RBC Canadian Open field continues to strengthen

Golf Canada, in partnership with title sponsor RBC, announced today that two-time former Canadian Open champion Jim Furyk has confirmed his intention to compete at the 2010 RBC Canadian Open, July 19-25 at the historic St. George's Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

Furyk, currently the 5th ranked player in the world and winner of both the 2006 and 2007 Canadian Opens, will be joined by long-hitting Bubba Watson, rising star Ricky Barnes, former Canadian Open champion Scott Verplank and fan favourite John Daly.   

With a pair of 2010 PGA TOUR victories (Transitions Championship & Verizon Heritage), Furyk currently sits 4th on the FedEx Cup standing.  Watson, winner of the recent Travelers Championship, currently sits 10th on the FedEx Cup ranking while Barnes and Verplank, a five-time PGA TOUR winner, sit 20th and 32nd respectively on the 2010 FedEx Cup ranking.   Daly, a fan favourite throughout his career, is a five-time PGA TOUR winner and former British Open and PGA Championship champion.

Furyk, Watson, Barnes, Verplank and Daly will join a field that includes notables Anthony Kim Sean O'Hair, Rickie Fowler, Camilo Villegas, Hunter Mahan, Luke Donald, Retief Goosen, Tim Clark, Y.E. Yang, Matt Kuchar, Fred Couples, Paul Casey and defending RBC Canadian Open champion Nathan Green.  

While several PGA TOUR players have confirmed their intention to compete for Canada's National Open Championship, competitors have until Friday, July 16 at 5:00 ET to officially register for the 2010 RBC Canadian Open.

EXEMPT CANADIANS
Golf Canada and RBC also announced that Canadians Jon Mills, David Hearn and Dustin Risdon have earned exemptions into the 2010 RBC Canadian Open.   Hearn and Mills sit 13th and 24th on the 2010 Nationwide Tour Money List while Risdon, who sits 70th on the Nationwide Money List is coming off a recent victory at the Canadian Tour's ATB Financial Classic Presented by TELUS.

The group announced today joins exempt Canadian favourites Stephen Ames, Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Mike Weir and PGA TOUR rookie Graham DeLaet.  Other Canadians set to compete include two-time defending Canadian Men's Amateur champion Cam Burke as well as Team Canada teammates Nick Taylor and Eugene Wong.  Former Team Canada member Matt Hill will also participate as a professional and will be joined by 2009 Canadian Men's Mid-Amateur Champion Dave Bunker and 2009 Canadian PGA champion Ben Boudreau. 

ON-SITE FAN EXPERIENCES
RBC will provide spectators with the chance to participate in some exciting on-site spectator promotional activities while in attendance at St. George's Golf and Country Club. The WestJet RBC MasterCard Putting Challenge will allow participants to compete on a 3-hole putting course, adjacent to the North Spectator Entrance, for their chance to win $250,000. On Saturday July 24th, two finalists will each have the opportunity to putt on the 18th green for $250,000 for themselves, and another $250,000 for charity.  The WestJet RBC MasterCard Putting Challenge is open Monday to Wednesday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, and Thursday and Friday from 8:00am - 7:00pm. For more information please visit www.rbc.com/westjetputt.

The RBC Direct Investing Practice Zone gives spectators the chance to "virtually" play St. George's famous par 3, 16th hole. Located on-site, alongside the 17th hole, this state of the art   3-D golf simulator will allow spectators to participate in a daily closest-to-the-pin contest on an exact representation of the 16th hole. For every shot that lands on the green, a donation will be made to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation. As an added bonus, spectators will also have videos of their swings captured, and can view their swings at a later date and even compare them to those of some of the biggest stars on the PGA TOUR. The RBC Direct Investing Practice Zone will be open daily (Monday - Sunday) from 8:00am - 5:00pm.

MIKE WEIR CHARITY CLASSIC ONLINE AUCTION:
Get in the action at the 2010 Mike Weir Charity Classic! On Monday July 19th you can walk the fairways of St. George's alongside some of the biggest stars on the PGA TOUR, Olympic Gold Medalists, and Hollywood Actors.

Caddie positions are up for auction for many of our guests such as Mike Weir, Camilo Villegas, Fred Couples, Jon Montgomery, Dion Phaneuf, and many more. All proceeds from the auction will benefit The Mike Weir Foundation.  For more information and a link to all of the auction items, visit www.weircharityclassic.com.

For those individuals who are not inclined to caddie, but are interested in a front row seat, VIP Honourary Observer packages are also available. Honourary Observers will walk inside the ropes with their group for a great view of all of the action.

Additionally, ClubLink, Canada's largest golf course operator, is supporting the Mike Weir Charity Classic with the donation of a ClubLink Trail Package to be auctioned in support of the Mike Weir Foundation.

ADDITIONAL ONSITE FAN ACTIVITIES:
Stop by the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation in the RBC Direct Investing Tent near the 17th green, for a chance to win a personalized Mike Weir signed golf bag and a complete set of TaylorMade clubs while supporting a great cause.

