2024 RBC Canadian Open: Underdog Betting Strategies

As the 2024 RBC Canadian Open approaches, the betting landscape is ripe for those looking beyond the marquee names. This tournament, taking place at the Hamilton Golf & Country Club, provides a prime opportunity to explore underdog bets, given the mix of star players and lesser-known talents in the field. Here’s a closer look at the betting scene and some insightful strategies for this week’s event.

Top Favorites

• Rory McIlroy: The favorite, coming in with strong public support.
• Sahith Theegala: Another popular choice with good season form.
• Tommy Fleetwood: Sharp action noted, making him a potential liability.
• Shane Lowry: A consistent performer and well-regarded by bettors.
• Sam Burns: High handle percentage indicates strong backing.

Underdog Picks

Given the odds distribution, the RBC Canadian Open presents an excellent chance to bet on underdogs. Here are some players to watch:

1. Alex Noren

• Profile: Consistently finishing in the top 25, Noren is a strong bet for a top-20 finish.
• Betting Angle: Outright win and top-20 finish bets are popular. Sharp action on Noren in the top-10 market also indicates confidence.

2. Aaron Rai

• Profile: Rai has shown potential and comes with longer odds, offering value.
• Betting Angle: Bet on a top-20 finish and consider a smaller stake on an outright win.

3. Mark Hubbard

• Profile: Gaining traction among sharp bettors.
• Betting Angle: Bet on a top-20 finish and look at head-to-head matchups.

4. Seamus Power

• Profile: A consistent player with the ability to surprise.
• Betting Angle: Top-20 finish bets are advisable, and an outright win bet could pay off.

5. Daniel Berger

• Profile: Returning from injury, Berger has been making cuts and could be turning a corner.
• Betting Angle: Consider bets on both a top-20 finish and an outright win.

Strategic Insights

**1. Bet Against Human Achievement: Betting on the "NO" or the "Under" can be more profitable long-term. Look for markets where you can fade the favorites.

**2. Head-to-Head Matchups: These offer good value. For instance, sharp bettors have taken action on Adam Scott to beat Corey Conners, shifting the odds significantly.

**3. Public vs. Sharp Money: Rory McIlroy is heavily backed by public money in the outright market, but sharp money is more dispersed, focusing on head-to-head matchups and top-10 finishes.

**4. Diverse Picks: Combining popular and obscure choices can balance your portfolio. For example, mixing bets on Theegala and Noren with deeper shots like Rai and Berger can be effective.

**5. Long Shot Winners: The trend this season has seen many high-priced winners. This makes a case for sprinkling bets on players with longer odds who have shown flashes of form.

Player Matchups to Watch

• Adam Scott vs. Corey Conners: Sharp action favors Scott.
• Tom Kim vs. Sam Burns: Betting against Burns in this matchup could provide value given the market's lean towards him.

Final Thoughts

The RBC Canadian Open, steeped in history and prestige, offers a fertile ground for underdog bets. While the top names attract the spotlight, the real value might lie deeper down the odds board. Whether it’s leveraging sharp action insights or banking on lesser-known players, the key is to look beyond the obvious and uncover the hidden gems.

With a strategic approach and careful analysis, betting on this tournament can yield fruitful results, making the underdog mentality a potentially lucrative path at this year’s RBC Canadian Open.

Good luck and happy betting!