It’s officially national open SZN on the PGA Tour, starting this week with the RBC Canadian Open and then rolling on next week with the U.S. Open. Before you know it, we’ll be waking up early to catch morning coverage of the Scottish and British Opens, too. It’s a great time of year to be a golf fan.
Or, more specifically, a golf better. This stretch run will go quickly, so enjoy it while you can. More importantly, let’s make some money on it.
Advertisement
The Golf Digest betting panel is comprised of Pat Mayo of Underdog/Mayo Media Network, Andy Lack of the Inside Sports Network, Ryan Noonan of Betsperts, your two authors and Keith Stewart, the CEO of Read The Line.
RELATED: RBC Canadian Open 2026: The disrespect for Aaron Rai is out of control
Scroll down for our complete betting analysis of the 2026 RBC Canadian:
RBC Canadian Open picks 2026: Our Experts’ Outright Predictions
Pat Mayo, Underdog/Fantasy National, Mayo Media Network analyst: Alex Fitzpatrick (40-1, BetMGM) — Since earning his tour card with his brother at the Zurich, Alex has actually been better than Matt. Entering Canada, over the past two months, Alex leads all players in the field in ball-striking, and while his putting hasn’t been great, when he spikes, he spikes BIGLY. Using the data from the Rabbit Hole, every time AFITZ has gained at least one stroke in a round with his putter, he’s gained over 2.0 strokes. Kinda wild.
Advertisement
Keith Stewart, PGA, Read The Line: Wyndham Clark (+2350, DraftKings) — Wyndham Clark should be on everyone’s card in Canada. On one of the toughest tests in golf, Muirfield Village, Clark finished the week in third place and was ranked first SG/tee-to-green and SG/approach. I’m not sure what happened over the weekend after Wyndham missed the cut at Aronimink, but since Philadelphia, Clark has gained an average of 16.8 strokes on the field in his last two starts. Ryan Noonan, Content Manager 4for4/Betsperts: Nicolai Hojgaard (35-1, BetMGM) — Over the past 12 months, Nicolai has been the best golfer in this week’s field on long courses with easy scoring conditions. His best finishes this season include Quail Hollow, Memorial Park, and TPC Scottsdale, where the recipe is driver-heavy off the tee. He mashes it off the tee, but he’s taken real strides as a complete golfer this season. He’s finished T-5 or better in three of his 13 starts this season after just three T-5 finishes in 47 PGA Tour starts in 2023 to 2025. He finally seals the deal this week. Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest managing editor: Nicolai Hojgaard (35-1, BetMGM) — I like this nugget from Ryan Noonan’s DFS column this week on GolfDigest.com: Nicolai Hojgaard leads this field over the past 12 months in SG/total on long courses with easy scoring conditions. He’s an aggressive player who can overpower TPC Toronto and get that elusive first PGA Tour win. Christopher Powers, Golf Digest senior writer: Alex Fitzpatrick (40-1, BetMGM) — In the non-Wyndham Clark division, Alex Fitz might just be the hottest player in this field, and he’s nearly double the price. After a nearly month long layoff following the PGA, he got right back to business at Memorial, gaining almost two strokes on approach en route to a T-6 finish. He’s close to solo victory No. 1 on the PGA Tour. Andy Lack, Inside Sports Network: Jacob Bridgeman (45-1, BetMGM) — Jacob Bridgeman showed his meddle early this year with a Signature Event win on a soft golf course. While it’s been a slow couple of events for the Genesis Invitational winner, Bridgeman drove the ball great at Memorial and remains one of the best putters on the PGA Tour. Past results: We have our FOURTH winner of 2026, and our first stretch of back-to-back winners. Ryan Noonan and Stephen Hennessey both correctly picked Cameron Young to win the Cadillac Championship at +1250, giving Noonan his third win of 2026 (and his second in a row with the Fitzpatrick bros. at 12-1 at Zurich) and Hennessey his second, his first coming at the Farmers (Justin Rose 60-1). Noonan also nailed Nico Echavarria’s victory at the Cognizant at 60-1. Hop on the train while you can. Listen to Golf Digest’s weekly betting podcast, “The Loop,” (below) where we interview the industry’s leading experts (and sometimes tour pros) to help you make your bets and pick your fantasy lineups. And be sure to subscribe to “The Loop” wherever you get your podcasts!