Bell Spectator Communications Centre - Bell's technology teams have designed a comprehensive communication network, ensuring Bell connects the RBC Canadian Open to golf fans worldwide. As part of their commitment to the championship, Bell has provided a technology solution that includes a broad communications network, television broadcast support, internet and portal services, and of course the powerful Bell Media Centre.  Spectators on-site are encouraged to visit the Bell Spectator Communication Centre in the Golf Canada Village, near the main admission gate where they can make calls for free at Bell Mobility stations, check emails and live event scoring at Bell Internet stations and watch the broadcast on Bell TV.

BMW - Now in the 4th year of a six year partnership as 'Official Vehicle', BMW commands a strong presence at the RBC Canadian Open. Be sure to take advantage of complimentary parking for BMW drivers, and visit one of our many interactive vehicle displays to enter for a chance to attend the BMW Championship in Chicago. Look for BMW Efficient Dynamics shuttles that will be transporting spectators to and from the course throughout the tournament. Follow BMW live on Twitter from the BMW Skybox at 16, for up to the minute information on spectator activities, parking, weather, and highlights - www.twitter.com/BMWLiveFrom16.

Corona - Come in, kick back and enjoy yourself with friends.   Meet the Coronaville team for your chance to win some prizes and take home a picture from one of Canada's most memorable summer events.

TaylorMade will be providing gifting and product demos for all Pro-Am participants during the Championship Pro-Am.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) have developed RBC Canadian Open packages including event tickets and accommodations at select IHG properties between July 22nd - 25th, available at www.rbccanadianopen.com and www.ihg.com/rbcco. You can also visit the IHG - InterContinental Hotels Group booth in Golf Canada Village for your chance to win great prizes.

Transitions Optical - On Monday, July 19th actor Erik Estrada will be on-site welcoming spectators to the Transitions Lounge located in Golf Canada Village, which will be open all week for spectators to learn more about healthy eyesight and participate in interactive contests and enjoy complimentary massages.  On the course there will be two Transitions Optical Sun Protection Stations providing spectators with sunscreen, lip balms, UV sensors and information about the importance to protect your skin and sight against harmful UV rays. On Tuesday, July 20th, Transitions Optical sponsored PGA TOUR professional Graham DeLaet will be leading a clinic for children and media at Islington Golf Course, the official RBC Canadian Open practice facility. 

Yoplait Asana samples will be available in the Golf Canada Village.

Pepsi will be offering samples of Aquafina Plus+ Vitamins 10 Cal in the Golf Canada Village.

The Glenlivet tasting will be offered to Champions Club ticket holders.

Reader's Digest will be blogging live from the RBC Canadian Open posting stories on www.readersdigest.ca. 

Mike Weir Wine will be providing a tasting for the participants of the Mike Weir Charity Classic.

LG TV's will be on display throughout the championship.

The Globe and Mail Be sure to pick up your complimentary souvenir program at one of The Globe and Mail newsstands located throughout Golf Canada Village.

Golf Canada would like to thank all of the partners and proud sponsors of the 2010 RBC Canadian Open. 

ABOUT THE 2010 RBC CANADIAN OPEN
An exciting new era has arrived for Canada's national championship. Part of the FedEx Cup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5.1 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 19th, 2010 at St. George's Golf and Country Club in Toronto. 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, Government of Ontario, TaylorMade adidas Golf, InterContinental Hotels Group, Southern Implants, C.F.F Stainless Steels, Transitions Optical, The Glenlivet, The Globe and Mail, Mike Weir Wines, Pepsi, Corona and Reader's Digest. For updated corporate hospitality, tickets, volunteer and sponsorship information please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com or call 1-800-571-OPEN.

RBC AND THE RBC CANADIAN OPEN
In partnership with Golf Canada, RBC is the title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open, the third oldest national golf championship worldwide, next only to the British Open and the U.S. Open. With a history of great players and premier fields, the RBC Canadian Open provides golf fans with the opportunity to experience the excitement of a world class event on Canadian soil. RBC also sponsors all levels of amateur sport, from grassroots programs in local communities to national sport organizations and elite-level athletes, and is Premier National Partner of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

GOLF CANADA - YOU BELONG
Golf Canada is a member-based organization governed by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA).  Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sport Organization (NSO) for golf in this country and representing more than 350,000 members and 1,600 golf clubs, Golf Canada is responsible for promoting participation in and a passion for the game of golf in Canada.

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.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Dan Pino     
Director, Media and Public Relations  
Golf Canada  
t: 905.849.9700 ext. 406   
c: 416.434.5525 (cell)        
e: dpino@golfcanada.ca       

Terry Lenyk     
Coordinator, Media and Public Relations  
Golf Canada  
t: 905.849.9700 ext. 335  
c: 416.407.3893 (cell)        
e: tlenyk@golfcanada.ca

Jackie Braden   
Senior Manager, Brand Communications
RBC 
t: 416.974.1724  
c: 416.318.7950 (cell)     
e: jackie.braden@rbc.com