Fantasy Golf: RBC Canadian Open Preview

The Today’s Golfer Fantasy Golf game, in association with Your Golf Travel, switches back to the PGA Tour this week for the RBC Canadian Open.

Newly-crowned Open Champion Ernie Els has honoured his commitment to play at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Ancaster, which last held the championship in 2006.

It’s a par-70 track that measures just 6,985 yards and the greens are much smaller than the PGA Tour average. The course is also protected by 87 bunkers so solid ball-strikers and shot-shapers should fare better than bombers off the tee.

Inclement weather could impact play on Thursday and Friday when a strong wind is expected to blow from the east, opposite to the prevailing direction. The skies are forecast to calm by the weekend and a gentler breeze will rotate around to the west.

Here is TG’s six-man team for the RBC Canadian Open:

Ernie Els, $2.0m
Where everyone else in the field struggled, Els played the inward nine on Sunday at the Open Championship in a bogey-free, four-under par. He missed just 15 greens all week and has four other top fives this season. Always a chance of a Claret-jug hangover but playing too well to omit.

Jim Furyk, $2.4m
Winner of this event the last time Hamilton G&CC hosted it. Ranks fifth on the PGA Tour in fairways hit, 54th in greens and fourth in adjusted scoring. Four top-10s this year, including on short tracks Harbour Town and Colonial. Tied 34th at the Open.

Matt Kuchar, $3.0m
Tied for ninth at the Open last week. Consistent Kuch has seven top-10s this year, he leads the Tour with 22 consecutive cuts made. Sits 23rd in ball-striking (35th in fairways hit), 19th in greens in regulation and second in adjusted scoring average.

Hunter Mahan, $2.8m
Shared 19th place at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, his third consecutive top 20. Leads the PGA Tour in ball-striking (ninth in driving accuracy), ranks third in greens hit and 16th in scoring average. Already won twice in 2012.

Vijay Singh, $2.0m
A man in resurgent form, Singh finished tied for ninth at the Open last week and has made seven of his last eight cuts. Like Els last week, Singh is a proven winner on the PGA Tour and his experience could prove vital this week.

Brandt Snedeker, $1.9m
The 36-hole leader at the Open Championship eventually settled for a tie for third place. Sits eighth in scrambling, fifth in Strokes Gained-Putting and ninth in birdie average. Only missed one cut in last 22 starts and is a winner on Tour this year.

> You can see a full list of all the golfers playing this week and their prices by clicking here. You have until 12 midday on Thursday 26th July to select your team.