When Jason Day won last year’s RBC Canadian Open it was the start of something really special. Everybody in golf knew that Day was a genuinely world class talent and his win at Glen Abbey Golf Club was no surprise but few people expected what followed. The Aussie went on to win his first major at the PGA Championship with a host of other wins taking him up to number one in the world. Day’s been unable to add to his tally of majors this season but ahead of next week’s tournament at Baltusrol he is returning to Glen Abbey to defend his title.
‘J-Day’ is not the only world class player in the field this week. Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Jim Furyk are all taking part even though this year’s Canadian Open is sandwiched in between two majors. You may think it’s strange that players with a real chance of PGA Championship glory are not taking the week off but truth be told, they’re probably relishing the chance to make some birdies. Many players struggled at Royal Troon and Baltusrol will also be incredibly tough but Glen Abbey is a scoreable track.
Day won with a total of -17 last season and it may take an even lower total to be victorious this time around. Over the past 12 months the greens have all been changed from Poa Annua to bentgrass, the bunkers have been refilled with improved sand along with other more minor alterations. Those changes should help scoring, as will the rain which is forecast, as PGA Tour players are really able to go to town on a wet course.
The best price you will find on Day defending his title is the 11/2 that Bet365 are quoting. Backing such a short favourite for a golf event always comes with something of a health warning but it is hard to ignore the Australian’s appeal. The only negative Day could find with his game at Troon was that his short game was not up to scratch but that shouldn’t be too much of an issue at Glen Abbey. He didn’t overexert himself last week so it is advisable to get him on board.
One of the key stats to consider at Glen Abbey is greens in regulation. Previous winners at the course have ranked well for their approach play which is good news for Patrick Rodgers. The 24-year-old has been hotly tipped to make a real impact on the PGA Tour having graduated from the Web.com Tour and this could be the venue for him to make a real breakthrough. A poor second round ruined his 2015 Canadian Open but he is worth backing to bounce back at huge odds of 200/1 with Betfred.
Matt Kuchar has a solid history in the Canadian Open. He placed well inside the top 10 last season and was a runner up to Brandt Snedeker in the 2013 renewal. People in the game refer to Kuchar as an ATM given his incredible ability to record finishes in the money time and time again. At a course that really suits his game, Kuchar to finish in the top 10 at 13/8 with Coral looks a racing certainty.