Back-to-back birdies to close out the third round put C.T. Pan two strokes up on the field at the RBC Canadian Open, but that lead is far from safe with a pack of big names and two Canadians in the hunt.

Pan, from Taiwan, shot a 6-under 66 to sit at 14-under overall on Saturday at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in the northwest corner of Toronto. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was in a six-way tie for second as he looks for a third consecutive title at the men’s national golf championship.

“You still have to play aggressive, because this course is a lot of rough, but if you hit it in the fairway you will have a lot of short irons in and you’re going to create a lot of birdie opportunities,” said Pan, adding that he won’t change too much as he tries to fend off the group tied for second that includes McIlroy, Americans Mark Hubbard, Harry Higgs, and Andrew Novak, as well as England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if someone shoots 8-, 9-under, because the PGA Tour guys are really good.”

Nick Taylor, from Abbotsford, B.C., did just that earlier Saturday, firing a 9-under 63 to set a new course record at Oakdale Golf and Country Club. That round rocketed Taylor up the leaderboard to sit in a tie with England’s Aaron Rai at 11-under, good for eighth.

Taylor surpassed the record of 8-under that England’s Tyrrell Hatton matched in Friday’s second round. Oakdale actually has 27 holes on its property and is using a composite course for the PGA Tour event.

Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George Knudson, who won on the PGA Tour eight times in the 1960s and ’70s, was a regular at Oakdale and has nine of the holes at the 98-year-old course named after him.

“To have a course record is really cool,” said Taylor. “I don’t think I have one out here on Tour.

“To do it at the RBC Canadian Open is even more special and to be mentioned in the same breath as George Knudson is phenomenal.”

Corey Conners (70) of Listowel, Ont., rounded out the top 10 at 10-under overall. He and Taylor agreed that they’d be happy with either one of them winning the Canadian Open and end a nearly 70-year drought for Canadians at the event.

“I think we’re rooting for each other, but we still want to win,” said Taylor, who regularly practices with Conners ahead of PGA Tour events. “If we don’t win, I think we want another Canadian to win.

“If I look up and I’m second and Corey Conners is first then that’s almost as good as winning.”

Pat Fletcher won at Vancouver’s Point Grey Golf and Country Club in 1954. Although there have been some close calls in the past 20 years, this year’s edition of the tournament holds a great deal of promise as eight Canadians, the most since 2002, made the cut.

“It’s been far too long,” said Conners. “I’m going to be letting it fly, giving it my all tomorrow and I’m sure (Taylor’s) going to be doing the same thing.

“I’ve got some ground to make up, but you never know. We have a chance.”

McIlroy won in 2019 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club and again last year at St. George’s Golf and Country Club. The event was canceled in the intervening years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It feels eerily similar to the last two tournaments,” said McIlroy. “I was tied for the lead with (Webb Simpson) at Hamilton in 2019. Then last year with (Tony Finau and Justin Thomas).

“Looks like there could be a lot of guys up around the lead tomorrow. So it’s going to be a really interesting day.”

Chants of “Corrr-ayyyy! Cor-ay! Cor-ay! Cor-ay!” to the tune of the famous “Ole!” soccer song followed Corey Conners up to the 18th green during the second round of the RBC Canadian Open.

The product of Listowel, Ont., responded well to the chants from hundreds of fans. He two-putted on the challenging green at Oakdale Golf and Country Club to pull within a shot of the lead at the men’s national golf championship.

“Lots of chants out there, but definitely that one was new,” said Conners with a chuckle. “I’m really embracing the Canadian support.”

Conners shot a 3-under 69 on Friday to sit in a tie for second with Taiwan’s C.T. Pan, England’s Aaron Rai and Tyrrell Hatton at 8-under overall.

China’s Carl Yuan turned in a 5-under round to sit atop the leaderboard one shot ahead of that group.

“Really happy with the start,” said Conners who was tied for the lead after the first round. “It’s been a lot of fun out here this week.

“Fun playing in front of the Canadian fans. Just enjoying the walk out there.”

Yuan said after his round in the morning wave that his goal is always to have fun out on the course.

