Stunning First Round at TPC Toronto
In a remarkable display of skill, Cristobal Del Solar of Chile and Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark each carded a 9-under-par 61 to share the first-round lead at the RBC Canadian Open on June 5. The event, held at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ontario, marked its debut as a PGA Tour venue, and both players took full advantage of the course conditions. Del Solar, a PGA Tour rookie, flirted with breaking the 60 barrier, birdieing 10 of his first 16 holes before a bogey on the par-4 17th and a par on the par-5 18th settled his score.
Olesen matched Del Solar's performance with an equally impressive round, showcasing precision and consistency to join the Chilean at the top of the leaderboard. Their scores represent the lowest opening-round totals in the tournament's history, setting a high bar for the competition. The duo holds a one-shot lead over Cameron Champ, who posted a strong 8-under 62.
Key Contenders and Standout Performances
Just behind the leaders, Jake Knapp stands alone in fourth place with a 7-under 63, while Shane Lowry of Ireland, Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark, and Trey Mullinax are tied for fifth with rounds of 64. Lowry, in particular, started strong with a 5-under 30 on his front nine, demonstrating his competitive edge. Taylor Pendrith emerged as the low Canadian of the day with a 65, briefly holding the clubhouse lead during the morning wave before being overtaken by the afternoon players.
Defending champion Robert MacIntyre of Scotland sits tied for eighth at 5-under alongside several other golfers. Meanwhile, notable names like Rory McIlroy faced challenges, with McIlroy missing the cut after a second-round 78 that included a quadruple bogey and multiple bogeys. As the tournament progresses into the weekend, Cameron Champ has taken the overall lead after two rounds with a total of 12-under 128, as reported on June 6.
Tournament Outlook and Rising Stars
The RBC Canadian Open continues to deliver drama and excitement, with Del Solar's performance drawing particular attention due to his nickname 'Mr. 57,' earned from a historic Korn Ferry Tour round. His near-miss at a sub-60 score captivated fans and analysts alike, highlighting his potential as a rising star on the PGA Tour. Olesen, a seasoned player with multiple DP World Tour wins, brings experience to the leaderboard, creating an intriguing dynamic for the remaining rounds.
As the field narrows, players like Andrew Putnam (10-under after two rounds) and Nick Taylor (9-under) remain in contention, promising a competitive finish. With TPC Toronto proving to be a challenging yet scorable venue, the RBC Canadian Open is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling events on the PGA Tour calendar this year.