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PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks for the RBC Canadian Open

Before next week’s U.S. Open, the PGA TOUR is hosting the RBC Canadian Open this week at the North Course (par 70, 7,389 yards, bentgrass/POA mix greens) of TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ontario. This is the first time this course has hosted a PGA TOUR event and at last year’s RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Country Club, Robert MacIntyre (-16) won by two strokes. This week’s field features 156 golfers and there will be a top 65 and ties cut after the first two rounds.

The PGA DFS Breakdown offers data-driven analysis for each week’s slate, using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics to highlight notable golfers.

I’ll be highlighting the best cash game/single-entry plays on the DraftKings main slate, but these players are often great options in any contest.

My analysis will frequently reference Strokes Gained, a set of proprietary metrics generated by the PGA TOUR using millions of data points to calculate how many shots, on average, it takes a player to get the ball in the hole from every distance and situation.

Strokes Gained is now available in the FantasyLabs PGA Models.

There are a variety of Strokes Gained-related metrics, but the six main categories you need to know include:

  • Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (SG: Off-the-Tee)
  • Strokes Gained: Approach (SG: Approach)
  • Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green (SG: Around-the-Green)
  • Strokes Gained: Putting (SG: Putting)
  • Strokes Gained: Ball-Striking (SG: Ball-Striking), which is SG: Off-the-Tee + SG: Approach
  • Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (SG: Tee-to-Green), which is SG: Ball-Striking + SG: Around-the-Green

Don’t forget to check out two key metrics in our models — Perfect% and SimLeverage. You can find an explainer on those metrics here.

The Cliffs Notes version is that you can use SimLeverage to quickly find leverage plays in tournaments, while Perfect% is great for finding the best price-considered plays for cash games.

And don’t forget to utilize our various PGA DFS tools like our Lineup Optimizer, Lineup Builder, PGA Correlation Dashboard, and our Trends tool.

The following players listed are based on DraftKings scoring and pricing.

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PGA DFS Cash Game Thoughts

Note: FantasyLabs has partnered with Betsperts Golf and the Rabbit Hole! Sign up for the biggest database of golf stats available on the internet and get 25% off a yearly sub with our link! 

Unless otherwise noted, all Strokes Gained metrics referenced in this article come via the Rabbit Hole.

Tool Highlights

  • Build unlimited custom stat models with official PGA TOUR data.
  • Hundreds of filters to find the exact data split you’re looking for.
  • Save custom reports and run them again with next week’s field.
  • Download anything you want to your computer with the click of a button.
  • See expert models each week.

DraftKings $10,000+ Range

Rory McIlroy ($11,900)

McIlroy always gears up for this event and the Irishman is worth his slate-high price tag this week. In his four starts at the RBC Canadian Open, McIlroy has finished 1st, 1st, T9th, and T4th, in that order. Both those wins came by multiple shots and McIlroy ranks first in Strokes Gained per round when we compare this field’s histories in Canada. As a par 70 measuring in at 7,389 yards, this is a long track and McIlroy’s elite driving skills will give him a clear advantage at this lengthy venue. The 36-year-old leads the PGA TOUR in SG: Off-The-Tee this season and McIlroy should absolutely contend for his fourth win of the season in this weaker field.

Now available: our PGA DFS SimLabs Lineup Generator that creates advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation.

DraftKings $9,000 Range

Shane Lowry ($9,900)

Lowry has produced three top-12 finishes in six starts at the RBC Canadian Open – including a runner-up in 2019 – and the 38-year-old has been one of the most reliable players on the PGA TOUR this season, making 11 of 13 cuts with nine top-25 finishes. Lowry ranks second in SG: Tee-to-Green this season and if he can find some luck with his putter to combine with his elite ball striking, Lowry could be in the mix for a win come Sunday afternoon.

Sam Burns ($9,300)

Burns has finished inside the top 20 in four of his last five starts, including a T12 at the Memorial Tournament last week. Burns carded a tournament-low 7-under 65 during the second round and he gained strokes in every major category for the event. Burns is playing his best golf of the season right now and he has huge upside in his return to Canada this week. In three starts at the RBC Canadian Open, Burns has finished T4th, MC and T10th, in that order. Among the players in this field that have competed in Canada more than once, Burns ranks third in Strokes Gained per round.

DraftKings $8,000 Range

Eric Cole ($8,100)

The $8,000 range lacks appealing plays this week and Cole is the best value of the group. The 36-year-old has been very consistent as of late, making nine solo cuts in a row with six top-30 finishes during this stretch. Cole ranks fourth in SG: Approach and 20th in SG: Putting when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds, and he finished T6th in his RBC Canadian Open debut two years ago.

DraftKings $7,000 Range

Ryan Fox ($7,700)

Fox finished T7th at last year’s RBC Canadian Open, and he is thriving right now. In his last three starts, Fox has finished first, T28th and T20th, in that order. The 38-year-old has only missed one cut in his last nine solo starts and Fox ranks 31st in Total Strokes Gained this season. Fox easily could have been priced in the $8,000 range this week and is an elite bargain play at only $7,700.

Gary Woodland ($7,700)

Woodland has made four straight cuts at the RBC Canadian Open – including a T4 in 2017 – and the former U.S. Open champion is on the heels of a T11 at the Charles Schwab Challenge. This season, Woodland has made 9 of 13 cuts with five top-25 finishes and he ranks 23rd in total driving. The long North Course sets up well for Woodland and he has a ton of merit for cash games at this affordable salary.

Ryo Hisatune ($7,600)

Hisatune is coming off a T6 at the Charles Schwab Challenge, which is his fourth top-20 finish and seventh made cut in his last eight solo starts. Hisatune has gained strokes on approach and with his putter in six of these last eight starts, and after finishing T35th in his RBC Canadian Open debut last season, Hisatune should outdo himself with an even performance this week.

Emiliano Grillo ($7,100)

Grillo is an awesome bargain at this low salary. The two-time PGA TOUR winner has produced back-to-back top-20 finishes and he has only missed two cuts in his last 11 starts. Grillo’s irons have been outstanding, with him ranking first in SG: Approach when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds, and in this form, Grillo should effortlessly outproduce this low salary. At the RBC Canadian Open, Grillo is 3-for-3 in made cuts and two of these finishes have been top-30 results.

Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code FL55. 

DraftKings $6,000 and Below Range

Antoine Rozner ($6,900)

After missing his first cut of the season, Rozner hasn’t looked back, advancing to the weekend in his last 10 starts. Rozner has finished T34th or better at four events in a row, most notably with a T13 at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson last month. The French professional ranks 14th in SG: Approach this season and Rozner should make the cut in his RBC Canadian Open debut this week.

Mac Meissner ($6,800)

Meissner finished T57th in his RBC Canadian Open debut last year and he has only missed one cut in his last eight solo starts entering this week. Most recently, Meissner finished T28th at the Charles Schwab Challenge and he gained 6.0 strokes on approach that week, which finished fourth for the event. Meissner has gained strokes on approach in three of his last four starts and his strong iron play should result in a made cut for the 26-year-old this week.

Interested in more PGA action? Check out the pick’ems on Underdog Fantasy with Underdog promo code LABS.

Pictured: Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy

Photo credit: Imagn

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ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP: Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings Sanderson Farms Championship: Top PGA DFS Picks, Values, and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks for the Black Desert Championship on DraftKings PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks for the Shriners Children’s Open on DraftKings

Before next week’s U.S. Open, the PGA TOUR is hosting the RBC Canadian Open this week at the North Course (par 70, 7,389 yards, bentgrass/POA mix greens) of TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ontario. This is the first time this course has hosted a PGA TOUR event and at last year’s RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Country Club, Robert MacIntyre (-16) won by two strokes. This week’s field features 156 golfers and there will be a top 65 and ties cut after the first two rounds.

The PGA DFS Breakdown offers data-driven analysis for each week’s slate, using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics to highlight notable golfers.

I’ll be highlighting the best cash game/single-entry plays on the DraftKings main slate, but these players are often great options in any contest.

My analysis will frequently reference Strokes Gained, a set of proprietary metrics generated by the PGA TOUR using millions of data points to calculate how many shots, on average, it takes a player to get the ball in the hole from every distance and situation.

Strokes Gained is now available in the FantasyLabs PGA Models.

There are a variety of Strokes Gained-related metrics, but the six main categories you need to know include:

  • Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (SG: Off-the-Tee)
  • Strokes Gained: Approach (SG: Approach)
  • Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green (SG: Around-the-Green)
  • Strokes Gained: Putting (SG: Putting)
  • Strokes Gained: Ball-Striking (SG: Ball-Striking), which is SG: Off-the-Tee + SG: Approach
  • Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (SG: Tee-to-Green), which is SG: Ball-Striking + SG: Around-the-Green

Don’t forget to check out two key metrics in our models — Perfect% and SimLeverage. You can find an explainer on those metrics here.

The Cliffs Notes version is that you can use SimLeverage to quickly find leverage plays in tournaments, while Perfect% is great for finding the best price-considered plays for cash games.

And don’t forget to utilize our various PGA DFS tools like our Lineup Optimizer, Lineup Builder, PGA Correlation Dashboard, and our Trends tool.

The following players listed are based on DraftKings scoring and pricing.

Become an All-Access Member Today

Lineup builder and optimizer

Real-time DFS models & projections

Data-driven analysis & tutorials
Become a PRO Member
 

PGA DFS Cash Game Thoughts

Note: FantasyLabs has partnered with Betsperts Golf and the Rabbit Hole! Sign up for the biggest database of golf stats available on the internet and get 25% off a yearly sub with our link! 

Unless otherwise noted, all Strokes Gained metrics referenced in this article come via the Rabbit Hole.

Tool Highlights

  • Build unlimited custom stat models with official PGA TOUR data.
  • Hundreds of filters to find the exact data split you’re looking for.
  • Save custom reports and run them again with next week’s field.
  • Download anything you want to your computer with the click of a button.
  • See expert models each week.

DraftKings $10,000+ Range

Rory McIlroy ($11,900)

McIlroy always gears up for this event and the Irishman is worth his slate-high price tag this week. In his four starts at the RBC Canadian Open, McIlroy has finished 1st, 1st, T9th, and T4th, in that order. Both those wins came by multiple shots and McIlroy ranks first in Strokes Gained per round when we compare this field’s histories in Canada. As a par 70 measuring in at 7,389 yards, this is a long track and McIlroy’s elite driving skills will give him a clear advantage at this lengthy venue. The 36-year-old leads the PGA TOUR in SG: Off-The-Tee this season and McIlroy should absolutely contend for his fourth win of the season in this weaker field.

Now available: our PGA DFS SimLabs Lineup Generator that creates advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation.

DraftKings $9,000 Range

Shane Lowry ($9,900)

Lowry has produced three top-12 finishes in six starts at the RBC Canadian Open – including a runner-up in 2019 – and the 38-year-old has been one of the most reliable players on the PGA TOUR this season, making 11 of 13 cuts with nine top-25 finishes. Lowry ranks second in SG: Tee-to-Green this season and if he can find some luck with his putter to combine with his elite ball striking, Lowry could be in the mix for a win come Sunday afternoon.

Sam Burns ($9,300)

Burns has finished inside the top 20 in four of his last five starts, including a T12 at the Memorial Tournament last week. Burns carded a tournament-low 7-under 65 during the second round and he gained strokes in every major category for the event. Burns is playing his best golf of the season right now and he has huge upside in his return to Canada this week. In three starts at the RBC Canadian Open, Burns has finished T4th, MC and T10th, in that order. Among the players in this field that have competed in Canada more than once, Burns ranks third in Strokes Gained per round.

