Team Canada members Matthew Anderson, Stuart Macdonald and Jared du Toit along with Michael Gligic and Richard T. Lee and David Hearn join previously announced exemption recipients, four Regional Qualifying medalists and eight Canadian PGA TOUR members as part of 25-player Canadian contingent for the 113th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship at Hamilton Golf and Country Club
(May 22, 2024) Golf Canada and RBC have confirmed the names of six Canadians who have accepted exemptions into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, May 28 – June 2 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ont.
Leading the way are three members of Team Canada. Matthew Anderson of Mississauga, Ont. has earned an exemption and will be competing at Canada’s National Open Championship for the second time of his career. Anderson has also enjoyed a strong season on PGA TOUR Americas this year, with a win at the 69th ECP Brazil Open last month and three top-five finishes in six events. Anderson is currently ranked no. 1 on the Fortinet Cup 2024 Standings.
Stuart Macdonald of Vancouver, B.C. has earned an exemption for his strong start to the season on PGA TOUR Americas, highlighted by a win at the Diners Club Peru Open. Macdonald has also competed in two events on the Korn Ferry Tour and finished in the top-25 at the Mexico Open on the PGA TOUR in February. This will mark Macdonald’s third appearance at the RBC Canadian Open. Macdonald is currently ranked no. 4 on the Fortinet Cup 2024 Standings.
Jared du Toit, of Kimberley, B.C. will be making his fifth appearance at Canada’s National Open. This season, du Toit has earned a top-10 and a top-25 finish in six events on the Korn Ferry Tour. du Toit also earned a top-10 finish at the IRS Prima Malaysian Open on the Asian Tour in February.
Joining the Team Canada athletes are PGA TOUR member Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont. who will be making his seventh appearance at the RBC Canadian Open. This season, Gligic has competed in two PGA TOUR events and a number of Monday Qualifiers.
Richard T. Lee of Toronto, Ont. has also earned an exemption to compete in Ancaster, Ont. Lee competes on the Asian Tour where he is currently ranked 8th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. This season, Lee has earned two top-10 finishes as well as four top-25 finishes and has won twice in his career on the tour. Lee will be making his third appearance at the RBC Canadian Open.
PGA TOUR veteran David Hearn of Brantford, Ont. has also accepted an exemption to compete in his 20th RBC Canadian Open.
Four other Canadians earned exemptions through RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifying including Jake Lane of Vancouver, B.C. (BC Regional Qualifier at Pitt Meadows Golf Club), Justin Matthews (a) of Little Britain, Ont. (First Ontario Regional Qualifying at Oshawa Golf & Curling Club), Marc-Olivier Plasse of Léry, Que. (Quebec Regional Qualifier at Club de golf Le Blainviller) and Cam Kellett (a) of London, Ont. (Second Ontario Regional Qualifier at Tarandowah Golfers Club).
In total, a 25-player Canadian contingent will challenge for the national championship led by RBC Canadian Open defending champion, Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. (world no. 28) and PGA TOUR winners, Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. (world no. 50), Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C. (world no. 55), Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont. (world no. 61), Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. (world no. 68), Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C. (world no. 86), as well as fellow PGA TOUR members Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont. and Roger Sloan of Calgary, Alta.
Canadian golf icon and President’s Cup International Team Captain Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont. will be competing in his 31st RBC Canadian Open, one back of fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George Cummings who had a record 32 starts in Canada’s National Open Championship.
As previously announced, three Canadians accepted tournament exemptions to compete including DP World Tour player Aaron Cockerill of Winnipeg, Man., along with Korn Ferry Tour competitors Wil Bateman of Edmonton, Alta. and Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S.
Previous exemption were also secured by Kevin Stinson of Mission, B.C. Étienne Papineau of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que. and reigning Canadian Men’s Amateur champion Ashton McCullough of Kingston, Ont.
“We are excited provide exemptions to many Canadians that have had successful seasons on their respective tours through the start of the 2024 season,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bryan Crawford. “The field is shaping up strongly as we get closer to tournament week.”
Sudarshan Yellamaraju, of Mississauga, Ont. was offered an exemption but declined in order to focus on his season on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Four additional exemptions will be available during the RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier on Monday, May 27 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont.
In addition to world class golf, fans at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open will be treated to the three-night SiriusXM Concert Series onsite at Hamilton Golf and Country Club featuring an all-Canadian line-up. Dance music duo Loud Luxury and Toronto DJ Frank Walker will perform on Thursday, May 30; night two features Juno Award winners July Talk and Canadian legends Our Lady Peace on Friday, May 31; and Saturday, June 1 will be highlighted by award-winning singer, songwriter and philanthropist, Lindsay Ell and country music rising star Josh Ross.
Tickets for the 2024 RBC Canadian Open are available here. Children aged 12-and-under get free admission with a ticketed adult.
ABOUT THE 2024 RBC CANADIAN OPEN
Part of the FedExCup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete at the RBC Canadian Open, May 28 – June 2, 2024, at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, 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 creating a positive impact in the event’s host community. 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, BDO, Audi, theScoreBet, Levelwear, Titleist, FootJoy, Hilton, Sleeman Clear 2.0, Johnsonville, Humi, Think Turkey, Cub Cadet, SiriusXM, The Keg, Masi, Cayman Islands, Cottage Springs, Magic Windows, Maestro Dobel Tequila, Celebrity Cruises, STALK&BARREL, Matt & Steve’s, Avis, Coca-Cola, and the Government of Ontario and City of Hamilton. The RBC Canadian Open is proud to support First Tee – Canada as the event’s official charity partner. For more information, visit www.rbccanadianopen.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dan Pino | Sr. Director, Communications | Golf Canada | 416-434-5525 | dpino@golfcanada.ca
Fiona Anderson | Sr. Manager, Brand Communications | 437-991-2173 | fionaelisabeth.anderson@rbc.com
