Preview and Predictions for the 2015 RBC Canadian Open

From one Open to another: Jack Nicklaus' first solo design, Glen Abbey, is the host for this week's RBC Canadian Open, which starts on Thursday. 

Just outside of Toronto, the course plays host to a solid field (featuring 15 golfers who made the cut at the British Open), considering this is the week after a major championship across the ocean in a different time zone.

Breezy conditions are expected at the par-72 layout, but birdies will still be flying in abundance.

Click through for all the details on the Canadian Open.  

Where to Watch and Tournament Info

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Defending Champion: Tim Clark

Where

Glen Abbey Golf Club

7,253 yards, par 72 

What

Total Purse: $5,800,000

Winning Share: $1,044,000

FedEx Points to Winner: 500

When

Thursday and Friday: 3-6 p.m. ET, Golf Channel

Saturday and Sunday: 3-6 p.m. ET, CBS

Biggest Storylines

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Can a Canadian finally win again?

A Canadian hasn't won his country's national open since Pat Fletcher did so at Point Grey Golf Club in 1954. There are, of course, numerous Canadians in the field: Albin Choi, Austin Connelly, Corey Conners, Graham DeLaet, Brad Fritsch, Adam Hadwin, Blair Hamilton, David Hearn, Richard Jung, Taylor Pendrith, Garrett Rank, Justin Shin, Roger Sloan, Adam Swanson, Nick Taylor and Billy Walsh. Of this group, Taylor, DeLaet, Hadwin and Hearn have the best chances to end the drought. 

Brandt Snedeker scratched

Brandt Snedeker, the 2013 RBC Canadian Open champ, was forced to withdraw from this year's tournament with a hip injury. He missed the cut at St. Andrews and has traveled to Colorado to have the injury examined. The No. 28 golfer in the world, Snedeker was having a bounce-back season with a win and a total of eight top-10 finishes. 

British Open redemption? 

Bubba Watson, who missed the cut at St. Andrews, tied for 21st at Glen Abbey in 2013. He's won just two starts prior to the Open (the Travelers Championship) and will be looking to atone for a poor showing. 

In addition, Jason Day will be looking for the win this week after coming up just one stroke short at St. Andrews. 

The Favorites

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Jason Day

The ninth-ranked golfer in the world, Jason Day enters the RBC Canadian Open on the heels of missing out on the playoff that decided the Open Championship by a stroke. The event isn't usually on Day's calendar, but he'll be happy to have scheduled it and have a chance at raising a trophy and erasing the bitter taste of last week's miss. The Australian is second on tour in birdies and 23rd in greens in regulation. 

Jim Furyk

A stalwart at the Canadian Open, Jim Furyk tied for ninth when the tournament was contested at this course in 2013. Coming off a tie for 30th at the Open Championship, Furyk is seventh on tour in strokes gained from tee to green and eighth on tour in strokes gained in total. 

Luke Donald

Another golfer who teed it up in Scotland last week, Luke Donald has been hot in recent starts. He tied for seventh at the Travelers Championship and tied for 12th at the Open Championship. He tied for 24th at Glen Abbey in 2009.   

The Dark Horses

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Pat Perez

One of the best par-four players on tour, Pat Perez is riding a lengthy cut streak. He's also 16th in birdie average and finished tied for 24th at Glen Abbey in 2009. It's high time the ASU alum gets the third win of his career. 

Hunter Mahan

In 2013, Hunter Mahan was leading the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey after two rounds. Putting family first, he withdrew prior to the third round after finding out his wife Kandi was in labor. He tied for fourth at Glen Abbey in 2007, so he has an aptitude for the course, and there would be no greater poetic justice this week than a Mahan victory. 

Prediction

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Brooks Koepka hasn't had any trouble handling courses he's teeing it up at for the first time. Thus, the fact that he's a Glen Abbey newbie shouldn't be a deterrent. 

The long-hitting Floridian impressively finished tied for 10th at St. Andrews and hasn't finished outside the top 25 in his last four starts. He's ninth on tour in driving distance at 306.6 yards and 18th in greens in regulation at 70.13 percent. He is 12th on tour in strokes gained in total. 

We're tapping the Florida State alum to pick up his second win of the season. 

Stats via PGATour.com.