Chez Reavie, who busted through with his first PGA Tour victory by capturing the 2008 Canadian Open, returns to the Glen Abbey Golf Club this week to try can defend his title.

The 27-year-old American is seeking to equal compatriot Jim Furyk's feat in 2006 and 2007 and win back-to-back Canadian Open titles.

Last year, Reavie beat Billy Mayfair by three strokes on the water-logged course in Oakville, Ontario, 30 kilometres southwest of Toronto.

"You never know when it's your time," Reavie said. "You've just got to go out there and play as hard as you can every day. When you add them up, hopefully you're the lowest guy out here."

Reavie's best finish so far this year is a tie for 12th in his season-opening event, the Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Thursday's opening round marks the start of the 100th Canadian Open and the 25th time it has been held at Glen Abbey.

The 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir is the best known Canadian in the field and hopes to end his country's 55 year winless drought. Pat Fletcher is the last Canadian champ, taking the 1954 tournament in Vancouver.

"It's our national championship, and all us Canadians, we want to put to rest that it's been so long since one of us has won one," Weir said.

Weir tied for fifth last year and lost to Vijay Singh in a playoff in 2004.

Canadian Nick Taylor is also in the field thanks to a sponsor's exemption. He was the low amateur at the 2009 US Open when he tied for 36th.

"It's cool to be in a PGA Tour event, but being back home in Canada with a bunch of people working and pulling for you, that's going to be fun," Taylor said.

The Canadian Open also marks the return of Trevor Immelman to the Tour, following a wrist injury. He is making his first start since the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.