2024 RBC Canadian Open: Odds, Picks & Predictions
Last week landed heavy. Although Davis Riley’s first solo PGA Tour victory saw the previously underachieving golfer leave the world’s best in the dust on Sunday, it was immensely difficult to find levity under the cloak that descended upon the golf world the morning prior. We lost Grayson Murray. The 2024 Sony Open champion succumbed to an illness that has become endemic in our country. My heart goes out to everyone close to him. You have my deepest condolences.
The RBC Canadian Open is one of the longest-running championships on the PGA Tour and operates on rotational locations. The 2024 rendition will take place at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It previously hosted the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, where Rory McIlroy flexed on everyone with a final round 61 to win by seven strokes. Last year, Nick Taylor became the first Canadian in 69 years (nice) to hoist his nation’s trophy at Oakdale. There are some really strong Canadian players looking to go back-to-back Maple, but we can’t ignore the hot golfers from elsewhere who will try to yank the trophy back away from the Canucks.
2024 RBC Canadian Open: Odds, Picks & Predictions
(Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Hamilton is barely more than 7,000 yards, but it makes up for its lack of length with a stern test from tee to green. Longer hitters like McIlroy can enjoy plenty of scoring wedges on approach, on the condition they are positioned well off the tee. Proximity on approach is paramount. These greens are very difficult to navigate. They are severely sloped and many have multiple tiers and fall-off areas. Opportunities gained is very heavily weighted. Stick it close, so those tough putts are from closer by. I have eyes on The Memorial next week and the U.S. Open at Pinehurst right after, so the betting card is only moderately aggressive. Surrounded by the nicest people (and meanest geese), let’s tee off.
Corey Conners
Why not start the betting card with a classy Canadian? Corey Conners is a world-class player from tee to green. He is outstanding at creating birdie opportunities. Short game woes, namely with his putting, have prevented Conners from cracking the top 10 this season. He is due for a complete performance in front of his home crowd. Try to refrain from wagering on McIlroy unless his live odds slip to a more profitable number. Other golfers in this tier, such as Sahith Theegala are worth consideration at slightly better odds.
Picks: Outright +2000 [1u]; Top-5 +450 [1u]
Sam Burns
I consider this to be a very soft line in a lackluster field. Sam Burns is an outstanding golfer who chews up comparable courses like Sedgefield and Pebble Beach. I would be willing to bet Burns with confidence as short as 20-1. This is a great value bet on a golfer with no real weaknesses in his game.
Picks: Outright +2500 [1u]; Top-10 +275 [1u]
Tom Kim
Tom Kim is heating up. It’s perfect timing, with the next stop being at Hamilton. Kim is lethal at short courses that demand a precise short-iron approach. If he can stay above water with the flat stick, we’re looking at another Kim triumph.
Picks: Outright +3500 [0.5u]; Top-10 +360 [1u]
Mark Hubbard
Another moose from the north enters the RBC Canadian Open on a torrid hot streak. Mark Hubbard has flashed the best ball striking of his career in 2024 and has always been an elite putter. He’s fun to watch and a riot on social media. The winning celebration would be epic. Oh, Canada! We stand on guard for thee!
Picks: Outright +7000 [0.5u]; Top-10 +650 [0.5u]
Deep Shots: Chandler Phillips, Bud Cauley & Pierceson Coody
Three young Americans complete my betting slip with long odds. Chandler Phillips and Bud Cauley are going off at 150-1 odds, while Pierceson Coody stands at 200-1. Coody is fresh off a fifth-place finish last week at Colonial and has turned his entire season around in a good way. Phillips is an accurate ball striker who has flashed moments of brilliance on shorter courses all year. Cauley rates out well in my model, despite cooling off in recent weeks. Each is worth a couple of dollars on their outright, with the strongest lay going on top-20 wagers ranging from +450 to +600.
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: