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RBC Canadian Open: Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell in strong field

Luke Donald plays an approach on the 15th hole during the final round of the 144th Open Championship at St Andrews
Image: Luke Donald: The Englishman put in a good showing at the Open

Defending champion Tim Clark will be challenged by a strong field of PGA Tour stars, including Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell, at the RBC Canadian Open, live on Sky Sports from Thursday.

Clark admits he should have won more tournaments but despite a numerous near-misses, has no regrets.

The 39-year-old South African has finished runner-up at least once every year since 2005 - 13 occasions in total - but for only the second time in his career he is trying to defend his title this week.

"If I look at what I've done through my career I should have no question won more but I think we all feel that way - but I really feel that way," he told a press conference.

"I've had, 12, 13, or whatever second places and I guess I've had a second place my last 11 seasons in a row.

"It shows I've played consistently good golf over the last 11 seasons but to only win twice... some of them I gave away, some of them guys played great to beat me.

Image: Tim Clark: The South African will be trying to defend his title this week

"I don't have too many regrets on a lot of the tournaments. There were times I felt I really played well and just got beaten and you can live with that.

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"The only ones that sting are the ones you felt like you might have given it away. That's probably really only happened a couple of times."

South Africa's Clark birdied five of the last eight holes for a one-stroke victory over Jim Furyk last year, but he will find it difficult to hang on to his title in Oakville, Ontario with a stellar field of names in the field.

Top Open finisher Jason Day will be one of those faces after leaving short a birdie putt at the 18th which would have got him into a play-off at St Andrews.

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And with a tight turnaround, the 27-year-old Australia who has finished runner-up three times at majors, heads to the Glen Abbey Golf Club (7,273 yards, par 72). looking to get over his major hangover.

England's Luke Donald and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell will join world No 3 Bubba Watson, two-time champion Jim Furyk, 2013 winner Brandt Snedeker as well as World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els in the hunt for the title.

Australia's Jason Day acknowledges the applause on the 1st green during day four of The Open Championship 2015 at St Andrews, Fife.
Image: Jason Day: Fell short of a spot in the play-offs at St Andrews

Former world No 1 Donald put in a good showing in Scotland, finishing on nine under, and is now looking to break into the top-50, currently ranked 64th.

"I need to move back into the top 50 to get into Akron (WGC-Bridgestone Invitational)," Donald said.

"I am moving closer every week so hopefully I can have a solid week and get in the top 50."

Amateur Oliver Schniederjans
Image: Ollie Schniederjans: Will be making his pro debut

All eyes will be on 22-year-old Ollie Schniederjans, who will be making his pro debut after an impressive joint 12th-placed finish at the Open.

Other notable additions to the field for the 106th edition of the Championship include 34-time PGA Tour winner Vijay Singh, Davis Love III, Justin Leonard, Steve Stricker, KJ Choi, Retief Goosen, Rory Sabbatini and Angel Cabrera.

Brandt Snedeker will miss the event with the hip injury which forced him to pull out of the Open at St Andrews last week.

World No 80 Graham DeLaet, who recorded a fourth-place finish last month at the Travelers Championship, will lead the Canadian contingent after struggling Mike Weir has announced he is taking an indefinite leave of absence.

Catch all the action from the Canadian Open on your home of golf, Sky Sports 4, from Thursday at 8pm.

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