CALEDON, Ontario — Connecticut native Ben James is making the most of his PGA Tour debut at the RBC Canadian Open, at least through the halfway point.
James, from Milford, a Hamden Hall grad, fired a 7-under 63 on Friday — tied for the low round of the tournament thus far — and was the tournament leader at the halfway mark at 10-under par. A group of five players that included Sam Burns, Haotong Li, Keith Mitchell, Jackson Sube and Jesper Svensson were a shot back at 9-under.
In a group of six players two shots back at 8-under were Tommy Fleetwood, major champion Brooks Koepka and Bud Caulley, who also shot a second-round 63 on Friday.
James, 23, earned his Tour card by finishing No. 1 in the PGA Tour University rankings after wrapping up a stellar amateur career that included being named a first-team All-American all four years at the University of Virginia. The $9.8 million tournament incudes a first price of $1,764,000.
He has qualified for the U.S. Open for third year jn a row, and will head to Shinnecock Hills after this tournament. He has also received an exemption for the third time to play in The Travelers Championship, a Signature Event with a top shelf field, June 25-28 in Cromwell.
Teeing off at 8:28 a.m. Friday, James went right to work, opening his round with an eagle on the par-5 first hole, then added five birdies and no bogeys over the 7,839-yard TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley course. He eagled the same hole on Thursday on his way to an opening-round 67.
“It all kind of came together today,” James told reporters in Canada via the Golf Channel. “It was just one of those days, the putter was good, hitting fairways, had good numbers, and was able to capitalize on a pretty tricky scoring day.”
Jim Benepe is the only player in PGA history to win in his first Tour event as a pro. He won the 1988 Western Open for his lone career win.
Asked what he thought about playing in a final weekend pairing in his first event, James said, “I’ve got no clue, because I’ve never been in this position, so I’m very excited to find out.”
He’s about to find out as he’s officially in the final pairing that will tee off in Saturday’s third round.