Fort Worth, Tex., product Martin Flores fired a 66 for the second consecutive day at Glen Abbey Golf Club to move to 12-under-par and take the 36-hole lead at the RBC Canadian Open.

Flores was bogey-free on Friday with four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 second hole to build a one-shot advantage over Matt Every, Gary Woodland and Brandon Hagy, who are 11 under.

“I was really pleased with my day,” said Flores. “Starting on the back, I sprinkled in some birdies and was able to capitalize on 16 and 18 – two par 5s.”

The 35-year-old is looking for his first career PGA TOUR victory this weekend.

Second-round interview with 36-hole leader Martin Flores #Golf_Canada_Network_Leaderboard_BigBox pic.twitter.com/jVxRekzpcu

— RBC Canadian Open (@RBCCanadianOpen) July 29, 2017

Every—one of five players who shared the opening-round lead at 7 under par—posted a 4-under-par 68 in the second round to climb to 11 under par.

A two-time PGA TOUR winner, the Daytona Beach, Fla., native is happy to be in contention heading into the weekend.

“I definitely feel like I’ve made big strides the last few months, because it sucks to suck,” said Every. “I’m playing well right now. It’s not like a surprise to me. But I feel good with where I’m at.”

Hagy, a Santa Monica, Calif., native, had seven birdies on Friday to put himself in position to chase his first career PGA TOUR win this weekend.

The lowest score of the day belonged to Woodland. Hailing from Topeka, Kans., Woodland fired a 9-under-par 63, matching his career low round on the PGA TOUR—one shot away from tying the course record.

“Today I drove it well. Obviously, the ball-striking was good and I saw some putts go in,” said Woodland. “That adds up to a pretty good number.”

Graham DeLaet and Mackenzie Hughes were the lone Canadians to survive the 36 hole cut at Glen Abbey. The pair sit at 8 under par and hold a share of 14th.

DeLaet carded a 4-under-par 68 for the second consecutive day.

“I know the crowds will probably be big tomorrow and fun, and I need to try to embrace that,” said DeLaet. “I’m within striking distance, so another solid round tomorrow or something really low, I think I’m going to need two really good ones or like one really special one to get the win.”

The Weyburn, Sask., native had his best RBC Canadian Open finish in 2014, where he tied for 7th.

“I’m in the mix, and I’m excited about it.” – Graham DeLaet after carding a 68 to get to 8-under at the #Golf_Canada_Network_Leaderboard_BigBox. pic.twitter.com/J7IPVudosy

— RBC Canadian Open (@RBCCanadianOpen) July 28, 2017

Already a winner in his rookie season on the PGA TOUR, Hughes started the day in a tie for 17th at 5 under par. The Dundas, Ont., native poured in seven birdies in round two, but added four bogeys to card a 3-under-par 69.

“You’re going to have those kind of rounds. I did well to manage it,” said Hughes. “It was kind of tricky out there. The winds were kind of swirling and a little bit gusty at times. So, 3 under was a good score.”

Three-time major champion Vijay Singh made a move up the leaderboard on Friday. The Fijian carded a 4-under par 66 to move into a tie for fifth two shots back of Flores at 10-under par.

Singh, 54, passed on playing in the Senior Open Championship this weekend to return to the site of his 2004 victory over Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member and Brights Grove, Ont., native Mike Weir.

“I know the golf course. The people are very friendly and they know golf,” said Singh. “I’ve played here so many times. Very, very familiar with it.”

Defending champion Jhonattan Vegas is part of a group of four players at 9 under par. The Venezuelan doesn’t plan on changing his game plan on the weekend as he tries to repeat.

“I was playing with Dustin (Johnson) today, which was a good thing because we were both firing at everything,” said Vegas. “You have to stay aggressive out here, because these guys are making a lot of birdies.”

Tee times for the third round can be found here.

