15 Canadians Confirmed for 2015 RBC Canadian Open
Oakville, Ont. (Golf Canada) – In celebration of Canada Day, Golf Canada and RBC are proud to announce the first 15 Canadians, including 10 tournament exemptions, confirmed for the 2015 RBC Canadian Open taking place at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., from July 20-26, 2015.
Of the 15 announced, nine hail from the province of Ontario including: David Hearn (Brantford), Mike Weir (Brights Grove), Corey Conners (Listowel), Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill), Blair Hamilton (Burlington), Brad Fritsch (Manotick), Garrett Rank (Elmira), Billy Walsh (Markham), and Richard Jung (Toronto).
Hearn and Weir will be joined by fellow Canadian PGA Tour players Graham DeLaet, from Weyburn Sask.; Abbottsford, B.C., natives Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor; and Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C.
Golf Canada granted a tournament exemption to Web.com Tour player Fritsch, who will make his eighth appearance in Canada’s National Open Championship.
Additional tournament exemptions were given to Team Canada Young Pro Squad members Connors, Pendrith and Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., as well as National Amateur Squad members Austin Connelly of Austin, Texas and Hamilton.
Rank, won the 2014 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title to earn his exemption into the 2015 RBC Canadian Open. Leading into tournament week, Rank and Connelly will represent Canada at the 2015 Pan Am Games golf competition, July 13-19 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
PGA of Canada professional Walsh earned his way into the 2015 RBC Canadian Open field as the No. 1-ranked player on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC.
Earlier this week, former Team Canada member Jung shot a course-record, 10-under 62 at Rattlesnake Pointe Golf Club to top the 144-player field to earn an exemption through the RBC Canadian Open Ontario Regional Qualifier.
“This is OUR Open and we’re proud to have these 15 deserving Canadians compete in the 106th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “The depth of talent in Canadian golf has never been stronger and I’m sure each of them will feel the tremendous wave of Canadian pride and support from golf fans across the country.”
The 15 Canadian players announced today will look to become the first Canadian to capture the national title since Pat Fletcher claimed victory in 1954.
The Canadians confirmed for Glen Abbey will join a field of PGA TOUR and international stars that includes World No. 3 Bubba Watson, World No. 5 Jim Furyk, World No. 8 Jason Day, World No. 13 J.B. Holmes, World No. 16 Matt Kuchar, World No. 17 Chris Kirk, World No. 22 Brooks Koepka, World No. 26 Brandt Snedeker, World No. 30 Ryan Palmer, World No. 40 Hunter Mahan, World No. 48 Graeme McDowell, World No. 65 Luke Donald, and World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els.
Celebrating Canada Day at the RBC Canadian Open….
For more than a century, our National Men’s Open Championship has been a celebration of Canada’s most talented golfers. This year, that celebration will be on full display as Friday, July 24 has been declared Canada Day at the RBC Canadian Open. Spectators are encouraged to wear red and white to proudly show their support for Canada’s top golfing talents. Players in the field will also be encouraged to wear Canada’s colours to help celebrate the day.
Pan Am golf champion to earn an exemption…
Golf Canada will also grant an RBC Canadian Open tournament exemption to the winner of the men’s Pan Am Golf Competition happening as part of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games. The golf competition will run July 13-19 at Angus Glen Golf Club with 32 players from 16 countries set to compete, including Austin Connelly and Garrett Rank who will represent Team Canada. Besides the champion’s exemption, the rest of the men’s Pan Am golf field will be exempt into the RBC Canadian Open Monday Qualifier happening Monday, July 20 at Heron Point Golf Links near Ancaster, Ont.
Additional player and tournament announcements will be made in the coming weeks. The final field for the 2015 RBC Canadian Open will be released on Friday, July 17, 2015 after 5 p.m. ET.
For information about tickets, FREE 17-and-under junior passes, volunteer opportunities or corporate hospitality for the 2015 RBC Canadian Open, please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com.
ABOUT THE 2015 RBC CANADIAN OPEN
Part of the FedExCup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5.8 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 20-26, 2015 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. Conducted by Golf Canada for more than a century, the RBC Canadian Open provides an opportunity for Canada’s top talents to compete against the world’s best golfers while also leaving a significant impact in the event’s host community. The RBC Canadian Open is proud to support Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada as the event’s official charity partner. Established in 1904, Canada’s national open golf championship is the third-oldest national open golf championship worldwide next to the British Open and the U.S. Open. The RBC Canadian Open is proudly sponsored by RBC, Shaw Direct, BMW Group Canada, Molson Canadian 67, WestJet, TaylorMade adidas Golf, Boston Pizza, PepsiCo Canada, Ballantine’s, Santa Carolina Wines and The Globe and Mail. For tickets or tournament information, please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com or call 1-800-571-6736.
