One of the most well supported tournaments on the PGA Tour is the Canadian Open, where large and noisy galleries make their presence felt, and this week's gathering at TPC Toronto seems sure to be an entertaining affair. The locals should turn up in their hordes.
Rory McIlroy, who won the Canadian Open in 2019 and 2022, is the clear favourite as he looks to complete a hat-trick of titles. The Masters champion flopped at the US PGA, struggling with a new driver and finishing 47th, but is a warm order for Toronto.
Racing Post golf guru Steve Palmer is looking elsewhere for the Canadian Open value, though, and has pinpointed alternative wagers to the short-price market leader.
Market | Tip | Odds |
Tournament Favourite | Rory McIlroy | |
Best Bet | Taylor Pendrith | |
Alternative Bet | Robert MacIntyre |
Only one of the last nine Canadian Open winners has been an American
There are only two par-fives at this week's TPC Toronto course
A field of 156 will be going to post in the Canadian Open
TPC Toronto is a huge par-70 at 7,389 yards
Best Bet: Taylor Pendrith @ 22/1
Nick Taylor provided some incredible scenes at the Canadian Open two years ago, winning the tournament in his homeland and sparking huge celebrations, and his compatriot Taylor Pendrith can follow that lead this week.
Pendrith appears well capable of taking the North Course at TPC Toronto by storm and serving up another treat for the Canadian galleries. The 34-year-old slugger is at the peak of his powers, enjoying the best world ranking of his career and looking like he may soon penetrate the top 20 for the first time.
Pendrith made his PGA Tour breakthrough in the Byron Nelson 13 months ago and has followed up with four top-fives, including fifth spot in the US PGA Championship last month.
Last week his iron-play was sensational en route to 12th place in the Memorial, so this powerhouse is bringing his A-game to a Toronto layout he knows well.
Pendrith used to compete on the Canadian Tour and has teed up in two tournaments at TPC Toronto, notably finishing second on the North Course in the 2019 Osprey Valley Open. He has also played lots of social golf at the track and made a hole-in-one at a charity event on the North Course last autumn.
With two driveable par-fours available to the longest drivers this week, Pendrith will be sensing a great opportunity for a second Tour title, and he has experience of playing in his homeland under enormous pressure from last year's Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal.
Pendrith scored two points for the Internationals on a side heavily beaten by the Americans in that event, which was a good effort in tough circumstances, and he can thrive in his homeland again this week.
Steve Palmer explains:
Pendrith finished top of the strokes-gained-on-approach statistics in last week's Memorial Tournament, finishing 12th despite carrying an ice-cold putter.
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Alternative Bet: Robert MacIntyre @ 25/1
A successful title defence for Robert MacIntyre would come as no surprise this week, as the Scottish left-hander bids to make it two victories from two Canadian Open starts.
MacIntyre had his father as a stand-in caddie 12 months ago, but still managed to claim a maiden PGA Tour title in Canada, following up with Scottish Open glory the following month. That golden summer may be repeated, as Bobby Mac has started to rediscover his A-game.
Sixth place in the Phoenix Open has been followed by 11th at Bay Hill, ninth at Sawgrass and sixth at Colonial. He was 20th in the Memorial last week, warming up nicely for his return to his beloved Canada.
MacIntyre has tinkered with his putting stroke lately and is starting to hole more on the greens, so the Ryder Cup star is going into his title defence in a positive mood.
Steve Palmer adds:
There were 10 US Open qualifying events taking place on Monday - 36-hole contests - so many players in the Canadian Open field have turned up jaded. MacIntyre had the luxury of having already qualified for the US Open, so has arrived in Canada feeling fresh for the fight.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.