VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — American Kris Blanks shot a 3-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead after the first-round at the Canadian Open on Thursday.
Matt McQuillan was the best of 17 Canadians with a 2-under 68, putting the 30-year-old PGA Tour rookie in a tie with 11 players, including Ernie Els.
Rickie Fowler, Anthony Kim and Lucas Glover — playing together in softer morning conditions — all shot 69 to finish among another group of nine players on a day when only 21 players were under par on the tight tree-lined, 7,010-yard Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.
Blanks played in the morning, after overnight rain softened the course, making it easier to attack the small greens. But first players had to find the fairway to avoid thick rough many said was tougher than the U.S. Open.