RBC Canadian Open picks 2026: Sleepers/Dark Horses Who Could Win
Mayo: Max Greyserman (88-1, DraftKings) — Things were trending upwards for Greyserman over the last month until he headed to the Fort Worth region for the Charles Schwab. After improving his finish in four consecutive starts, beating the field in driving and approach each time, he posted one of the ten worst rounds of his career to open at Colonial. Happens. Doesn’t erase his progress, and he was able to post those quality results without igniting his putter. There’s a chance he’s simply not good on the greens anymore, but it’s far more likely one of the best putters over the last two years can kick his slump and spike to match his ball-striking. Stewart: Eric Cole (45-1, DraftKings) — If you haven’t looked, please check the forecast; it’s going to get windy this week in Toronto. With that in mind, I’m taking a player who has gained on approach, around the green, with the putter in six straight starts. The results of that stretch? Eric Cole has finished T-14/T-6/T-6/T-31/T-2/T-8 in April and May. Normally a little erratic with the driver, Cole has even kept the big stick positive for two straight events. Noonan: Michael Brennan (54-1, DraftKings) — Brennan’s putter is far from consistent, but that’s not uncommon for a young player in their first year on tour. I’m hoping he can carry over some momentum from his last start at Colonial where he finished T-6 and gained 1.38 strokes per round on the greens. Performances like that, where his best asset is neutralized a bit by the course, are hard to ignore when you’re bullish on the player to begin with. He’s thrived on long courses with easy scoring conditions dating back to the fall and his win in Utah.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Tony Finau (70-1, BetRivers) — We saw ultra-bomber Cameron Champ come out of nowhere last year at TPC Toronto to lead after 54 holes. Finau could do the same this year. He played well in his U.S. Open qualifier, finishing one shot back of the alternate spot. At these odds, I’ll take a shot on this bomber. Powers, Golf Digest: Aldrich Potgieter (80-1, FanDuel) — Much smarter people than me are saying that this is a driver-heavy golf course you can score on, and yet I haven’t seen a ton of Potgieter chatter. This place seems right in his wheelhouse, and Potgieter is coming off one of the more consistent stretches of his career. All that’s missing from that recent stretch is a spike week with the putter. The time is now. Lack: Jordan Smith (80-1, BetMGM) — Jordan Smith continues to impress me with his ball-striking, and he is coming off a 13th-place finish at Colonial where he gained 4.4 strokes off the tee and 2.6 strokes on approach. TPC Toronto should be right up his alley, with a strong overall emphasis on total driving. RELATED: U.S. Open Final Qualifying: Everything you need to know from Golf’s Longest Day
Advertisement
RBC Canadian Open picks 2026: Players We’re Fading
Mayo: Viktor Hovland (31-1, DraftKings) — I’m not huge on backing anyone a week after back injuries caused him to sit out. Maybe he’s fine. Maybe he’s seeing what his body can handle before a major. Stewart: Collin Morikawa (20-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — Many questions surround Collin Morikawa’s campaign at the RBC Canadian Open. Too many, for my money. I’m not interested in a player who is trying to test an injury before a major championship. Noonan: Collin Morikawa (20-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — Collin Morikawa got off to such a hot start in 2026, and he was trending as well as anyone in the world heading into the Players. I believe he’s expecting his first child soon, which may have been part of why he skipped the Memorial, a place where he’s thrived over the years. I just can’t justify clicking on him in any meaningful way this week given the unknowns in what’s likely nothing more than a Shinnecock Hills tune-up for Morikawa. Hennessey, Golf Digest: Collin Morikawa (20-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — We need to see a little more from Morikawa before betting him outright. Powers, Golf Digest: Mike Weir (3500-1, DraftKings) — I know it’s in his home country, but I’m just not feeling Weirsy this week. Lack: Nicolai Hojgaard (35-1, BetMGM) — Nicolai Hojgaard is coming off a bad missed cut last week at the Memorial where he struggled off the tee, especially hitting fairways. Hojgaard also missed the cut at TPC Toronto last year, and appears to be in a bit of a funk.
RBC Canadian Open picks 2026: Matchups
Mayo: Steven Fisk (+100) over Rico Hoey (Coolbet) — Hoey has certainly turned his season around, but his lack of his usual elite approach play has capped where he can finish week-to-week. And if his unusually warm putter reverts to his baseline, he’s missing cuts again. Fisk actually sports a similar profile, but his putting turnaround in 2026 has proved to be more sustainable and with bigger peaks. Stewart: Shane Lowry (+100) over Robert MacIntyre (FanDuel) — Since the weekend in San Antonio at the Valero, Robert MacIntyre has not finished better than T-42 and has missed three cuts in six starts. Shane Lowry finished T-13 at TPC Toronto last year with an average putting week. A couple of top 25s on two tough courses (Doral, Muirfield Village), and I like Lowry’s chances H2H. Noonan: Jackson Suber (-103) over Matti Schmid (Pinnacle) — We’ve seen some really good golf from Jackson Suber of late. He’s played well on longer, driver-heavy