The 2017 RBC Canadian Open was one to remember. From a dramatic playoff finish to a hockey rink hole, here are some of the top highlights from the week.
Jhonatthan Vegas defends Canadian Open title
An incredible battle that ended with a playoff win for Jhonattan Vegas over Charley Hoffman capped a great week at Glen Abbey for the RBC Canadian Open. Though a quick thunderstorm hit Thursday, the rest of the week was near perfect—right down to the dramatic conclusion of the event.
For much of the year Mizuno has been one of the hottest brands for players not under contract to a major manufacturer. And such was the case at the RBC Canadian Open this past week where winner Jhonattan Vegas, who successfully defended his title, won using Mizuno MP4 irons.
Vegas credited the move from Mizuno’s MP18 irons to the MP4 for part of his success at Glen Abbey. He used a Titleist ProV1 ball, a TaylorMade M2 driver and prototype Titleist Vokey wedges in his win.
Vegas is one of numerous tour players—especially golfers left without equipment contracts over the last year—to switch to Mizuno. Players using Mizuno clubs includes Brooks Koepka, Sam Saunders, Lucas Glover, Vijay Singh and others.
Vegas said he’s been playing well lately, though the results until the Canadian Open didn’t reflect that.
“I feel like I’m in great form,” he said after his win. “Pretty much since the win here last year, I feel like I’ve been playing some really good golf. Obviously, this is a really frustrating game where things don’t go your way all the time. But I would say my confidence level and the trust in my abilities obviously have gone up since the win here last year.”
The Rink
Perhaps the most talked about addition to the event was the transformation of the par-3 7th hole into a rink-styled fan experience, complete with hockey boards and rink-side bleachers and a Golf Town viewing deck. Volunteer marshals on the hole were outfitted in referee uniforms, while rink boards outlined the hole, replacing traditional roping. Fans embraced the atmosphere, banging on the boards like they were at a hockey game, and the players got into the hockey spirit too, tossing swag into the crowds.
TaylorMade’s Spider Putter #1 on Tour
The start of a PGA Tour event is hectic and crazy for those involved in preparing players for golf’s grandest stage. We caught up with Shawn Mullin, a longtime tour rep for TaylorMade, during a busy week at the Canadian Open.
Mullin knows the nuances of PGA Tour pros better than practically anyone. Mullin, a Canadian who lives in Muskoka and travels to most tour events, is responsible for making sure staff players and others are using equipment that perfectly matches their swings.
So what’s the biggest trend Mullin has seen recently—one that was demonstrated at the RBC Canadian Open in Oakville? Mullin says it is the emergence of the Spider Tour Red and Black putters, which have exploded since they were first used by Jason Day and Dustin Johnson respectively.
“It went from being something Jason used, to being the No. 1 model on tour with more than 30 players using it,” says Mullin. “I was literally sending out 15 demos to players each week on tour, and a lot of them weren’t TaylorMade players.”
One of the most interesting elements of the Spider Tour putter rise is the number of golfers using it who would not typically utilize a putter designed for a high moment of inertia, forgiveness and stability.
“Martin Kaymer just put it in his bag and he’s always been a blade guy and isn’t one who switches very often,” Mullin explains.
What is it like working with tour pros every week?
“Watching these guys with new clubs is like watching a mechanic with a wrench—they know exactly what to do and what they want,” he says. “They can tell you the difference between a D2 and D3 swing weight after one swing. They have such sensitivity to feel it is just incredible.”
Bob Vokey Inducted to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame
Bob Vokey, the Canadian best known for crafting some of the world’s best wedges, was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame this week in a ceremony that saw top Titleist brass fly into the country for the recognition.
“This is something I would never have dreamed of as a young boy growing up in Verdun, working in my Dad’s machine shop,” Vokey said in his speech. “I’ve never forgotten where I came from, so to see my name on the same list of Canadian golf legends is overwhelming.”
Titleist CEO Wally Uihlein introduced Vokey at the ceremony.
“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity Wally Uihlein and Titleist gave me, and this honor is a reflection on him, as well as everybody else who has allowed me to live out my passion during all my years in golf,” Vokey said.
Canadian Nick Taylor Stopped by Golf Town
Canadian Nick Taylor stopped our Golf Town Burlington store during the Canadian Open for a quick Facebook Live session. One thing is clear—Taylor, a PGA Tour winner in the midst of a strong season, isn’t quick to change clubs. He hit TaylorMade’s Tour Preferred MB irons in his bag for three seasons before making the switch earlier this year to the P770 iron.
“I loved them as soon as I switched and I’ll stick with them until I see something better coming along,” said Taylor, from Abbotsford, BC.
Taylor gamed an M1 driver last year, but moved to the M2 because it is, for his game, a stronger offering.
“I was looking for a little more spin,” he says. “I may be down a little bit in yardage, but I’m hitting way more fairways, and that’s a lot more important for me.”
He also added a high-launch M2 3-wood just in time for the Canadian Open.
It was an exciting week at the RBC Canadian Open, and the tournament will again be returning to Glen Abbey in 2018. Thanks for following Golf Town’s social channels all the breaking news from the RBC Canadian Open, and remember the CP Women’s Open in Ottawa is just around the corner, with Canadian and Golf Town Athlete Brooke Henderson battling for one of the top prizes in women’s golf. We will be there!