Canadian Open Preview, Picks & Analysis

THE week after missing out on the playoff for The Open at St Andrews 12 months ago, Jason Day shrugged of his bitter disappointment to win the Canadian Open by a shot from Bubba Watson. It was the start of an astonishing run that ended with Day claiming the US PGA Championship and taking top spot in the world rankings.

Once again, Day has had a disappointing Open, but this time it came from failing to play well enough to get into contention. So can the Australian, who recently handed the WGC Bridgestone Invitational to Dustin Johnson, get his game back on track at Glen Abbey Golf Club, Oakville, Ontario?

Past champions have included Sam Snead, Tom Weiskopf, Lee Trevino, Jim Furyk, Tiger Woods and, in more recent times, Carl Pettersson (2010), Sean O'Hair (2011), Piercy (2012), Brandt Snedeker (2013), Tim Clark (2014) and Day.

One man who will be looking forward to the tournament is William McGirt, runner-up in 2012 and 2013. McGirt recently finally made his breakthrough to the winners' circle. McGirt is a feisty character who feeds off confidence and his morale is sky-high right now, even though he missed the cut at The Open Championship.

Home fans would love nothing more than to see a Canadian winner, and several have come close in recent years. There was every reason to believe that Graeme DeLaet might have delivered the goods by now, but the man with the finest beard on the PGA Tour has gone off the boil in 2016, struggling with all parts of his game. This would be a great week for the big man who looks more like a lumberjack than a tour player to start swinging his axe on track again.

Matt Fitzpatrick has decided to take advantage of the fact there is a free week on the European Tour and will be teeing it up in Ontario. Fitzpatrick will be bitterly disappointed with his performance at Royal Troon but the young Yorkshireman is a determined character. He is using the Canadian Open as part of his preparation for the forthcoming US PGA Championship at Baltusrol and if he gets himself into contention he will not be frightened to win.

The event has attracted a world-class field, but I have a sneaky feeling for a couple of young tyros. Tony Finau is one of the biggest hitters on the PGA Tour, and smashes the ball miles with a short, controlled backswing. He made the breakthrough earlier this season at the Puerto Rico Open, and it will be the first victory of many. Finau plays the game with a smile on his face. He is blessed with long arms and an ability to generate ferocious clubhead speed. He loves smashing the ball then walking after it and hitting it again. Bryson DeChambeau is the polar opposite. Known as The Scientist because of his methodical approach to the game and the fact that the shafts on his irons are all the same length, DeChambeau has quickly settled into the professional game and, with a swing that is all his own, looks set for a long and successful career.

Canadian Open Betting Tips

To Win:

Tony Finau. Great fun to watch

Each Way

Bryson DeChambeau. Does it his own way

Each Way

Jason Day. Could do with another win

Canadian Open Fantasy Picks

Tony Finau. Will surely win again soon

Bryson DeChambeau. Talent oozing from every pore

Jason Day. Wants a big week to set himself up for PGA defence

Matt Fitzpatrick. Getting better with every week

Dustin Johnson. Now feels like he can win anywhere

Ryan Palmer. One of the most consistent players on tour

Brandt Snedeker. Former champion, back to his best form

Jimmy Walker. Some good signs at Troon

Harold Varner III. Keep your eye on this guy

William McGirt. Just loves Canada