CANADIANS AT THE 2017 RBC CANADIAN OPEN

• T14 Graham DeLaet – Weyburn – 68-68 -8
• T14 Mackenzie Hughes – Dundas – 67-69 -8

— DID NOT ADVANCE —

• Nick Taylor – Abbotsford – 69-72 -3
• David Hearn – Brantford 69-72 -3
• Bryn Parry – Vancouver 70-71 -3
• Drew Nesbitt – Shanty Bay – 72-69 -3
• Hugo Bernard (a) – Mont-Saint-Hilaire – 71-70 -3
• Austin James (a) – Bath – 71-72 -1
• Adam Hadwin – Abbotsford – 75-69 E
• Mike Weir – Brights Grove – 72-73 +1
• Daniel Kim – Toronto – 73-72 +1
• Riley Wheeldon – Comox – 74-72 +2
• Matt Hill – Brights Grove – 71-76 +3
• Brad Fritsch – Manotick – 72-75 +3
• Jared du Toit – Kimberley – 71-79 +6
• Ryan Williams – Surrey – 78-77 +11
• Garrett Rank – Elmira – 74-81 +11

(a) denotes amateur

A look at the best photos from Thursday’s opening-round of the 2017 RBC Canadian Open. Images via: Golf Canada/ Bernard Brault

Hudson Swafford, Kevin Chappell, Matt Every, Ollie Schniederjans, and Brandon Hagy carded matching rounds of 65 to lead the way at 7 under par in the rain-shortened first round of the RBC Canadian Open.

Play was halted at 3:45 p.m. due to dangerous weather and resumed at 5:40 p.m. after a 1 hour and 55-minute delay. Twenty-one golfers were unable to finish their first round when play was officially suspended for the day due to darkness at 8:48 p.m.

Swafford, from Tallahassee, Fla., parred his first hole of the day before pouring in five consecutive birdies to kickstart his round.

“I hit a lot of quality shots and gave myself a lot of looks,” said Swafford. “That’s all I was trying to do, keep giving myself looks and rolled the putter beautifully.”

He added three more birdies and just one bogey to put him himself in a good position to chase his second PGA TOUR win of the season following a victory at the CareerBuilder Challenge in January.

Chappell averages 299.9 yards per drive off the tee and took advantage of the three par-5s at Glen Abbey playing them in 4-under-par.

“I hit it really well. Got the ball in play on the par 5s, so I was able to attack those,” said Chappell.

The Fresno, Calif., native has three top-10s on the PGA TOUR this year including a win at the Valero Texas Open and a T7 at The Masters.

Hagy, a native of Santa Monica, Calif., had eight birdies and only one bogey to record his career-low round on the PGA TOUR (in relation to par). Every of Daytona Beach, Fla., had a clean card in his opening round recording seven birdies without dropping a single stroke.

Like Every, Schniederjans was bogey free. The Dallas, Tex., product chipped in for eagle on hole No. 13 and another on hole No. 18 to go along with three birdies. The former No. 1 ranked amateur in the world has four top-10s on the PGA TOUR this year.

“I took advantage of the par-5s and just played real consistently well off the tee. I was in good positions all day. Just a solid round,” said Schniederjans.

Eleven players are one stroke back at 6-under-par including two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson. The Baghdad, Fla., product had six birdies and zero blemishes on his card recording his first bogey-free round since the second round of the 2016 BMW Championship.

“Today it’s a little softer but you know, light rough, firm greens, but light rough and I feel like I can play as long as I can make a couple putts and that’s what I did,” commented Watson.

Dundas, Ont, native Mackenzie Hughes is the leading Canadian sitting T17 after a 5-under-par 67. Teeing off on hole No. 10 Hughes went out in a pedestrian 1-under-par 36 before heating up on his second nine – carding four birdies in his first five holes to finish at 5 under par.

“It was pretty rock solid, lots of fairways and gave myself some really good looks. The birdie putts I made were relatively close, inside ten feet, 12 feet” said Hughes. “Those are nice days when you can be aggressive from that 15-foot range. It was a fun day.”

Graham DeLaet from Weyburn, Sask., is T33 at 4-under-par. Nick Taylor, (Abbotsford B.C.) is T53 alongside Brantford’s David Hearn at 3-under-par (69).

