OAKVILLE, Ont. – The 109^th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship gets underway  with 156 of the world’s best golfers, including 21 Canadians and world No. 1 Dustin Johnson set to compete for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open trophy and the champion’s share of the $6.2 million (US) purse.

Johnson, an 18-time winner on the PGA TOUR, has had great success at Canada’s National Open Championship, finishing runner-up in both 2013 and 2016.

“It’s always good to come back here. I’ve had some success here and I enjoy coming and playing the Canadian Open, especially being an RBC ambassador,” said Johnson. “I get a lot of fans out here and they’ve been great the past few years.”

The world’s No. 1 golfer had high praise for the work superintendent Andrew Gyba and his team have done to get the course ready for the RBC Canadian Open.

“The course is in really good shape, probably the best shape I’ve seen it since I’ve played here,” added Johnson. “It’s going to be a good week.”

Johnson went on to talk about the recently announced date change for the RBC Canadian Open—moving to June 3 to 9 beginning in 2019—and the impact he anticipates it will have on the tournament.

“I think it’ll be good for the golf tournament. A lot of guys like to play the week before the U.S. Open, so you’ll definitely get some different guys,” said Johnson. “I think the field will definitely improve, even though this year I feel like we have a really good field at the tournament.”

PAIRINGS FOR ROUNDS 1 and 2
Pairings and start times for the opening two rounds of the 109th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship on Thursday, July 26 and Friday, July 27 are now available online here.

INTERVIEW VIDEO, AUDIO AND TRANSCRIPTS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 25
Interview, audio and transcripts for the following players and events from Wednesday, July 25 are available here and video is available here. Please note the videos are unedited, uncut and broadcast-quality.

• Brooks Koepka
• Jhonattan Vegas
• Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Connors
• Dustin Johnson

2018 MEDIA GUIDE AND PLAYER PERFORMANCE BOOK:
Media can also download the 2018 RBC Canadian Open Media Guide for complete stats, records and historical information. Media can also download the 2018 RBC Canadian Open Player Performance Book which details individual player statistics from 1904-2017.

TELEVISION COVERAGE:
The following are television times for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open:

Thursday July 26

• TSN 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  Golf Channel 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Friday July 27

• TSN 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  Golf Channel 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday July 28

• Golf Channel 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• CBS & Global 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday July 29

• Golf Channel 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• CBS & Global 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

RED AND WHITE DAY:
On Friday, July 27, we invite you to wear your brightest reds and your whitest whites to celebrate Canada and show your support for the Canadian players competing in our National Open. Canadian flags will be handed out at the main entrance while supplies last. 

TICKETS:
Grounds tickets for all days of the 2018 RBC Canadian Open, as well as, a limited number of premium ticket packages are still available. A full list of ticket packages and pricing is available online at http://www.rbccanadianopen.com/. Golf Canada and RBC are also pleased to offer FREE admission to juniors 17 and younger—Click here to download a FREE Junior Pass.

PORT BLANDFORD, N.L. – Owen Mullen emerged as leader in the Boys Division while Haley Baker captured a playoff victory at the Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship at Twin Rivers Golf Course on Thursday.

Mullen, who started the day co-leading with Peter Blazevic, shot a 1-over-par 72 — the low round of the day — to earn his victory in the Boys Division. The Truro, N.S., talent had a slow start with three consecutive bogeys but rebounded with an impressive eagle on the 9th hole, followed by three birdies on the back-nine to earn a two-stroke victory.

“I’m really excited. It’s my second win of the year. I haven’t been playing my best lately so it was good to close this one out and get the win. It’ll be my first nationals and going to Medicine Hat should be a good time looking to play well and hoping to make the cut.”

“It’s my second win of the year. I haven’t been playing my best lately so it was good to close this one out and get the win,” said the 14-year-old, who is heading to the Canadian Junior Boys Championship in near the end of the month. “The tournament will be my first nationals. I’m just looking to play well there and am hoping to make the cut.”

