Fresh-faced PGA Tour member Ben James is making quite an impression on the seasoned professionals.
During his second round as a professional golfer, James carded an impressive 7-under-par 63 on Friday to capture the lead at the RBC Canadian Open taking place in Caledon, Ontario.
The rookie enters the weekend rounds sitting at 10-under 130 following two days of play at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley’s North course. Opening round co-leader Sam Burns (67), Jackson Suber (65), Keith Mitchell (64), China’s Haotong Li (64) and Sweden’s Jesper Svensson (65) share second place at 9 under par.
The 23-year-old James received his PGA Tour card on June 1 following his first-place finish in the college season’s PGA Tour University standings, which provides a direct route for one college player to reach the professional level.
After completing his successful career at the University of Virginia, James traveled to Canada — but first made a stop Monday in Purchase, N.Y., to attempt qualifying for the U.S. Open. He secured one of four available spots at that qualifying location.
“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.”
James sank an eagle putt on the par-5 opening hole and continued by recording five birdies without any bogeys. This marked James’ second consecutive day making eagle on the first hole.
“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.”
James’ 63 matches the tournament’s lowest score, as Bud Cauley also recorded a 63 on Friday. Cauley is tied for seventh at 8 under alongside opening 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 continues his strong play for the second consecutive week after finishing tied for fourth at the Memorial Tournament. He’s seeking his first tour victory 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 top Canadian players after two rounds are Matthew Anderson and Taylor Pendrith at 7 under par. Anderson was part of the six-way tie for the first-round lead and shot 69 on Friday, while Pendrith carded a 67.
Friday evening’s cut line was set at 2 under par. Notable players who failed to advance included 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).
