John Daly to Compete in 2009 RBC Canadian Open

• PGA TOUR fan favourite healthy and ready to challenge Glen Abbey

• Canadian contingent bolstered with addition of Graham DeLeat, Dustin Risdon, Jon Mills, Chris Baryla and Ian Leggatt

• Victorious Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger, 5-time PGA TOUR winner Rocco Mediate and former Canadian Open champion Billy Andrade among veterans added to field for Canada’s national Open championship

Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) in partnership with title sponsor RBC, announced today that John Daly has accepted an exemption to compete at the 2009 RBC Canadian Open, July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

Daly, whose last appearance in Canada came in 2007, has competed in seven Canadian Opens throughout his PGA TOUR career with his best finish coming in 2001 when he finished fourth. Long considered among the PGA TOUR’s highest profile competitors and a Canadian fan favourite, Daly’s return to Glen Abbey will find him among the most followed players during tournament week.

“We are pleased to confirm that John Daly has accepted an exemption to compete in this year’s RBC Canadian Open,” said Bill Paul, Tournament Director of the RBC Canadian Open. “John has dealt with some personal and health issues that have affected him both on and off the golf course but in my most recent conversations with John, he is committed to his PGA TOUR career. John has been a long-time supporter of Canada’s national Open championship and I think Canadian golf fans will join us in welcoming him back to Glen Abbey for the 2009 RBC Canadian Open.”

“I want to thank the RCGA and RBC for the opportunity to compete in the RBC Canadian Open,” said Daly. “When Bill called to offer me the exemption I reassured him that I’m healthy and looking forward to getting back to Glen Abbey. I’ve always enjoyed coming up to Canada to play in this event and am extremely grateful for all the support I’ve received from Canadian golf fans over the years.”

The RCGA and RBC also announced several other players who have been extended exemptions to compete in the 100th playing of Canada’s national Open championship.

Among those include up and coming Canadian pros Graham DeLeat of Weyburn, Sask., Dustin Risdon of Strathmore, Alta., Chris Baryla of Vernon, B.C. and Jon Mills of Oshawa, Ont. as well as veteran Ian Leggatt of Cambridge, Ont. DeLaet got off to a stellar start in 2009 with a pair of runner-up finishes on the South African Tour and continued his strong play this summer on the Canadian Tour recently winning the Tour’s ATB Financial Classic in Calgary. Risdon, Baryla, Mills and Leggatt currently sit as the top ranked Canadians on the Nationwide Tour ranked 29th, 41st, 62nd and 98th respectively.

A trio of notable PGA TOUR veterans will also challenge for Canada’s national Open championship including 12-time PGA TOUR winner and recent victorious Ryder Cup Captain Paul Azinger, 5-time PGA TOUR winner and last year’s US Open runner-up Rocco Mediate and Billy Andrade, a 4-time PGA TOUR winner including the 1998 Canadian Open.

Up and coming young pro Danny Lee, winner of both the 2008 US Amateur and 2008 British Amateur Championships has also accepted an exemption to compete at Glen Abbey.

The field for Canada’s national Open championship will feature three Canadian amateurs competing on exemptions including previously announced Team Canada members Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. and Matt Hill of Bright’s Grove, Ont. as well as Cam Burke of New Hamburg, Ont. who earned his exemption by winning the 2008 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Also taking part in this year’s event is Canadian club professional Kyle German, competing on a CPGA exemption as winner of the 2008 Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship.

Six additional exemptions into the field for the 100th playing of Canada’s national Open championship will be awarded to the top six players (not otherwise exempt) on the Canadian Tour’s Order of Merit following this weekend’s Saskatchewan Open in Saskatoon, Sask.

Four additional spots into the field will determined on Monday, July 20 as 156 players will tee it up in the RBC Canadian Open Monday Qualifier at Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton, Ont.

The players announced today will join the field at Glen Abbey that includes previously announced PGA TOUR stars Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas, Sean O’Hair, Luke Donald, Retief Goosen, Nick Watney, Hunter Mahan, Trevor Immelman Mark Calcavecchia, Fred Couples and defending champion Chez Reavie as well as Canadian favourites Stephen Ames and Mike Weir.

The final field of confirmed players for the 2009 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club will be available after 5:00 pm on Friday, July 17th.

ABOUT THE 2009 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 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario. 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, Pengrowth and BMW Group Canada. 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 the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), 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.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA 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 showcase the best in Canadian golf.

For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.