courses, including strong finishes at Memorial Park, Myrtle Beach, and Craig Ranch. He also played well during his U.S. Open qualifier on Monday, winning medalist honors by margin in Rockville, Maryland. Hennessey, Golf Digest: Shane Lowry (+100) over Robert MacIntyre (FanDuel) — Our guy Keith Stewart has been hot on the matchups. I like my bet to win Nicolai Hojgaard (-120) over MacIntyre in a matchup on Bet365, too, but I like these odds better. Powers, Golf Digest: Keith Mitchell (-102) over Aaron Rai (DraftKings) — TPC Toronto should accentuate the strengths of Keith Mitchell, who is coming off qualifying for the U.S. Open. Rai’s obviously hot, but so is Mitchell, and I like him better at this venue. Lack: Tommy Fleetwood (-120) over Matt Fitzpatrick (Southpoint) — Since reeling off three wins in quick succession, Matt Fitzpatrick has come back to earth, especially with the flat-stick. Fitzpatrick lost over seven strokes putting at Memorial and now travels to a course where putting will be even more highly correlated with success. Matchup Results from the Memorial Tournament: Stewart: 1 for 1 (Spaun (-124) over Spieth); Powers: 1 for 1 (Gotterup (-108) over Fowler); Mayo: 1 for 1 (S.W. Kim (+110) over Aberg); Noonan: PUSH (Kitayama (-125) over Lowry); Lack: 0 for 1; Hennessey: 0 for 1 Matchup Results from the 2026 season (Wins-Losses-Pushes): Stewart: 14-3-2 (up 9.31 units); Powers: 14-7-0 (up 5.86 units); Mayo: 10-10-1 (up 0.64 units); Lack: 11-9-1 (down 0.31 units); Noonan: 8-10-3 (down 3.25 units); Hennessey: 8-12-1 (down 4.91 units)
Advertisement
RBC Canadian Open picks 2026: Top 10s
Mayo: Michael Brennan (+580, DraftKings) — He’ll be among the leaders with the driver, this we know. And he’s started to put together some solid approach and putting weeks. He came close at Colonial; he can come closer here. Stewart: Michael Brennan (+580, DraftKings) — One of the few rookies in this field with real experience at TPC Toronto, Michael Brennan finished third on the North Course in 2025 at the PGA Tour Americas Fortinet Cup Championship. Of course, a T-6 finish at Colonial, Brennan plays well on par 70 scorecards. The best driver in the field by a wide margin has a huge edge and can jump right into the top 10 with an average week on the greens. Noonan: Wyndham Clark (+295, DraftKings) — Wyndham Clark is checking all of the boxes this week. Long off the tee, elite wedge play, and he’s rolling it so well right now, gaining strokes putting in four straight starts, something he hasn’t done since the summer of 2024. He’ll be in contention on Sunday. Hennessey, Golf Digest: Austin Smotherman (+1100, FanDuel) — Smotherman’s cooled off over the past few months, but that’s why we’re getting these deep odds. Powers, Golf Digest: Max Greyserman (+830, DraftKings) — Fresh off qualifying for the U.S. Open up in N.Y., Greyserman is on a roll. I’ll definitely be on him to win, but not sure he can make enough putts to pull that off, so I’ll hedge it with the top 10. Lack: Bud Cauley (+500, BetRivers) — Bud Cauley continues to play some extremely steady golf, with back-to-back top-30 finishes at the PGA Championship and Memorial. Now he travels north of the border to play in an event with a much weaker field, and I expect him to notch his second top 10 of the season. Top-10 results from the Memorial Tournament: Mayo: 1 for 1 (Alex Fitzpatrick +1000); Lack: 1 for 1 (Tommy Fleetwood +295); Hennessey: 1 for 1 (Si Woo Kim +200); Everybody else: 0 for 1 Top-10 results from the 2026 season: Mayo: 7 for 21 (up 26.15 units); Powers: 6 for 21 (up 8.25 units); Stewart: 5 for 21 (up 0.85 units); Noonan: 5 for 21 (down 1.5 units); Hennessey: 4 for 21 (down 4.6 units); Lack: 4 for 21 (down 4.7 units) About our experts Pat Mayo is an award-winning video host and producer of long and short-form content, and the host of The Pat Mayo Experience daily talk show. Mayo helped create the golf stats and research website Fantasy National along with the Race for the Mayo Cup One and Done contest. Mayo won the 2022 Fantasy Sports Writing Association Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year and is a finalist for three FSWA Awards in 2023 (Best Podcast, Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year, Golf Writer of the Year). His 27 FSWA nominations lead all writers this decade and are second-most all-time. Follow him on Twitter: @ThePME. Keith Stewart is a five-time award-winning PGA professional, a betting contributor and content partner with Golf Digest. Stewart is a co-founder of Read The Line, the premier on-site live golf betting insights service covering the PGA Tour, LPGA and TGL. Subscribe to Read The Line’s weekly newsletter for the industry’s best betting narratives. Follow him on Twitter @readtheline_. Ryan Noonan is the Betting Content Manager for 4for4 and Betsperts Golf, writing articles and hosting multiple shows under the Betsperts Group umbrella, including Move The Line and our Betsperts Golf Betting Show. Find him on Twitter: @RyNoonan. Andy Lack is a PGA Tour writer and podcaster from New York City who now resides in Los Angeles. Andy is the founder and CEO of Inside Sports Network, a website devoted to the predictive quality of advanced analytics and golf course architecture. He came to Golf Digest’s betting panel after previously writing for Run Pure Sports, RickRunGood.com, the Score and GolfWRX. In his free time, Andy can likely be found on a golf course. Follow him on Twitter: @adplacksports.
Read the full article here
