RBC Canadian Open 2022: Form stats for this week's tournament in Ontario

It's been three long years since the Canadian Open was part of world golf's most lucrative Tour.

Because of Covid, the tournament was wiped from the golfing calendar in each of the past two seasons.

But it's back again this week as the final 'warm-up' event before the game's leading players head for Massachusetts to contest the US Open.

The tournament, which made its debut in 1904, was once one of North America's most prestigious titles.

Along with the now-defunct Western Open, Canada's national championship used to enjoy a status only bettered by the four majors.

But over the last three decades, its prestige has dwindled and is currently viewed as simply another run of the mill event.

But if anyone is in any doubt about its place in golfing history, then consider the efforts of Jack Nicklaus who certainly wanted to lift the trophy and attempted to do so deep into his 40s.

Unfortunately for the Golden Bear, he finished runner-up no less than seven times between 1965 and 1985, before finally giving up.

Course Characteristics

For this week's instalment, the golfers head for St George's Country Club, in the western suburbs of Toronto.

The club was founded by Englishman Robert Home Smith from Stratford-upon-Avon and hosted its first Canadian Open in 1933.

The most recent was in 2010 when Carl Pettersson won by one shot.

St George's is a beautifully crafted course with contoured fairways and undulating greens.

This parkland layout has tree-lined fairways and plenty of sand.

Although there are no large water hazards on the course, there are a couple of soggy ditches to avoid on the back nine.

Originally designed by Stanley Thompson in 1929, the course was renovated by Ian Andrew three years ago in readiness for hosting this week's Canadian Open.

Latest betting for this week's RBC Canadian Open

Leading Stroke Averages

Lowest 12 on PGA Tour (Since Feb 1st, 2022)
Average .... (Rounds)
68.91: Justin Thomas (34)
69.23: Scottie Scheffler (30)
69.71: Shane Lowry (28)
70.00: Sebastian Munoz (32)
70.08: Nate Lashley (39)
70.09: Matt Fitzpatrick (34)
70.18: Mark Hubbard (28)
70.22: Matthias Schwab (36)
70.23: Cameron Smith (22)
70.25: Sam Burns (28)
70.31: Adam Hadwin (36)
70.32: Rory Sabbatini (22)
Min. No. of Rounds = 20
Only those entered this week are included in table

Four To Watch

Corey Connors: Hoping to become the first Canadian in 68 years to win his own national open. Has played solidly this year without really finding his way into contention over the closing few holes.

Chris Kirk: His rehabilitation following personal issues - which led to him taking time away from golf in 2019 - continues in an upwards direction. The world No 66 is a four-time winner on the PGA Tour and he tied-for-fifth at last month's PGA Championship.

Rory McIlory: The 2019 winner is effectively the defending champion as the pandemic led to the tournament's cancellation in each of the past two years.

Justin Thomas: The recently-crowned PGA Championship winner is one of five top-10 players teeing-up on Thursday. The American has been remarkably consistent during 2022, with his only failure happening at Colonial - which came just a few days after winning this season's second major championship.

Latest betting for next week's US Open

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Note: List Contains Leading Reserves