David Skinns of England is the unlikely first-round leader at the RBC Canadian Open after he fired an 8-under 62 in the first round Thursday at Hamilton (Ontario) Golf & Country Club.
Skinns, 42, is a journeyman who has yet to win his first PGA Tour title and is joined by 41-year-old Sean O’Hair near the top of the leaderboard. O’Hair is tied for second with Sam Burns at 7-under 63.
Skinns started his round on the back nine and made his move at the turn, when he strung together six birdies in a seven-hole stretch between Nos. 17 and 5. He stuck his approach at the par-4 18th inside 3 feet of the cup and later drained a 35-foot birdie putt at No. 3 and a 47-foot birdie at No. 8.
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre is fourth at 6-under 64, and Ryan Palmer is fifth after carding a 65. Two-time Canadian Open champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland is part of a tie for sixth at 4-under 66; he opened with nine pars before pouring in four birdies on his inward nine.
The low Canadian through one round is David Hearn at 3-under 67. Mike Weir, the 54-year-old former Masters winner, opened with a 2-under 68.
Defending champion Nick Taylor of Canada opened with a 2-over 72 and is in danger of missing Friday’s 36-hole cut.
–Field Level Media
