The 2019 RBC Canadian Open Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is the 2019 RBC Canadian Open? Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th of June 2019
Where is the 2019 RBC Canadian Open? Hamilton Golf & Country Club, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
What is the total prize fund of the 2019 RBC Canadian Open? $7,600,000
What television channel can I watch the 2019 RBC Canadian Open on in the UK? Sky Sports Golf
Where can I stream the 2019 RBC Canadian Open in the UK? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the tournament online via Sky Go
Where can I get tickets for the 2019 RBC Canadian Open? https://www.pgatour.com/tourna...
What is the course yardage at Hamilton Golf & Country Club? 6,966 yards
What is the par at Hamilton Golf & Country Club? 70
What is the course information for Hamilton Golf & Country Club? Home to one of the oldest and most respected clubs in Canada, the Harry S. Colt design opened in 1915 and will host its sixth RBC Canadian Open. The parkland design features outstanding course plotting and a variety of interesting holes that keep the layout challenging despite its lack of modern length.
What is the predicted weather for the 2019 RBC Canadian Open? Rain earlier in the week should leave the course playing much softer but with mostly sunshine expected throughout the tournament days, the course will firm up as the week progresses. Low winds for all four days of play with temperatures consistently around 17c.
THE HISTORY
The RBC Canadian Open makes its earliest start in history, having been sandwiched between the Open Championship and a WGC for the past 12 years, a slot that has often limited the calibre of the field.
The RBC Canadian Open returns to Hamilton for just the third time in 13 years with scoring typically being modest around a course that is under 7000 yards – testament to the course design. 2014 champion Tim Clark shares the tournament scoring record with 2012 winner Scott Piercy at 263 albeit around different courses. Glen Abbey GC has hosted five of the previous six editions with scoring being consistently low. With just an average winning margin of 1.1 strokes since 2009, the Canadian Open has regularly produced drama down the closing stretch in what has always been regarded as one of the PGA Tour's finest tournaments.
THE FAVOURITES
Dustin Johnson
The world number two's season has been relatively quiet by his standards, albeit having finished runner-up in both of this year's majors so far. Johnson heads to Hamilton as defending champion having finished T2 in 2016 and will be looking to successfully retain his title heading into next week’s U.S. Open, where he’ll be wanting to be in the best form possible for a championship that is designed for his game around a course that he has had great success around previously. Ranked first in SG: total tells you exactly where his game is at so expect him to put up a great defence this week.
Brandt Snedeker
The American has performed strongly in the Canadian Open in recent years with two top-eight finishes in his previous two starts here. Although his 2019 season has been quiet so far, his form is starting to turn with back-to-back top-20s heading into this week with his highest season finish coming at The Players – a course that demands accuracy – which will be the case this week. Ranked 26th SG: total shows his all-round game is in a strong place. However, being ranked 156th in driving distance will be an equaliser this week around a short course.
Jim Furyk
The PGA Tour veteran will qualify to play the seniors tour next year but still possesses the game to compete against the young guns, and Hamilton will provide him with a great opportunity for an 18th tour victory. Furyk won this tournament in 2006 around Hamilton so will have the course knowledge and experience required to contend. Furthermore, he retained his title the following year and has since finished inside the top 15 twice since 2015, suggesting he will enjoy plenty of crowd support as a great in this event. Ranked first in driving accuracy and 20th SG: total proves his all-round game is still good enough to contend and this is the ideal venue for him to do so.
THE OUTSIDERS
Scott Piercy
Winner of this tournament in 2012, the last time it was held at Hamilton, gives him an advantage alone. With two top-three finishes in his past five starts on tour and just two missed cuts from 18 starts this season, he is one of the most consistent players on tour right now. Ranked 30th SG: total and inside the top 20 for both driving accuracy and greens-in-regulation, it is clear to see why his game would be suited to this layout as well as other similar courses that are short but place a premium on strategy, as was seen with his T3 at the RBC Heritage in April.
Bubba Watson
With just two top-ten finishes this season and a high of T4, Watson heads to Canada with minimal form. However, with two top-six finishes in this tournament since 2015, a change in country can sometimes provide the spark that is needed for an upturn in form for the flamboyant American. Although a very different style of player to the other contenders, Bubba possesses the ability like no other to shape the ball and on a course that has many dog-legs and changes in angles, this could play right into his hands. Factor in being ranked second in SG: off-the-tee, he will have plenty of opportunity for birdies this week but will need to discover something better on the greens with being ranked 190th SG: putting, if he is to contend.
