HAMILTON, Ontario (AP) — Hidemichi Tanaka, a nine-time winner on the Japanese tour in his second full season on the PGA Tour, shot a 4-under 66 in the Canadian Open on Thursday and held a one-stroke lead five golfers.
Charles Howell III, Brad Faxon, Kelly Gibson, Tom Byrum and Glen Day all had 67s at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club course and were one stroke in front of Tom Lehman, Tom Pernice Jr., Patrick Sheehan, Tommy Armour III, Willie Wood, Jeff Brehaut and Bill Glasson.
Armour's grandfather, Tommy Armour, won this tournament in 1930, the last time it was played on the historic Hamilton course.
Canadian star Mike Weir opened with a 69.
EUROPEAN MASTERS: At Crans-Sur-Sierre, Switzerland, Ernie Els shot a 6-under 65 at the European Masters and shared the first-round lead with defending champion Robert Karlsson.
Eduardo Romero, Mark McNulty, Mark Farry, Henrik Bjornstad and Paul Eales were all one stroke off the lead.
Sergio Garcia and Michael Campbell were among 10 golfers two shots back at the Crans course.