This week the PGA Tour makes the trek north of the border to St. George’s Golf and Country Club for the Canadian Open. St. George’s will be an awesome test as players who hit the fairway and excel with mid irons will be rewarded. This is very much the opposite of a normal week on Tour, which is usually a bomb-and-gouge wedge fest. This will approximate something more like a major. Scoring won’t be as high as a major but players who aren’t hitting the ball well will not be able to contend here. It’s is a ballstriker’s paradise. Let’s take a look at a few players to target:
Justin Thomas $10,900
This is going to sound weird, but I think this is a great buy-low spot on Thomas. Yes, he won the PGA Championship a few weeks ago, but many people were burned by his missed cut at Colonial. Besides that Colonial start, he has finished 42nd or better in each of his last 24 events. He is the number one ranked player in my data model this week as he is top six in approach, off the tee, approach from 175-200 yards, and birdies. He is not too shabby in other areas either as he is top 15 in putting and around the green. JT makes for a great option to get a bounceback top five in preparation for the U.S. Open next week.
Shane Lowry $10,100
Lowry has finished 35th or better in each of his last 12 starts, including a few close calls with victory. I feel like I have written up Lowry a million times already this season, but I have to go back to him again this week as this course is a great fit for him. He ranks top six in putting, approach, approach from 175-200 yards, and driving accuracy.
Chris Gotterup $6,300
Gotterup is an unknown to anyone but the extremely dedicated golf fan. He is the 2022 recipient of the Haskins and Nicklaus Awards as the top collegiate golfer. Gotterup will be on Tour for years to come, so this is a great buy-low spot on him. He finished seventh earlier this year at the Puerto Rico Open as an amateur, so he isn’t afraid of the spotlight on Tour. He is now a pro and will look to play the next few months on sponsor’s exemptions to try and gain some status for the 2022-23 season.