US Open Champion Webb Simpson and Top Finishers Jim Furyk, Michael Thompson, Ernie Els, Fredrik Jacobsen and Retief Goosen Commit to Play
2012 PLAYERS Champion Matt Kuchar and World #10 Hunter Mahan Join Strong Field for National Open Championship
OAKVILLE, ON, June 19, 2012 /CNW/ - The forthcoming RBC Canadian Open is building momentum. This year's field will boast some of the best players in the world, bolstered by freshly minted US Open Champion Webb Simpson among other high profile players who challenged this past weekend at Olympic Club in San Francisco. In addition to Simpson, who is currently the 5th ranked player in the world on the heels of his Major Championship win, Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to report that a number of great names have indicated their intent to play the 2012 RBC Canadian Open.
RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bill Paul today released an interim list that currently boasts names featured within the top echelon of the Official World Golf Rankings and the season long FedEx Cup point race. While this year's host venue has many players excited about playing in Canada, Paul credits the strength of this year's venue and the support of title sponsor RBC as major factors in the interest being shown for Canada's National Open Championship. In addition to today's announcement, Golf Canada is very pleased with the dialogue among high profile players and promises additional names will be released over the next few weeks.
"Five weeks out from the RBC Canadian Open, we are very pleased with how the field is coming together," said Paul. "Hamilton Golf and Country Club has been one of the most talked about venues on Tour this year and has been a drawing feature for many of the players announced today. The strength of our field is also a testament to the commitment of our partners at RBC in delivering a world-class event experience to Canadian golf fans."
In addition to the names released today, defending champion Sean O'Hair will be in Hamilton, joined by Canadians Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, Graham DeLaet and David Hearn when the 103rd playing of Canada's National Open championship kicks off July 23-29. Confirmed players include:
Webb Simpson
- 3-time PGA Tour winner, 1-time major winner (2012 U.S. Open)
- Currently ranked No. 5 in the world and No. 9 on the FedEx Cup points chase
Matt Kuchar
- 4-time PGA Tour winner including 2012 The Players Championship
- Currently ranked No. 7 in the world and No. 7 on the FedEx Cup points chase
Hunter Mahan
- 5-time PGA Tour winner including the 2012 World Golf Championships - Accenture Match Play Championship
- Currently ranked No. 10 in the world and No. 2 on the FedEx Cup points chase
Jim Furyk
- 16-time PGA TOUR winner, and 1-time major winner (2003 U.S. Open)
- 2-time Canadian Open champion (2006 and 2007)
Ernie Els
- 18-time PGA Tour winner and 3-time major winner (1994 and 1997 U.S. Open, 2002 Open Championship)
- Currently ranked No. 39 in the world and No. 27 on the FedEx Cup points chase
Michael Thompson
- Finished T2 at the 2012 U.S. Open
- Currently ranked No. 52 in the world and No. 39 on the FedEx Cup points chase
Fredrik Jacobsen
- 1-time PGA Tour winner (2011 Travelers Championship)
- Currently ranked No. 44 in the world and No. 94 on the FedEx Cup points chase
Retief Goosen
- 7-time PGA Tour winner, and 2-time major winner (2001 and 2004 U.S. Open)
- Currently ranked No. 61 in the world and No. 137 on the FedEx Cup points chase
Canadians Earn Their Way to Hamilton
In addition to those qualifying regionally and players ranked at the top of the Canadian TOUR Order of Merit and Nationwide Tour, a number Canadian hopefuls will look to challenge for the 2012 Championship. Two Canadian amateur golfers have qualified for the field - Team Canada National Squad member Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. who earned a spot by winning the 2011 Canadian Men's Amateur Championship and Rob Couture of Trenton, Ont., who secured a spot thanks to his win at the 2011 Canadian Men's Mid-Amateur Championship. Look for a complete overview of Canadians in the Field in forthcoming Golf Canada announcements.
VOLUNTEERS:
Golf Canada is also please to announce that all 1,400 volunteer committee positions for the 2012 RBC Canadian Open have been filled.
TICKETS:
Grounds tickets for all days of Canada's National Open Championship as well as a limited number of premium ticket packages are still available.
Grounds Tickets (advance pricing):
| Junior Grounds Ticket | FREE |
| Monday Grounds | $20.00 |
| Tuesday Grounds | $20.00 |
| Wednesday Grounds | $20.00 |
| Thursday Grounds | $70.00 |
| Friday Grounds | $70.00 |
| Saturday Grounds | $70.00 |
| Sunday Grounds | $70.00 |
| Anyday Grounds | $70.00 |
Premium Ticket Packages - Golf Canada House (advance pricing):
These VIP passes provide a full week of grounds access as well as admittance to the exclusive Golf Canada House located between the 17th & 18th fairways. Built to evoke a clubhouse environment, Golf Canada House is your on-course lounge and your front row seat to the stars of the PGA TOUR. The Golf Canada House passes includes upgraded food and beverage choices for purchase; indoor seating with big screen TV's, reserved washrooms; individual daily passes for each day; complimentary parking passes
Golf Canada House Single $300.00
One (1) individual daily Golf Canada House pass for each day, Monday to Sunday
Golf Canada House 2-Some $550.00
Two (2) individual daily Golf Canada House passes for each day and one (1) parking pass, Monday to Sunday
Golf Canada House 4-Some $1,000.00
Four (4) individual daily Golf Canada House passes for each day and two (2) daily parking passes, Monday to Sunday
ABOUT THE 2012 RBC CANADIAN OPEN
Part of the FedEx Cup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5.2 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 23-29, 2012 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. Established in 1904, the tournament 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, Bell, BMW Group Canada, C.F.F Stainless Steels, Molson Canadian 67, TaylorMade adidas Golf, The Glenlivet, The Globe and Mail, Reader's Digest and the City of Hamilton. For tournament information, please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com or call 1-800-571-6736.
RBC GOLF
RBC proudly supports golf around the world through high profile relationships with the PGA TOUR, the
PGA of America and Golf Canada. RBC is the Official Banking and Financial Services partner of touring professionals Luke Donald, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, Matt Kuchar, Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, Fred Couples
and Morgan Pressel. As the Official Bank of the PGA of America and title sponsor of both the RBC Heritage and the RBC Canadian Open, RBC also supports emerging Canadian golfers through Golf Canada's grassroots developmental programming, their Canadian Amateur Golf Championships and high performance national team. Outside of golf, RBC sponsors amateur sport, from grassroots to national sport associations. RBC is one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies and among the largest banks in the world, as measured by market capitalization.
GOLF CANADA - LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing more than 340,000 members at close to 1,500 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sport Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, Golf Canada's mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game.
A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada conducts championships, programs and services to help shape the present and future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, Golf in Schools presented by Callaway, Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, CN Canadian Women's Tour and CN Future Links - Canada's national junior golf program - are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. As the authority for golf in Canada, the association also administers the Rules of Golf, amateur status and handicapping and course rating.
In addition, Golf Canada conducts Canada's most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women's Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships provide world class competitive opportunities for Canada's top golfers to showcase their talents.
For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit us online at www.golfcanada.ca.
Dan Pino
Director, Corporate Communications
Golf Canada
(t) 1-800-263-0009 ext. 406
(c) 416-434-5525
(e) [email protected]
Jackie Braden
Senior Manager, Brand Communications
RBC
(t) 416-974-1724
(e) [email protected]
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