Rodgers ready to rumble once the thunder passes

First round starts midday Thursday
Live on Sky Golf from 8pm

The two main attractions in the Canadian Open – Matt Kuchar and Dustin Johnson – are in opposite halves of the draw and the weather could play a major role in determining which of them gets the best chance to attack Glen Abbey Golf Club over the first two rounds.

Relying on weather forecasts for punting plans is a risky tactic, as underlined by the regularly changing skies at the Open in Birkdale last week, but the 'early' starters in Canada may get the edge this week.

Morning thunderstorms are expected at Glen Abbey, so the start of the tournament could easily be delayed, meaning the first wave of competitors will take to a soft, easy track in the post-storm calm. Those scheduled out late may not get to start their rounds until Friday, which is forecast to be extremely windy.

Kuchar is in the morning set of starters, while Johnson is out late. Johnson would probably appreciate Thursday off to recuperate after Open exertions, but would then face 36 holes in the wind on Friday. It is all conjecture and the picture could change, but first-round-leader punters should probably be concentrating on morning tee-times.

Patrick Rodgers makes most appeal at 66-1. The powerhouse youngster would appreciate any cut in the ground provided by the expected pre-tournament rain, and he could get quickly aboard the birdie train from a scheduled 8.40am local (1.40pm UK and Ireland) tee time.

Rodgers pinged the lids with a 65 and a 64 over the first two rounds of the John Deere Classic last time out, and something similar could be on the cards at Glen Abbey, where he signed off with a 67 last year despite being in miserable form.

Recommendation
P Rodgers first-round leader
1pt each-way 66-1 general