Team Canada Amateur Squad teammates Jared du Toit (Kimberley B.C.), Hugo Bernard (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.) and Austin James (Bath, Ont.) carded matching rounds of 71 for a share of 87th.

CANADIANS AT THE 2017 RBC CANADIAN OPEN

• T17 Mackenzie Hughes – Dundas – 67 -5
• T33 Graham DeLaet – Weyburn – 68 -4
• T53 Nick Taylor – Abbotsford – 69 -3
• T53 David Hearn – Brantford 69 -3
• T70 Bryn Perry – Vancouver 70 -2
• T87 Jared du Toit – Kimberley – 71 -1
• T87 Hugo Bernard (a) – Mont-Saint-Hilaire – 71 -1
• T87 Austin James (a) – Bath – 71 -1
• T106 Mike Weir – Brights Grove – 71 E
• T106 Brad Fritsch – Manotick – 72 E
• T106 Matt Hill – Brights Grove –E (17)
• T121 Daniel Kim – Toronto – 73 +1
• T121 Garrett Rank – Elmira – +1 (16)
• T121 Drew Nesbitt – Shanty Bay +1 (16)
• T138 Riley Wheeldon – Comox – 74 +2
• T146 Adam Hadwin – Abbotsford – 75 +3
• 156 Ryan Williams – Surrey – +7 (17)

Round one will resume on Friday at 8:20 a.m.

For the full leaderboard click here.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – ZTE announced today a three-year extension as official smartphone of the RBC Canadian Open, through the end of 2019. This year’s RBC Canadian Open takes place at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario, from July 24-30, 2017.

This partnership is another milestone in ZTE’s ongoing commitment to invest in Canada, and is part of a larger movement to grow the company’s presence on the world stage.

“The RBC Canadian Open is a major part of ZTE’s global sports partnership strategy, and provides us with broader reach in Canada and in regions around the world,” said Lixin Cheng, CEO of ZTE Mobile Devices and Chairman of ZTE North America.

“Brand building relies on long-term and consistent investment, and we are thrilled to continue to showcase ZTE’s brand and devices at such a world-class event.”

“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with a strong global brand like ZTE,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada. “I’d like to thank them for their commitment to Canadian golf and for enhancing the championship experience at Canada’s National Open Championship.”

Partnering with local sports teams, organizations and players is a strategic initiative of ZTE’s around the globe to help build awareness and affinity towards the brand.  With partnerships now in Canada, the United States, Germany, Australia, Mexico and other regions, ZTE can engage more fans with the ZTE brand in key markets around the world.

To engage with fans at the RBC Canadian Open, ZTE has the Grand X View tent, a large, covered structure set between the 6th green and 7th tee, to demonstrate its latest products including the new ZTE Connected Car Solution. There are also charging stations for spectators and daily giveaways.

New this year, ZTE is offering fans the opportunity to get up close with the professional golfers through a custom-designed Player Walkway. This walkway will give fans a unique vantage point of the players walking past, along with a Selfie Mirror set up in front of the walkway. Finally, fans can also check out the ZTE Experience Tour truck, a hands-on mobile showcase of ZTE’s amazing technologies.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – The 108th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship gets underway Thursday with 156 of the world’s best golfers, including 17 Canadians and world No. 1 Dustin Johnson set to compete for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open trophy and their share of the $6 million (US) purse.

Johnson leads the PGA TOUR in wins this year with three, and was the runner-up at the RBC Canadian Open in 2013 and 2016.

“I’ve played well here the last couple years, and you know, I’m looking forward to it this year,” said Johnson. “I enjoy playing this golf course.”

Johnson went on to talk highly of the host city and the support he receives from the Canadian fan base.

“The fans have been great since the first time I came,” said Johnson. “When I’m out there on the course, I’ve always got a lot of fans and they are always supporting me a lot.”

When asked about the condition of Glen Abbey, the world’s No. 1 golfer had high praise for the work superintendent Andrew Gyba and his team have done to get the course ready for the RBC Canadian Open.

