The PGA Tour and LIV Golf merger has blown up the golf world today, but we have more important matters to discuss — the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.
There are 156 golfers set to tee it up in Toronto this week at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, which is hosting the RBC Canadian Open for the first time. The event will use holes from all three of the nine-hole courses at Oakdale and will play as a par-72 that measures 7,264 yards. This is a unique par-72 layout because it features only three par-5s and three par-3s.
It's always tricky when there is a new course on the schedule because we don't have any historical data to work with. All we can really do is make assumptions on how the course is going to play. Each of the last four editions of the Canadian Open have had a winning score of at least 19 under par, and many are saying this is an easier version of St. George's Golf and Country Club, which is where the event was held last year.
Here is what we do know — the greens are relatively small (6,000 square feet on average) and feature Bentgrass, the rough is expected to be around four inches thick, and the course is short by PGA Tour standards.
On paper, this shapes up to be more of an accuracy course than a bomber's course. The thick rough could be troublesome, and it will be tough to hold these greens for golfers who aren't playing from the short grass.
The best course of action when betting on this event is to pick a path and stick with it. If you hear rumblings that golfers are going to bomb and gouge this place, by all means target the longer hitters. Personally, I'm playing the accuracy off the tee, approach and putting angle.
Let's get into the bets.
RBC Canadian Open Outright Picks
Justin Rose +1800 (FanDuel)
I was going back and forth between Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood for my betting card. My heart always leans to the long locks of Tommy, but then I realized that Rose has won 11 times on the PGA Tour and Fleetwood is still looking for his first win. I'll take the proven winner at similar odds.
Rose has four straight top-25 finishes, his irons have been solid all season, and he is finally hitting fairways on a regular basis. He won earlier this year at Pebble Beach, and it shouldn't surprise anyone if he finds the winner's circle again.
Pick: Justin Rose +1800 |
Matt Kuchar +4500 (FanDuel)
If hitting fairways is a premium and the Canadian Open turns into a putting contest, I like Kuchar's chances at +4500.
He struggled tee to green last week at Muirfield Village and missed the cut at the PGA Championship, but those aren't courses where I expect Kuchar to play well. He's typically at his best on short courses and on easy courses. He's been striking the ball well this season and has long had one of the best short games on the PGA Tour.
Pick: Matt Kuchar +4500 |
Brendon Todd +10000 (FanDuel)
There are few golfers on Tour who hit more fairways than Todd, and there aren't any golfers on Tour who gain more strokes putting on Bentgrass greens. If fairways and putting matter this week, Todd could really surprise some people.
He's always been solid around the green and has quietly gained strokes on approach in five of his last seven starts. He hasn't won on Tour in a few years, but does have three career victories. Much like Kuchar, he tends to play his best on short courses and on easy courses.
Pick: Brendon Todd +10000 |
As always, thanks for reading, and good luck this week.
