As the 113th RBC Canadian Open approaches, Hamilton Golf & Country Club is getting ready to host the prestigious event. This year's edition of the national championship will offer a fresh challenge to the field of 156 golfers, as Martin Ebert has revived Harry Colt's original version of the course.

Nick Taylor, the reigning champion, made history in 2023 by becoming the most recent Canadian to win his national open since 1954. His unforgettable 72-foot putt to defeat Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff was hailed as the moment of the year on the PGA TOUR.

Not only did Taylor claim victory at the RBC Canadian Open, but as a native Canadian, he also secured the coveted Rivermead Cup, an award given annually to the top Canadian performer in the tournament since 1920.

The Hamilton Golf & Country Club has a rich history with the championship event. At just six years old, the club hosted its first Canadian Open in 1919. The most recent staging took place exactly 100 years later in 2019 when Rory McIlroy emerged as the champion.

Under Martin Ebert's guidance, the course has undergone significant changes. The latest iteration measures 7,084 yards, 117 yards longer than when McIlroy triumphed with a score of 22-under par. Ebert used a computer program to shape and craft the course, resulting in a reduction of 16 bunkers, with the current total standing at 72. The bentgrass putting surfaces have been enlarged by 20% to an average of 6,000 square feet, and the collars around the greens have been replaced by closely mown areas, urging players to utilize their imagination while approaching the greens.

The course conditions are expected to be challenging but fair. The greens will be set to touch 11-1/2 feet on the Stimpmeter, offering a true test of putting skills. The bluegrass rough, although slightly shorter than in 2019, will still present a formidable challenge at 3-3/4 inches.

The composite routing of the West and South Courses, two of the three nine-hole layouts at Hamilton Golf & Country Club, will be utilized for the tournament. Notably, the East Course, the last to be renovated, was not included in Ebert's project.

The weather forecast for the tournament week looks promising, with comfortable daytime temperatures expected to reach around 70 degrees Fahrenheit for the first three rounds. However, players need to be prepared for potentially windy conditions on Sunday, with winds possibly affecting some approaches as the high temperature reaches the mid-70s.

The RBC Canadian Open also holds significance for players as it is a part of The Open Qualifying Series. The top three players, who are not otherwise exempt, will earn their spots in the final major of the year, which will be held at Royal Troon.

As the anticipation builds, the golfing world is eagerly looking forward to the 113th RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club. The stage is set for an exciting championship where the best golfers will compete for glory, while also gearing up for the opportunity to qualify for The Open.