The PGA Tour heads to Hamilton Golf and Country Club, Ontario this week for the Canadian Open in what promises to be another fascinating affair.
Hamilton G & CC last staged this event in 2019 when Rory McIlroy romped to a seven-stroke victory and there has since been an $11.5million renovation, with every green rebuilt and deep bunkers created.
At 7,084 yards, this par-70, which is a composite layout comprising the West and South courses, is one of the shorter layouts on tour and demands precision on approach rather than length off the tee.
- SHANE LOWRY TO WIN EACH-WAY
- AARON RAI TO WIN EACH-WAY
- PATTON KIZZIRE TO WIN EACH-WAY
Lowry To Enjoy Hamilton return
World number 33 Shane Lowry finished tied-second here in 2019, finding only McIlroy too good that week before the Irishman then lifted the Claret Jug three starts later.
The 37-year-old will have his eyes on a second Open triumph come July and he may well have a Canadian Open title added to his CV by the time the fourth and final Major of the season comes around.
Lowry recently partnered McIlroy to Zurich Classic glory before the former then produced a T6 effort at the US PGA Championship, his best performance at that tournament since a T4 in 2021.
Refreshed after taking last week off, the Irish star's ranking of first in driving accuracy should put him in good stead on this tree-lined course, while his position of 10th in the strokes gained: approach-the-green department is another huge positive for his chances.
Rai To Break His Duck
Aaron Rai is getting closer to landing his maiden PGA Tour title and his solid tee-to-green game, which has him 10th in driving accuracy, ninth in SG: approach and fifth in greens in regulation, should help him challenge this week.
The 29-year-old's issues have been on the greens, but he improved with the flat stick in the last round of the Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday and there is hope he can keep that momentum going.
While this will be Rai's course debut, his two previous Canadian Open outings have seen him finish 13th (2022) and third (2023) so he clearly has a liking for this part of the world.
Kizzire On The Up
Rounding off the selections is two-time PGA Tour winner Patton Kizzire, who has not tasted success since the 2018 Sony Open but has been showing positive signs of late.
After a torrid run of six missed cuts and a withdrawal, the American recorded back-to-back top-25s at the Puntacana Championship and the CJ Cup Byron Nelson before going T10 at the Myrtle Beach Classic.
Kizzire is sixth in SG: approach and third in GIR this season, showing the long game is in good shape, and it was pleasing to see an improvement with the putter last time out when he was T10 in putts per GIR and 24th in SG: putting.
PATTON KIZZIRE TO WIN EACH-WAY
