So after a dire week last week (we all have them) we swiftly move on with a 30pt hit to the Canadian Open. The St George Country club in Toronto has to be one of the most stunning golf courses I've ever seen. 7,025 yard par 71, this is a place with blind tee shots, rolling fairways and undulating greens. Never has a course more screamed tee to green ball striking than here and in a week with a small pool of potential winners I'm laying out less on just 3 players.
Tee to green is the key to my selections and with JT and Scheffler driving other prices up this could be a good week. JT will be working on his game to prime himself for the US Open next week. He made the call to Mr Nicklaus last week, missing The Memorial in favour of playing the week before a major, which served him so well in the PGA. Scheffler is not a one trick pony, he's the world's best player, but this is not a week for those who like to pull the driver and I do fear his off the tee accuracy at such short odds. Rory probably wins a week too late and Cam Smith is a potential world number 1 but both are no value.
My first selection is the obviously brilliant and very obviously Canadian Corey Connors. He was very solid last week at Muirfield village and this week I'm hoping his putter will be a little warmer, as he hit 78% of fairways and 78% of greens last week which will top most lists. He placed at the masters again this year, he's a top level player now and he's a sleeper despite being there or thereabouts almost every weekend. At 22/1 8 places he's the big bet of the week 6pts e/w.
A short price e/w steal is next, some proper thievery here and I should be ashamed, but having played the rolling hills and sloping fairways of the Hallamshire yesterday, I can't help but think this course is tailor made for Matt Fitzpatrick. Good off the tee, good tee to green and a brilliant putter, Fitzpatrick seems to just lack the mental fortitude to get over the line. Maybe he never will, but I just cant see any way he won't place here so 4pts e/w top 8 I'll recoup some of last weeks losses back, and maybe, just maybe, this course is such a perfect fit that he gets over the line now.
Last but by no means least is a guy who I expected fireworks from earlier in the year around the Florida swing period. Until last week he has been relatively inactive since a 9th place at the Honda, but the big hitting and fiercely accurate off the tee Keith Mitchell came back to form last week with an 18th at Jacks place. A streaky putter, strong iron player and 2019 Honda winner has proved that tight courses suit his game and if you can play well round the bear trap you can play anywhere. In such a weak field he is the overpriced pick for me, he's not afraid of contending, and he is full value 45/1 8 places 2.5pts e/w.