Hadwin On Track Again At The Canadian Open
Last Updated on Friday, 27 July 2012 00:26 Friday, 27 July 2012 00:16
(July 26, 2012 - Ancaster, ON) - Canadian Tour member Adam Hadwin got his quest for a third straight Rivermead Cup off to a good start Thursday, firing a four-under 66 in the first round of the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.
Hadwin, who has been the low Canadian at the national championship each of the last two years, made six birdies on the day and sits tied for 12th, four back of leader Scott Piercy.
"I had a really good three days of preparation for the event," said Hadwin. "I hit a lot of quality shots and a lot of great putts and it just turned into a 66."
Last year at Shaughnessy, the Abbotsford, B.C. native thrilled fans with a T-4 finish, coming up just shy of becoming the first Canadian to win the Canadian Open since Pat Fletcher in 1954. Hadwin was the top Canuck in 2010 as well, finishing T-37 at St. George's.
"I'm rolling the putter really well right now so I've got a lot of confidence on the greens," added Hadwin.
Hadwin has another Canadian Tour connection this week, as Canadian Tour member Yohann Benson is on the bag for this week's tournament.
PGA TOUR member and Canadian Tour alumnus David Hearn, who retains Canadian Tour membership, posted a two-under 68 to sit tied for 24th. The Brantford, ON native has 13 made cuts and seven top-25s on the PGA TOUR this season.
Hearn won the 2004 Times Colonist Island Savings Open on the Canadian Tour, also posting four other top-10s and winning the Web.com Tour's Alberta Classic that season. Hearn was matched by Web.com Tour and Canadian Tour member Brad Fritsch, who made four birdies and two bogeys on the day.
Canadian Tour Order of Merit leader Matt Hill posted a consistent round of even-par 70, starting with a birdie on his first hole while adding one more birdie and two bogeys for the round. The Sarnia, ON native is playing in his fourth Canadian Open and is looking to make the cut for the first time.
"My focus coming in was to try and be relaxed and to have some fun out there," said Hill. "I feel like I've had a good start and want to improve on that."
Victoria, BC's Cory Renfrew, who sits second on the Order of Merit behind Hill, birdied his final hole to post his own even-par 70. Hill and Renfrew sit tied for 67th.
Canadian Tour alumni and PGA TOUR members Matt McQuillan and Graham DeLaet posted one-under 69s to sit tied for 39th. McQuillan made three birdies and two bogeys, while DeLaet countered three early bogeys with birdies on four of his final six holes. Former Canadian Tour member David Markle joined the pair at one-under.
Burlington, ON native Michael Gligic, who had a large gallery that included many friends and family, struggled to a two-over 72. Abbotsford, BC's Nick Taylor also struggled, shooting a five-over 75.
Las Vegas, NV's Scott Piercy made a late charge to take the lead with an eight-under 62 that included two eagles. Piercy leads by one over Mansfield, UK's Greg Owen and Boiling Springs, SC's William McGirt. Scottsdale, AZ's Robert Garrigus is a shot further behind.
CANTOUR alumnus Stuart Appleby shot a five-under 65 to sit tied for fifth in a group that includes 2011 Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel.
The second round will begin at 7:10 AM off both tees Friday. Below are the tee times for the Canadian Tour players in the field.
Adam Hadwin - 10th hole - 8:40 AM
Cory Renfrew - 10th hole - 8:40 AM
Brad Fritsch - 10th hole - 8:50 AM
Nick Taylor - 10th hole - 9:00 AM
Michael Gligic - 10th hole - 9:10 AM
Matt Hill - 1st hole - 1:50 PM
