Tournament Preview - RBC Canadian Open

Tournament Preview - RBC Canadian Open

Hello members,

Well, there is a golf tournament this week. Second year in a row that the RBC Canadian Open is overshadowed by LIV Golf news. Last year, LIV had their inaugural event in London and this year LIV and the PGA Tour announced they are merging. More on that below.

Rory McIlroy is back to defend his title this week in Toronto. He’s won this event twice, and is the Vegas favorite to repeat at +600. I’m not sure he’s the best pick this week, although I did pick him lol, due to the amount of distractions thrown his way starting yesterday.

Now onto more LIV / PGA Tour merger news…

If you missed the news yesterday, and my Breaking News email, the PGA Tour announced that they (and the DP World Tour) are merging with LIV Golf. A few things with this announcement:

1. Apparently, the arrangement starts in 2024, so this year will remain as is, meaning LIV players will play LIV events and PGA Tour players playing PGA Tour events.

2. There has not been further information on how the new combined for-profit entity will structure its schedule. There has been speculation on the team format that LIV has with designated events being different, but until there is an announcement from the new entity, it’s all rumors.

3. Jay Monahan proved that he is a snake. For the past 7 weeks, he has been negotiating with the Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund) on this merger. A few reasons he sucks:

   1. Personally, I think that Jay wanted to avoid litigation due to the cost and some additional details coming out about the PGA Tour.

   2. He has said for the last almost year and a half how terrible the PIF and LIV people are, they are murders due to 9/11, etc. and now it’s okay he can work with them? Money talks.

   3. The PGA Tour touts that it is a “player-run organization” and yet their players, even the top ones, found out yesterday morning. Some found out on Twitter or other social media. I guess some were informed before the press release was released, but supposedly only Rory and Tiger.

   4. I’m sure he’ll get some big golden parachute and we’ll never see him before the 2024 season begins.

4. I would’ve paid any amount to be a fly on the wall for the players only meeting yesterday.

5. PGA Tour and LIV Golf players were all blindsided by the announcement. Of course, LIV players were basking in the news, posting from their vacations saying things like “just woke up, what did I miss” or Phil Mickelson practicing at LACC for the U.S. Open saying “I was practicing today, what did I miss?” PGA Tour players, on the other hand, took to social media to express frustration that they didn’t know beforehand and that they were mad they defended the PGA Tour the last year and a half while Monahan pulled off the bait-and-switch.

6. All in all, there isn’t much changing immediately. As soon as more information is available, I will update you via One Putts.

7. My wish list - I just want the best players playing against each other at the best / unique venues across the world for ungodly amounts of money playing in 4 hours or under. That’s all I’m asking for.

Weather

North of the border will be much cooler than last week in Ohio. Highs in the lows 60s and low 70s and lows in the mid 50s to low 60s. Also, as you may have heard, there are some wildfires in Canada that have the air quality pretty poor in the eastern part of the country, including Toronto.

The tournament socials can be found here for Twitter, Instagram, and their own website.

ESPN+ coverage from 7:00am through 3:00pm EST
Golf Channel coverage from 3:00pm through 6:00pm EST

The full field was announced this weekend and can be found here. 155 players with a few big names and others taking this week off to rest.

• Previous Winners in this week's field:

  • Rory McIlroy - 2022, 2019

  • Brandt Snedeker - 2013

• Notable previous winners absent:

  • Dustin Johnson - 2018 (LIV)

  • Jhonattan Vegas - 2017, 2016

  • Jason Day - 2015

  • Tim Clark - 2014

Betting Odds provided by Bovada.lv at this link (not sponsored)

Some notable players to consider:

• Rory McIlroy - +600 - two time winner, although I’m sure he’s distracted with everything that’s happened this week.

• Corey Conners - +2000 - have to choose a Canadian this week

• Keith Mitchell - +5000 - long shot but he’s played good golf this year so it wouldn’t surprise me

• Oakdale Golf and Country Club is the host this week. First time hosting this event, and it’ll host again in 2026.

• It’s a private club with 27 holes of golf.

• Couldn’t find too much information on membership cost, but back in 2005, the initiation fee was $125,000 CAD.

• 7200 yards long and Par 72.

Notes and News

• Rory McIlroy said today in his press conference that he “still hates LIV” (twitter)

• LIV players won’t be reinstated to DP World Tour and are ineligible for the Ryder Cup this year in Rome (twitter)

• Bryson DeChambeau shared his thoughts on the merger and it… was… interesting (twitter)

• Rory also said that he feels like a sacrificial lamb in this situation (twitter)

• Grayson Murray and Rory got into it during the players only meeting and Rory said “play better” to Grayson lol (twitter)

• Full interview between CNBC and Jay Monahan (article)

Twitter Roundup

May your rounds be filled with #oneputts.

If you are enjoying One Putts, share this email with your weekend foursome, weekday Top Golf buddy, family member that loves playing golf, and your Father-in-Law. They can click the button below to subscribe.

Or, copy and paste this link to others - https://oneputts.beehiiv.com/subscribe