Who wants poutine? The PGA Tour makes its annual trip north of the border this week for the RBC Canadian Open in Caledon, Ontario, about 90 minutes outside Toronto (thanks, traffic on the 410). It’s one of the longest-running events on Tour, behind only a pair of majors, and has produced some quality golf over the years. It’ll be an interesting watch as a final tune-up for the U.S. Open next week at Oakmont, so let’s preview it.
TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley’s North Course is long. It’s over 7400 yards as a par-70, putting driver at the forefront this week. It’s also the first time the Tour’s come here, and was renovated in 2023 with this event in mind.
It’s not particularly punishing off the tee, making this course a lot more like Quail Hollow than Muirfield Village. The gameplan here is bomb and gouge, and long hitters are set up to do well this week. The first and last holes are both reachable par 5s, and there are a full six par-4s longer than 480 yards, including four that stretch over 500 yards.
In recent years, the Canadian Open has embraced its homeland by transforming one par-3 on the course into a one-of-a-kind experience called “The Rink”. The hole is set up to look like a hockey rink, with boards surrounding it and fans pressed up right against them, complete with referees on the tee box. This week, it’s the 144-yard 14th. It’s set up for maximum entertainment, with players hitting wedge into an elevated green guarded by three bunkers. It promotes aggressive shots at the flag and promises fireworks for a raucous Canadian crowd who will be in the Stanley Cup spirit.
Rory has won in Canada twice, and comes to a course that sets up well for him as he looks for a bounce-back after a less than stellar PGA Championship. The week before the U.S. Open is as good a time as any to get your game right, isn’t it?
Vibes: 8.5/10
The highest-ranked Canadian in the world comes here looking to defend his Rivermead Cup, awarded to the lowest-scoring Canadian at the event every year. You gotta like his chances.
Vibes: O Canada/10
The Scot has been much improved of late, with a pair of top 20s and irons on the rise. Oh, and like local legend Drake, he’s looking to go Back to Back as defending champ.
Vibes: 7/10
Burns has been the best putter on Tour this year, and he’s got plenty of distance off the tee. That combo means that if his irons are working, he’s dangerous around here.
Vibes: 7.5/10
Nick Taylor is a Canadian hero at this point. In 2023, he made an unforgettable 72-foot eagle putt to win this tournament in a playoff and become the first Canadian to win the national Open since 1954. He’s back this year looking for some more history.
Vibes: Heritage Minutes/10
Our model is a fan of Mitchell this week. Keith hits it big. He ranks 11th on Tour in driving distance, and his irons have been trending upward. If he keeps this form up, a solid putting week could see him add to his five top-20 finishes in his last seven starts.
This week should be a really entertaining test of golf. A new and difficult venue the week before the U.S. Open means this is no standard tune-up, and we should be in for plenty of fun. Well, at least more fun than Leafs fans had in the second round this year. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next week for the U.S. Open at one of the classic American venues: Oakmont.
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