Thorbjorn Olesen, Cristobal Del Solar tied for Canadian Open lead
Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen and PGA Tour rookie Cristobal Del Solar of Chile each posted a 9-under-par 61 to share the first-round lead at the RBC Canadian Open on Thursday in Caledon, Ontario.
Olesen and Del Solar took full advantage of TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in the venue's PGA Tour debut. They own a one-shot lead over Cameron Champ; Jake Knapp is alone in fourth at 7-under 63.
Del Solar birdied 10 of his first 16 holes to pass Olesen for the outright lead and threaten a score of 59. However, he failed to get up and down from the bunker at the par-4 17th hole and took his only bogey of the day. He missed a 15-foot putt for birdie for the outright lead at No. 18.
"I just want to go and execute each shot," Del Solar said. "I think everyone kind of sometimes gets ahead of itself – ahead of themselves and thinking of the result or whatever. You just want to go out and just hit the golf shots ... It's very simple to say it, but obviously it's hard doing it."
Del Solar's claim to fame is a round of 57 he shot on the Korn Ferry Tour in February 2024. It was the lowest round ever recorded in a PGA Tour-sanctioned tournament. But he said that wasn't on his mind as he came down the stretch Thursday.
"Honestly not very much. I was just trying to hit good shots," Del Solar said. "I was just trying to stay in the present and have fun."
Olesen, meanwhile, has eight wins on the DP World Tour but is seeking his first title in the United States. He made a 33-foot eagle putt at No. 18, his ninth hole of the day, and it propelled him into a five-birdie front nine.
"My putting was exceptional today," Olesen said. "Don't think I missed any putts really out there. I definitely holed some long ones as well. It was nice to see everything go in."
Champ, who hasn't won on tour since 2021 and dropped to No. 420 in the world rankings, is pleased to be back in contention thanks to his bogey-free round.
"I have no expectations this week, the rest of the year," said Champ, who got into the field when Sahith Theegala withdrew because of an injury. "I'm just trying to play my game and stay within myself. I know, if I can do that, most of the time it ends up decently well. It's easier for me – whenever I kind of get in my head or start overthinking or doing things, it kind of gets a little sideways. So today I was very proud of myself for that."
Shane Lowry of Ireland went out in 5-under 30 on his way to a round of 64. He is tied for fifth with Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark and Trey Mullinax.
The low Canadian for the day was Taylor Pendrith (65), who set the clubhouse lead in the morning wave before several players passed him by. Defending champion Robert MacIntyre of Scotland is among the several golfers knotted with him in eighth place at 5 under.
Two-time Canadian champion Rory McIlroy is in danger of missing the cut after shooting a 1-over 71, which he ended with consecutive bogeys at Nos. 8 and 9. The Northern Irishman is playing for the first time since a T47 finish at the PGA Championship.
"I actually felt like I played OK," said McIlroy, tied for 119th. .".. It was my first outing with a new driver, and I felt like that went pretty well. I hit some drives that I liked and that I liked to see, so that was encouraging.
"Hit some good iron shots. Missed a couple of greens and didn't get them up and down, especially those last couple holes. Overall, I'm actually pretty happy with how I played. Obviously, need to go a little bit lower tomorrow and over the weekend to have a chance."
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