“It’s in perfect condition. You can’t find anything wrong with it,” added Johnson. “The greens are perfect. The fairways are perfect.”

The first round of the RBC Canadian Open starts at 7:10 a.m. with players teeing off on the first and 10th tees.

Jack Nicklaus talks to media on Tuesday, July 25th at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

A video recap of our 2017 Opening Ceremony and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Induction.

ANCASTER, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Drew Nesbitt of Shanty Bay, Ont., Riley Wheeldon of Comox, B.C., Lee McCoy of Tampa, Fla. and Jhared Hack of Homestead, Fla. have all earned entry into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open through today’s Final Qualifier at Heron Point Golf Links.

Nesbitt and Wheeldon carded matching rounds of 5-under-par 66 to share medallist honours.

Nesbitt, who will make his PGA TOUR debut at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, is thankful Canada’s National Championship is truly an open event.

“That’s the nature of the game that they have these open qualifying events. It allows amateurs and pros that aren’t full status and mini tour players like myself, to get to the next level,” said Nesbitt. “It will be a good experience to test my game against the best players in the world.”

Wheeldon will be playing in his third PGA TOUR event. He played in the 2013 RBC Canadian Open and advanced through Monday Qualifying into the 2014 Farmers Insurance Open.

“I feel lucky as a Canadian that I get to play in our National Championship,” added Wheeldon. “It’s great to be one round away and know that you have that opportunity to get into that tournament.”

Six players shot 67, which forced a playoff that decided the last two spots. McCoy advanced on the second playoff hole while Hack outlasted Team Canada’s Stuart MacDonald from Vancouver on the sixth playoff hole.

Team Canada graduate Blair Hamilton (Burlington, Ont.), Nyasha Mauchaza (Port Saint Lucie, Fla.) and Hunter Stuart (Lexington, Ky.) were the other playoff participants who failed to qualify.

Below are full qualifier results from the 2017 RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifying.

1. Drew Nesbitt, Shanty Bay, ON, *33-33-66 -5
   1. Riley Wheeldon, Comox, BC, *33-33-66 -5
   3. Jhared Hack, Homestead, FL *34-33-67 -4
   3. Lee McCoy, Tampa, FL *33-34-67 -4
   — DID NOT QUALIFY —
   3. Stuart MacDonald, Vancouver, BC, *35-32-67 -4
   3. Blair Hamilton, Burlington, ON, *33-34-67 -4
   3. Nyasha Mauchaza, Port Saint Lucie, FL, *35-32-67 -4
   3. Hunter Stewart, Lexington, KY, *35-32-67 -4
   9. Stephane Dubois, Brantford, ON, *35-33-68 -3
   9. Vincent Blanchette, Boucherville, QC, *35-33-68 -3
   9. Eric Banks, Truro, NS, *35-33-68 -3
   12. Brendan Leonard, Cambridge, ON, *34-35-69 -2
   12. Brad Kerfoot, Toronto, ON, *37-32-69 -2
   12. Danny Sahl, Sherwood Park, AB, *35-34-69 -2
   15. Jesse Smith, Ohsweken, ON, *37-33-70 -1
   15. Philip Arci (a), Vaughan, ON, *37-33-70 -1
   15. Eddie Maunder, Oakville, ON, *35-35-70 -1
   15. Russell Budd, Toronto, ON, *36-34-70 -1
   15. Jordan Niebrugge, Oakville, MT, *37-33-70 -1
   20. Cole Nead (a), Toronto, SC, *39-32-71 E
   20. Marc Casullo (a), Aurora, ON, *36-35-71 E
   20. Benoit Boudreau, Longueuil, QC, *36-35-71 E
   20. Griffin Jones (a), Manotick, ON, *38-33-71 E
   20. Joshua Montgomery (a), Ancaster, ON, *37-34-71 E
   20. Peyton Callens (a), Langton, ON, *38-33-71 E
   20. Marc-Étienne Bussières, Sherbrooke QC, *37-34-71 E
   27. Horacio Leon, Jupiter, FL, *35-37-72 +1
   27. Andrew Ledger, Toronto, ON, *37-35-72 +1
   27. Adrian Cord, Toronto, ON, *33-39-72 +1
   27. Derek Barron, Lakewood, WA, *34-38-72 +1
   31. Chase Komaromi (a), London, ON, *35-38-73 +2
   31. Sebastian Szirmak, Toronto, ON, *35-38-73 +2
   31. Peter Campbell, Windermere, FL, *37-36-73 +2
   31. Keith Martin, Kelowna, BC, *38-35-73 +2
   31. James Skrypec, Kitchener, ON, *39-34-73 +2
   31. Bill Walsh, Markham, ON, *38-35-73 +2
   37. Nic Mazze (a), Caledon East, ON, *38-36-74 +3
   37. Joseph D’Alfonso, Caledon, Ontario, *36-38-74 +3
   37. Marc Bourgeois, Dieppe, NB, *36-38-74 +3
   40. Victor Ciesielski, Cambridge, ON, *38-37-75 +4
   40. Lucas Kim, Toronto, ON, *37-29-66 +4
   42. Mandeo Singh Pathania, Toronto, ON, *40-36-76 +5
   42. Jean-Philip Cornellier, St-Césaire, QC, *39-37-76 +5
   42. Wes Homan, Cincinnati, OH, *37-39-76 +5
   42. Jay Delsing, St. Louis, MO, *39-37-76 +5
   46. Mike Currie (a), Milton, ON, *39-38-77 +6
   46. Gabriel Gingras (a), Chelsea, QC, *39-38-77 +6
   46. J.J. Regan, Burlington, ON, *40-37-77 +6
   46. Dan Bowling, Brights Grove, ON, *38-39-77 +6
   50. Mack Duke, Rockport, ME, *40-38-78 +7
   51. Yanik Laforest, Mirabel, QC, *41-38-79 +8
   51. Louis-Alexandre Pitre, Quebec, QC, *42-37-79 +8
   53. Elliott Whitley, Hamilton, ON, *38-43-81 +10

