2013 RBC Canadian Open Golf Championship
Thursday, July 25, – Sunday, July 28, 2013, TV: Golf Channel, CBS
Glen Abbey Golf Club – Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Par 72 – 7,253 yards
Defending Champion: Scott Piercy
All odds courtesy of Bookmaker

The Canadian Open returns to Glen Abbey for the 26th time. While not as prestigious as the US or British Opens, the Canadian Open sas been played since 1919. There are only a handful of tournaments left before the FedEx Cup playoffs begin next month. So golfers are either trying to solidify their position in the playoffs, or just trying to get in.

Glen Abbey was renovated in 2004 and lengthened by over 100 yards. After the renovation the 516 yard 16th hole became a par 4 for two Canadian Opens. However, it reverted back to a par 5 for the 2009 edition, the last time the Canadian Open was played at Glen Abbey. In 2009, the scoring average at Glen Abbey was just under 71 so low scores should be attainable. Temps shouldn’t reach over 80 and light winds are expected. Some thunderstorms could affect the final round on Sunday, but the weather should be clear until then.

Here is a look at some of the favorites and contenders and head to head match-ups I like, with odds courtesy of Bookmaker. While many of the top stars are skipping this event after the Open Championship last week, including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Rory McIlroy, the event does include some top 10 players and well known players.

Brandt Snedeker (25/2)

Snedeker is the defending FedEx Cup Champion. He is currently fourth in the standings. Snedeker has 7 top 10’s and a win at Pebble Beach this season. After a red hot start that included 4 thirds or better in his first 5 starts, Snedeker has 4 missed cuts in his last 10. He does have top 20 finishes at all three majors including a tie for 6th at the Masters. He tied for 11th at the Open Championship last week. Snedeker has never won this event but did tie for 5th at Glen Abbey in 2009. Snedeker is -130 to beat Matt Kuchar. I like Kuchar in that match-up but a top 10 finish is very possible for both.

Charl Schwartzel (15/1)

Schwartzel has 4 top 10’s this season including two third place finishes. He is 33rd in the Fed Ex Standings. He has 3 straight op 15 finishes, including at both the US and British Opens. He tied for 15th at Muirfield last week. He is third in adjusted scoring on the PGA Tour. Schwartzel  is -140 to beat Dustin Johnson. I could be wrong but I don’t see Schwatzel contending this week.

Matt Kuchar  (17/1)

Kuchar has 6 top 10’s including wins at the Accenture Match Play and the Memorial. He is third in the Fed Ex Standings behind only Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. He has made 20 straight cuts. He tied for 8th at the masters and tied for 15th at the Open Championship. He is sixth on tour in adjusted scoring and third in par 5 scoring. Kuchar is even money to beat Snedeker. Kuchar is my pick to win the tournament.

Luke Donald (20/1)

Donald tied for 25th at the Masters and tied for 8th at the US Open. He has two other top 10’s on the PGA tour. He missed the cut at the Open Championship last week. Donald is -120 to beat Hunter Mahan. I don’t think Donald contends, and I like Mahan in that match-up.

Hunter Mahan (20/1)

Mahan has 4 10’s this season, including a runner up at the match play championship. He is currently 14th in the FedEx standings. He is coming off top 10 finishes at both the US Open and Open Championship after missing the cut at the Masters. He has made 8 cuts at the Canadian in 8 tries. He tied fro 4th in 2004 in his last trip to Glen Abbey in 2004. Mahan is -110 against Donald. I like Mahan in that match-up.

Dustin Johnson (22/1)

Johnson won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions to open the season. He has 2 other top 10’s this season and is 23rd in the FedEx standings. He tied for 13th at the Masters and was on stroke off the lead after 36 holes at Muirfield last week. However, he faded into a tie for 32nd with over par rounds on Saturday and Sunday. He is top 30 on tour in adjusted scoring, par 5 scoring and strokes gained putting. Johnson is +110 against Schwartzel. I like Johnson to win that match-up.

Graeme McDowell (25/1)

It has been feat or famine for McDowell with 3 wins and 5 missed cuts in his last 9 starts. He missed the cut at both the Masters and the US Open. His wins came at the RBC Heritage, the World Match Play, and the Open de France. He tied for 58th at the Open Championship last week. McDowell is -135 to beat Charley Hoffman. I like Hoffman in that match-up.

Bubba Watson (25/1)

Watson is 40th in the FedEx Standings with 3 top 5’s season. He tied for 50th at the Masters and tied for 32 at both the US Open and Open Championship. He only has one top 25 in his last 7 starts but has made six straight cuts.  He is 11th on tour in greens in regulation. Watson is -175 to beat Billy Horschel. I like Horschel in that match-up.

Graeme DeLaet (28/1)

The Canadian has struggled in four trips to his national open with 2 missed cuts and no top 45 finishes. He has made 9 straight cuts, which included 5 straight top 25’s. He didn’t play in the Masters or US Open and finished 83rd at the Open Championship. He is 25th in the FedEx Cup standings with 5 top 10’s. His best finish was  a third at the Travelers Championship. DeLaet is -120 to beat Ernie Els. I like Els in that match-up.

Ernie Els (30/1)

Els tied for 13th at the Masters and tied for 4th at the US Open, his first top 10 of 2013 on the PGA Tour. He did win the BMW International and had a top 10 at the BMW Championship. Els tied for 26th at the Open Championship last week. He has 4 top 6’s in his last 8 starts. Els is -110 against DeLaet. Els could be worth a play at 30/1.

Billy Horschel (30/1)

Horschel is fifth in the FedEx Cup standings with 7 top 10’s. He has a win at New Orleans. He tied fro 4th at the US Open and missed the cut at Muirfield. Horschel is +145 against Bubba Watson, and I like Horschel in that match-up. A top 10 is a good possibility for Horschel.

Other contenders and their odds include Hideki Matsuyama (33/1), Jim Furyk (35/1), Daniel Summerhays, Chris Kirk, David Hearn, Morgan Hoffman, Charley Hoffman ( all 50/1), Matt Jones, Chad Campbell, Chris Stroud and Ryan Moore (all 60/1). The field is definitely worth a play at -125. Furyk is a 2 time winner of this event.

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