“That’s my goal coming into the week. That’s my No. 1 goal,” said Yuan of keeping it light. “Not a result goal, just being in the present, hitting shot by shot and, yeah, being out here trying to have the most fun. All of it.”

Conners was in the mix at the PGA Championship in late May and tied for 12th. He said his cool demeanour paid off there and is also keeping him focused at the Canadian Open, which most Canadian players consider a fifth major.

“I would say this week I’ve been a lot more relaxed than even I was there and I felt like I was quite relaxed at the PGA Championship,” he said. “So I’m feeling good about my game and able to play with freedom and confidence. I’m just having a lot of fun.”

It has been almost 70 years since a Canadian last won the men’s national golf championship. Pat Fletcher won in 1954 at Vancouver’s Point Grey Golf and Country Club.

Although Conners is in the best position to end that drought, he’s far from the only Canadian in the hunt as eight of his countrymen made the cut.

Adam Hadwin (68) of Abbotsford, B.C., and Rogers Sloan (70) of Merritt, B.C., were tied for 17th at 5 under.

Edmonton’s Wil Bateman, playing in his first-ever Canadian Open and only his second PGA Tour event, rocketed up the leaderboard with a 6-under round. That put Bateman at 4-under overall and tied for 22nd.

“When they bring out the cameras and the little fuzzy little mic you know you’re doing something right,” joked Bateman. “But I just tried to just stay in the moment. I’m just really excited for the weekend.”

After two days of air quality advisories due to forest fires raging in Ontario and Quebec, steady rain cleared the air at Oakdale in Toronto’s northwest corner. Between the lack of sunlight and cold rain, the temperature didn’t go above 17 degrees Celsius.

“I think this is right up my alley,” said Yuan, who was born in Dalian, China. “I went to school in Seattle at the University of Washington.

“That’s exactly what we deal with in the wintertime.”

Conners said that the course’s conditions have been great, although with a 9-under overall score topping the leaderboard it’s clear that Oakdale is proving to be a challenge.

“I feel like the golf course and the greens have sped up and the rough has continued to grow and become thicker from when I saw it a few weeks ago,” said Conners. “Also just tournament conditions, it’s playing a little trickier but there’s definitely some opportunities.

“If the weather stays nice I think that you can shoot some good numbers this weekend.”

TORONTO – It’s been 20 years since Mike Weir won the Masters, and now Canada is seeing the influence that victory had – with more Canadians playing at a high level on the PGA TOUR than ever before.

But one thing that continues to elude the best from Canada – including Weir himself – is a victory at the RBC Canadian Open. The last Canadian to win the country’s national open was Pat Fletcher in 1954.

Through 18 holes, however, Corey Conners is trending towards breaking the long-standing drought.

Conners shot a 5-under 67 to open things at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, and through the first round he sits in a four-way tie for the lead with Aaron Rai, Justin Lower and Chesson Hadley.

The last Canadian to lead the RBC Canadian Open after the first round was Weir in 2008, and the last Canadian to lead the championship after any round was David Hearn, who had the 54-hole lead in 2015.

Conners, who finished sixth at last year’s RBC Canadian Open, was not able to speak to media after his round because he had to deal with an urgent personal matter.

His caddie, Danny Sahl, said that Conners’ success came from being strong all around and especially disciplined off the tee. Conners hasn’t made a bogey at the RBC Canadian Open in 51 holes, dating back to last year.

Conners was first in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green and fourth in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee after the first round. Sahl said there’s an easy comparison between Oakdale and Oak Hill Country Club, the host of this year’s PGA Championship where Conners played in Sunday’s penultimate pairing.

“It’s the same mentality that he brought over from (Oak Hill), and he knows that’s what it’s going to take to play well,” Sahl said. “Just get it in the fairway and we were aggressive on a couple of holes. He’s seeing his spots and keeping it really simple.”

Weir also had the first-round lead at the RBC Canadian Open in 2004 and came agonizingly close to winning the event – eventually losing in a playoff to Vijay Singh. He knows as much as anyone what it’s going to take to keep the pedal down over the next three days.

“I think (Conners is) experienced enough to know that we’re so early and that it doesn’t really mean much yet,” Weir said. “I know he just wants to, I’m sure, keep doing what he’s doing. I was watching a little on TV this morning and he looked like he was just playing Corey Conners golf. I saw solid play and nice ball striking, and that’s a good recipe around here.

