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TSN Senior Reporter

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The RBC Canadian Open has a new date – finally.

After months of speculation and years of requests, the national golf championship of Canada is moving away from the unattractive spot on the PGA Tour’s calendar a week following the Open Championship. In 2019, the Canadian Open will be held from June 3-9.

“It is really a historic day for the RBC Canadian Open and for our organization,” said Laurence Applebaum, chief executive officer of Golf Canada. “Being able to get something that has long been in the works, to get this new June date on the PGA Tour schedule, we couldn’t be more thrilled.”

“The RBC Canadian Open is one of the oldest and most-prestigious golf events in the world and we’re thrilled to start a new chapter in 2019,” Mary DePaoli, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer, RBC, said in a release. “As the only Canadian stop on the Tour, the June tournament date will help enrich the experience for fans, players and all Canadians.”

While the executives were gushing, so too were some of Canada’s top players who have been hoping for a rise in stature for their national championship.

“It’s a great opportunity for RBC and Golf Canada to create the event the have envisioned for years,” said Adam Hadwin, the top-ranked Canadian player on the Official World Golf Ranking. “This should attract the calibre of players the tournament deserves to have and it should elevate the stature of the event globally.”

“I’m hoping that the earlier date is good for the event but we’ll have to see,” said a more cautious Mike Weir. “Before U.S. Open seems like a good move compared to after British though.”

The change puts the Canadian event the week before the U.S. championship. While definitely an improvement, this date can also present challenges.

Some players like to play the week before a major to ramp up their games. Phil Mickelson, who hasn’t been to the RBC Canadian Open since 1993, is one who has regularly teed it up before majors.

Others prefer to take the week off. Tiger Woods hasn’t played the week prior to the U.S. Open since he turned professional in 1996.

And travel can still be an issue. In 2019, the RBC Canadian Open will be held at Hamilton G&CC, while the American championship is at Pebble Beach. That means a cross-country flight for the golfers should they wish to play both.

Just to add one more complication, the U.S. Open traditionally holds its final qualifying on the Monday of the week prior to its tournament putting it on the first day of Canadian Open week.

One thing that will likely attract more top-level golfers to Canada is the purse. It’s going to $7.6 million, up from the $6.4 million up for grabs at this year’s event.

With the date secured, the next step will be to lock up some future sites. Hamilton will play host in 2019 and Applebaum said that he hopes to announce more locations by the time this year’s event is held at Glen Abbey.