David Nedohin was missing in action when Alberta's Randy Ferbey competed in last weekend's Casinorama Skins Game.

At this week's Grand Slam Canadian Open, Ferbey is conspicuous by his absence. But no, they are not fighting.

"No," Nedohin responded with a laugh. "But I'm real happy to be here playing. My big concern, when I couldn't go there, was would I be ready for Winnipeg?"

Ferbey had some prior work commitments and is also nursing a sore knee. Nedohin missed last weekend because he hurt his back working out.

"I couldn't stand up straight and I couldn't do anything," said the Winnipeg native. "It was really not good so, there was no way I could play last weekend. I went to rehab twice a day for the whole week and it was just enough so that I can be here. I can't sweep but I can throw."

But Ferbey will be back this year -- and beyond.

"Randy won't be packing it in," Nedohin assured. "He'll be playing for a while yet. You'll be seeing Randy on tour for lots of years to come. As long as his knee can hold up and stuff, I think he'll be the guy that will still be going at it hard."

Nova Scotia's Paul Flemming has replaced Ferbey at third here.