Steve Palmer's free predictions and golf betting tips for the Canadian Open

When to bet on the Canadian Open

By 11.45am on Thursday

Where can I watch the Canadian Open

Live on Sky Sports Golf from 5pm on Thursday

Steve Palmer's Canadian Open predictions

Taylor Pendrith
4pts each-way 28-1 Paddy Power

Robert MacIntyre
3pts each-way 28-1 bet365

Ryan Fox
1.5pts each-way 66-1 Betfair

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4/5

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Steve Palmer's Canadian Open preview

Rory McIlroy makes his first start since finishing 47th in the US PGA Championship last time out. He tees up as favourite in the Canadian Open but makes no appeal at the odds.

McIlroy had to put a new driver in play at the US PGA but all departments of his game were off and he made no impact at Quail Hollow, his favourite layout on the PGA Tour. This week he tackles a course he had never seen prior to arriving for the Canadian Open.

Ludvig Aberg carded weekend rounds of 77, 66 in the Memorial, a microcosm of his recent inconsistency, so the short prices next to the name of the Swede can also be left alone.

Steve Palmer's top tip

Taylor Pendrith 28-1

Canadian Nick Taylor thrilled the Canadian Open galleries when winning his national Open two years ago and Taylor Pendrith looks well equipped to follow his compatriot's lead this week.

Ontario man Pendrith is bursting with local knowledge and has arrived in tremendous form. He has never been higher in the world rankings (36th), having made his PGA Tour breakthrough in the Byron Nelson 13 months ago, posting four top-fives since.

Pendrith's last two starts – fifth place in the US PGA followed by some magnificent iron-play en route to 12th spot in the Memorial – have sent him home in great heart. And last year's Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal was excellent preparation for the task ahead.

As a Canadian playing in Canada against the mighty USA, Pendrith felt the ultimate pressure in the Presidents Cup but managed to contribute two points to the Internationals' ever futile cause. The Canadian Open will feel like a walk in the park in comparison.

The 34-year-old used to play on the Canadian Tour, competing twice at Osprey Valley, finishing second on the North Course in the 2019 Osprey Valley Open. He has played a lot of social golf at this layout, too, and enjoyed a hole-in-one at the 14th hole in a charity event at the track last autumn.

The vast majority of the field are seeing the venue for the first time, but Pendrith can hit the ground running, and the two driveable par-fours appear to be at his mercy.

Next best bet

Robert MacIntyre 28-1

Non-Americans have a terrific recent record in the Canadian Open and Scottish left-hander Robert MacIntyre won on his tournament debut last year with his father acting as a stand-in caddie.

From that moment onwards, MacIntyre took his game to a new level, winning the Scottish Open the following month and fully establishing himself as a member of the elite.

This year his putter has been cold but sixth place in Phoenix was followed by 11th at Bay Hill, ninth at Sawgrass, sixth at Colonial and 20th last time out at Memorial. He may be peaking for the summer again.

Several players in this field started the week with a 36-hole US Open qualifier, so are short of energy for the Canadian Open. The three Racing Post Sport recommendations, though, had Monday off and are fresh for the fight.

Other selection

Ryan Fox 66-1

World number 75 Ryan Fox needs to use the Canadian Open to move into the world's top 60 and secure a US Open berth. Power is of great advantage this week, Fox is riding the crest of a wave, and the Kiwi slugger should get the job done.

Fox made his PGA Tour breakthrough in the Myrtle Beach Classic last month, then finished 28th in the US PGA and 20th in the Memorial. He was seventh on his Canadian Open debut last year and the four-time DPWT champion looks well capable of getting on the leaderboard again.

Recommended

4/5

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18+. New customers only. Min 1st deposit £10. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Bet £/€1 single on Salah to have 1+ shots on target for 8 x £/5 Free Bets (valid 4 days). Stake & winnings returned at original odds as cash on settlement. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.

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Course guide for the Canadian Open

• Course North Course, TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Caledon, Ontario, Canada
• Prize money $9.8m ($1.692m to the winner)
• Length 7,389 yards
• Par 70 – two par-fives; 12 par-fours; four par-threes
• Field 156 The cut Top 65 and ties qualify for round three
• Highest-ranked players in field (world ranking in brackets) Rory McIlroy (2), Ludvig Aberg (6), Shane Lowry (14), Justin Rose (17), Robert MacIntyre (19)
• When to bet By 11.45am on Thursday
• When to watch Live on Sky Sports Golf from 5pm on Thursday
• Time difference Canada is five hours behind the UK and Ireland
• Last week – Memorial Tournament 1 S Scheffler (11-4), 2 B Griffin (60-1), 3 S Straka (40-1), 4 N Taylor (175-1), T5 R Henley (45-1), M McNealy (60-1), T7 B Snedeker (1500-1), T Hoge (200-1), R Fowler (100-1), K Bradley (45-1), J Spieth (50-1)
• Course type Parkland
• Course overview Canadian Open competitors must adjust to another new venue as TPC Toronto makes its PGA Tour bow. It has hosted events on the Canadian Tour. Ian Andrew has led a recent restoration to toughen it up for the Tour, lengthening holes and tightening fairways at the professionals' landing spots, as well as adding chipping areas around the large greens. Most of the fairways remain generous, though, while the sixth and the tenth are potentially driveable par-fours
• Story of last year Robert MacIntyre edged Ben Griffin by a shot at Hamilton Golf Club
• Weather forecast Cloudy and calm, with temperatures peaking at 23C
• Type of player suited to the challenge A sharp short-game may be the key to success at the North Course, with run-off areas around the large putting surfaces
• Key attribute Touch/putting

Steve Palmer's Canadian Open key stat

Only one of the last nine Canadian Opens has been won by an American

Read Steve Palmer's tips for this week's other tournaments: 

Steve Palmer's free predictions and golf betting tips for LIV Golf Virginia 

Steve Palmer's free predictions and golf betting tips for the KLM Open 

WATCH NOW: The Sweet Spot | KLM Open, RBC Canadian Open & LIV Virginia | Golf Betting Tips 

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