“It’s pretty demanding off the tee. If you miss the fairways you’re in trouble, so if you can keep driving it good, he’ll be in good shape.”

Conners is one of three Canadians to have won on the PGA TOUR this season, with Mackenzie Hughes and Adam Svensson being the others.

Hughes made four birdies on his back nine Thursday to finish at 3 under. Taylor Pendrith and Roger Sloan also got it to 3 under after the first round.

Weir, in his 30th RBC Canadian Open start, shot an even-par 72.

Hughes, who went to Kent State University with both Pendrith and Conners, said with golf in Canada continuing to increase its momentum, having a Canadian with a chance to win on Sunday would be huge.

“We’ve got a few guys up there, kind of close, and hopefully one of us can keep it going all the way to Sunday,” Hughes said

Can you think of a better way to cap a day of watching some of the world’s top golf professionals at the RBC Canadian Open than listening to Grammy-winning artists perform?

Beyond the headliners: the Black Eyed Peas & seven-time Grammy winner — Canadian Alanis Morissette — arrive early to catch some rising homegrown artists that “you outta know.”

Returning again, as part of the RBCxMusic Concert Series, is the SiriusXM Stage; it features local acts who have the chance to perform in the Fare Way, a hub for spectator activities that promote more than just golf. On Friday & Saturday night, following the golf, two local artists get the opportunity to shine. Friday sees Avry and Liyah Katana take the stage at 7 p.m. for 30-minute sets before the Black Eyed Peas while on Saturday Luna Elle and Skye Wallace perform on the SiriusXM Stage before fans turn their attention to headliner Alanis Morissette later that night.

“The RBC Canadian Open is the only Canadian stop on the PGA TOUR, so it is only fitting that our partnership with SiriusXM allows us to highlight and celebrate home-grown Canadian talent,” says Lisa Ferkul, Chief Commercial Officer at Golf Canada.    “We are excited that, for the second year in a row, the SiriusXM stage will create the perfect synergy between music and golf to elevate the festival experience for all fans.”

“Our partnership with Golf Canada allows us to bring music and sport together, something that elevates any entertainment experience,” explains Rob Keen, SVP, Sales & Marketing, SiriusXM Canada. “That intersection is what SiriusXM is all about. We offer the best of both of these worlds – from golf and every other major league sport, to music from every genre and decade – and much more.”

“It’s incredibly important to us to continue shining the spotlight on Canadian talent,” he adds. “We’re so excited to get the opportunity to help showcase some of those artists to new fans through the SiriusXM Stage and to welcome everyone into the SiriusXM Oasis onsite during the Canadian Open.”

Here’s a primer that highlights these four artists that are performing on the SiriusXM Stage at the RBC Canadian Open.

AVRY

By day, the Toronto-based artist wears a suit and works as a consultant with KPMG. By night, he does not change his clothes, but he transforms into a music maker. Born in Vancouver, the emerging artist listened to everything from Radiohead to Usher during his formative years. It was not until he was attending the University of Toronto when the idea that he could make music hit him.

“I knew I was not tone deaf, but randomly, one night, I was at a friend’s place, who is a house music producer, and I laid a topline down [the melody and words that goes on top of an instrumental track] on some random stuff he had,” Avry explains. “From then on I started to make a song a day and quickly realized that music is what I want to do.”

Avry invested in a home studio. And, along with his collective of producers (GoodKarma) he also works out of Kilometre House in downtown Toronto. Here is where his forthcoming project was created that is set for a September release.

The opening slot for the Black Eyed Peas is the biggest gig yet of Avry’s young career. “I’ve never played outdoors before,” he says. “It’s an incredible opportunity and it will be awesome to play a show that has so many eyes on it; hopefully, it is just one more step in the right direction.”

LIYAH KATANA

With a pair of acclaimed EPs already under her belt (Forevaliyah and 8), the Mississauga, Ont. artist is already a rising star. The 19-year-old grew up listening to the Black Eyed Peas so opening for the six-time Grammy winning band at such a young age is a dream come true. 

