This article is part of our DraftKings PGA DFS Picks series.
CANADIAN OPEN
Purse: $5.8M
Winner's Share: $1.044M
FedEx Cup Points: 500 to the Winner
Location: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Course: Glen Abbey Golf Club
Yardage: 7,273
Par: 72
Defending Champion: Tim Clark
Tournament Preview
For those in Scotland finishing at St. Andrews on Monday, the quick turnaround to Glen Abbey for its 27th Canadian Open awaits. Glen Abbey is just one in a multi-course rotation for this event, its last three host years in 2008, 2009 and 2013. The par-72 course features the typical four par-5s, four par-3s and 11 par-4s, but how they play out is unique; plenty of dramatic scoring swings can happen late with three par-5s occurring in the last six holes. Fields here are generally weak given its place on the schedule right after a major championship, not unlike to the Travelers Championship following the U.S. Open. Using the last three outings at Glen Abbey, the winning score has predictably been in the 16- to 18-under range, demanding plenty of birdies to raise the trophy.
Key Stats to winning at Glen Abbey:
• Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green
• Greens in Regulation Percentage
• Sand Save Percentage
Last Decade of Champions:
2014 – Tim Clark
2013 – Brandt Snedeker (Glen Abbey)
2012 – Scott Piercy
2011 – Sean O'Hair
2010 – Carl Pettersson
2009 – Nathan Green (Glen Abbey)
2008 – Chez Reavie (Glen Abbey)
2007 – Jim Furyk
2006 – Jim Furyk
2005 – Mark Calcavecchia
Champion's Profile
Looking mostly at 2008, 2009 and 2013 where the event was held at Glen Abbey, the long ball isn't the key to winning, though it does help on the four par-5 scoring holes. Driving the ball in play and hitting dialed-in approaches are of utmost importance, as is scrambling from numerous bunkers that litter the landscape. Players like Brandt Snedeker and Jim Furyk have fared quite well here, to give you some tangible examples. Given the weaker field, it may be wise to consider a blend of favored players and longer shots in good form to craft your lineup this week.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Jason Day - $11,600 (Odds: 8/1)
Jim Furyk - $10,700 (14/1)
Matt Kuchar - $10,100 (15/1)
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
Luke Donald - $9,600 (Odds: 20/1)Brandt Snedeker - $9,400 (14/1) WD
Brooks Koepka - $9,300 (24/1)Will Wilcox - $9,200 (35/1) WD
Hunter Mahan - $8,800 (33/1)
Matt Jones - $7,700 (37/1)
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
Chris Stroud - $8,000 (Odds: 47/1)
Jerry Kelly - $7,900 (47/1)
Nick Watney - $7,800 (41/1)
Brendon de Jonge - $7,800 (41/1)
Brian Harman - $7,800 (41/1)
Sang-Moon Bae - $7,700 (47/1)
DraftKings Long-Shot Values
Charlie Beljan - $7,400 (Odds: 56/1)
Kevin Chappell - $7,300 (56/1)
Martin Laird - $7,200 (75/1)
Bo Van Pelt - $6,400 (94/1)
Stewart Cink - $6,200 (94/1)
Andres Romero - $6,200 (94/1)
MY PICKS THIS WEEK
Lower-Risk Cash Game Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Jim Furyk - $10,700
Matt Kuchar - $10,100Brandt Snedeker - $9,400 WD; Brooks Koepka - $9,300 (24/1)
Camilo Villegas - $6,900
Nicholas Thompson - $6,800
Mark Wilson - $6,100
Furyk and Kuchar have great histories at Glen Abbey and are in the top 30 in the Official World Golf Rankings. Each has three or more top-10s at the Canadian Open, including solid efforts from 2013 at Glen Abbey. My bottom three are bargain-priced in the - $6,000s but have enjoyed success on Glen Abbey: Villegas three made cuts here and a top-25 in 2009, Thompson a pair of top-30s including a T5 in 2008 and Mark Wilson a sneaky trio of top-25s at Glen Abbey since 2008. Snedeker withdrew, so he's replaced by Koepka, who finished T10 at the Open Championship last week.
Higher-Risk Tournament Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Jason Day - $11,600Brandt Snedeker - $9,400 WD; Brooks Koepka - $9,300 (24/1)
Brian Harman - $7,800
Kevin Chappell - $7,300
Greg Owen - $7,100
Hudson Swafford - $6,800
With Day coming off a near win at St. Andrews, it's a good bet he'll be able to handle this weak field despite a short turnaround. Snedeker blends both current form and incredible history at Glen Abbey, making him a pick worth having despite his popularity. Snedeker withdrew with a hip injury. Koepka takes his spot, coming off a top-10 at The Open last week. Harman is in respectable form and seems fit to excel here given his tee-to-green improvements this year and knack for putting. Chappell is a classic ball striker who has made three of four cuts at the Canadian Open. Greg Owen is amidst an incredible run including a top-20 at the Open Championship, T6 at The Greenbrier and runner-up at the St. Jude Classic. Finally, Swafford is risky but has made five of his last six cuts and will be a good difference-maker in a tournament format.
