Canadian Open adds to CanCon as 4 Ontario golfers qualify on final day
Michael Gligic, Russell Budd tie for 1st in Monday's final round
The field for this week's RBC Canadian Open will include four additional Canadian golfers after Michael Gligic, Russell Budd, Justin YongWoo Kim and Mitch Sutton earned spots in Monday's final qualifier.
Gligic, of Burlington, Ont., and Toronto's Budd finished tied for first at 4-under in the final qualifying round played at Heron Point Golf Links near Hamilton.
Gligic, who will make his third appearance at the tournament, is looking forward to his first at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.
"It's nice to finally punch my ticket. I definitely feel the best I ever have going into a RBC Canadian Open. My nerves got to me in my first one and in the second one my game wasn't that great. But now I feel like my game is in a really good spot, so hopefully I'll play well," he said.
Hamilton's Kim and Sutton, from London, Ont., grabbed the final two spots in a playoff after finishing tied at 3 under with Tyler McCumber of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Seung-su Han of South Korea and Blake Olsen of Pensacola, Fla.
"Wow. That was pretty exciting coming down the last few holes and into the playoff," said Sutton.
"I'm pretty pumped up right now and looking forward to playing in my first RBC Canadian Open. I've played Glen Abbey a couple of times but not in a while. I'm excited to go back."
The four qualifying players will join 16 other Canadians when the national championship begins Thursday.
Others include PGA Tour regulars Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., and Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., as well as 2003 Masters winner Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont.