Dan Roebuck’s RBC Canadian Open preview: Chappell too big of a price

The top of the market for this week’s RBC Canadian Open is densely populated by golfers who played four gruelling rounds at Muirfield in the Open Championship.

Whether they finished in the top 10 or straggled in towards the rear, there is no way I can advise an investment on any player who survived the cut at the East Lothian layout. Mentally, they must be struggling, while physically they won’t be in great shape either.

So having dismissed the vast majority of the top dozen in the betting (there’s nothing like a sweeping judgement is there?!) let’s move on to who the value lies with.

Of my three selections Kevin Chappell is 50/1, but he shouldn’t be. The Californian was highly touted for this year’s US Open – Ladbrokes quoted him at 66/1, shorter than the likes of Ernie Els, Bubba Watson and Ian Poulter – but he could only manage a share of 32nd spot. Still, that was hardly a disgrace and with solid efforts since, in which his driving accuracy stats have been eye-catching, he looks a terrific bet.

Given Woody Austin’s win in the Sanderson Farms Championship last week, many veterans of the tour will perhaps be inspired. So step forward Jerry Kelly (80/1). The three-time PGA Tour winner topped the driving accuracy charts on his last outing in the John Deere Classic – where he was fourth – and there just might be another victory in the Wisconsin-born pro, who was fifth at Glen Abbey the last time it was staged at the Ontario track.

Lastly, with form figures of 9-5-2, I cannot overlook Daniel Summerhays (50/1), who lost to Austin in a play-off on Sunday and who would be much shorter in the betting if it wasn’t for the Open Championship contingent.

My three to follow – Chappell Kelly and Summerhays.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.