In pro debut, Ben James holds 36-hole lead at Canadian Open
Brand-new PGA Tour member Ben James is showing the veterans how it's done.
In the second round of his professional debut, James fired a 7-under-par 63 on Friday to take the lead at the RBC Canadian Open in Caledon, Ontario.
James heads to the weekend at 10-under 130 after two rounds at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley's North course. First round co-leader Sam Burns (67), Jackson Suber (65), Keith Mitchell (64), Haotong Li of China (64) and Jesper Svensson of Sweden (65) are tied for second at 9 under.
James, 23, was awarded a PGA Tour card on June 1 after he finished the college season No. 1 in the PGA Tour University standings, a direct pathway for one collegiate golfer to make the big leagues.
He wrapped up a decorated career at the University of Virginia and headed toward Canada -- stopping Monday in Purchase, N.Y., to qualify for the U.S. Open. He earned one of four spots available at that qualifying site.
"I wasn't really thinking about really results at all this week," James said. "Just worried about getting comfortable, making new friends and having fun, and just seeing where everything kind of falls. Just seeing where my game stacks up. Obviously I have some stuff to work on, just trying to see where everything goes. Because this is just the baseline, it's my first professional debut. Obviously had a great two days, but just trying to get better."
He holed an eagle putt on the par-5 first hole and went on to add five birdies in a bogey-free round. It was James' second straight day eagling No. 1.
"I think that hole just likes me," James said. "I hope it keeps liking me. I just striped the first tee shot, hit a nice hybrid in there and rolled in a (22)-footer. I knew the greens were going to be a little slow and I was just happy I got it there and perfect speed and we were off and running from there."
The 63 is tied for the low round of the tournament, as Bud Cauley also shot a 63 Friday. Cauley shares seventh place at 8 under with first round co-leader Brooks Koepka (68), England's Tommy Fleetwood (65), Brice Garnett (67), Jimmy Stanger (67) and defending champion Ryan Fox of New Zealand (66).
"Look, it's tricky," Fox said. "There are some birdie holes out there, obviously with the wind direction you kind of get some holes downwind, but it was kind of getting to the point that downwind it was almost as hard to pick a number and pick a club than it was into the wind. So, yeah, if you would have given me 66 at the start of the day I would have taken it."
Burns is in the hunt for the second straight week after tying for fourth at the Memorial Tournament. He's vying for his first win on tour since March 2023.
"I think as a competitor you're always striving for more, so (I'll) probably go practice a little bit. But I think overall I feel pretty good," Burns said. "Obviously this is a big stretch (of the season) coming up, so try to get some rest in there as well."
The low Canadians through two rounds are Matthew Anderson and Taylor Pendrith at 7 under. Anderson was among the six first-round co-leaders and shot a 69 Friday, while Pendrith posted 67.
The cut line fell at 2 under Friday evening. Notables to miss the cut were PGA champion Aaron Rai of England (1 under), Garrick Higgo of South Africa (1 under), Canadians Corey Conners (even) and Mackenzie Hughes (2 over), Englishman Justin Rose (2 over) and Colombia's Camilo Villegas (2 over).
--Field Level Media
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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 7:16 PM.