PGA DFS Playbook: RBC Canadian Open

Ignore his missed cut at the Charles Schwab, because it was predictable coming off of his PGA Championship victory.  He has all the tools to dominate this track from tee to green.  You really don’t need me to tell you how good Justin Thomas is but feel confident in rostering him this weekend in Canada.  He’s finished inside the Top 10 in 9 of his last 13 starts on the PGA Tour. 

I hope people see Cam’s two missed cuts at the RBC Canadian Open and stay away but not realize that those were different courses.  He’s played terrific golf this year with two wins under his belt at the Sentry and THE PLAYERS.  Top 10 finish at the Masters and Top 15 finish at the PGA Championship and last week’s Memorial. He ranks Top 10 in Scoring Average, Birdie Average, Stroke Gained: Approach and Strokes Gained Putting.  Also Top 20 in Strokes Gained Around the Greens and Tee to Green.  

He took a well deserved rest after his playoff victory at the Charles Schwab Challenge over Scottie Scheffler.  That was his third victory of the season and 7th Top 10 of the 2021-2022 PGA Tour season.  He ranks 25th or better in Strokes Gained Approach, Strokes Gained Putting, Strokes Gained Tee to Green, Greens in Regulation, Birdie Average, Stroke Average and Driving Distance.  Burns has been one of the most reliable options this season. 

Finishes of 21st or better in six of his last nine starts on the PGA Tour.  The ball striking ability is off the charts but the reason for the consistency has been his putting has been much better.  It isn’t anything to write home about but for him, much improved.  4th in Greens in Regulation, 8th in Strokes Gained Off the Tee, 21st in Strokes Gained Tee to Green and 27th in Scoring Average and Driving Accuracy.  Roster the boy from Ontario playing in his country’s National Championship. 

2022 has been a slow burn for Tony but it looks like the worm is turning for the veteran.  He has two Top 5 finishes in his last four events including his last start at the Charles Schwab.  You’d think he was having a better season when you look at his stats.  He ranks Top 26 in Strokes Gained Off the Tee, Strokes Gained Approach, Strokes Gained Tee to Green, and Greens in Regulation.  I think you’ll get good ownership at a good value this weekend.  

It has been the best start to Keith’s career.  He started by making the cut in seven of his eight stroke event starts in 2022 with five Top 15 finishes.  While Mitchell missed the cut at the Wells Fargo, he made the last three including a Top 20 at the Memorial last weekend.  He ranks 6th on tour in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, as well as 16th Birdie Average, 27th in Driving Distance, and 32nd in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green.  The price is higher than I’d like for him but when you look at the field, that’s the going rate this weekend.  .  

While this tournament will be played on a different course, he has had great success in Canada with two victories at the RBC Canadian Open.  Vegas has made the cut in nine of his 12 starts this season with one Top 10 and another two Top 20s.  The reason he is so attractive this week is because he is Top 50 in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, Strokes Gained: Approach, Strokes Gained: Tee to Green, Greens in Regulation, Scoring Average and Top 10 in Driving Distance.  While distance isn’t vital this week, he’s played really good golf this season.

Todd is another guy who I only play on certain weeks and here is one.  There are two things you know about Brendon Todd, he’s accurate off the tee and can putt better than most everyone on the PGA Tour which is why he ranks Top 10 in both categories.  Todd has two Top 10 finishes in his last six starts including his last appearance at the Charles Schwab.  I love him as a mid-tier cash or tournament option.  

This 26 year old Englishman was a regular on the European Tour over the last few years.  He actually earned two professional wins on that tour.  He’s been a regular on the PGA Tour this season with a lot of early success.  Rai has made the cut in six of his last seven starts with two Top 30 finishes including last weekend at the Memorial.  I like him because he’s Top 30 in Driving Accuracy and Top 50 in Greens in Regulation.  I’d save him for GPPs only.

There are only certain week’s I'm willing to roster Adam.  He has made the cut in four of his last seven starts including two Top 15 finishes which happened on shorter golf courses.  This former Duke Blue Devil ranks 25th in Strokes Gained: Putting, 57th in Scoring Average, and 50th in Driving Accuracy.  Again, you aren’t going to find a lot of quality in this price tag, you gotta take what you can get.  

Duncan has made the cut in four of the last six starts with three Top 20 finishes.  One of those 15s was at the RBC Heritage and the Charles Schwab in his last start.  I’ve talked about the important of accuracy especially off the tee and he ranks Top 10 on the PGA Tour.  He ranks Top 70 (which seems high but when you look at this field, it’s not bad) in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, Approach, and Tee to Green.  I think he’s a guy you could sneak into a tournament lineup and make some noise when he makes the cut.

We have not talked about him at all this season but that was a mistake. He has played in 11 events during the 2022 calendar year and made the cut in nine of them with three Top 10 finishes.  He is known for his prowess on and around the greens ranking 15th in Strokes Gained: Putting and 24th in Strokes Gained: Around the Green.  Matthias also ranks 44th in Scoring Average and 52nd in Greens in Regulation.  He’ll make for a solid value play in your cash or tournament lineups.

When you’ve got a course like this one, there are certain players that just fit it better.  It is very similar to Harbour Town in that accuracy is at a premium but instead of tree lined fairways, it’s deep rough.  Poston finished third at Harbour Town this year and has made the cut in two of his last three starts.  This has not been a good season for him and it shows in his stats but I’ll give him a shot as a tournament play only.  

Wu has made the cut in three of his last five starts including last week at the Memorial.  If you want to look deeper, he’s cashed in six of his last eight tournaments.  Wu is not the longest hitter but St. George should suit him well, just look at his runner up in Mexico and third in Puerto Rico.  Despite being a short hitter, Wu makes it work tee to green ranking 68th in Greens in Regulation.  I'd keep him to your tournaments.

This is the ultimate risk reward play.  Lee is probably the streakest player on the PGA Tour.  I am not going to even waste any time with his stats because they are terrible but we’ve seen signs of life over recent weeks.  I’m hoping the hot streak is coming.  He has never missed the cut in five trips to the RBC Canadian Open.  He is only to be playing in tournament.

When looking in this price range, you are just looking for a dude that can make the weekend and I believe he can.  I think he can because he’s done it in five of his last six starts including last weekend’s Memorial.  When you look over his profile, he’s been known as an accurate driver and solid putter.  If he can just get it going this weekend, we could see him pop over the weekend.