— DID NOT FINISH —

1. Tom Hoge, Fort Worth, TX, *30-0-30 +1
   WD. David Iaderosa (a), Ottawa, ON, *31-0-31 +2
   WD. Francis Berthiaume, Valleyfield, QC, *33-0-33 +4
   WD. Matthew Jones, Scottsdale, AZ, *

CANADIANS IN THE FIELD:

The following 17 Canadians will compete in the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

• Adam Hadwin, Abbotsford, B.C.
• Graham DeLaet, Weyburn, Sask.
• Mackenzie Hughes, Dundas, Ont.
• David Hearn, Brantford, Ont.
• Nick Taylor, Abbotsford, B.C.
• Brad Fritsch, Manotick, Ont.
• Mike Weir, Brights Grove, Ont.
• Jared du Toit, Calgary, Alta.
• Hugo Bernard, Mont St-Hilaire, Que.
• Austin James, Bath, Ont.
• Garrett Rank, Elmira, Ont.
• Bryn Parry, Vancouver, B.C.
• Matt Hill, Brights Grove, Ont.
• Ryan Williams, Surrey, B.C.
• Riley Wheeldon, Comox, B.C.
• Drew Nesbitt, Shanty Bay, Ont.
• Daniel Kim, Toronto, Ont.

Monday at the RBC Canadian Open was the Canada Day Pro Am. Teams of three amateurs joined one Canada’s top golfers or a Canadian Golf Hall of Fame player with morning and afternoon tee times.

Proceeds from the Pro-Am benefited the Golf Canada Foundation going to support the developmental pathway in Canada including Team Canada and the Young Pro Program. The Foundation’s mission is to provide golfers and industry partners with a charitable platform to increase participation in golf by engaging players of all ages and abilities across Canada.

The 2017 RBC Canadian Monday Pro-Am raised over $200,000 in support of junior golf programs. For more information on the Golf Canada Foundation, visit www.golfcanadafoundation.com.

A look at photos from Monday, July 24th at Glen Abbey Golf Club and the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.