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 to go with the 3-under 67 he shot on Thursday and was maintaining a one-shot lead midway through the second round of the $9.8 million event. A group of four players trailed James by one with half the field still on the 7,839-yard TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley course.
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.
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 for the best round of the tournament midway through the second round. He eagled the same hole on Thursday, although he had started on the back nine in the first round.
“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 might be even more excited to cash a check for the $1,764,000 that goes to the winner.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.