Rory McIlroy, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, is the two-time defending RBC Canadian Open champion.
With the news that the PGA Tour is merging with LIV Golf and the Saudi-funded golf venture Public Investment Fund that runs the league dropping just two days before the RBC Canadian Open tees off, the Oakdale Golf and Country Club just became the backdrop for an uncertain immediate future of professional golf.
With so many questions still to be answered about how the PGA and PIF will merge, and what that means for the once ostracized LIV Golf defectors as well as the ones who stayed loyal to the PGA during the split, what happens during the four-day tournament in Toronto could just be a footnote when looking back at the 2023 season.
But from a sports betting perspective, the on-the-course action will still make for an exciting weekend, where 10 of the top-30 players in the world are expected tee it up.
That includes Rory McIlroy, who will look to become the Canadian Openβs first three-peat winner. McIlroy, who is currently ranked No. 3 in the Official World Golf Rankings, could also become the first golfer in 12 years to win the same tournament in three consecutive tries. Steve Stricker was the last to do it, winning the John Deere Classic in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
(Note: The RBC Canadian Open wasnβt played in 2020 or 2021 because of COVID restrictions. McIlroyβs wins came in 2019 and 2022.)
FrontPageBets takes a look at the golfers to watch in this weekβs event at the par-72, 7,264-yard Oakdale Golf and Country Club.
(All odds courtesy of FanDuel and are subject to change)
Pick to win: Rory McIlroy (+500)
McIlroy was in the final paring last Sunday at the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, tied for the lead. But a 3-over 75 on Sunday, which included four bogeys on the back nine, pushed McIlroy into a tie for seventh at Jack's Place.
It was a disappointing finish in a year of ups and downs for the 34-year-old Northern Irishman.
But coming back to Oakdale and the RBC Canadian Open could be just what McIlroy needs to get back into form before the U.S. Open tees off next week in Los Angeles.
That's if the off-the-course distractions don't take hold of the golfer who has been the face of the PGA Tour, and its defender.
McIlroy has owned this event the last two times itβs been played, not only winning it, but dominating the final rounds to run away with consecutive victories.
In 2019, he shot a 61 to win by seven strokes. Then, last year, McIlroy fired a 62 in the final round to win by 2 shots. That 2019 win gave McIlroy the 72-hole tournament record at 258 (22-under par).
Top-5 pick: Corey Conners (+360)
Corey Conners is one of at least 20 Canadians to tee it up this week in a tournament no countrymen has won since 1954.
Conners came close last year, shooting an 8-under 62 in the final round to finish sixth.
This season, Conners already has a victory, winning the Valero Texas Open in April. Heβs also racked up nine top-25 finishes, including a tie for eighth at the Wells Fargo Championship last month.
Conners is currently ranked 29th in the OWGR and 27th in FedEx Cup points this season.
Top 10-pick: Matt Fitzpatrick (+120)
The 2022 U.S. Open champion is one week away from defending his title at the Los Angeles Country Club. And much like last year, Matt Fitzpatrick is hoping the Canadian Open will serve as a springboard.
Fitzpatrick tied for 10th at this event, then a week later won his first major.
Ranked eighth in the world, Fitzpatrick could also pull the "RBC double" with a win this week, as he won the RBC Heritage in a playoff two months ago in Hilton Head.
The 28-year-old Englishman has four top-10 finishes this season, including T10 at the Masters.
Odds-on favorites to win the RBC Canadian Open
Rory McIlroy +500
Tyrrell Hatton +1100
Sam Burns +1400
Matt Fitzpatrick +1400
Cameron Young +1400
Corey Conners +1800
Justin Rose +1800
Shane Lowry +2000
Tommy Fleetwood +2000
Sahith Theegala +3000
Gambling problem? There isΒ help. Call 1-800-522-4700 or visit theΒ National Council on Problem GamblingΒ for help.
