line – two refreshing organic blends perfect for summer – will be the feature wines poured at Golf Canada’s two National Open Golf Championships.

Masi will also elevate the summer festival atmosphere at the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open with a pouring experience from the one-of-a-kind Masi Airstream Trailer that offers spectators a custom retreat at the Masi Wine Garden.

“Golf Canada is very proud to partner with Masi Wines to deliver a selection of premium wines to our two flagship properties,” said John Sibley, Chief Commercial Officer at Golf Canada. “Masi’s diverse wine portfolio is well-positioned as the Official Wine of Golf Canada as we look forward to building on the festival atmosphere at the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open.”

Masi is distributed in Canada by fourth-generation family-owned and operated Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants – a national fine wine and spirits importer and distributor headquartered in Mississauga, Ont. For Masi, the partnership will allow the wine brand to leverage Canadian golf while continuing to advance its brand profile and portfolio of golfing, hosting, ticketing, and media assets. 

“We are delighted to partner with Golf Canada and honoured to serve as the Official Wine of the RBC Canadian Open and the CP Women’s Open.” says Luc Desroches, Sales Managing Director, Canada for Masi. “Golf, like wine, brings people closer together and is at its best when shared amongst good friends. We look forward to introducing golfers across Canada to our exciting range of wines from the beautiful Venetian territories of northeast Italy and beyond. With golf growing in Canada (and Italy!) we are excited to be along for the ride as the preferred glass of the 19th hole.”

As the National Sport Federation, Golf Canada will conduct the RBC Canadian Open June 6-12, 2022 at St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Toronto Ont. with nearby Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility. The CP Women’s Open, takes place August 22-28, 2022 at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont.

Click here for more information on the RBC Canadian Open.

Click here for more information on the CP Women’s Open.

While Corey Conners has enjoyed notable success on the PGA TOUR over the past two seasons, perhaps his biggest regret during that time was not being able to share that success with Canadian fans on Canadian soil. But with the RBC Canadian Open returning this year, the wait is over for the Listowel, Ont., native as he will be teeing off against the best in the world next week in Toronto.

The RBC Canadian Open was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will make its long-awaited return this year at the St. George’s Golf and Country Club, with nearby Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility.

“To have the crowd made up of pretty much all Canadians is going to be amazing,” added the long-time Canadian National Team member. “I know the fans will be really behind all the Canadian players, and that’s something that I’m super excited about and I’ve certainly missed the last couple of years.” 

According to tournament director Bryan Crawford, this year’s RBC Canadian Open will be a treat for players and fans alike. Crawford is quick to point out that the goal is to offer a best-in-class experience for everyone in attendance.

“That’s what we are aiming for, a best-in-class event for players, caddies, volunteers, partners and our fans,” he said. “It starts with a great golf course, and you can’t ask for a better one than St. George’s—it’s one of the premier facilities in Canada.”

2019 champion Rory McIlroy is back this year to defend his crown and reigning Masters champ and current world no. 1 Scottie Scheffler, and five-time PGA TOUR winner and world no. 3, Cam Smith. Other notable names are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Besides the star-studded line up on the golf course, this year’s tournament will feature two chart-topping musical acts on stage as Flo Rida and three-time Grammy award winner Maroon 5 are schedule to entertain fans on June 10 and June 11 respectively as part of the RBCxMusic Concert Series taking place at nearby Richview Collegiate.

“The RBCxMusic Concert Series was an overwhelming success in 2019 and will once again attract new fans to experience the energy and excitement of the RBC Canadian Open,” noted Golf Canada Chief Commercial Officer, John Sibley.

At the recent PGA Championship, Conners reiterated his feelings about returning to Canada in early June.

“Apart from the major championships, I don’t know if I’ve been as excited for a golf event or a PGA TOUR event in my life. I’m really excited to get back to Canada. It’s been unfortunate that we haven’t been able to get there the last couple of years,” noted the top-ranked Canadian.

“I know the fans will be out in full force and supporting the Canadians, and hopefully we can put on a good show.”

Given his stellar play, Canadian golf fans are also understandably excited to see their home-grown talent compete against the best in the world.  

Conners has recorded impressive results on the PGA TOUR recently including a tie for sixth place at the Masters in early April—the third year in a row that the talented young Canadian has finished in the top-10 at Augusta National. He also finished in a tie for 15th place last summer at The Open Championship played at the Royal St. George’s Golf Course.

“Personally, I feel now like my game is a lot more refined, so I’m going to be teeing it up (in Canada) with really high expectations for myself,” Conners pointed out.

It is interesting to note that a Canadian has not won the RBC Canadian Open since Pat Fletcher did it back in 1954.  

Besides Conners, there will be a talented group of Canadians eager to end that drought this year at the 11^1th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.  Among those already confirmed are Adam Hadwin, Mackenzie Hughes, Nick Taylor, Taylor Pendrith, Adam Svensson, Michael Gligic, Roger Sloan, Aaron Cockerill, and Brendan Leonard. The final field can be found here.