Invest interest in some locals at Freedom 55 Financial Open

The Mackenzie Tour’s B.C. swing marks the beginning of the professional golf season in Canada with 156 players teeing it up today at Point Grey Golf Club. Here are five players to watch:

RYAN WILLIAMS

Age: 37

Hometown: Surrey

The winner of the 2014 Freedom 55 Financial Open and a member of the Point Grey Golf Club, this seasoned 10-year pro should be knocking on the door again this weekend. He’s known as one of the most consistent players on the Mackenzie Tour with 15 career top-10 finishes. Williams took home just over $20,000 in prize money last season, finishing 31st on the order of merit.

JAMIE SADLOWSKI

Age: 29

Hometown: St. Albert, Alta.

The two-time world long drive champion has changed gears and is actively pursuing his goal of one day earning his PGA Tour card. Sadlowski returns for a second season on the Mackenzie Tour, having secured his card with a fourth-round 67 at an April qualifying school event in Arizona.

JARED DU TOIT

Age: 23

Hometown: Kimberley

A graduate of Arizona State University, where he was a roommate of PGA standout Jon Rahm, du Toit had three top-five finishes in his rookie season on the Mackenzie Tour in 2017. Du Toit rose to prominence in 2016 when he finished tied for ninth at the RBC Canadian Open. Du Toit finished 23rd on the order of merit last season.

CHRIS WILLIAMS

Age: 26

Hometown: Moscow, Idaho

Now in his fifth season on the Mackenzie Tour, the University of Washington grad — who won the Ben Hogan Award as the top college player in golf — has nine top10 finishes to his credit. A former world No. 1 amateur, Williams has made the cut three times in PGA Tour events with his best finish being a tie for 30th at the 2013 Travelers Championship.

HUNTER STEWART

Age: 25

Hometown: Lexington, Ky.

An economics degree from Vanderbilt University will come in handy for Stewart, who has $156,537 in career earnings in three years as a professional. Stewart finished 12th on the order of merit last season thanks to five top-10 finishes, including a solo second at the 2017 Freedom 55 Financial Open.