Richard Green loves being back in Calgary and playing in the Rogers Charity Classic at the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club. And why wouldn’t he? It’s the site of his first PGA Tour Champions victory. Green took down the field in 2025, finishing the three day tournament at 18 under par. Green is confident but doesn’t want to put any added pressure on himself to repeat. “This week is just a matter of just trying to treat it like any other week and go out there and do your best,” he said. Although he concedes it’s different being the defending champion. “It’s a little bit of an extra expectation obviously from playing so well the last couple of years and hopefully I can do it again. You know it would be really nice to go out there and defend and put on a good show.” Confidence The 55-year-old Australian says picking up that first win on the Champions tour was big for him. “(It) builds our confidence to know that you can win out here amongst the guys that play on the Champions Tour,” said Green. “It’s the elite of the elite, if you like, that are playing out here -- so to win amongst these guys is pretty good for your confidence.” Green hasn’t been able to pick up another victory on the Champions Tour so far but says there’s a reason for that: the competition is fierce each and every week. “(Two-time major winner) Zach Johnson coming out early and you know he’s confidently performing and the same can be said with (former Open champion) Stewart Cink. “You know they’ve brought a game with them that is really hard to compete with the older you get,” he adds. “You know it’s harder and harder.” Loves Canyon Meadows But that’s why Green loves Canyon Meadows so much. He says the greens are true and anyone has a chance at winning this event. “It doesn’t really advantage the longer hitter more so the shorter hitter,” he said. “You know it’s sort of one of these courses where someone can pop out and win. And I think that’s why I like it, it’s a really good fair test across the board.” Green will begin defence of his title on Friday. The tournament wraps up on Sunday. For more information about the Rogers Charity Classic, go here.
