Golf Canada – Two-time defending U.S. Open champion Koepka will play Hamilton Golf & Country Club looking to build momentum leading into the defence of his US Open title;

Watson, a two-time Masters champion and 12-time PGA TOUR winner, joins star-studded field competing for Canada’s National Open Championship

HAMILTON (Golf Canada) – Today, RBC and Golf Canada announced that world ranked No. 3 Brooks Koepka and world ranked No. 18 Bubba Watson will compete in the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, June 3-9 at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Koepka, the reigning PGA TOUR Player of the Year, has claimed three major championship titles including the 2017 and 18 U.S. Open championships as well as the 2018 PGA Championship. The 28-year old star has already notched one PGA TOUR victory in 2019 (THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES), and is coming off a recent T2 finish at The Masters.  

“I’m looking forward to getting back to Canada to compete in the RBC Canadian Open,” said Koepka, who has played the tournament in 2015 and 2018. “I’ve heard really great things about the course [Hamilton Golf and Country Club] and with the change in date on our schedule, it’s a perfect opportunity to play well and build momentum leading into the US Open.” 

Watson, 40, is a two-time major champion with wins coming at The Masters Tournament in 2012 and 2014. The popular, big-hitting lefty from Bagdad, Florida has two top-5s this season on the PGA TOUR, with a pair of T4 finishes coming at the Valspar Championship and Waste Management Phoenix Open. Watson has a deep connection to Canada as his wife, Angie, is from just outside Toronto.

“Winning the RBC Canadian Open would be a big deal to me,” Watson explained. “My wife is Canadian, so winning the national open would be a huge honour.”

The pair join a world-class field of players including world no. 1 defending champion and Team RBC Ambassador Dustin Johnson, world No. 4 Rory McIlroy, and Team RBC members including Matt Kuchar, Webb Simpson, Ryan Palmer, Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, Adam Hadwin and recent first-time PGA TOUR winner, Canadian Corey Conners. 

“Having Brooks Koepka and Bubba Watson, both big hitters and Major winners, competing at Hamilton Golf and Country Club this summer is really exciting,” said Tournament Director Bryan Crawford. “Three of the top-four world ranked golfers are now competing in our Open, so it’s going to be one to watch, and will give golf fans another reason to get excited about the 2019 RBC Canadian Open.” 

“We have a strong field competing at the RBC Canadian Open this June, and we’re excited to welcome Brooks and Bubba back to Canada,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “Adding the pair to an impressive roster that includes Rory McIlroy, our Team RBC ambassadors including our defending champion Dustin Johnson, and a growing list of Canadian talent will make it a memorable week.”

Koepka and Watson’s commitment to the 2019 RBC Canadian Open builds on an earlier announcement that introduced a two-night RBCx Music Concert Series at the tournament. The concerts will feature Grammy nominated and internationally acclaimed duo Florida Georgia Line on Friday, June 7, and JUNO award-winning homegrown rock band The Glorious Sons on Saturday, June 8.

In the coming weeks, additional players, including Canadians and tournament exemptions will be announced. PGA TOUR players have until Friday, May 31 to commit to the field of the 2019 RBC Canadian Open. 

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Brooks Koepka’s results include:

• Three-time Major Champion (U.S. Open 2017 & 2018; PGA Championship 2018)
• Five-time PGA TOUR winner
• One-time European Tour winner (Turkish Airlines Open, 2014)
• 2018 PGA TOUR Player of the Year
• Former World No.1-ranked golfer

Bubba Watson’s results include:

• Two-time Major Champion (The Masters Tournament, 2012 & 2014)
• 12-time PGA TOUR winner including 3 in 2018 (Genesis Open, World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play, Travelers Championship)
• Four-time Ryder Cup Team USA member (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018)
• Represented the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics, finishing T8

ABOUT THE RBC CANADIAN OPEN
Part of the FedExCup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $7.6 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, June 3-9 at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, 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 the Golf Canada Foundation 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, Acushnet, Steam Whistle, Levelwear, Golf Town, Coca-Cola, the City of Hamilton 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 Contacts:

Dan Pino
Director, Communications
Golf Canada
416-434-5525
dpino@golfcanada.ca

Emma McKay

Manager, Brand & Citizenship Communications
RBC
(e) emma.mckay@rbc.com