Tight Competition and Exciting Opportunities Unfold at RBC Canadian Open
The RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club, situated near Toronto, has brought forth an intense battle after two thrilling rounds. Leading the pack is Carl Yuan, currently standing strong at 9 under par, following impressive performances of 67 and 68. Right on his heels, just one shot behind, are Aaron Rai, Corey Conners, Tyrrell Hatton, and C.T. Pan. Notably, a total of 30 players lie within five shots of Yuan's lead at the midway point, with another 15 players trailing by six shots at 3 under.
So far, the weather conditions have been calm, with the wind posing no significant challenge. The forecast predicts a continuation of these favorable conditions on Saturday and Sunday, albeit with a greater than 70% chance of rain on the final day, starting early in the morning. Last weekend's Memorial Tournament saw the golf course becoming firmer and faster over the weekend, resulting in a lower winning score compared to the midway point. This week, there's a possibility that the course might soften further by Sunday, potentially allowing players to reach a score of 20 under par. This is worth considering for those interested in in-tournament wagering.
Let's take a look at the updated odds to win the RBC Canadian Open, courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook:
+400: Tyrrell Hatton +500: Rory McIlroy +550: Corey Conners +1200: Justin Rose +1400: Aaron Rai +1600: C.T. Pan +1800: Carl Yuan +2200: Brendon Todd +4000: Andrew Novak, Chesson Hadley, Mark Hubbard, S.H. Kim, Tommy Fleetwood +4500: Adam Hadwin +5000: Harry Higgs, Matt Fitzpatrick, Nate Lashley
After two days of intense competition, Carl Yuan has displayed exceptional performance in SG: Tee to Green, topping the field. His approach play and putting have been above average, ranking him third in SG: Around the Green. Meanwhile, Tyrrell Hatton took charge on Friday, firing an impressive 64 to reach 8 under for the tournament. Hatton's accuracy was evident, hitting 16 of 18 greens in regulation, while his putting improved significantly from the previous day. On the other hand, Corey Conners, aiming to become the first Canadian to win their national open since 1954, showcased remarkable consistency with his iron play but struggled in SG: Putting, ranking 50th in the field.
Among those within six shots of the lead, notable contenders include Matt Fitzpatrick (-3), Taylor Pendrith (-3), Shane Lowry (-3), Tommy Fleetwood (-4), Adam Hadwin (-5), two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy (-6), Justin Rose (-6), and Brendon Todd (-7). The upcoming rounds present an intriguing scenario as we contemplate who will make a surge over the weekend and who might face setbacks.
Last week, my pick of Si Woo Kim at +1600 halfway through the tournament proved to be solid, as he contended and finished in fourth place. However, I must acknowledge my misjudgment regarding Viktor Hovland, whom I had considered fading despite trailing by five shots going into the weekend. His remarkable comeback victory proved me wrong. With that said, his odds of +3500 after 36 holes were relatively low and should have been closer to +6000. Credit goes to Mr. Hovland for defying the odds.
At the halfway mark in Canada, here are my selections, along with their odds from BetMGM Sportsbook:
