David Skinns of England emerged as the surprising first-round leader at the RBC Canadian Open after carding an 8-under 62 on Thursday at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.
The 42-year-old journeyman, still seeking his maiden PGA Tour title, finds himself in esteemed company with 41-year-old Sean O’Hair also near the top of the leaderboard. O’Hair is tied for second place with fellow American Sam Burns, both at seven under par.
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre holds fourth place at six under, while two-time Canadian Open champion Rory McIlroy is part of a tie for sixth at four under.
This marks Skinns’ first career 18-hole lead on the tour, although he has twice shared the lead after 54 holes this season. He achieved top-10 finishes at the Cognizant Classic and the Texas Children’s Houston Open, the first two top-10s of his PGA career.
“I think once you know your good golf can compete, it’s a lot easier to trust that and to have those feelings of comfort a little more than maybe otherwise if you hadn’t been there before and held up,” Skinns commented. “Yeah, not particularly uncomfortable right now.”
Skinns began his round on the back nine and surged ahead at the turn, stringing together six birdies in a seven-hole stretch between the 17th and fifth holes. He stuck his approach shot at the par-four 18th within three feet of the cup, later sinking a 35-foot birdie putt at the third and a 47-foot birdie at the eighth.
Although it may be premature, Skinns was asked about the significance of a potential victory.
“I think everyone knows the answer to that,” he said. “I’ve been working at it for 20-something years. I’ve got to play [Friday] first, though.”
