Draws and Fades will include Justin Rose, Sahith Theegala, Chris Kirk and two-time champion Jhonattan Vegas among the notables.
Canada is enduring long, cold winters, but the darkness of the past two years has been very unpleasant. Not to mention the four-day test in front of the 156 field, the logistics of just hosting the RBC Canadian Open is a challenge. Soon, however, the machinations of the preparation will pay off.
St. George’s G&CC is 93 years old this year. Stanley Thompson’s design opened as the Royal York GC and hosted this tournament for the first time in 1933. All subsequent editions have been held under their current name. His last turn was in 2010. Carl Pettersson once again beat Dean Wilson. The Swede’s week included a record 60 in the tournament in the third round.
Eight years earlier, all bunkers had been upgraded. They did it again in 2019. Many are located next to what are already elevated greens averaging only 4,000 square feet. Keeping in mind that longer bluegrass can stretch up to six inches on weekends, a feeling of claustrophobia sets in. Power shifts to the back seat to tee-to-green accuracy and overall course management.
It will also take a sharp short game to emerge as a champion. Putting the grass surfaces bent that should touch 12 feet on the Stimpmeter will probably not be so critical for the simple reason that the route is largely unknown in the field. (As of Monday, 24 golfers on the course linked it to the 2010 edition.) In addition, not only are greens a mystery to most, but there is also mystery to greens. Subtle ripples will cause frustration, especially putts.
The course has dropped 65 yards since it was last hosted. Now with an incline of only 7,014 yards, it’s a par 70 with nine unequals. The front is a par 34 with three pairs and a par 5; the back is a pair 36. The nine as they will be played, at least during the first two rounds, are not traditional either. Due to the logistics, golfers will split to play at numbers 1 and 9. Those that open at the modified back will play par 5 at 9 and 11, so spectacular starts are promised.
Rain will fall at some point and probably more than once during the tournament. If the field is smooth, the locations of the holes could harden on defense. Comfortable daytime highs of 70 degrees, give or take a degree or three, will add to the pleasure. The prevailing westerly and northerly winds will be moderate at times.
BOLTON ROB HOURS
PGATOUR.com’s Rob Bolton summarizes and previews each tournament from a variety of perspectives. Look for your next contributions as planned.
MONDAY: Power classificationsTUESDAY*: Sleepers, Draws and FairiesWEDNESDAY: Select them PreviewSUNDAY: Medical Extensions, Classifications, Remanipulation, Beginner Ranking
* – Rob is a member of the PGATOUR.COM expert election panel for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, which is also released this Tuesday.