Blazevic, Mullen’s second round co-lead, finished close behind in second after carding a 3 over. The 14-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., struggled throughout the round but ended strong with back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes. He finished at 6-over-par 221.

Finishing in third place was Ewan Jr. Kelly from Beaver Bank, N.S., at 11-over-par 224. The 17-year-old fired a tournament-low 70 on Tuesday to lead after the first round but fell to third place after carding 78-76.

The other top-six finishers earning exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 30-Aug. 2 at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club in Medicine Hat, Alta., are:  Michael Simms of St. John’s, N.L., Mark Chandler of Chester, N.S., and Eric Yun of Richmond Hill, Ont.

In the Girls Division, Haley Baker and Raesa Sheikh fired final rounds of 11 over and 7 over, respectively, to finish the round at 17-over-par 230 and enter into a playoff for first. Baker outlasted Sheikh and won the playoff by one stroke on hole number one.

“I think it’s a pretty big win for me. It was probably one of the better tournaments I played in score wise but it was pretty nerve-wracking,” said Baker, who played alongside her younger sister in the final round. “My sister was really supportive of me because she saw I was struggling. She just told me to stay with it, so that was very helpful.”

Four shots back from Baker and Sheikh was Haley’s younger sister, Abbey Baker. The 13-year-old finished in third at 21-over-234.

Rounding out the top six earning exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C. are Ashley Chow (North York, Ont.), Taylor Cormier (Corner Brook, N.L.) and Mackenzie Deveau (Moncton, N.B.).

2018 FUTURE LINKS, DRIVEN BY ACURA ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS – JUNIOR BOYS DIVISION

1. Owen Mullen, Truro, NS, *76-71-72-219 +6
2. Peter Blazevic, Mississauga, ON, *74-73-74-221 +8
3. Ewan Jr Kelly, Beaver Bank, NS, *70-78-76-224 +11
4. Michael Simms, St. John’s, NL, *77-73-76-226 +13
5. Mark Chandler, Chester, NS, *77-75-76-228 +15
6. Tae Kyoung (Eric) Yun, Richmond Hill, ON, *77-78-75-230 +17

2018 FUTURE LINKS, DRIVEN BY ACURA ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS – JUNIOR GIRLS DIVISION

1. x-Haley Baker, Halifax, NS, *73-75-82-230 +17
2. Raesa Sheikh, Caledon, ON, *74-78-78-230 +17
3. Abbey Baker, Halifax, NS, *81-75-78-234 +21
4. Ashley Chow, North York, ON, *75-82-79-236 +23
5. Taylor Cormier, Corner Brook, NL, *86-89-80-255 +42
6. Mackenzie Deveau, Moncton, NB, *88-91-90-269 +56

Full results.

OAKVILLE, Ont. — The 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Event will take place on Saturday, July 21 at Glen Abbey Golf Club, the host of the 2018 RBC Canadian Open.

Twenty-four golfers from three age groups will compete in the 10th edition of the Junior Skills National Event which returns to Glen Abbey Golf Club as a lead in event to Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.

The participating juniors will compete in a four-part skills challenge (putting, chipping, driving and iron play) with one overall winner per age group and gender.

Golf Canada, in partnership with Acura and the PGA of Canada will host the national finals of the 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge on Saturday, July 21 at Glen Abbey Golf Club. The event is the culmination of more than 3000 Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills participants competing at 171 golf facilities across Canada. The field is comprised of 24 golfers from across Canada: five boys and girls in the 9-11 age group; four girls and boys in the 12-14 age group; and three boys and girls in the 15-18 division; all selected from the top of the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Leaderboard.