“I hold it so close to my heart and have a big responsibility to hype up the stage and get everybody started!” she says one week before the show. “It’s a big honor to show creativity, community and have fun. This is something I take seriously. I’m counting down the days and picking out my outfit.”

The timing of the 30-minute showcase for the R&B singer-songwriter is ideal since her new single — “Toxic” — drops that day. 

What can people expect when they hear the emerging artist later this week? “A good time,” Katana says. “There is going to be a variety of styles and songs. My new single is a doorway for me to be more involved with the community and connect with more people.”

LUNA ELLE

As if trying to find the right dress for your high school prom is not enough stress, one week after that final high school dance party, the Mississauga R&B singer shares her voice and songs before Alanis takes the stage. No pressure. Oh, and did we mention that retired NBA star Shaquille O’Neal told his Instagram followers recently that Luna Elle is “next up you heard it here first.”

Elle is thrilled to be a part of the FirstUp with RBCxMusic program. “It’s an incredible milestone in my journey as an emerging artist,” says the 17-year-old. “It’s more than just a platform—it’s a transformative experience that showcases and elevates musicians like myself from diverse backgrounds across Canada.”

SKYE WALLACE

Unlike her fellow FirstUp with RBCxMusic program participants, the Toronto-based indie-rocker is already a road warrior. She has shared stages and played with the likes of the Lowest of the Low, Matt Mays and Crown Lands over the past decade. Critics have hailed her as “a national treasure.” Her latest album (Terribly Good) was released in October 2022 and is her Six Shooter Records debut.

“To share a bill with Alanis is a huge deal for me,” says Wallace. “It feels like an immense career milestone right out of my dreams. Opportunities like these for emerging artists are a huge deal, so big thank you to SiriusXM for having us all. Let’s rock!”

Two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy is ready to make history in defence of the RBC Canadian Open title at Oakdale Golf & Country Club.

The world’s number three ranked player will lead a field of 156 of the world’s best players looking to become the first player in history to win three consecutive titles.

“Any time you can come back and defend a title sort of wherever that is in the world, it’s nice to be able to do that, said McIlroy. “Obviously the Sunday last year was, to me, one of the probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had playing on TOUR. Battling it out with JT and Tony down the stretch. Rosie was on course trying to shoot 59. There was a ton of low scores. Battling with those two guys. JT and Tony being two of the best players in the world. Coming out on top. Yeah, it was really nice. Nice to be able to defend a title. I felt like the support I got out there was absolutely amazing and I’m looking forward to playing in that sort of atmosphere again this week.”

Rory is feeling the love in ?? pic.twitter.com/H1pp0amXyk

— RBC Canadian Open (@RBCCanadianOpen) June 7, 2023

He worked in the shadow of a Canadian golf legend. He toiled building and designing hundreds of courses around the country, creating a vast cannon of work. But despite his prolific nature, few golfers know his name.

Now, 30 years after Clifford “Robbie” Robinson’s death, he may finally be getting his due. This year’s RBC Canadian Open is being held at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto that has 18 holes designed by Robinson’s one-time boss Stanley Thompson in 1926 and nine holes that were added in 1957 by Robinson. Robinson’s nine holes, and a composite nine from Thompson’s work will make up the RBC Canadian Open course this year.

“This is the first time a Canadian Open has been played on a Robbie Robinson course and I think that will be very interesting for those who are interested in golf course design and history. We think that’s pretty exciting,” said Mark Sadowski, Oakdale’s immediate past president.

Robinson apprenticed under Thompson for 10 years beginning in 1929 before leaving to take the superintendent’s position at Sunningdale in London, Ontario. He served as a pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War.

After the war he worked for a time with American golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, but eventually set up his own golf course design firm and is credited with designing or working on as many as 300 courses in Canada, the United States and in South America.

“I think Robbie would be very proud to have a Canadian Open on one of his golf courses,” says Doug Carrick, himself one of Canada’s top golf course architects, who work for Robinson on and off from 1980 until the designer’s death in 1989. “Robbie did the most significant changes at St. George’s for the Canadian Open there in 1989. He really improved that course, and he probably didn’t get as much credit as he deserved.”

Robinson isn’t the only figure in Canadian golf course architecture who has a link to this year’s RBC Canadian Open.

