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2022 RBC Canadian Open First-Round Leaders Odds, Predictions & Best Bets

Michael Harrison

by Michael Harrison in Golf

Updated Oct 27, 2022 · 7:39 AM PDT

Corey Conners
June 2, 2022; Dublin, Ohio, USA; Corey Conners warms up at the first hole during the second round of the Memorial Tournament held at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, on Friday, June 3, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch News Memorial Tournament
  • The RBC Canadian Open from St. Georges Golf and Country Club tees off Thursday, June 9th from the Greater Toronto Area
  • Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler are co-favorites to be atop the leaderboard after day one
  • See the best bets and odds to grab the first-round lead in the article below 

The final tune-up before next week’s US Open is another national championship – the RBC Canadian Open. It is being contested for the first time since 2019 (COVID-19 restrictions). The field boasts five of the top ten golfers in the world, led by 2022 major winners Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler. Both are co-favorites to add to their trophy case come Sunday evening.

There are plenty of opportunities for sleepers and longshots to make some noise at the RBC Canadian Open held at St. Georges Golf & Country Club in Etobicoke, Ontario. In this article, we’ll explore which players have the best chance of being the leader after day one, along with what players are fast starters on Thursdays this season.

2022 RBC Canadian Open First Round Leader Odds

Golfers Odds Tee Time
Justin Thomas +1400 7:13am
Scottie Scheffler +1400 12:53pm
Rory McIlroy +1800 7:13am
Cameron Smith +2000 12:53pm
Shane Lowry +2500 7:24am
Matt Fitzpatrick +2500 7:24am
Sam Burns +2800 12:53pm
Tyrrell Hatton +3000 1:04pm
Corey Conners +3500 7:13am
Harold Varner III +3500 1:04pm
Tony Finau +4000 7:35am
Adam Hadwin +5000 7:02am
Sebastian Munoz +5000 1:15pm
Chris Kirk +6000 8:17am
Keith Mitchell +6000 12:55pm

Odds as of June 7th at DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out these DraftKings Sportsbook Ontario bonuses before betting these odds 

The forecast calls for a mix of sun and clouds in the morning. The afternoon has a chance of a shower and a risk of thunderstorms. Those teeing off in the morning will have temperatures in the high-50s, reaching the low 70s for those completing their rounds in the evening. There will be wind gusts upwards of ten miles per hour throughout the day consistently.

A benefit for those teeing it up in the morning is the exact same as it is every week – less bumpy greens with fewer players chewing them up.

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Shane Lowry Playing Great Golf

Shane Lowry (7:24 am tee time) has consistently been just shy of closing out a golf tournament all season. In his last 13 worldwide starts, his worst result has been a tie for 35th, with eleven of those being inside the top-25. He was runner-up at the Honda Classic, then tied for third in back-to-back weeks at the Masters and RBC Heritage.

Subsequently, his ‘strokes gained’ stats in the last 24 rounds have been exceptional.

Shane Lowry’s Strokes Gained Stats Last 24 Rounds

Total Ball Striking Approach Tee-To-Green Putting Off-The-Tee Short Game
2 2 2 4 8 16 17

The last time the RBC Canadian Open was contested in 2019, he was second place, and the year before that was T-12th. He’s been displaying a high level of play for all of 2022, which means it wouldn’t be surprising to see him jump out in front early.

  • Pick: Shane Lowry (+2500)

Corey Conners the Hometown Favorite

Corey Conners (7:13 am) has been one of the preeminent golfers on the PGA Tour the last few seasons, in particular with his ball-striking. This season, he’s eighth in strokes gained: off-the-tee, and fourth in greens in regulation percentage. He’s also been playing very well of late, with four top-25s in his last five starts (with a T-6th at the Masters his best result in that span).

Subsequently, his ‘strokes gained’ numbers in the last 24 rounds have been fantastic.

Corey Conners’ Strokes Gained Stats Last 24 Rounds

Off-The-Tee Ball Striking Tee-To-Green Approach Total
2 4 7 7 10

Also, in Conners’ last 12 Thursdays, he ranks first in both SG: tee-to-green and ball striking, and third off-the-tee and approach. With the local support and his propensity to play well in opening rounds, Conners is worth considering.

  • Pick: Corey Conners (+3500)

Jhonattan Vegas a Fast Starter

Jhonattan Vegas (7:46 am) has seen his name pop up on leaderboards lately. He’s showing signs of getting back in the winner’s circle, with three top-20s in his last six starts. Last weekend at the Memorial, he entered the final round in a tie for fourth before a tough Sunday saw him dropping down the board.

Among the players competing this week, Jhonattan Vegas ranks third-best in Thursday scoring average.

2021-22 PGA Tour First Round Scoring Average Leaders

Golfer Average Score Odds
1. Cameron Smith 67.73 +2000
5. Scottie Scheffler 68.53 +1400
9. Jhonattan Vegas 68.94 +7000
10. Jonathan Byrd 69.00 +11000
11. Wyndham Clark 69.05 +10000
16. Rory McIlroy 69.11 +1800
26. Keith Mitchell 69.24 +6000
33. Chase Seiffert 69.40 +11000
35. Rory Sabbatini 69.42 +10000
38. Aaron Rai 69.43 +9000

The two-time RBC Canadian Open champion in 2016 and 2017 (albeit at a different course) has good vibes whenever he comes to Canada. In his last 12 Thursdays, Vegas ranks fifth in total strokes gained, eighth in ball striking, and ninth in putting, making him an intriguing long shot.

  • Pick: Jhonattan Vegas (+7000)
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