In pro debut, Ben James holds 36-hole lead at Canadian Open

Field Level Media|published: Fri 12th June, 19:23 2026

Jun 12, 2026; Caledon, Ontario, CAN; Ben James hits his approach shot into the 18th green during the second round of the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Brand-new PGA Tour member Ben James is showing the veterans how it's done.

In the second round of his professional debut, James fired a 7-under-par 63 to take the lead at the RBC Canadian Open on Friday in Caledon, Ontario.

James heads to the weekend at 10-under 130 after two rounds at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley's North course. Sam Burns (67), Jackson Suber (65), Keith Mitchell (64), Haotong Li of China (64) and Jesper Svensson of Sweden (65) are tied for second at 9 under.

James, 23, was awarded a PGA Tour card on June 1 after he finished the college season No. 1 in the PGA Tour University standings, a direct pathway for one collegiate golfer to make the big leagues. He wrapped up a decorated career at the University of Virginia and headed to Canada -- stopping Monday in Purchase, N.Y., to qualify for the U.S. Open. He earned one of four spots available at that qualifying site.

He holed a 22-foot eagle putt on the par-5 first hole Friday and went on to make five birdies in a bogey-free round. The 63 is tied for the low round of the tournament, as Bud Cauley also shot a 63 Friday.

Cauley is tied at 8 under with Brooks Koepka (68), England's Tommy Fleetwood (65), Brice Garnett (67) and defending champion Ryan Fox of New Zealand (66).

The projected cut line stood at 2-under-par with the final few groups finishing Friday evening. On track to miss the cut are PGA champion Aaron Rai of England (1 under), Garrick Higgo of South Africa (1 under), Canadians Corey Conners (even) and Mackenzie Hughes (2 over), Englishman Justin Rose (2 over) and Colombia's Camilo Villegas (2 over).

--Field Level Media