PGA TOUR heavy hitters Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson, World No. 13 Charl Schwartzel as well as fan favourite John Daly confirmed for RBC Canadian Open

Watson, Johnson and Daly among Top 25 in PGA TOUR driving distance leaders confirmed to challenge Glen Abbey Golf Club, July 22-28, 2013

Graham DeLaet leads list of Canadian hopefuls fresh off his Top 3 finish at last week's Travellers Championship

OAKVILLE, ON, June 27, 2013 /CNW/ - (Golf Canada) - RBC and Golf Canada announced today a number of PGA TOUR heavy hitters who have committed to challenge for the 2013 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf  Club, July 22-28, 2013.

Among the list of PGA TOUR stars confirmed today include World No. 13 Charl Schwartzel, World No. 17 Bubba Watson and World No. 23 Dustin Johnson as well as fan favourite John Daly, have confirmed their intention to compete for Canada's National Open Golf Championship.

Schwartzel, Watson, Johnson and Daly join an impressive list of previously confirmed PGA TOUR stars including World No. 5 Matt Kuchar, World No. 7 Luke Donald, 2012 FedEx Cup champion and World No. 8 Brandt Snedeker, World No. 9 Graeme McDowell, World No. 20 Ernie Els, World No. 22 Hunter Mahan, two-time Canadian Open champion and World No. 28 Jim Furyk and World Golf Hall of Fame member Vijay Singh.

"Golf Canada and RBC have really worked hard to elevate that event back up where it belongs as a National Open Championship and I'm excited to come and support them this year," said Watson, a four-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2012 Masters. "My in-laws live just northeast of Toronto so it will also be nice to see some family while I'm there."

"I haven't been to the RBC Canadian Open since 2008 but I'm really looking forward to playing again this year," added Johnson, a seven-time winner on the PGA TOUR. "The field is looking strong and Canadian golf fans have always been very supportive of me. I'm feeling really good about how my game is rounding into form and am excited to play Glen Abbey in a few weeks."

Watson, Johnson and Daly - currently ranked 3^rd, 4^th and 22^nd respectively among the Top-25 PGA TOUR driving distance leaders - will be joined at Glen Abbey by fellow Top-25 heavy hitters Robert Garrigus (7^th), Jason Kokrak (8^th), Canadian Graham DeLaet (9^th), Martin Flores (11^th), Eric Meierdierks (13^th), 2011 RBC Canadian Open champion Sean O'Hair (14^th), Jimmy Walker (15^th) and defending RBC Canadian Open champion Scott Piercy (21^st).

"Our field is coming together and we're thrilled to welcome Charl Schwartzel, Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson to the 2013 RBC Canadian Open," said Tournament Director Bill Paul.  "Golf fans love to come out and watch big hitters like Bubba, DJ, and Daly as well as Canada's own Graham DeLaet absolutely crush the golf ball and I'm sure our heavy hitters announced today as well as previously announced PGA TOUR superstars will all be among the crowd favourites at Glen Abbey next month."

DeLaet, currently ranked 9^th among PGA TOUR driving distance leaders and No. 74 in the World Golf Rankings, is fresh off a solo third finish at last week's Travellers Championship. He'll be joined at Glen Abbey by fellow Canadian PGA TOUR players David Hearn, Brad Fritsch, Stephen Ames and Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Mike Weir, all looking to become the first Canadian since Pat Fletcher in 1954 to win the Canadian Open. Additional Canadians set to compete in the 104^th playing of Canada's National Open Golf Championship will be announced early next week.

TICKETS:

Grounds tickets for all days of Canada's National Open Championship as well as a limited number of premium ticket packages are still available.

** children aged 17 and under gain FREE ADMISSION to the RBC Canadian Open when accompanied by
a ticketed adult.

Premium Ticket Packages - Golf Canada House (advance pricing):
These VIP passes provide a full week of grounds access as well as admittance to the exclusive Golf Canada House which includes a panoramic rooftop view of six holes at Glen Abbey including the 1^st hole and driving range. Built to evoke a clubhouse environment, Golf Canada House is your on-course lounge and your front row seat to the stars of the PGA TOUR with passes including upgraded food and beverage choices for purchase, big screen TV's, reserved washrooms, individual daily passes, and complimentary parking passes.

Golf Canada House Single           $300.00
One (1) individual daily Golf Canada House pass for each day, Monday to Sunday

Golf Canada House 2-Some        $550.00
Two (2) individual daily Golf Canada House passes for each day and one (1) parking pass, Monday to Sunday

Golf Canada House 4-Some        $1,000.00
Four (4) individual daily Golf Canada House passes for each day and two (2) daily parking passes, Monday to Sunday

ABOUT THE 2013 RBC CANADIAN OPEN
Part of the FedExCup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5.2 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 22-28, 2013 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, 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 leaving a significant impact in the event's host community. The RBC Canadian Open is proud to support Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada as the event's official charity partner. 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, Shaw Business, BMW Group Canada, C.F.F Stainless Steels, Molson Canadian 67, TaylorMade adidas Golf, The Glenlivet, PepsiCo, The Globe and Mail, Jacob's Creek, Keystone Dental, Jack Link's Beef Jerky and 5-hour Energy. For tickets or tournament information, please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com or call 1-800-571-6736.

RBC GOLF
RBC proudly supports golf around the world through high profile relationships with the PGA TOUR and Golf Canada. RBC is the Official Banking and Financial Services partner of touring professionals Luke Donald, Brandt Snedeker, Graeme McDowell, Hunter Mahan, Matt Kuchar, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, and Morgan Pressel. As the title sponsor of both the RBC Heritage and the RBC Canadian Open, RBC also supports emerging Canadian golfers through Golf Canada's grassroots developmental programming, their Canadian Amateur Golf Championships and high performance national team. RBC is one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies and among the largest banks in the world, as measured by market capitalization.

GOLF CANADA - LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada is the National Sports Organization and governing body for golf in Canada representing more than 340,000 golfers at nearly 1,500 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada's mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

SOURCE: RBC