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Lack of big names leaves field wide open in Canadian Open
Hamilton, Sept 04: First there was the rash of forty-something winners, then the first- time major winners and now it`s the foreign invasion.
Hamilton, Sept 04: First there was the rash of forty-something winners, then the first- time major winners and now it's the foreign invasion.
What's next? That is a question that will attempt to be answered at this week's Bell Canadian Open, to be played at the par-70, 6,946-yard Harry Colt-designed Hamilton Golf and Country Club course.
While this event is not considered a major in the traditional sense, it is the Canadian national championship, so a player who has yet to win a major might be considered a strong contender.
The field is decent, but void of many marquee names -- Mike Weir and Vijay Singh being the only two ranked in the top 10 in the world. Weir is a logical favorite given his season-long play, but also because of the motivation to win his nation's biggest title. Singh is a logical choice, as well, given that he always appears to be a contender.
Beyond those two, the list is wide open. Australian Adam Scott cleared a huge hurdle by bagging his first PGA Tour win -- his fifth internationally -- and now the expectation bar has been raised another level. To expect the 23-year-old to win twice in as many weeks might be a stretch, but should he find an early groove, winning is not out of the realm of possibility. He worked hard on his putting following the British Open and it paid handsomely in Boston last week.
Defending champion John Rollins would normally be considered another logical contender except for the fact that the venue has changed. This course, though, suits him fine. It is classically designed and requires a great deal of shot-making strategy. If he is in contention by the weekend, consider him a factor. But The Early Line favorite is Chris Riley.
Look for the fall stretch of the season to be dominated by young players with serious upsides. Riley certainly falls into that category, and since the British Open he has finished second and tied for fourth in four starts.
Riley has a strong short game, which will aid him on this particular course. He ranks 35th on Tour in scoring average and first in third-round scoring average. He is second in putts per round. If none of the usual suspects claim this title, look for Riley to step forward.
Bureau Report
What's next? That is a question that will attempt to be answered at this week's Bell Canadian Open, to be played at the par-70, 6,946-yard Harry Colt-designed Hamilton Golf and Country Club course.
While this event is not considered a major in the traditional sense, it is the Canadian national championship, so a player who has yet to win a major might be considered a strong contender.
The field is decent, but void of many marquee names -- Mike Weir and Vijay Singh being the only two ranked in the top 10 in the world. Weir is a logical favorite given his season-long play, but also because of the motivation to win his nation's biggest title. Singh is a logical choice, as well, given that he always appears to be a contender.
Beyond those two, the list is wide open. Australian Adam Scott cleared a huge hurdle by bagging his first PGA Tour win -- his fifth internationally -- and now the expectation bar has been raised another level. To expect the 23-year-old to win twice in as many weeks might be a stretch, but should he find an early groove, winning is not out of the realm of possibility. He worked hard on his putting following the British Open and it paid handsomely in Boston last week.
Defending champion John Rollins would normally be considered another logical contender except for the fact that the venue has changed. This course, though, suits him fine. It is classically designed and requires a great deal of shot-making strategy. If he is in contention by the weekend, consider him a factor. But The Early Line favorite is Chris Riley.
Look for the fall stretch of the season to be dominated by young players with serious upsides. Riley certainly falls into that category, and since the British Open he has finished second and tied for fourth in four starts.
Riley has a strong short game, which will aid him on this particular course. He ranks 35th on Tour in scoring average and first in third-round scoring average. He is second in putts per round. If none of the usual suspects claim this title, look for Riley to step forward.
Bureau Report