FIELD

Girls 9-11
Lea Lemieux (Garson, Ont., Timberwolf Golf Academy )

Sophia Xu (King City, Ont., Kings Riding Golf Club)

Avery Cohen (New Glasgow, N.S., Brian Affleck Golf Academy)

Katherine Hao (Vancouver, B.C., Fraserview Golf Course)

Lindsay McGrath (Milton, Ont, Glencairn Golf Club)

Boys 9-11
Manav Bharani (Brampton, Ont., Turnberry Golf Club)

Colby Bent (New Glasgow, N.S., Brian Affleck Golf Academy)

Andre Zhu (King City, Ont., King Valley Golf Club)

Grady Cohen (New Glasgow, N.S., Brian Affleck Golf Academy)

Brayden Boge (Winnipeg, Man., Golf Mentor Academy)

Girls 12-14
Alissa Xu (King City, Ont., Kings Riding Golf Club)

Annabelle Chapleau (Mont Tremblant, Que., Club des Champions)

Jahnavi Bharani (Brampton, Ont., Turnberry Golf Club,)

Jean Craig (New Glasgow, N.S., Brian Affleck Golf Academy)

Boys 12-14
Cale Maclaughlin (New Glasgow, N.S., Brian Affleck Golf Academy)

Matis Lessard (Québec, Que., Académie de Golf Fred Colgan)

Brent Chapman (New Glasgow, N.S., Brian Affleck Golf Academy)

Nicholas Colton (Bathurst, N.B., Gowan Brae Golf Club)

Girls 15-18
Taylor Cormier (Corner Brook, N.L., Blomidon Golf and Country Club)

Camille Gagnon (Sainte-Julie, Que., Club de Golf la Vallée du Richelieu)

Chelsea Joseph (Lethbridge, Alta.; Lethbridge Country Club)

Boys 15-18
Owen Gauder (Thornhill, Ont., Bayview Golf and Country Club)

Gregoire Vincent (Québec, Que., Académie de golf Fred Colgan)

Jack Rain (Sudbury, Ont., Idylwylde Golf & Country Club)

The winners of the Future Links driven by Acura Skills Challenge National Event in the boys and girls 15-18 age groups will receive an exemption into their local Future Links driven by AcuraChampionship in 2019. All other attending participants of the Future Links driven by Acura Junior Skills National Event will receive prizing courtesy of Titleist Footjoy.

On Sunday, July 22, Future Links, driven by Acura Skills Challenge National Event participants will have the opportunity to play the famous Glen Abbey layout in an exciting match play format, outfitted by program sponsor Cobra Puma Golf. Following that, participants will be provided weekly grounds passes and have an opportunity to be involved in Monday’s Golf Canada Foundation Pro-Am and secure a spot in Wednesday’s Walk with a Pro event during the RBC Canadian Open Pro-Am.

For more information on the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills National Event click here.

PORT BLANDFORD, N.L. — Ewan Jr. Kelly and Haley Baker carded a 1 under and 2 over, respectively, to lead their divisions at the Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship at Twin Rivers Golf Course.

Kelly was the only player to score under par during the first round of the tournament. The Beaver Bank, N.S., native overcame a couple of bogeys on the front-nine with four birdies to head into the second round with a four-stroke lead.

“I hit it pretty solid and managed really well,” said the 17-year-old. “My plan tomorrow is to keep it in play and miss in the right spots. I only hit one driver today and probably not going to hit any more.”

Jordie Cooper of Fall River, N.S. and Peter Blazevic of Mississauga, Ont. both shot 3 over to share a piece of second place.

In the Girls’ Division, Haley Baker fired four birdies in order to recover from a rough front-nine that included three bogeys and a double-bogey.

“My start was a little shaky but my putting was really good today,” said the 16-year-old Halifax, N.S. product. “I got into some trouble on a couple of holes today so my plan for the second round is to keep it in play.”

The race in the Girls’ Division will be tight on Wednesday. Raesa Sheikh of Caledon, Ont., sits one shot behind Baker in second place at 3 over while Ashley Chow of North York, Ont., is in third at 4 over.

The top six finishers in the Boys Division will earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 30-Aug. 2 at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club in Medicine Hat, Alta., while the top six (including ties) in the Girls Division will earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on July 31- Aug. 3 at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C.

Up-to-date results can be found here.