Canadian Open: betting preview and tips for the second round in Hamilton

Sky Sports Golf, 5pm

Pat Fletcher was the last Canadian to win his home open in 1954 but the country's top-ranked player Adam Hadwin can build on an encouraging start in Hamilton to boost his own title bid.

He put in an excellent all-round performance on Thursday, gaining 2.35 shots on the field tee-to-green and 2.06 shots on the greens to complete his round three shots behind leader Keegan Bradley and there is scope for improvement.

It has been a while since he challenged for a tournament win - he was second behind rank outsider Adam Long at the Desert Classic in January - but the extra motivation of performing in front of his home crowd should help him no end.

An 18th spot at Pebble Beach, the host venue for next week's US Open, was his best showing in ten subsequent tournaments but we should see him in his element this week on a course where accuracy is of primary importance.

He should push on in the 5.30pm threeball where he challenges former world number one Luke Donald and 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia.

Donald's tumble down the rankings has been well documented and his performance on the greens on Thursday kept him under par.

A lack of distance off the tee should not be a massive handicap this week but rain on Friday morning could make it more of an issue and that hardly plays to the Englishman's strengths.

Donald's challenge may fall away and Garcia could also fade as he starts eight shots off the pace.

The Spaniard has not broken 70 in any of his last six rounds on a Friday and, having missed the cut at Augusta and last month's US PGA Championship at Bethpage Black, it would not be a surprise if his mind started to turn towards the third Major of the year.

Recommendation
A Hadwin to win threeball5.30pm BST
2pts 8-5 Betfair

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