The building of the Robinson nine at Oakdale was the first job in the golf business that Dick Kirkpatrick worked on.

“My father owned a bulldozer and was looking for work when he saw two guys hammering stakes into the ground and he approached them,” Kirkpatrick explains. “They told him they were building the new nine at Oakdale. He told them he owned a bulldozer, and he ended up getting a job on the project.

It was Kirkpatrick’s introduction to golf course construction.

“I was 19 and just out of the army and I ended up working on the project as well,” he said. “I basically just worked on shaping the bunkers and helping put in the irrigation.”

Kirkpatrick went on to become probably Canada’s most prolific golf course shaper, working on as many as 200 golf courses. He worked quite a bit with Robinson on his designs and eventually crafting three courses of his own in Ontario, including Otter Creek in Otterville and Copetown Woods in Hamilton.

To learn more about Robbie Robinson and Stanley Thompson you can go to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame website at: https://heritage.golfcanada.ca.

This year’s RBC Canadian Open will be played from June 8-11. To find out more information on the tournament you can go to:  www.rbccanadianopen.com.

It was a simple idea that grew. Why couldn’t we do that? It was a question posed to Jordan Klein by phone by Mark Laurie while the two Oakdale Golf and Country Club members watched the 2019 RBC Canadian Open at the Hamilton Golf & Country Club from their respective homes.

“They are both very good and passionate golfers at Oakdale,” says the club’s immediate past president Mark Sadowski of that fateful conversation “Jordan replied that he thought their course would be too easy. Mark pointed out that Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia hosted a big tournament by using a composite 18 of their 27 holes and Oakdale likewise has 27 holes.”

Sadowski said the more the two men thought about it and talked about it the more they got excited at the prospect of actually doing it. A phone call a few days later to Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada really got the ball rolling. The concept then took on a life of its own as then club president Sam Winberg, former general manager John Caven along with Klein hosted a series of meetings with Golf Canada staff to discuss the concept in greater detail. These series of meetings put the foundational pieces together on what could be an incredible moment for Oakdale to open its doors to Canada and a worldwide golfing audience.

Sadowski became president of the club in 2021 and the project fell on his shoulders. He said they had an extremely consultative program involving Golf Canada, the PGA TOUR, and the members. It was important for the members to understand all aspects of what they were getting themselves into. In the end the members voted 73 percent in favor which he says is the highest percentage of membership approval for any club that has hosted the Canadian Open in recent years. As a result, they were approved to host this year’s tournament, June 8-11, as well as the 2026 event which aligns with the club’s centennial celebration.

For Oakdale, which was founded in 1926, it will be a coming out party of sorts, a chance for Toronto and indeed the whole world to see their facility for perhaps the first time and hear their story. “It was out of necessity that this club came into being,” says Sadowski. “A hundred years ago the world was a very different place and there were clubs who would not allow Jewish people to join or even play. And it was the same in the medical community and other aspects of business. There were very clear, no blacks, no Jews, and no Asians rules.”

While it was members of the Jewish community who purchased the land a hundred years ago and formed the club Sadowski says it is not now and never has been a club for Jewish people only. He says the membership is predominately but not exclusively Jewish.

“There is nothing on our membership application that asks your religion and never has been,” said Sadowski. “What we do ask, and have asked since basically the club was formed, is that you have a willingness to give back to the community in one way or another.” Sadowski points out, as an example, that when Golf Canada introduced the First Tee – Canada program to help inner city kids get into golf couple of years ago, Oakdale was the first private club in Canada to jump on board. And years earlier when a young George Knudson moved from Winnipeg to Toronto to become the club’s professional, a group of members put together some money to send him out on the PGA TOUR.

“They told him he didn’t have to pay them back, just to go out and make the club proud,” said Sadowski. Knudson made all of Canada proud winning eight times between 1961 and 1972. And Sadowski says the membership has gotten behind the RBC Canadian Open in a big way. He says the members have bought out the club’s complete allotment of private lodges and have signed up in big numbers to volunteer for the various committees that are required to run an event as big as an RBC Canadian Open. “The members and their families are looking at this as great for Oakdale but also a great life experience, a chance of a lifetime,” he says. “This is something that money can’t buy.”

