Cameron Champ opened a two-shot lead atop the Canadian Open leaderboard Friday after a 4-under 66.
Champ wasn't in the field for the tournament until Tuesday and was the eighth alternate for the event as of last weekend. The 29-year-old is a three-time PGA TOUR winner but has gone four years without a victory and lost his TOUR card last year. He's primarily played on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2025.
"I definitely didn't think I was getting in, especially at eight (alternate)," Champ said after his round, per Paul Hodowanic of PGATOUR.com. "I know the deadline, some guys will withdraw over the weekend, something like that, but eight, I was like, yeah, probably not getting in.
"Luckily, I actually brought my passport. I don't know why I brought it. I was like, you know, I'm just going to bring it in case for whatever reason, not even thinking about the tournament. So, it all worked out nicely."
Champ was one shot off the lead after an opening-round 62. He hasn't recorded any bogeys yet in the tournament.
Here's a look at the top of the leaderboard heading into the weekend at TPC Toronto.
| Position | Player | Round 2 score | Total to par |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Champ | -12 | 66 |
| 2 | Andrew Putnam | -10 | 62 |
| T3 | Thorbjorn Olesen | -9 | 70 |
| T3 | Richard Lee 🇨🇦 | -9 | 64 |
| T3 | Nick Taylor 🇨🇦 | -9 | 65 |
| T3 | Victor Perez | -9 | 65 |
| T7 | Ryan Fox | -8 | 66 |
| T7 | Jake Knapp | -8 | 69 |
| T7 | Shane Lowry | -8 | 68 |
| T7 | Cristobal Del Solar | -8 | 71 |
| T7 | Sam Burns | -8 | 66 |
| T7 | Matteo Manassero | -8 | 65 |
Olesen and Del Solar shared the Round 1 lead, but neither could continue their momentum into Friday. Putnam posted the lowest round of the day.
Lee, a 34-year-old from Toronto with eight career TOUR events on his resume, jumped 27 spots on the leaderboard and is tied with Taylor as low Canadians. Taylor was within striking distance of Champ's lead but bogeyed twice on the back nine.
Canadians Taylor Pendrith (7-under), Mackenzie Hughes (6-under), and Adam Hadwin (5-under) are all within the top 30.
Rory McIlroy is the biggest name to miss the cut. This year's Masters winner won't play the weekend after posting a second-round 78.
