Canada’s only PGA Tour event is heading to a new spot on the calendar—right ahead of the U.S. Open in June.
The RBC Canadian Open has suffered with a so-called “encumbered” date for years, right behind the British Open. That meant the tournament fought to get the best players to Canada, with many, including the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth, simply skipping the event because they don’t play the week after a major. The hope is the new date (the tournament will be played from June 3 to 9 next year) will generate a better field who use the tournament to prepare for the U.S. Open the following week.
“The RBC Canadian Open is one of the oldest and most-prestigious golf events in the world and we’re thrilled to start a new chapter in 2019,” said Mary DePaoli, RBC’s executive vice-president and chief marketing officer, in a press statement. “As the only Canadian stop on the Tour, the June tournament date will help enrich the experience for fans, players and all Canadians.”
The expectation is more European players might also come to the tournament in advance of the U.S. Open, which is being held next year at Pebble Beach.
The date change was anticipated as the PGA Tour reworks its overall schedule due to some sponsorship changes among some of the other tournaments on the schedule, and a desire to move the Players Championship earlier in the year.
The Canadian Open will also get a bump in the purse size, moving to US$7.6-million in 2019. This year’s purse is US$7-million.
“Golf Canada is beyond thrilled by RBC’s overall support for the Canadian Open,” said Laurence Applebaum, Golf Canada’s CEO. “This exciting change will inject tremendous energy into the RBC Canadian Open and make Canadian golf better.”
The names of the first players to commit to this year’s Canadian Open, which is being played at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., started appearing recently. Among those expected to be in the field are U.S. Open winner Brooks Koepka and World No. 1 Dustin Johnson, as well as Tommy Fleetwood, Bubba Watson and Tony Finau.
#NowWeGolf LeaderBoard Bleacher at “The Rink”
Golf Town has added something new this year’s RBC Canadian Open exclusively for our LeaderBoard Members who will be on site for this year’s event! LeaderBoard Members who are at the Tournament will have exclusive access to the #NowWeGolf LeaderBoard Bleacher at “The Rink” where they will be able to watch all the action in an exclusive viewing area! More details to come!
Great news for Canadian Open. Now we just need some variety in venue. Glen Abbey has seen enough action.
agreed. If the US open is on the west coast, bring it Shaughnessy or a somewhere on the west coast. Its only 2.5 hours from Vancouver to Pebble not 5.5 plus time change. If its east coast, Cabot Cliffs. Travel is also on the minds of players
It will be a tall order to have top players commit to play the week before the US Open if the course condition of the RBC Open venue is not similar to that of the US Open. The key to better participation is having a venue the players enjoy and is crowd friendly.