For more on the RBC Canadian Open,visit www.rbccanadianopen.com.

Goodwood, ON. – Peter Kuest finished atop the leaderboard, while Drew Nesbitt, Ryan Hall and David Carey earned their way through a playoff to secure the final qualifier exemptions in the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-11 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Ont.

Kuest, 24, from Fresno, Cal. shot a 6-under 66 to avoid being part of the playoff and felt everything was working for him today, “It’s a tough golf course so I figured just keep the ball in front of me and give myself some good looks at making a lower score and get a couple putts to drop and some of them went in. Tally them up at the end and a 66 so we’ll take it.”

Kuest will be making his third PGA Tour appearance of the season after having played at both the Valero Texas Open and the AT&T Byron Nelson Classic where he finished T14.

Nesbitt, Hall and Carey emerged from a 4-for-3 playoff after shooting rounds of 67, good for 5-under. All four golfers were part of the morning flight and had to wait it out to learn their fate.

In the playoff, Nesbitt rolled in his putt for birdie, while Hall and Carey earned their pars to advance after one playoff hole. Carey’s drive fell into an unplayable lie, and he was forced to take relief, but put his third shot from 177 yards onto the green to make par.

Nesbitt, 28, from Horseshoe Valley, Ont. will be making his third appearance at the RBC Canadian Open having played in 2017 and 2019.

Hall, 23, from Knoxville, Ten. will be making his second appearance in a PGA Tour event this season after playing in the World Wide Technology Championship last November. He will be making his first appearance at the RBC Canadian Open.

Carey, 26, from Dublin, Ireland will also be making his first appearance at the RBC Canadian Open and second PGA Tour tournament this season, having played at the Valero Texas Open.

The RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier featured a field of 122 golfers, for full results click here.

For tickets to the 2023 RBC Canadian Open click here.

Oakdale Golf and Country Club is not only the host of the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, but with a goal to make an impact beyond the championship, it has also opened its gates to children and non-golfing families in the community. By the end of this year, Oakdale will have introduced nearly 150 local youth to golf through First Tee – Ontario, at no cost to the participants, due to the generosity of the club’s membership.

First Tee is a youth development program that provides children with life-enhancing experiences through golf. First Tee – Ontario offers accessible introductory golf programming at golf courses, schools, and community centres, striving to ensure that the sport of golf reflects the diversity of Canadians.

Golf Canada partnered with First Tee in 2020 to launch First Tee – Canada, which is operational in nearly every region of the country, apart from Alberta, which is set to launch this summer.

As a private golf club, Oakdale’s access is typically reserved for members and guests. But with First Tee, Oakdale is setting itself apart from other private clubs by providing inclusive access to the game for high-density, lower-income neighbouring communities. Nearly 70 children from the nearby Oakdale Community Centre participated in First Tee programming last summer. This summer, more than 50 children from the Boys and Girls Club of Jane and Finch will be taking a short bus ride to the course to experience all that the sport has to offer.

“Our goal is to introduce golf to children from all backgrounds,” says Amaya Athill, Program Manager, First Tee – Ontario. “Together, we are actively addressing barriers such as affordability and accessibility by leveraging our resources to provide opportunities for meaningful access to golf.”

First Tee prides itself on providing empowering environments where children feel welcomed, safe to fail, and excited to grow. The curriculum is designed to introduce golf to children as young as five and incorporates a life skill component while focusing on having fun. Activities are modified to the age and ability of the participants and can include familiar sports such as baseball or bowling, but with a golf twist, while weaving in the continued development of skills such as confidence, perseverance, and integrity.  

The junior golf coaches at Oakdale, Bob Beauchemin (Ontario Golf Hall of Famer and 2022 recipient of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Award), and Izidor Markic, underwent First Tee training through the PGA of Canada last year. They have since immersed themselves in the brand and mission of introducing youth to golf, especially those who would not have otherwise had the opportunity and making a positive influence in their lives.

“It’s rewarding to be a part of this program, and a bigger movement to grow the game of golf. For most of the children, it’s their first time on a golf course,” said Bob Beauchemin, First Tee – Ontario Coach and Oakdale’s Director of Instruction. “To be a part of that first introduction to golf and then to see them progress through the program and gain confidence and skills, with a smile on their face, is amazing. We look forward to the continued success of First Tee in years to come.”

