The RCGA announced its full field for the Canadian Open, and it is likely the best in five years — at least since Glen Abbey in 2004 when the Ryder Cup was held in Detroit soon afterwards.
Of note:
- There are 13 Canadians in the field. Recent additions included Bryan DeCorso from the Nationwide Tour. No David Hearn, which is interesting. He’ll have to try to qualify on Monday. (Update: Lorne Rubenstein dropped me an email to say Hearn will continue to play on the Nationwide Tour as opposed to trying to qualify, and Jon Mills is taking a pass as well.)
- Interesting names include Stewart Appleby. Once a Top 10 player in the world, Appleby has tumbled down to #86. Still, he’s been a strong player for a long, long time.
- Same story with Aaron Baddeley. He’s never fulfilled his early promise and amazing putting stroke, and he isn’t “stacked” any longer, but he’s still just outside the Top 50 in the world.
- Other interesting names include Brad Faxon, Matthew Goggin (#58 in the world), Tim “Lumpy” Herron, Ryuji Imada (#86), former US Am winner Colt Knost, British Open leader Steve Marino, Nick O’Hern, Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin, John Senden, JB Holmes,and Bubba Watson.
- Questions about Rocco Mediate, who withdrew at the British this weekend, presumably with a bad back, and Trevor Immelman, who didn’t play this week because of an injury.
- Interesting to see rising star Danny Lee had early been announced, but wasn’t on today’s list. Neither is Nick Watney, one of the highest ranked players previously announced.
- A couple were expected — Steve Stricker and David Duval — but neither decided to come. Stricker still owes the RCGA one for taking the charter a couple of years back when he was stuck for a flight.
