CALEDON, Ont – After two rounds of the RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto, unlikely names are leading the field.
American Cameron Champ shot four under on day two and sits atop the leaderboard, two strokes ahead of countryman Andrew Putman.
Champ is currently bogie free through 36 holes after being the eighth alternate on Tuesday, and was not expecting to play.
“I definitely didn’t think I was getting in, especially 8,” said Champ, to reporters after his round on Friday. “Luckily I actually brought my passport.”
Champ is a regular attendee of the tournament, with this being his fifth appearance. Unlike his current runner-up, Putman, who has only competed at the event once back in 2018.
Putman shot the days lowest score with a 62.
“I hit a lot of fairways,” said Putman to the media following his round Friday. “Hit a lot of good iron shots too, and my putter was on fire. Pretty much did everything right. Didn’t really make many mistakes.”
The Arizona resident is playing his best golf since welcoming a newborn to the family and feels like he’s finally finding his groove midway through the season.
“The game looks good. I’m excited to keep it going. A lot of birdies out there. Got to keep going low.”
Some of the better scores of the day came from the four players tied for third. Canadians, Richard T. Lee, shot six under, while Nick Taylor recorded five under on the day. Victor Perez also finished the -5 while Thorbjorn Oleson followed up his nine under yesterday, with an even 70.
The unlikeliest of the bunch, Richard T. Lee, grew up in Vancouver, B.C., and currently plays in the Asia Tour, where he has had success. Lee has appeared in two previous Canadian Opens in 2019 and 2009 but failed to make the cut both times.
This is his first PGA Tour weekend appearance.
“I’m feeling great,” said Lee to reporters after finishing his round on the ninth green.
“Just had a perfect scorecard today and just love being out here in front of the Canadian fans.”
Lee will play in front of friends, family and a Canadian crowd hungry to see another Canadian win the tournament.
Nick Taylor was the last to do so, just a couple of years ago in 2023. Capping off an amazing Sunday in a playoff with a putter toss, which is no cemented in the Canadian Open logo. The fan favourite was feeding off the energetic Friday afternoon crowd.
“The fans are phenomenal,” said Taylor to the press after finishing his day on 18. “The ovation on the 1st hole alone, we had the National Anthem, it felt like, almost every tee box.”
Notable names who missed the -3 cutline
Max Homa (-2), Nicolai Hojgaard (-1), Justin Rose (-1), Sungjae Im (E), Gary Woodland (+1), Rory McIlroy (+9).
