The Canadian Open makes its long-awaited return to the PGA calendar this weekend from the famous St George’s course in Ontario.
Back from a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, a star-studded field of 156 will attempt to hone their craft ahead of next week’s US Open in Massachusetts, starting with green jacket winner Scottie Scheffler, PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas, and 2019 Canadian Open winner, Rory McIlroy.
Aussie Cam Smith is set to make the journey north of the border, while a strong contingent of Canadians are hoping to become the first since Pat Fletcher in 1954 to win their home tournament.
For punters, St George’s calls for a consistent short game and some strong form with the putter to handle the newly surfaced greens, but with most unfamiliar with the course, it’s fair to expect some crooked scores across the weekend.
With that in mind, we’ve done a deep dive into the number and offer our best 2022 Canadian Open bets below.
Canadian Open Best Bet
Adam Hadwin at $41.00
Am I picking Hadwin due to the narrative? Partly.
A Canadian winning this tournament for the first time since 1954 would be pretty cool, but no.
This pick is purely based on the 34-year-olds form, which has been consistent all season.
Hadwin has finished Top 25 six times this year, including last week at Muirfield where he finished with a couple of eagles on day two on his way to a T18.
Better yet, he’s got experience at St George’s after playing this tournament back in 2010 – something that can’t be said for most of the field.
Throw in a consistent short game (18th in Strokes Gained: Around the Green) and Hadwin checks most of the boxes.
Canadian Open Best Value
Shane Lowry at $17.00
The Irishman has been on my radar for most of the season, and for good reason.
Lowry continues to prove a model of consistency, making the cut in each of his last nine tournaments and finishing outside the Top 25 only twice during that span.
His short game needs some work, but with eyes towards the US Open, another Top 10 finish wouldn’t surprise.
Jhonattan Vegas at $51.00
I feel like Vegas might be a little over the odds at the above price.
Not only did the Venezuelan win this tournament in back to back years in 2017 and 17, but he’s also been playing some good golf of late in much tougher fields.
A final round 81 was the only thing that stood between another Top 25 finish at The Memorial last week, while his three straight Top 20 finishes at Corales, the Texas Open, and the Wells Fargo earlier in the year also stand out.
Canadian Open Best Roughie
Cameron Champ at $81.00
Champ has missed the cut in his last two tournaments, but he does look poised to bounce back if he can get the most out of his driver this weekend.
St George’s isn’t exactly a course that suits long bombers, but with three par 5s scheduled, he might just have an advantage over the rest of the field.
Mathias Schwab at $151.00
The Austrian continues to mix his form, falling outside the Top 50 in his last two tournaments after sharing in a tie for eighth at the Texas Open back in April.
Still, he’s among the Top 30 on TOUR in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and Putting, making Schwab a worthwhile play at very long odds.
