With world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler sitting out and Rory McIlroy leading the field, all eyes are on the 2025 RBC Canadian Open as it tees off Thursday at TPC Toronto. But according to veteran handicapper Brady Kannon, the best value may come from home soil: Mackenzie Hughes, listed at 45-1, is his sleeper pick to make a surprise run for the title.
McIlroy, the tournament favorite at +450, is the clear headline name in the absence of Scheffler, while Ludvig Aberg (+1400) is the only other top-10 ranked player in the field. Canadian stars Corey Conners (20-1), Taylor Pendrith (35-1), and Nick Taylor (55-1) are also expected to draw strong local support. Still, it’s Hughes who Kannon believes has the all-around game and form to challenge.
“Hughes has one of the best short games in the field,” Kannon noted, adding that his Par 3 scoring on longer holes stands out statistically. With three top-10 finishes in his last seven starts, Hughes has momentum — and motivation — to chase a long-awaited Canadian win in this event. Nick Taylor broke a 69-year drought in 2023, and Hughes could be the next to follow.
Kannon is also fading Wyndham Clark, citing a steep drop in form since missing the cut at the 2024 Masters. The defending U.S. Open champion has failed to register a top-25 finish in six consecutive events.
With odds posted by FanDuel Sportsbook, the Canadian Open field features a mix of established names and rising talent. Sam Burns, Shane Lowry, and Robert MacIntyre are all pegged around 28-1, while longer shots like Max Homa (65-1), Cameron Young (80-1), and Sahith Theegala (80-1) could offer sneaky upside.
For those looking for bigger payouts, Kannon has also locked in a longshot priced north of 70-1 — a player with recent form in Canada and the right metrics to contend. His full predictions and leaderboard projections are available exclusively through SportsLine.
As golf’s summer season heats up, the RBC Canadian Open could deliver drama, surprises, and perhaps another homegrown champion.