This year at the RBC Canadian Open, First Tee – Ontario and Golf Canada will host over 1,000 children from local community centres and the Toronto District School Board for behind-the-scenes tours and golf activations. The hope is to introduce children to golf in a fun and positive environment and expose them to the opportunities that are available in the world of golf, in addition to playing.

Beauchemin and his accompanying volunteer coaching staff have upheld Oakdale’s mission of making family the heart of their operations. Through First Tee – Ontario, Oakdale has created its own small family of golfers from the course’s very own backyard.

To date, First Tee – Ontario has nearly 20 golf facilities, 16 community centres, and 20 schools delivering programming across the province. To learn more about programming near you, or to donate, visit firstteeontario.ca.

Two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy along with international stars Matt Fitzpatrick, Sam Burns, Cameron Young, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Sahith Theegala and Justin Rose will be joined by past Major champions, in-year winners and Canadian stars led by Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Svensson, Nick Taylor, Adam Hadwin and Taylor Pendrith at Oakdale Golf and Country Club

20 Canadians set to compete in 112^th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship

RBCxMusic Concert Series to feature Grammy Award-winning artists The Black Eyed Peas (Friday, June 9) and Alanis Morrissette (Saturday, June 10) performing live onsite at Oakdale Golf & Country Club in Toronto

Toronto (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to announce the final field vying for the US$9 million purse at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-11 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Ont.

Two-time defending champion and world no. 3 Rory McIlroy returns to Canada looking to defend his title and make history as no player has even won three straight Canadian Open titles.

Other fan-favourites in the field for the 112^th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship include reigning US Open and RBC Heritage champion and world no. 8 Matthew Fitzpatrick and world no. 17 Tyrell Hatton, along with fellow European stars Tommy Fleetwood (world no. 23), Shane Lowry (world no. 26) and Justin Rose (world no. 28). 

The group will compete alongside Team RBC ambassadors Sam Burns (world no. 13), Cameron Young (world no. 16), Sahith Theegala (world no. 27), seven-time PGA TOUR winner Webb Simpson, and nine-time PGA TOUR winner Matt Kuchar.

A 20-player Canadian contingent will challenge for the national championship led by PGA TOUR winners Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. (world no. 29), Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C. (world no. 61), Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. (world no. 66), Nick Taylor of Abbottsford, B.C. (world no. 69), and Adam Hadwin of Abbottsford, B.C. (world no. 74) as well as fellow PGA TOUR members Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont. and Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont.

A trio of young rising stars representing three of the top-five players on the World Amateur Golf Ranking will also compete at Oakdale – world no. 1 Ludvig Aberg, world No. 3 Michael Thorbjornsen and world no. 5 Sam Bennett. Aberg, the Texas Tech senior and two-time Ben Hogan Award winner who finished atop the final PGA TOUR University standings to earn a tour card for the rest of the year, will make his professional debut at the RBC Canadian Open. Bennett, the 2022 US Amateur winner who was in contention at The Masters earlier this season, made his professional debut this week at The Memorial.   

In addition to world class golf, fans at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open will be treated to the two-night RBCxMusic Concert Series onsite at Oakdale Golf and Country with Grammy Award-winning pop group, the Black Eyed Peas performing on Friday, June 9 and Canadian Grammy Award-winning icon Alanis Morissette performing on Saturday, June 10.

“We are very pleased with our field of world-class competitors that are making their way to Canada to join us at Oakdale Golf and Country Club and challenge for the 112^th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bryan Crawford. “Led by our two-time 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 Fare Way featuring The Keg and the RBCxMusic Concert series featuring the Black Eyed Peas (Friday, June 9) and Alanis Morissette (Saturday, June 10).” 

In total, 156 players will compete for the US$9 million purse next week in Toronto when the RBC Canadian Open makes its first ever visit to the storied Oakdale Golf and Country Club. Oakdale, a 27-hole course (Thompson / Homenuik / Knudson) located near the heart of Toronto, will play as 7,264-yard (par 72) composite course, using 9-holes designed by Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Robbie Robinson and an additional nine holes designed by fellow Hall of Famer Stanley Thompson.

