The RCGA will hold a conference call with defending Canadian Open champ Jim Furyk later today. It’ll be interesting to hear Furyk’s response to questions relating to the field for the event. Davis Love has already said he expects the FedEx Cup to draw more players to Angus Glen North, and the charter the RCGA has flying from Scotland to Toronto surely can’t hurt.
Still, there hasn’t been any news on players coming to the event, which is unusual. The typical rumblings are out there. We know that Vijay Singh is coming, since he’s playing in PEI the day after the event and has been a regular for years. John Daly will also be extended an invite. Apparently a number of invites have been offered to last year’s RCGA men’s team, including James Love, Andrew Parr and Richard Scott, all who have turned pro. It would be stunning if Victor Ciesielski, star of last year’s open, hasn’t been asked to return. On a personal note, my friend Alan McLean has has finished second in both of the Canadian Tour’s last two events, and is now poised for a spot in the event as the top six golfers on that tour gain entry.
But who else is coming and why haven’t we heard names? I’ve got a call in to tournament director Bill Paul to find out — but haven’t heard back. Of course no one is expecting Tiger or Phil — it isn’t even clear they will both show up for the Presidents Cup.
However, the grapevine suggests Chris Dimarco is coming, as is Camilo Villegas. Other names include a confirmation from Davis Love III. Beyond that all is quiet. I suspect many players may not even know if they are playing yet, though I’m sure they’ll have to confirm soon in order to land a spot on the plane coming back from Carnoustie.
Maybe Woody Austin will come now that he’s decided he won’t go to Scotland to play in the British Open. By the way, what type of professional golfers skips a major that they’ve qualified for? Oh yeah, Austin is following in the refined footsteps of Scott Hoch.
Anyway, ticket sales for the event have been brisk regardless of the lack of names pinned to the tournament, according to a source at Angus Glen.
I think James Lepp is as accomplished as, if not more, than Richard Scott. Lepp was the NCAA champion a couple of years back. He deserves an invite.
[…] to the call, I spoke with Bill Paul who confirmed many of the names from this morning’s post. Camilo Villegas is expected to be there, along with Brad Faxon, Woody Austin, Chris Dimarco, John […]