Written by Matt Cee for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
The RBC Canadian Open | Thursday 23 July – Sunday 26 July | Glen Abbey
The Open Championship is one of the highlights of the year on the golfing calendar and it’s certainly a tough act to follow but the organisers of the Canadian Open have managed to get it right and host an event that’s generating a lot of excitement in the golfing community. This time around they’ve managed to draw a field of big name players who came close to going the distance in the third Major of the year and it’s going to be interesting to see if fatigue gets the best of them or if they rise to the challenge and compete at Glen Abbey.
Measuring just over 7,200 yards, this par 72 course features narrow fairways lined with thick rough which lies waiting to punish wayward tee shots. The course is fairly well protected from the elements and the field shouldn’t find it too difficult to keep the ball in play. The real difficulty lies on the greens which are unbelievably quick. They key will be hitting stiff approaches so keep an eye on players with a high GIR%, they generally do well here. Another key stat is distance off the tee because there are a number of shorter par 5s which can be taken advantage of by big hitters.
To Win Outright
Jason Day 9/1
Bubba Watson 16/1
Matt Kuchar 16/1
Jim Furyk 20/1
Luke Donald 22/1
VALUE BETS
Jim Furyk (20/1 a win, 44/10 a place)
Jim Furyk is always one to keep a close eye on and this week he looks to be a great bet. After winning earlier in the year at Hilton Head he has been quietly consistent and although he hasn’t really looked like winning again, he has put in some notable performances. In particular, he was impressive at the Memorial against stiffer competition than he faces here and I think that he’ll arrive knowing he has what it takes to rip Glen Abbey apart. I’m backing Furyk each way this week.
Ryan Palmer (30/1 a win, 66/10 a place)
Ryan Palmer has had an up-and-down season and although he’s come close, with four Top 10s and two Top 5s to his name already this year, he has yet to win. I have a feeling that could come to an end this week though as he arrives in Canada to play on a course that suits his game perfectly. He hits the ball a mile and ranks highly in birdie making stats and with his ability to drain long putts he’ll definitely be one to keep an eye on this week. I’m backing Palmer each way.
Jason Day (9/1 a win, 19/10 a place)
Jason Day is arguably the most consistent golfer in the Majors and every time he tees off it seems like he manages to finish inside the Top 5. This past week was no different as he looked to be in great form once again and fortunately for us he’s chosen to head to Canada to play a course that he loves. That comes as little surprise as he hits the ball long and ranks first on the Tour in birdie making average, two key stats at Glen Abbey. Day is almost guaranteed a Top 5 this week, let’s hope he goes one better and walks away victorious.
TOP BET
Luke Donald (22/1 a win, 48/10 a place)
Luke Donald flew under the radar last week but still managed a very respectable Top 15 finish and with the form he’s in at the moment it’s only a matter of time before he wins an event. It was during the build up to last week that he looked to be coming into his own and a Top 10 in the Travelers Championship was followed by a Top 15 in the Scottish Open, both of which were the result of some very consistent if unspectacular golf. It’s that consistency that will stand him in good stead here and at this price he’s tough to ignore. I’m backing Donald each way and hoping he earns us a solid return.
