Bradley fires 63 to grab 1st-round lead at Canadian Open
Keegan Bradley fired a 7-under 63 in Round 1 of the Canadian Open to lead by one shot over a large group of chasers.
The 32-year-old shot even par through six holes before rattling off five straight birdies to make his move early Thursday morning at Hamilton Golf and Country Club. Bradley's bogey-free performance gives him his fifth first-round lead since 2011.
Shane Lowry, Sungjae Im, Erik van Rooyen, Roberto Castro, and Nick Taylor all sit one behind Bradley at 6-under.
Taylor leads several Canadians looking to become the country's first winner of its national open since Pat Fletcher in 1954. Adam Hadwin is two back of the lead with Mackenzie Hughes, David Hearn, and Drew Nesbitt in the mix at 4-under after Round 1.
Hughes, who grew up 20 minutes away from the Canadian Open venue, had himself a memorable day. He donned a Kawhi Leonard jersey on No. 13 to the please Toronto Raptors fans in attendance and then nearly aced the par-3 16th.
Rory McIlroy made his debut north of the border with a 3-under 67. He finished the day in a tie for 25th.
Other notables struggled in Round 1. Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas shot even par and Dustin Johnson fell into 105th with his 1-over 71.