Best Bets for the RBC Canadian Open
With the shocking news of the PGA Tour's impending merger with LIV Golf and the DP World Tour engulfing the golf world, it's easy to forget there's still a tournament on the schedule this week. The RBC Canadian Open will begin Thursday from Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto, with two-time reigning champion Rory McIlroy headlining the field as the +550 betting favorite.
But I'm staying away from McIlroy on my betting card this year. Here are my best bets for the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.
Outright bets
Sam Burns +1400
I think this tournament could turn into a putting contest with how easy Oakdale is expected to play this week, and if that's the case, Sam Burns is my favorite outright bet at the top of the odds board. The American ranks ninth on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: putting this season and finished T4 last year at 14 under par. Burns has made a habit of winning in weaker fields, and the RBC Canadian Open surely qualifies this year.
Sahith Theegala +2900
If you're going to win the RBC Canadian Open this week, you're going to need to make a ton of birdies. That's no problem for Sahith Theegala, who ranks seventh on Tour this season in birdies per round (4.29). Theegala has gained strokes on the green in five straight starts, and I think this tournament sets up perfectly for his first victory.
Akshay Bhatia +11000
You knew we had to throw in a juicy longshot, right? Akshay Bhatia has his struggles with the flatstick, but he has the ability to go low on easy layouts. The 21-year-old finished second at the Puerto Rico Open and fourth at the Mexico Open at Vedanta, two events that featured winning scores of at least 21 under. If the putter shows up this week, Bhatia will find himself in contention on Sunday.
Props
Brendon Todd top 20 +320
Brendon Todd stands no chance on the new-age golf courses that measure 7,400-plus yards with narrow fairways and thick rough, but once the game shrinks down to 125 yards and in, he's one of the best players in the world. He ranks 25th on Tour in approaches from 50-125 yards, 20th in SG: putting, and fourth in SG: around the greens this season. This sets up well for a strong finish.
Mark Hubbard top 40 +120
Mark Hubbard has played in five events since April 30. He's made the cut and gained strokes on approach in all five, and he's finished T30 or better in four. This course should fit Hubbard's game perfectly.
More must-reads: