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2023 RBC Canadian Open Bets: Head-to-Head Matchups Picks & Predictions

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Despite the fact the golf world is in a frenzy over the PGA and LIV Tour agreement, there’s still a tournament to be played this week. The PGA Tour heads north of the border this week to Oakdale Golf & Country Club (7,264 yards, Par 72) in North York, Ont. While the field is not as deep as the last couple of weeks, we still have 11 of the top 50 in the OWGR, including the defending champion Rory McIlroy.

We were 1-2-0 last week with our picks, leveling our record at 3-3 the last two weeks. University of Virginia product Denny McCarthy lost in a playoff to the Memorial Tournament champion Viktor Hovland, but we cashed in our matchup with McCarthy over Gary Woodland.

As we turn our attention to the RBC Canadian Open, we have a brand new course on Tour with tight fairways and thick rough, which means we won’t have any course history to lean on this week. With that in mind, we’ll focus on accuracy off the tee and players who are in solid form coming into Oakdale.

Let’s get to it!

2023 RBC Canadian Open Bets: Head-to-Head Matchups Picks & Predictions

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Tyrrell Hatton over Rory McIlroy (+115)

Why would anyone pick against the defending champion, who finished T7 a week ago at The Memorial Tournament and is one of only two top-10-ranked golfers in the field?

Simple. Rory has been front and center as one of the most outspoken leaders in the PGA Tour’s battle against LIV. This week’s announcement, which was kept under wraps better than most government secrets, likely aggravated Rory. A players-only meeting after the announcement this week was reported as “heated,” with many calling for the resignation of PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. McIlroy has been front and center throughout the whole saga, and it has to have taken a toll on him mentally. I don’t see him being focused enough this week to play well.

Tyrell Hatton, on the other hand, strikes me as a man who doesn’t concern himself with anything other than playing to the best of his ability week in and week out. The Englishman is passionate, to say the least, and he’s in great form. The 31-year-old has posted five straight top-20 finishes, and is ranked 55th in Fairway Accuracy and 13th in Scrambling. A free mind and a game in great shape at a plus number against an opponent whose mind will definitely be wandering this week are too good to pass up.

Justin Rose over Sahith Theegala (-130)

Yes, Justin Rose’s price is a little high. But against the South African native, who moved to England with his parents when he was five years old, is worth the juice. In four career starts at the RBC Canadian Open, Rose has a pair of T4 finishes and has made the weekend all four times. The 42-year-old is 36th on tour in Driving Accuracy and has amazing touch out of the bunkers and on the green.

We backed Sahith Theegala a week ago, believing he was ready to take the next step in his sophomore season on Tour. However, he let us down. The 2022 Rookie of the Year finalist is having a solid year, but he ranks 136th on tour in Total Driving. Not a stat you want to back here at Oakdale. Lay the juice and back Rose.

Best of luck this week if you’re tailing! Let’s cash some tickets!

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