The Canadian Open’s return to St. George’s Golf and Country Club has produced one of its strongest fields in recent memory with four of the top 20 players in the world and 11 of the top-30 in the FedExCup standings teeing it up this week.
The par-70 layout is not overly long at 7,046 yards and its sloping fairways and small, slippery putting surfaces will place a premium on accuracy off the tee and a delicate touch around the greens.
In other words, don’t expect to see players bombing drivers off every tee and a winning score anywhere near 20-under par.
Here’s a look at the 10 men we believe have the ingredients to survive what should be a thorough week-long test of their talents.
1. RETIEF GOOSEN – South Africa
Age: 41
World ranking: 16
Ladbrokes.com odds: 21/1
Worldwide victories: 33
Top 10s in 2010: 8
2010 Majors: Masters-T38, U.S. Open-T58, British Open-6
The skinny: The Goose is quietly having another solid season on Tour. He finished sixth a week ago at St. Andrews and has finished in the top 20 in 15 of his past 20 starts. The South African is one of the best fast-green putters in the world and could find St. Georges greens to his liking.
2. PAUL CASEY – England
Age: 32
World ranking: 8
Ladbrokes.com odds: 17/1
Worldwide victories: 11
Top 10s in 2010: 6
2010 Majors: Masters-Cut, U.S. Open-T40, British Open-T3
The skinny: The Englishman played poorly in his final-round 75 last week, but his attitude in the aftermath seemed to suggest the defeat won’t linger with him long. At St. Andrews and Pebble Beach big numbers seriously hurt his chances, so if he can avoid doubles and triples this week, he should be near the top of the leaderboard.
3. LUKE DONALD – England
Age: 32
World ranking: 9
Ladbrokes.com odds: 21/1
Worldwide victories: 7
Top 10s in 2010: 7 (Winner: Madrid Masters)
2010 Majors: Masters-Cut, U.S. Open-T47, British Open-T11
The skinny: Donald was a sexy pick heading into both the U.S. and British Opens, but failed to threaten in either event. Still, he’s finished no worse than T11 in five of his past six starts including a win, a runner-up and a third.
4. SEAN O’HAIR – U.S.A.
Age: 28
World ranking: 19
Ladbrokes.com odds: 17/1
Worldwide victories: 3
Top 10s in 2010: 2
2010 Majors: Masters-T30, U.S. Open-T12, British Open-T7
The skinny: The talented young American is the co-favourite this week with the bookies thanks to a steady run of play that has included a T12 at the U.S. Open and T7 last week in Scotland. If there’s one knock against him however it’s been his ability to close when in contention.
5. TIM CLARK – South Africa
Age: 34
World ranking: 24
Ladbrokes.com odds: 21/1
Worldwide victories: 5
Top 10s in 2010: 5 (Winner: Players Championship)
2010 Majors: Masters-Cut U.S. Open-T12, British Open-Cut
The skinny: Now that he’s got the monkey off his back by winning his first PGA Tour title at the Players Championship in May, no one should be surprised if Tim Clark’s second win comes this week. He has long been one of the straightest drivers in the world and seems to play his best on demanding courses.
6. MATT KUCHAR – U.S.A.
Age: 31
World ranking: 25
Ladbrokes.com odds: 21/1
Worldwide victories: 3
Top 10s in 2010: 6
2010 Majors: Masters-T25, U.S. Open-T6, British Open-T27
The skinny: With strong performances this year at the U.S. Open (T6), Memorial (T8), and The Players Championship (T13), Kuchar has shown he can perform on tough tracks. But just as his likely Ryder Cup teammate O’Hair, he needs to turn those top 10s into wins if he wants to be considered an elite player.
7. RICKY BARNES – U.S.A.
Age: 28
World ranking: 21
Ladbrokes.com odds: 26/1
Worldwide victories: 0
Top 10s in 2010: 6
2010 Majors: Masters-T10, U.S. Open-T27, British Open-T44
The skinny: Barnes isn’t the most consistent player in the world, but he seems to be improving every week and is long overdue for his first PGA Tour win. Just a year ago Barnes had just one top 10 and 11 cuts made in 23 starts. In 2010 he’s already made 17 cuts in 20 starts, including six top 10s.
8. CAMILO VILLEGAS – Columbia
Age: 28
World ranking: 16
Ladbrokes.com odds: 21/1
Worldwide victories: 4
Top 10s in 2010: 5 (Winner: Honda Classic)
2010 Majors: Masters-DNP, U.S. Open-DNP, British Open-T44
The skinny: After beginning 2010 with four top 10s in his first five starts, including a dominating win at the Honda Classic, Villegas has struggled to find his form of late. He opened strong last week at St. Andrews with 68, but was done in by 75s on Friday and Sunday.
9. SCOTT VERPLANK – U.S.A.
Age: 46
World ranking: 47
Ladbrokes.com odds: 41/1
Worldwide victories: 5
Top 10s in 2010: 3
2010 Majors: Masters-T18, U.S. Open-T47, British Open-76
The skinny: The Texan would have been a hot favourite this week if not for a 74-77 finish last week at the Open Championship. The 2001 Canadian Open champion at Royal Montreal had back-to-back T5 finishes in May and then lost in a playoff at the Travelers Championship three weeks ago. Has five career top-10 finishes in this event.
10. TREVOR IMMELMAN- South Africa
Age: 29
World ranking: 194
Ladbrokes.com odds: 51/1
Worldwide victories: 10
Top 10s in 2010: 0
2010 Majors: Masters-T14, U.S. Open-Cut, British Open-T23
The skinny: The 2008 Masters champion is finally showing signs of life after being slowed down by tendonitis for much of the past two years. Despite missing three straight cuts heading into the Open Championship he opened and closed with impressive rounds of 68 to finish T23 and head to St. George’s with some confidence.