DeLaet finding his game
OAKVILLE, Ont. A string of birdies on Nos. 15, 16, and 17 at Glen Abbey Golf Club on Friday made it clear that Graham DeLaet has finally found his stroke at the RBC Canadian Open.
DeLaet, from Weyburn, Sask., shot a 4-under 68 for the second straight round to stand with Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., at 8 under, tied for 14th. It’s a relief for DeLaet who has had a rough ride at previous Canadians Opens, only making the cut three out of seven times in the tournament.
A rainy summer, including a thunderstorm that interrupted the first round on Thursday, has made the Jack Nicklaus-designed course softer and has helped DeLaet play a simple, accurate game.
“I think more than anything, I’m just hitting fairways,” said DeLaet after signing his scorecard. “The course is so soft that you can go at almost everything if you’re in the short stuff. And the rough isn’t that long but it’s just enough to make you kind of second guess.
“So if you’re in the fairways, I think that’s going to be key for me this weekend. If I continue to hit fairways, I’ll have a shot.”
DeLaet and Hughes are the only Canadians left in the field after a projected cutline of 4 under wiped out the other 15.
“I wish there were 17 Canadians 8-under or better,” said Hughes. “It would have been really fun to get a bunch of guys in the mix, but yeah, it’s nice to have Graham in there and not to be the Lone Ranger going out there on the weekend.”
Nick Taylor (72) of Abbotsford, B.C., David Hearn (72) of Brantford, Ont., Drew Nesbitt (69) of Shanty Bay, Ont., Bryn Parry (71) of North Vancouver, B.C., and amateur Hugo Bernard (70) of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., were tied at 3 under. Amateur Austin James (72) of Bath, Ont., was 1 under.
Adam Hadwin (69), also from Abbotsford, missed the cut after finishing at even par.
Martin Flores shot a 6-under 66 on Friday for a 12-under lead. Gary Woodland nearly tied the course record with a 9-under 63 to share second place with Matt Every (68) at 11 under.