Erik van Rooyen warmed up for next week’s US Open with a six-under-par start at the RBC Canadian Open.
After sealing a place via sectional qualifying at the year’s third Major, the South African went low on Thursday.
The numbers agree with just three fairways and four greens missed.
Van Rooyen finished his day tied for 2nd at 6-under with Roberto Castro, Nick Taylor, Sungjae Im, and Shane Lowry.
Keegan Bradley leads at 7-under with Russell Henley, Danny Lee, Matt Kuchar, Adam Hadwin, Sebastián Muñoz, Graeme McDowell, Jimmy Walker and Scott Brown tied for 7th at 5-under.
Van Rooyen’s day got off to the perfect start after his 131-yard approach nestled to 3 feet for a birdie on the second.
After a 303-yard drive on the 542-yard par-5 fourth, he chipped his third to 3 feet, which he rolled for a one-putt birdie on the hole. Another splendid approach at the fifth helped Van Rooyen to three-under.
A chip in on the ninth was another highlight as he continued to climb the board.
The back nine was just as kind as Van Rooyen made a number of birdies before a 19-foot putt on 17 got him to six-under.
