Taylor, Wong & Hill Invited To The Canadian Open

Taylor, from Abbotsford, and Wong, from North Vancouver, both members of the Royal Canadian Golf Association's (Golf Canada) Team Canada squad, together with former Team Canada member, Matt Hill of Bright's Grove, were added to the field of the Open at St. George's Golf and Country Club for July 22-25.

The exemptions, announced at a Team Canada media event at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club in Milton, Ont. today means the trio will join two-time reigning Canadian Men's Amateur Champion Cam Burke of New Hamburg, Ont

(Golf Canada Release)

"These talented players have showcased their pedigree and are very deserving of these exemptions," said Golf Canada Executive Director and CEO, Scott Simmons. "They are among the best young golfers in the world and we are certain to see exciting play from them as they compete with the PGA TOUR's biggest and best names at St. George's in July."

Currently the number-two ranked player on the Royal and Ancient (R&A) World Amateur Golf Ranking and recent winner of the prestigious Ben Hogan Award, Taylor returns to the RBC Canadian Open for a third straight year looking to build upon his already successful amateur golf resume.

The 22-year old who recently graduated from the University of Washington (UW) broke many of his school's golf records, including most victories (4) and becoming the first UofW Husky to win Pac-10 Player of the Year honours twice. Taylor amassed nine top-10 finishes in just 13 college tournaments this year and recorded 17 career National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) top-10 finishes.

Taylor's best finish at the RBC Canadian Open was in 2008 where he finished T53rd. He will have a busy summer golf schedule which includes the United States Golf Association's (USGA) U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, the PGA TOUR's Travelers Championship; the Canadian Men's Amateur Championship and the USGA's U.S. Amateur, which takes place August 23-29 at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, WA. He'll then consider a career in professional golf. Taylor just recently missed qualifying for the 2010 U.S. Open, one of golfs majors, where he finished as low amateur in 2009.

Wong, 19, is a past Canadian Juvenile Boy's champion and was recently named the 2010 Jack Nicklaus Award recipient as the Golf Coaches Association of America Collegiate NCAA Division I Player of the Year. During this past collegiate season as a sophomore, he captured medalist honours twice (the USC Collegiate Invitational and the 64th Annual Western Intercollegiate), recorded a pair of runner-up finishes and placed third twice. He had an additional three top-10 showings and only placed out of the top-20 twice.

Most recently, he tied for ninth individually at the NCAA Championships and helped his University of Oregon team advance to the match play semi-final by defeating Taylor in a thrilling quarter-final match. Wong currently ranks 17th on the R&A's World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Hill, who made his professional golf debut June 3rd at the Memorial Tournament (although he missed the cut), makes his second appearance at the RBC Canadian Open, golf's third-oldest national Open championship. Among his many achievements, Hill is a past Canadian Juvenile Boy's champion and the 2009 NCAA Division I Individual Champion. He was a member of Golf Canada's Team Canada program for five years - three with its Development Squad (2006-2008) and two with the National Squad (2009-2010).

Golf Canada will announce Team Canada Women's National Squad exemptions into the 2010 CN Canadian Women's Open in early August, following the Royale Cup Canadian Women's Amateur Championship.

Taylor, Wong, Burke and Hill join PGA TOUR stars Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, Fred Couples, Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, Anthony Kim, Sean O'Hair, Paul Casey, Retief Goosen, Tim Clark, Camilo Villegas and defending champion Nathan Green, among many others, who have already confirmed they will compete at the 2010 RBC Canadian Open in Toronto.

For update ticket and other spectator information, visit www.rbccanadianopen.com or call 1-800-571-OPEN.