The RBC Canadian Open will tee off today and will serve as the last PGA Tour event before the U.S. Open begins in just a week. Last year we saw Dustin Johnson swing for an impressive 23-under par performance to put himself above his peers and win his first-ever RBC Canadian Open title.
Johnson is no stranger to the RBC Canadian Open, having come in second place in both 2013 and 2016. In previous years, the event was hosted at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario. But this year, it will be held at the gorgeous Hamilton Golf and Country Club.
The Hamilton Golf and Country Club is regarded as one of the most incredible golf courses in all of Canada. Not only does it a brilliantly-designed golf course, but the background and scenery are completely breathtaking. The Hamilton has three, different 9-hole loops, and is much shorter overall course than Glen Abbey.
The Hamilton has hosted the Canadian Open five times, but only three since the turn of the century. The most recent tournament was hosted in 2012 and was won by Scott Piercy. Before that it was held in 2006 and was won by Jim Furyk. If you go back even further, you’ll remember Bob Tway winning in 2003. Although Dustin Johnson won the Canadian Open last year, he didn’t do it on this course.
Dustin has seen the first 9 holes, but has yet to see the final 9, meaning that this year is a new challenge altogether for the defending champ. Dustin Johnson also hasn’t played since the PGA Championship two weeks ago, during which he lost to Brooks Koepka by just 2-shots. Despite the break and new scenery, Johnson does still find himself and the tournament favorite.
Close behind Johnson for betting odds is the man who won that very PGA Championship. Brooks Koepka also has not played since the PGA Championship, but continues to be ranked as the best player in the world. This is the only even Koepka will play in before he plans to defend his U.S. Open title.
Third place in the betting odds are held by Rory McIlroy. This comes after failing to make the cut at the Memorial Tournament, at which he swung for 2-shots over par. McIlroy has slumped a little lately, failing to win a Tour event since he won the Players Championship a few months ago. Rory is still ranked as the number 4 golfer in the PGA Tour.
Behind McIlroy is Justin Thomas, the number 6 golfer in the PGA Tour. Thomas has gone even longer without a Tour win, with his last coming back in August. His 7-shots over par performance also failed to make the cut at the Memorial.
Another golfer unable to make the cut is Matt Kuchar, who is fifth in betting odds for the RBC Canadian Open. Kuchar swung 3-shots under par last week, but is still ranked 13 in the PGA Tour.
Altogether, the top 5 includes Dustin Johnson at 11:2, Brooks Koepka at 7:1, Rory McIlroy at 19:2, Justin Thomas at 15:1, and Matt Kuchar at 19:1. A full leaderboard and tee times can be found here.
Pick: Johnson (11:2) or Kuchar (19:1)
Even though Dustin Johnson has yet to see the last 9 holes of the course, he’s still playing at a phenomenal level right now. After coming just 2-shots shy of winning at the PGA Championship a few weeks ago, Johnson is hungrier than even for a win before the U.S. Open begins. Koepka may be ranked higher, but Johnson is definitely the favorite here for a reason.
For another option, Matt Kuchar is also a good pick. Hamilton Golf and Country Club has several holes with uphill greens, which would put Kuchar’s strong ability to strike to good use. Kuchar is one of the best at gaining strokes when attempting to reach the fairway, something that might be a natural benefit for him this weekend.
Here is a list of all the betting odds for the top 15 golfers at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club:
- Dustin Johnson – 11:1
- Brooks Koepka – 7:1
- Rory McIlroy – 19:2
- Justin Thomas – 15:1
- Matt Kuchar – 19:1
- Sergio Garcia – 24:1
- Webb Simpson – 24:1
- Scott Piercy – 32:1
- Brandt Snedeker – 36:1
- Bubba Watson – 36:1
- Henrik Stenson – 41:1
- Shane Lowry – 46:1
- Bud Cauley – 55:1
- Jason Dufner – 55:1
- Jim Furyk – 55:1