Click here for a full field list for the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.

PGA TOUR Season Winners…

Eight in-year PGA TOUR winners will compete at Oakdale including Mackenize Hughes ((Sanderson Farms), Rory McIlroy (CJ Cup), Adam Svensson (RSM Classic), Sahith Theegala (QBE Shootout), Justin Rose AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am), Davis Riley (Zurich Classic of New Orleans), Nico Echavarria (Puerto Rico Open) and Corey Conners (Valero Texas Open).

Major Winners….

Six major winners are represented in the field including four-time major winner Rory McIllroy (2011 US Open, 2012 & 2014 PGA Championship, 2014 Open Championship) along with Matt Fitzpatrick (2022 US Open), Shane Lowry (2019 Open Championship), Webb Simpson (2012 US Open), Jason Dufner (2013 PGA Championship) and Mike Weir (2003 Masters).

Past Champions…

Four past RBC Canadian Open champions will compete at Oakdale including Chez Reavie (2008), Sean O’Hair (2011), Brandt Snedeker (2013 ) and two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy (2022, 2019).

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

Current PGA TOUR players Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Hadwin, Nick Taylor, Adam Svensson, Taylor Pendrith, Michael Gligic, and will lead a talented roster of 20 Canadians competing in the RBC Canadian Open. The 2023 event welcomes home a legend as 8-time PGA TOUR winner and Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Mike Weir will make his 30^th start in the RBC Canadian Open. Other Canadians competing on exemption include David Hearn, Aaron Cockerill, Ben Silverman, Wil Bateman, and Roger Sloan, along with Team Canada members Stuart MacDonald, Myles Creighton, and Johnny Travale. Three other Canadians earned exemptions through RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifying including Taylor Durham of North Vancouver, B.C. (BC Regional Qualifier at Ledgeview Golf Club), Daniel Kim of Toronto, Ont. (Ontario Regional Qualifying #1 at Oshawa Golf & Curling Club), and Sebastian Szirmak of Toronto, Ont. (Ontario Regional Qualifying #2 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley). Team Canada pro Etienne Papineau of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu has also joined the field on a tournament exemption.  

Final Tournament Exemptions to be Named…

The final four tournament exemptions into the field for the 2023 RBC Canadian Open will be handed out at the Final Qualifier on Sunday, June 4 at Coppinwood Golf Club in Goodwood, Ont. A record number of players attempted to gain entry into the field by competing at five Regional Qualifying sites last month. A total of 124 players including 107 Canadians will compete at Coppinwood. Click here for a field list. 

Golf’s Longest Day – U.S. Open Final Qualifying on Monday June 5….

A total of 29 players including 10 Canadians will compete in the U.S. Open Final Qualifier on Monday, June 5 at Lambton Golf and Country Club in Toronto. Players competing in Golf’s Longest Day will battle over 36 holes at Lambton for one of the spots in the field for the 123^rd US Open, June 12-18 at LA Country Club. The total number of spots available will be confirmed in the coming days. Click here for pairings.

RBC Hall of Fame Day Returns on Tuesday, June 6…

Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to welcome the return of RBC Hall of Fame Day as an official kickoff event for the 2023 RBC Canadian Open. RBC Hall of Fame Day will include the induction ceremony for former PGA TOUR player Jim Rutledge as well as the late legendary golf writer, Robert Stanley Weir as the 84^th and 85^th honoured members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. Joining the celebration will be a several honoured members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. The event gets underway at 11:00am ET on Tuesday, June 6 at the SiriusXM stage located in The Fare Way featuring The Keg onsite at Oakdale Golf and Country Club.

MOBILE APP EXPERIENCE…

Experience the RBC Canadian Open like never before by downloading the Golf Canada Mobile App on your iOS or Android device. Essential features include a live map, leaderboard & pairings, tickets, breaking news, and special events. Plus, use the Golf Canada Mobile App to enhance your experience while playing! Find golf courses, track your game, set up matches against friends, access GPS yardages and more. Click here to download.

Click here for the full current list of competitors competing in the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-11 at Oakdale Golf and Country in Toronto.