Golf Canada – Johnson, DeChambeau, Kim and RBC Team members set to challenge Glen Abbey Golf Club July 24-30 –

OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) –  Golf Canada and RBC today announced Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Si Woo Kim and Bryson DeChambeau have made early commitments to compete at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open from July 24-30 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

Johnson, who has been No. 1 on the Official World Golf Rankings since February of 2017, has three PGA TOUR victories this season to lead the FedEx Cup standings.

Bubba Watson last competed at the RBC Canadian Open in 2015, where he finished runner-up to Jason Day. 

Si Woo Kim is coming off the biggest win of his career, taking top spot at the 2017 THE PLAYERS Championship to climb to No. 32 in the Official World Golf Ranking and 22nd on the FedEx Cup Standings.

DeChambeau, a popular player with fans, enjoyed a career-best PGA TOUR finish at the 2017 Puerto Rico Open, where he tied for second with Retief Goosen and Bill Lunde.  

Ten members of Team RBC have also committed to compete at Canada’s National Open Championship, including Canada’s Adam Hadwin, Graham DeLaet, Nick Taylor and David Hearn. The Canadians will be joined by teammates Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Graeme McDowell, Ryan Palmer and Brandt Snedeker.

In addition, a sponsor exemption has been extended to Jared du Toit of Kimberly, B.C. The Golf Canada Amateur Team member sprung to notoriety thanks to a stellar showing at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open, where he finished 9th. 

The field also features all three Order of Merit winners from the first three seasons of the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada, including Canadian and 2013 Order of Merit winner Mackenzie Hughes, along with Joel Dahmen (2014) and J.J. Spaun (2015). Other early Canadian player commitments include Ottawa’s Brad Fritsch and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Honoured Member Mike Weir.

“Our field is coming together and we’re thrilled to welcome some of the best player in the world, a good mix of top international talent and a solid list of Canadians as early commitments for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open,” said Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin.

A Canadian has not won the RBC Canadian Open since Pat Fletcher in 1954. However, Mackenzie Hughes (The RSM Classic) and Adam Hadwin (Valspar Championship) each have PGA TOUR wins this season. 

“This will be an exciting year for Canadian golf fans for sure,” added McLaughlin. “We’ve come close in recent years with David Hearn finishing 3rd in 2015 and du Toit’s terrific run last year. This may be the year the drought finally comes to an end.” 

Team Canada member Hugo Bernard of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., won the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to earn an exemption into the RBC Canadian Open, while NHL Referee and Elmira, Ont., native Garrett Rank won his spot by claiming the 2016 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. In mid-May, Matt Hill of Brights Grove, Ont., won the Ontario Regional Qualifier to earn his spot.

Additional player announcements will be made in the coming weeks. Players have until 5 pm ET Friday before tournament week to confirm their participation with the PGA TOUR.

Information regarding tickets, free 17-and-under junior passes, volunteer opportunities and corporate hospitality for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open can be found at www.rbccanadianopen.com.

RBC Canadian Open 5K Run – Saturday July 22
Landmark Sport Group in conjunction with Golf Canada will once again be putting on the RBC Canadian Open 5K Golf Run. On Saturday, July 22, 2017 the second annual RBC Canadian Open 5K Running Event will provide participants the opportunity to run or walk along the spectator and cart pathways of Glen Abbey Golf Club. The route begins near the 1st tee of the Championship Course and finishes alongside the iconic and picturesque 18th green. This event is ideal for traditional and non-traditional running audiences. All participants will receive a bib, shirt and finisher’s medal. Registration is $60 and all participants receive a free Anyday ticket to enjoy the championship. www.golfrun.ca 

Hall of Fame Induction & Official Opening Ceremony – Tuesday July 25
On Tuesday, July 25 at 10 a.m. our Opening Ceremony will officially kick off the RBC Canadian Open and include the Canadian Hall of Fame induction of Judy Darling Evans and golf club maker Bob Vokey. The ceremony, which will offer free attendance, will conclude with a military flyover and the singing of the national anthem.

Kids 17-and-under Get in Free
Golf Canada and RBC are committed to offering a fan friendly, family event with the RBC Canadian Open. In an effort to introduce more juniors to the sport, kids aged 17-and-under get FREE admission to the RBC Canadian Open for the entire week.

Red & White Day – Friday, July 28
The RBC Canadian Open is Canada’s National Championship and to celebrate ‘Our Open’, Friday, July 28 of tournament week will once again be ‘Red & White Day’. Spectators, sponsors, players and attendees are encouraged to wear Canada’s national colours in support of our Canadian golfers in the field.

– 30 –

GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada representing 306,650 golfers and more than 1,400 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

ABOUT THE 2017 RBC CANADIAN OPEN
Part of the FedExCup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $6 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 24-30, 2017 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, BMW Group Canada, Coors Light, ZTE, WestJet, Levelwear, Boston Pizza, Ballantine’s, FootJoy, Toronto Star, Coca-Cola, Metrolinx, Commissionaires and the Government of Canada. For tickets or tournament information, please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com or call 1-800-571-6736. Follow the RBC Canadian Open on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Media Inquiries please contact:

Jackie Braden
Director, Brand Communications
RBC
(416) 974-6286
jackie.braden@rbc.com

Terry Lenyk
Communication Manager
Golf Canada
(905) 849-9700 ext. 355
tlenyk@golfcanada.ca
golfcanada.ca