After a busy week, here are a few items from my notebook and a few observations from the conclusion of the 115th RBC Canadian Open.
The Course
Last year’s shift of the national championship away from a series of historic courses – Hamilton, St. George’s, Oakdale – to a relatively new layout in TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley brought lots of feedback from traditionalists and players. The overall first impression seemed to be good but different.
This year, the reviews were almost all very positive. A big course with wide (by PGA Tour standards) fairways but nasty rough that choked off attempts to go for the green. Lots of wind added to the challenge of keeping balls on the short grass. The shaved bank on the 18th hole also received lots of attention, including when eventual winner Bud Cauley jogged up to the final hole to mark his ball and prevent any roll back into the water.
The kudos to the Doug Carrick-designed, Ian Andrew-renovated layout were reminiscent of the changes in impression that Glen Abbey received back in the day. After its debut in 1977, a number of top players were critical but as the years went on and some small changes were made, it came to be regarded as an entertaining test.
The same can now be said of TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, which won’t necessarily be the permanent home for the RBC Canadian Open but will likely host its fair share of future tournaments.
Future sites
Speaking of future sites, Golf Canada has been on the search for another one to take its turn hosting the RBC Canadian Open. It’s not easy.
While there are lots of courses that have a layout that could test the best players in the world, most do not have the room to hold all the extras that come along with the national championship. That includes grandstands, spectator villages, parking and a suitable driving range, just to name a few.
Several clubs have turned down an invitation to play host including one, whose members voted against it. Another couldn’t co-ordinate the necessary room. It was hoping to use city land for the driving range but was told no.
That makes it a very small group from which to pick. Some previous clubs haven’t said no but are hoping to take a breather between hosting.
For those asking for the tournament to be moved to different parts of the country, that won’t be happening any time soon. The costs associated with shifting everything to Montreal or Vancouver, for instance, would be significant for Golf Canada. As well, most of the current sponsors have the majority of their clients in the Toronto area and want the tournament to stay close.
Buffalo Bills partner with Hughes
Don’t expect Mackenzie Hughes to jump onto a folding table outside Highmark Stadium any time soon, but he has signed on to a partnership with the Buffalo Bills. He was wearing clothing with the Bills’ logo on it during the RBC Canadian Open.
“We are excited for Mackenzie to represent Bills Mafia at TPC Toronto this week,” said Kate Hussman, the Bills chief strategy officer. “We love that his family are long-time Bills fans. Our Canadian fans are integral to our success on and off the field, and this unique partnership is a great example of using a shared love of sport to highlight the fandom north of the border.”
Hughes is from Dundas, Ont., just a short drive and a stop at the border crossing away from the Bills stadium.
One rule about the logo: it can only be worn within a 100-mile radius of the Buffalo, meaning it won’t be on Hughes’ shirt at his next start at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill.
Sudarshan’s coming-out party
It’s safe to say that not many Canadians knew much about Sudarshan Yellamaraju at the start of the 2026 season. But he has made a name for himself over the first half of the year, and it culminated at the RBC Canadian Open where he received a raucous welcome from the fans throughout the week, especially at the rink hole.
There were lots of different nicknames shouted out, but there doesn’t seem to be one that has stuck just yet.
“I don’t know what’s my favourite,” said Yellamaraju, who finished tied for eighth and low Canadian. “I definitely heard a lot, for sure. There’s quite a lot. I guess the people can just kind of find what they want to find and make it a nickname.”
It’s been a season worthy of attention. He started the year in 278th spot in the Official World Golf Ranking and has moved to 110th position. He is also 44th in the FedEx Cup standings, which means he has locked up a spot in the playoffs as he is assured of finishing inside the top 70.
This week, he will play in his first U.S. Open at Shinnecock, one of the stiffest tests in golf. He made his major debut last month at the PGA Championship, where he missed the cut.
Presidents Cup
The Presidents Cup is just three months away and at the moment, no Canadian golfer is inside the top six in the standings. That’s the number that assures a player of a place on the team. The next six players will be selected by International Team captain Geoff Ogilvy.
Corey Conners is currently the top Canadian in eighth spot. He’s played the past two Presidents Cup for the International team and has a combined record of 2-7-0. That’s the same as Taylor Pendrith, who has played in the last two Cups as well. He’s currently in 19th place while Hughes, who played in Montreal two years ago, sits in 28th.
Nick Taylor, who surprisingly has never been on the International team, is in 10th spot.
The rookie star, Yellamaraju, is 21st.
There are still events to be played but all five need to show some game over the next few weeks if they expect to be on the team.
