Bet Canadian Open odds at St. George's Golf & Country Club

Today, the RBC Canadian Open remains one of the premier events on the PGA Tour. It is the second oldest stop on the PGA Tour and the third oldest national championship in the world. With its older cousins, the British and U.S. Opens, it constitutes the Triple Crown of national championships. Its rich history gives it a cachet and tradition that makes it much more than a regular golf championship.

The Canadian Open is a famous golf tournament sponsored by the Bell Canada (the Bell Canada Enterprises, a major Canadian telecommunications company). The championship was founded in 1904 and, probably, therefore, it remains one of the favorite competitions among golf fans. It is considered the third most prestigious golf tournament after the Open Championship and the U.S. Open. The Canadian Open is also the most accessible tournament for American golfers among the non-US national opens. Because of its long history, the event has a special status.

The Canadian Open was typically held annually in the middle of September after other major golf events. This fact explains the increasing lack of star golfers participating in the tournament. In order to change this situation, the Royal Canadian Golf Association decided to move the event to an earlier date in summer. According to the recent schedule changes, the 2007 Canadian Open will be held in July between the events of higher importance for world golf players, like the British Open (a week before), a World Golf Championship (a week after), and a PGA Championship (two weeks later). Some critics doubt that the strength of the field will not increase significantly after the date shift, as golf players are not eager to play four consecutive weeks.

Glen Abbey Golf Course has hosted the most Canadian Opens, with 25 to date. Glen Abbey was designed in 1976 by Jack Nicklaus for the Royal Canadian Golf Association, to serve as the permanent home for the championship from 1977, with occasional visits to other clubs. From the mid-1990s, the RCGA decided to move the championship around the country. Royal Montreal Golf Club, home of the first Open in 1904, ranks second with nine times hosted. Mississaugua Golf & Country Club has hosted six Opens, Toronto Golf Club has hosted five Opens, and four clubs have each hosted four Opens: Lambton Golf Club, Hamilton Golf and Country Club, St. George's Golf and Country Club, and Scarboro Golf Club.

The championship has for the most part been held in Ontario and Quebec, the two most populous Canadian provinces. Ontario and Quebec have seen all but eight Opens. New Brunswick had the Open in 1939, Manitoba in 1952 and 1961, Alberta in 1958, and British Columbia in 1948, 1954, 1966, and 2005.

Celebrated golfers who have won the tournament include: Walter Hagen, Tommy Armour, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Bobby Locke, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Greg Norman and Tiger Woods. The Canadian Open is regarded as the most prestigious tournament never won by the great Jack Nicklaus, a 7-time runner-up. Leo Diegel has the most titles with four.