Canadian Open Opening Rounds
Two of the world’s top-10 golfers traveled north of the border to compete in this week’s Canadian Open, both are in contention entering the weekend but trail players ranked outside of the top-200.
Steve Allan, ranked 416th in the world, put together two solid rounds in the 60s at Angus Glen GC in Markham, Ontario (a course criticized by Canada’s own Stephen Ames on Friday for being “too soft”). Allan found it just to his liking. Admittedly not the most accurate driver of the ball (he ranks 169th on the PGA Tour in driving accuracy), even he could find the fairway through the first two days.
Allan seems to have a knack at playing well at national tournaments. His only two professional wins have come at the German Open in 1998 and the Australian Open in 2002.
Tied with Allan atop the leaderboard at 10-under par is the world’s 214th ranked golfer, John Mallinger. He hit 15 greens and recorded 28 putts on his way to a second round, bogey-free 66 which matched his Thursday score.
Defending champion and world #3, Jim Furyk, shot a 5-under 66 just to keep pace with the rest of the low scores. He sits three shots behind Allan and Mallinger at 7-under par along with Brandt Snedeker, Cliff Kresge, and Doug LaBelle II.
This past week Vijay Singh, a two-time winner on tour this year, dropped from 6th in the world to 7th to make way for Padraig Harrington after his British Open win. The Fijian made several lengthy putts on the back nine to help shoot 65. On the par-3 14th, he dropped a 40 foot birdie putt which got him to 8-under par then made a 25 footer to remain at 9-under on the 17th hole.
The player getting the most attention this week has to be Canada’s own Mike Weir. Weir is analogous to the English tennis player Tim Henman. Both are adored by their countries, but when it comes to winning their country’s championship they have come up short. Henman has never won Wimbledon and Weir has never won the Canadian Open. Two back nine birdies on Friday cleared him of the cut line and a strong showing this week will go a long way in helping his push for a President’s Cup spot.
The low Canadian through two rounds is David Hearn at 4-under par.