DraftKings $8,000 Range

Eric Cole ($8,100)

The $8,000 range lacks appealing plays this week and Cole is the best value of the group. The 36-year-old has been very consistent as of late, making nine solo cuts in a row with six top-30 finishes during this stretch. Cole ranks fourth in SG: Approach and 20th in SG: Putting when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds, and he finished T6th in his RBC Canadian Open debut two years ago.

DraftKings $7,000 Range

Ryan Fox ($7,700)

Fox finished T7th at last year’s RBC Canadian Open, and he is thriving right now. In his last three starts, Fox has finished first, T28th and T20th, in that order. The 38-year-old has only missed one cut in his last nine solo starts and Fox ranks 31st in Total Strokes Gained this season. Fox easily could have been priced in the $8,000 range this week and is an elite bargain play at only $7,700.

Gary Woodland ($7,700)

Woodland has made four straight cuts at the RBC Canadian Open – including a T4 in 2017 – and the former U.S. Open champion is on the heels of a T11 at the Charles Schwab Challenge. This season, Woodland has made 9 of 13 cuts with five top-25 finishes and he ranks 23rd in total driving. The long North Course sets up well for Woodland and he has a ton of merit for cash games at this affordable salary.

Ryo Hisatune ($7,600)

Hisatune is coming off a T6 at the Charles Schwab Challenge, which is his fourth top-20 finish and seventh made cut in his last eight solo starts. Hisatune has gained strokes on approach and with his putter in six of these last eight starts, and after finishing T35th in his RBC Canadian Open debut last season, Hisatune should outdo himself with an even performance this week.

Emiliano Grillo ($7,100)

Grillo is an awesome bargain at this low salary. The two-time PGA TOUR winner has produced back-to-back top-20 finishes and he has only missed two cuts in his last 11 starts. Grillo’s irons have been outstanding, with him ranking first in SG: Approach when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds, and in this form, Grillo should effortlessly outproduce this low salary. At the RBC Canadian Open, Grillo is 3-for-3 in made cuts and two of these finishes have been top-30 results.

Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code FL55. 

DraftKings $6,000 and Below Range

Antoine Rozner ($6,900)

After missing his first cut of the season, Rozner hasn’t looked back, advancing to the weekend in his last 10 starts. Rozner has finished T34th or better at four events in a row, most notably with a T13 at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson last month. The French professional ranks 14th in SG: Approach this season and Rozner should make the cut in his RBC Canadian Open debut this week.

Mac Meissner ($6,800)

Meissner finished T57th in his RBC Canadian Open debut last year and he has only missed one cut in his last eight solo starts entering this week. Most recently, Meissner finished T28th at the Charles Schwab Challenge and he gained 6.0 strokes on approach that week, which finished fourth for the event. Meissner has gained strokes on approach in three of his last four starts and his strong iron play should result in a made cut for the 26-year-old this week.

Interested in more PGA action? Check out the pick’ems on Underdog Fantasy with Underdog promo code LABS.

Pictured: Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy

Photo credit: Imagn

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP: Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings Sanderson Farms Championship: Top PGA DFS Picks, Values, and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks for the Black Desert Championship on DraftKings PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks for the Shriners Children’s Open on DraftKings

About the Author

Alex Hunter is an avid DFS player who produces NFL and NBA content for FantasyLabs. He has been playing DFS for nearly a decade, dating back to the DraftStreet days and has been in the fantasy/betting content business for over eight years. Alex earned his bachelor’s degree in communications at Worcester State University and has contributed content for some of the biggest outlets in the industry, such as DraftKings Network, Stokastic (formerly Awesemo) and RotoWire, covering NBA, NFL and PGA. Alex is a data-driven analyst that has multiple wins and high finishes in GPPs on his DFS resume, as well as years of being a successful cash-game player. If you have any questions or need any lineup advice, Alex can be found @Hunta512 on Twitter.